Talkin’ smack with Mr. Kennedy
The biggest blockbuster of the summer is fast approaching, and I can’t think of anyone better to talk to me about it than the WWE’s loudest mouth, Mr. Kennedy. I was able to speak to Kennedy over the phone this past week, courtesy of Jack TV and the WWE. The charismatic young superstar, known for yapping his big mouth and winning big matches, is currently pursuing the United States Championship on his way back to the top of the industry. Kennedy spoke his mind about SummerSlam, his quest for gold, his greatest matches, Vince McMahon and his famous entrance routine.
PHILIPPINE STAR: What’s the story behind your unique entrance routine?
KENNEDY: My real name is Ken Anderson. So it was kind of an homage to The Matrix. The character there, Neo, was “Mr. Anderson.” I started making people call me Mr. Anderson out of respect. One night, Paul Heyman said, “Tonight, pull up there and announce yourself and do your own introduction.” So I went out there and did that and it kind of immediately caught on. Then I came into the WWE and transformed into Mr. Kennedy and the rest is history.
You’ve always had great rapport with the fans, whether you are the “face” or the “heel.” What does that feel like?
I try to go out there and entertain the fans. I don’t care if they’re booing or cheering me. I just want them to make noise. It’s a good feeling to have the crowd booing you or cheering you as long as they’re being loud. A loud crowd is a good thing. It makes you feel good. It makes you feel like you’re doing your job.
What’s in store for us at SummerSlam?
We’ve got a lot of great matches. SummerSlam is going to be one of the biggest pay-per-view events of the year. It’s going to be the biggest blockbuster of the summer, obviously. Every year it seems to do better and better and this year is going to be no different. Hopefully I can get a match in it against Shelton Benjamin. He’s the United States Champion and I got to go after the gold now.
Speaking of gold, you’ve had some untimely injuries in the past, including one that cost you the Money in the Bank title shot. How close do you think you are now to the title?
It’s one of those things where I was so close to it I could taste it. I was injured and I went away and got drafted over to an entirely different show and things are different over there. Here I am back on Smackdown. I’m not at the bottom but I still have to build myself back up. I’m going to have to go up to those secondary titles like the United States Championship but the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship is always — always — my number one prize.
Among the talent on the WWE Roster, who do you like working with? Who are your closest friends?
I like working with Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy. They always make for a great match. I’ve had nightmares about this guy but I’ve had some of my greatest matches with the Undertaker. I’ve had some great matches with Batista. And there are some guys that I haven’t really gotten the chance to work with too much that I really would like to. Triple H is one of those guys. Edge is one of those guys that I’d really like to work with. I’ve a got a score to settle with him after he took my Money in the Bank title shot.
If you could wrestle someone from another era, who would it be?
It would probably be Steve Austin. He came right before me, but he was the guy that really, really got me into the business. He was the one that made me want to be a wrestler. I would definitely like to step into the ring with him and have a match with him.
Did you pattern your moves after any past superstar?
I love wrestling so much that I watch bad wrestling, I watch good wrestling, I watch independent wrestling. I watch
How does it feel to be recognized all over the world?
It’s cool. I’m just a normal guy, you know. I put my pants on the same way anybody else does. I probably enjoy the same things my next-door neighbor enjoys doing. It just happens to be that I’m a celebrity on TV and some people recognize me. I really don’t know what to say. I’m just a regular guy. I try not to let it go to my head.
What are the places you’ve visited as a WWE superstar?
I’ve visited about 15 different cities in
We are big, big fans.
Big, big fans! It was just fun because when you deal with fans who are that emotional about our product, it just makes it that much easier and that much more fun when you go out in the ring and perform. That was really a great time.
Are you as loud off-camera as you are on-camera?
No, definitely not! The cool thing about my job is that I get to do and say all the things people want to do and say in their day-to-day lives but would get in trouble for it. I would probably go to jail if I were as loud and obnoxious as I am sometimes on camera. But I get paid to do it and I’m able to do it so I do it.
How’s Vince McMahon as a boss?
(Laughs) He is what you see on TV, man. What you see is what you get. He can be a great guy and he can be your worst nightmare.
Any final words on SummerSlam?
The WWE is all about entertaining and we put a lot of smiles on people’s faces and there’s no doubt that SummerSlam will be worth every penny that is spent on that pay-per-view. It’s going to be as exciting as any other PPV. Check it out and you won’t be disappointed.
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You can catch WWE SummerSlam on
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For questions, comments or corrections, please e-mail me at carlfrancisramirez@gmail.com.
