Arn Anderson and Brock Anderson at C2E2

Arn Anderson had an interesting wrestling career. He is considered one of the best to never win a major World Title. He won many tag team titles and midcard titles, but he never won the major belt in a big company. He was also in the Four Horsemen, a stable many view as the best faction ever.

Anderson is now in All Elite Wrestling as a manager onscreen and probably much more backstage. He has a tremendous mind for the business, on the mic, in the ring and on booking. His son Brock is a young talent in AEW, too.

Last year, my comic creator friend Dirk Manning announced he would be producing a graphic novel of Anderson's career. This is big news in the wrestling and comic worlds. Manning had tremendous success with Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story and I am sure Anderson's book will be just as successful and probably even better.

I met the Andersons at C2E2 last year, along with catching up with Mnning and Schiavone. I am betting the Andersons will be doing more signings as the book nears release.

For more info on the book, go to DirkManning.com. Also, go to C2E2.com for more info on C2E2 2022, running August 5-7. 

Arn Anderson, Brock Anderson and me in Chicago, IL-December 2021.

Friend Encounters: Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, JJ Dillon and Tony Feddeler

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

The last time I saw my friend Tony Feddeler with the Four Horsemen, he was repping the Johngy shirt. Tony returns here with some of the Horsemen, but no Johngy shirt. Still, this is a very cool moment.

Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were the tag team within the Horsemen. On their own they would have been a great team, but as part of the Horsemen, they became legends. The Horsemen were perhaps the greatest stable and assembly of talent ever. With Ric Flair as the leader, Arn and Tully as the backbone, a rotating 4th member and manager JJ Dillon, the Horsemen were so good as villains, they were cheered.

Tony is a great friend, a wrestling fan and a convention buddy. We've had a lot of fun over the years at various events. He's a good guy and I always look forward to seeing him.

I love the picture below, because Tony looks like he could have been in the Horsemen. Actually, he could have been Arn's tag team partner, moving Tully to the secondary title picture with Ric still being the main man. Arn and Tony would have been a force.I am sure Tony wouldn't disagree with me placing him in the Horsemen!

Arn Anderson, Tony Feddeler, Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon in Schaumburg, IL-September 2018.

Arn Anderson at the Motor City Comic Con 2016

Arn Anderson has had an interesting wrestling career.  He was "brought" into the "Anderson" family because he bore a resemblance to the Ole Anderson.  He enjoyed success as part of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.

They started a loose alliance with Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon.  Soon, thanks to a fantastic promo by Arn, this group became known as the Four Horsemen.  This group is the benchmark for all wrestling stables.  There have been many attempts to duplicate them, but none will ever match their success and popularity.

Arn never attained the big championship, but he won several smaller titles and many tag team championships.  "The Enorcer" seemed happy in his role.

Cuzz and I met Arn at the Motor City Comic Con 2016.  We were the first people at his booth and he immediately instructed us to "put up the four."  As silly as it might sound, I got chills.  Arn is one of the very best never to have won major heavyweight titles.

Arn was the last of the main Four Horsemen that I have met.  I can now take him off my "Most Wanted" list.  Thank you MCCCC and thanks to Arn, too!

Cuzz Gekas, Arn Anderson and me in Novi, MI-May 2016.

Arn Anderson at Motor City Comic Con 2016

The Motor City Comic Con has a history of adding wrestlers to their celebrity guest lineup.  Last year, the MCCC had their greatest wrestling combination ever with arguably the best version of the Four Horsemen.

Headliner Ric Flair was joined by Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and JJ Dillon.  I had previously met all of them individually, except for Anderson.  Aside from getting a group shot, I was excited about meeting AA.

Anderson is one of the greatest wrestlers to never hold the heavyweight title in the main companies.  He carved out his legendary career as "The Enforcer," his nickname and his role in the Horsemen.  Anderson had been on my "want" list for years.  Thanks to the fine folks at MCCC, I was able to finally meet Anderson.

Despite being swamped by a huge line of fans, Anderson was very relaxed and gave each a special moment.  "Okay, let's throw it up there," he saidas I approached him.  I knew immediately that he meant to raise the four fingers, the famous salute of the Horsemen.  Of course, I complied.  Joining Anderson in a Horsemen salute is a wrestling fan's dream.

Anderson talked a bit about being by Flair's side for most of their careers.  He also talked about working as an agent for the WWE and helping future stars develop in and out of the ring.  Anderson was one of the best talkers in wrestling.  He didn't say much, nor did he yell, but his promos were killer.

This year, the MCCC is bringing in Sting, another legendary wrestler.  Anderson and the Horsemen had historic battles with Sting over the many years they worked in WCW together.  Those are my "golden years" of wrestling.

I thank Anderson for his time.  I thank the MCCC for their hospitality and for bringing in great guests.  I look forward to this year's MCCC.  For more info, including this year's guest lineup, check out MotorCityComicCon.com.

Arn Anderson and me in Novi, MI-May 2016.

Arn Anderson at the Motor City Comic Con 2016

Arn Anderson has had an interesting wrestling career.  He was "brought" into the "Anderson" family because he bore a resemblance to the Ole Anderson.  He enjoyed success as part of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.

They started a loose alliance with Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon.  Soon, thanks to a fantastic promo by Arn, this group became known as the Four Horsemen.  This group is the benchmark for all wrestling stables.  There have been many attempts to duplicate them, but none will ever match their success and popularity.

Arn never attained the big championship, but he won several smaller titles and many tag team championships.  "The Enorcer" seemed happy in his role.

Cuzz and I met Arn at the Motor City Comic Con 2016.  We were the first people at his booth and he immediately instructed us to "put up the four."  As silly as it might sound, I got chills.  Arn is one of the very best never to have won major heavyweight titles.

Arn was the last of the main Four Horsemen that I have met.  I can now take him off my "Most Wanted" list.  Thank you MCCCC and thanks to Arn, too!

Cuzz Gekas, Arn Anderson and me in Novi, MI-May 2016.

Arn Anderson For the Hall of Fame

Marty Lunde debuted in pro wrestling in 1982.  Because he strongly resembled veteran wrestler Ole Anderson, Lunde became Arn Anderson and started teaming with Ole as the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.  By 1986, they were aligned with Ric Flair and Tully Blanchard, collectively known as the Four Horsemen.
Flair would go on to have a legendary career.  While Anderson was usually connected to Flair, he never captured the big titles, but did win many tag titles and lesser singles titles.  Still, Anderson carved out a great career by being "the Enforcer".  His interviews were quiet, but intense.  His in ring work was no-nonsense.  A neck injury ended his career slightly prematurely and he now works as an agent for the WWE.
From all accounts, Anderson is awesome to meet.  He is cordial, gracious and appreciative of his fans.  That doesn't surprise me, as Anderson is pretty old school.  He is very protective of the business he loves and he is a great ambassador for it.
With this year's WrestleMania being in Atlanta (home of the now defunct WCW) and the Hall of Fame class having a WCW flavor,  I thought Anderson was a sure bet.  Maybe they are waiting for Ric Flair to leave TNA and rejoin WWE to induct Anderson.  With the WWE and wrestling, you just never know.  I do know that Anderson is a true classic and deserves enshrinement.

Arn Anderson in Atlanta, GA-Late 2000's.