Arn Anderson was considered one of the best workers of his era inside of the ring and one of the tougher wrestlers behind the scenes. The time in the Four Horsemen made Anderson an important performer when working alongside Ric Flair and the various other members. WCW was the place fans most remember Anderson having his best moments, but he worked all over territories.
WWE utilized Anderson and his best tag team partner Tully Blanchard as the Brain Busters. The post-in-ring career of Arn saw him continue to contribute to the industry as a backstage producer. Anderson made the move to AEW in the early stages for a similar role there along with a managing position for Cody Rhodes on-screen. Find out more about the legend with some interesting backstage stories about Arn.
10 Slapped Disco Inferno For Disrespecting Him
Disco Inferno has a reputation for being one of the most obnoxious people in wrestling and Arn Anderson encountered that one night. Hugh Morrus was the wrestler being trolled by Disco bragging about his star power during a WCW tour.
Anderson told Inferno to cut it out which led to Disco essentially challenging the legend. The story shared from Arn revealed that he slapped Disco in the face to end the interaction and quiet him for the rest of the trip.
9 Wrestlers Looked To Him After Undertaker's Streak Ended
Arn Anderson was arguably the most popular WWE producer with dozens of top names complimenting him throughout the years. The infamous moment of Brock Lesnar ending The Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak saw every WWE personnel remembering where they were when it happened.
Anderson revealed that he was watching the show backstage with a few of the wrestlers and their families. Various talents looked directly at Arn in shock since they thought it was a mistake and he represented management at the time.
8 WCW Allowed Him To Wrestle For ECW
One of the oddest matches from Arn Anderson was him working in ECW. The strange fit saw Anderson in a promotion that wasn’t known for his style and he was still under WCW contract at the time back in 1994.
ECW booked the duo of Bobby Eaton and Sabu to defeat Anderson and Terry Funk. Eric Bischoff revealed Arn asked to work the show and was allowed since ECW wasn’t viewed as a threat at the time. Sabu and Anderson appearing in the same match is not something fans remember.
7 Hated Paul Roma In Four Horsemen From Day One
Paul Roma is viewed as the worst wrestler to ever join the Four Horsemen faction. Both Ric Flair and Arn Anderson buried Roma in various WWE productions and personal podcast appearances when discussing the experiment.
The look of Roma won over WCW management who tried to fast track him into an important role by joining the top faction. Anderson buried Roma when discussing how he knew the newcomer would not fit in and eventually ruined the magic of the Horsemen.
6 Friendship With Ric Flair Took A Hit Due To Nature Of Business
The bond between Ric Flair and Arn Anderson saw them becoming best friends for decades in the wrestling business. Flair would go to bat for Anderson as a wrestler and Anderson eventually did the same for Flair as a producer.
The two no longer have such a close bond as confirmed by both when asked on their respective podcasts. Anderson confirmed they barely talk and lost touch due to the differing of their schedules, but he still respects Flair and enjoys him when they see each other.
5 Was Emotional About NWO Mocking His Retirement
One of the most emotional moments in WCW history came when Arn Anderson delivered his retirement speech due to injury. Kevin Nash mocked Anderson one week later with the New World Order’s impressions of the Four Horsemen regarding the speech.
Anderson revealed his family was hurt by the segment and Ric Flair was livid as well. The aftermath saw Arn confronting Nash with the possibility of getting violent. Nash talked Anderson out of the anger by making it known he meant no disrespect and was just trying to get comedy across.
4 WWE Fired Him For Alicia Fox Situation
The firing of Arn Anderson by WWE was shocking since he was one of the most respected producers. Every relevant wrestler to speak on working with Anderson in WWE had nothing but the utmost praise for the legend.
The situation to cause the release saw Alicia Fox showing up to a live event allegedly intoxicated and being allowed to perform. Anderson was the top producer on live events with names like Triple H and Vince McMahon not around. That led to his firing.
3 WCW Fired Sid For Attacking Him With Scissors
WCW had a horrible situation on their hands during a brutal hotel room fight between Arn Anderson and Sid Vicious. The two had a hostile exchange of words in the lobby before getting separated to hopefully cool off.
Sid did not take such advice and instead went to Anderson’s room with a pair of scissors to attack him. WCW fired Sid during a huge push due to how ugly the situation could have gone. 2 Cold Scorpio was luckily there in time to break it up as just a bloody mess instead of a potential scarier outcome.
2 Ric Flair Threatened To Walk Out If WCW Fired Arn Too
There were rumblings that WCW considered firing both Arn Anderson and Sid Vicious following the hotel room fight. Ric Flair was the biggest name in the company at the time and made it clear he’d walk out if Anderson was fired.
The close friendship between Flair and Anderson saw them having each other’s back every step of the way. Anderson remained on the roster as WCW did not want to risk losing three top talents at a time that they lacked depth.
1 John Cena Strictly Wanted Arn Producing His Matches
John Cena was one of the biggest supporters of Arn Anderson in WWE. The end of Cena’s run as a full-time star featured him primarily wanting to work with Anderson as the producer for all his matches and segments.
Many people in WWE believed that Cena would have stopped WWE from firing Arn if he was still a full-time star when the release happened. Vince McMahon would not have risked upsetting his biggest star by firing valuable personnel.