C. W. Anderson gave up a promising career as a catcher in the San Diego Padres organization to become a professional wrestler. Anderson made his debut in 1993. In 1996 Anderson opened his own wrestling school and trained Lodi among others. Anderson then went to the WCW Power Plant where he was told in no uncertain terms that he lacked talent to be a professional wrestler. C.W. Anderson would then go to ECW for a couple of years before ECW became engulfed by the WWE. After toiling on the indie circuit for a few years Anderson suffered liver failure due to the use of Superdrol. Battling back Anderson would work a few shots for WWE before returning to the indie circuit. C.W. Anderson sat down for a short chat with me about life in and out of wrestling.
Q. Do you think life would be different if you took the Padres up on their offer?
A. Yeah, I really do. I was a good catcher and could have made a great living at playing baseball. Sure my body wouldn't be as broken down as it is now and I'd made a helluva lot more $$$. Had a better life in general.
Q. How would you rate your time in ECW and how do you feel now that Vince McMahon has made a mockery of what was an innovative promotion and concept?
A. My time was the best, wish I could live those 2 yrs for the rest of my life, memories just don't cut it anymore. That was Vince's plan from the beginning. He never cared bout what ECW was, just that it was more popular than the crap he was/is putting out there and wanted to destroy the ECW name.
Q. CW Anderson and Ole Anderson have heat? Want to share why?
A. He's just a bitter old man and hates that someone could make the Anderson name better than he ever could. Damn shame he can't be proud that someone wants to take that name and make it into something of what it use to mean.
Q. What was your time in the WWE like? Any regrets?
A. Wish I was in a little better shape and wish I'd never signed. Worst 9 months of my life and it was worse than me going through liver failure
Q. Who would CW Anderson's dream match be with?
A. Main event... Me v Benoit or Kurt Angle... Think either one could make a match they'd talk about for years.
Q. What are you up to now, are you hoping for a P90X commercial?
A. Started back to school for Radiology and enjoying it. On round 3 of p90x and still loving it. Would enjoy a commercial for it lol...
Q. What is your best road story?
A. One that has to be told over the phone, too much to type on here. Involves me, Corino, a Japanese woman and almost murder LOL...You can find it somewhere on the net, seems its the most fav. road story of all internet wrestling radios
Q. Of all the places you've worked and promoters you've worked for, who has been the best and the worst?
A. Best would be Zero One or Hermie Sadlers UPW... most indy promotions fall into that worst category
Q. When JJ Dillon and Paul Orndorff told you that you lacked talent, you didn't seem to let it bother you, instead you went out to prove them wrong, how big of an impact did that statement make on you?
A. Didn't really think about it to much until Paul Heyman told the entire ECW lockeroom that I was the best heel in wrestling period. That if anyone wanted to know to work, to watch me...I knew I had some talent but didn't think it was to that extent.
Q. In the annals of wrestling, what do you want said about CW Anderson?
A. That I could wrestle anyone and get a great match. That no matter how many people knew me, I never changed like most and was always humble. I gave my heart and life for a business that in the end, didn't love me back.
Comments
Ran into CW and Jack Victory in a Jersey Mall many years ago. Approached them to tell them I was a fan and that they were great. CW shook my hand and thanked me. Couldn't have been a nicer guy.
The podcast of the story in question is on our show... www(dot)carnagecrew(dot)net and is not for the faint of heart!
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