During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Impact Wrestling Superstar Karl Anderson commented on getting released from WWE, thinking he deserved more in WWE, and more. You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On believing he deserved more in WWE: “What we do is scripted entertainment, and I’ll be honest, there are times when I felt like I deserved more in WWE. Going on the road in WWE, especially in 2018 and 2019, I was taking my frustrations from the road back home. My wife didn’t understand what I was going through; my kids couldn’t understand why I was in a bad mood. All I wanted to do was get out of that bad mood. I was only home for two or three days, and then I had to go back to this f***ing place I didn’t want to go back to. A couple weeks very quickly turns into six months. I love my family so much, but that affected my life at home. Getting released by WWE was the best thing that ever happened to me. It’s been a reminder that wrestling isn’t everything. At the end of the day, family is No. 1. Sometimes you can lose sight of that. I am honored to do what I do in wrestling, but I’m also extremely proud to be a husband and a father.”
On people counting against him his whole life: “I’ve been counted against my entire life. When I first told people that I was going to be a pro wrestler, I was told I was too small. When I moved to Los Angeles for more opportunities, I was told I wouldn’t make it. Then I got hired by New Japan, and people told me I’d only be a job boy there. Next thing you know, I’m IWGP tag champ with Giant Bernard [Matt Bloom] for a record amount of days. Then Giant Bernard goes to WWE, and I get a chance in a singles match in 2012 against Nakamura in the New Japan Cup at Korakuen Hall, and I beat him. I’ll always bet on myself. I knew we could bring more eyes to Impact, and now we’re able to work with New Japan and AEW. It’s such a unique time, and we’re making the most of it. This is a badass chance for me to show what I can do. It’s an opportunity I have wanted, and I’m confident it’s going to live up to the expectations.”
