Paul Heyman came up with Ken Anderson’s famous self-performed ring introduction, one of the most recognizable entrance gimmicks in wrestling history, with a simple instruction at Ohio Valley Wrestling: cut off the ring announcer and make the moment as big and over the top as possible.
Anderson, who performed as Mr. Kennedy in WWE and Mr. Anderson in TNA, told Soundsphere about the origin of the bit.
Paul Heyman one day at OVW says, ‘Tonight, cut the ring announcer off, cuss him out, and then you do your own big introduction.’ He said, ‘Just make it big and over the top.’
Heyman was working as a producer and talent developer at OVW, WWE’s developmental territory at the time. His instinct for character creation helped shape several careers that went through the system during that era.
Anderson debuted in WWE in 2005 and went on to win the Money in the Bank briefcase at WrestleMania 23. Injuries and backstage incidents shortened his main roster run. He later had an extended career in TNA, winning the TNA World Championship.
