While the name Mr. Kennedy is known to fans of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s SmackDown show, throughout the Green Bay area he's known as "Kamikaze Ken" Anderson, the name he used when he competed on the Milwaukee and Green Bay Wisconsin independent circuit. During Ken's time in WWE Developmental Territory Ohio Valley Wrestling, it was decided he couldn't use his real name, as the Anderson name was too closely associated with the famous Anderson wrestling "family" (Arn, Ole, Lars, Gene, Bryant), and that Ken should have a name that was more current, as was documented on Ohio Valley Wrestling TV. It is believed Paul Heyman came up with the Kennedy name, a play on Vince McMahon's middle name. Since Ken had previously been called "Mr. Anderson", he would now be called "Mr. Kennedy".

Although Ken has only won his first WWE title, he already knows what it is like to have 10 pounds of gold around his waist, as he is a former NWA/Mid-American Wrestling (now defunct) Champion; a former NWA Midwest Champion; a former All-Star Championship Wrestling TV Champion, and a 3-time former ACW Heavyweight Champion, with his final singles reign there making him one of the last people to hold the original belt prior to the title being discontinued (it was later reactivated).

Ken also had the "unfortunate honor" of being the final opponent of the late Eddie Guerrero.

Also, just because he is an outstanding singles wrestler doesn't mean he can't work as part of a team. Ken has held tag team gold in UCPW (with "Big Daddy" Jason Loker, another ACW veteran); XICW (with Joe Padgett); and a three-time ACW Tag Team Champion with his trainer, Mike Mercury and "The Real Shooter" Adrian Serrano (a legitimate shootfighter with the UFC and other MMA promotions).

Ken Anderson already had a strong athletic background before becoming involved in professional wrestling, competing in both swimming and track during high school. He was also involved in two different styles of martial arts, Tae-Kwon-Do and Escrima (stick fighting), and in 1997, Ken took first place at the Midwest Regional Escrima Championship.

As a wrestler, Kamikaze Ken utilizes a variety of high-flying moves that earned him the nickname "Kamikaze", a name he would use all throughout his independent career. Known for his agility and aerial ability, his signature finisher is a top-rope senton which has been dubbed the "Kenton Bomb" by fans, although Ken uses a variety of finishing manoeuvres to claim victory over his foes.

Ken's determination and dedication to his chosen sport in the face of injury was tested in early 2000 when he was admitted to the hospital for nine days with what was described as a "tennis-ball sized" hole in his lung. Ken describes it as: "The doc says that I took a hard bump, coughed up some blood, some of the blood stayed in my lung and became a breeding ground for bacteria that my immune system normally would have fought off. The bacteria ate a huge hole in my lung. I had a 102-103 temperature for like two weeks and I lost 26 pounds. I didn't know if I would make it, and was worried that I wouldn't be able to wrestle again for fear of a relapse if I did make it. You have no idea what it's like for a doctor to show you a picture of your lung that's half gone at 24 years old. That sucked.". However, after months of recovery, Ken made a triumphant return to the ring at the ACW event named especially for him - The Return of Kamikaze Ken, on June 3, 2000.

Debuting in September of 1999 at The Watering Hole in Green Bay against Daryk St. Holmes, Esq. after training for roughly eight months with All-Star Championship Wrestling founders Eric Hammers & Michael ("Mike Mercury") Krause and signing on in WWE with slightly less than six years as a pro, and his first WWE title in just his seventh year as a pro, he is in his peak years as a draw.

Ken was released from his WWE contract on May 29, 2009 and once again is performing under his given name.

Ken returned "home" to All-Star Championship Wrestling on December 4, 2009 at ACW's Homecoming, where he was inducted into the ACW Hall of Fame by his trainers, ACW founders Mike Mercury and Eric Hammers, becoming the first member of the Hall of Fame to be inducted while still an active wrestler. He would also capture the ACW Heavyweight Championship that night, as well, although he would lose it in an impromptu rematch the same night. As a result of his victory, he would hold the title four times, having the second highest reigns as Champion, behind Dysfunction, who has five reigns.

In early 2010, Ken signed a contract to appear with the Total Nonstop Action promotion, debuting January 17, 2010, under the name "Mr. Anderson".

At the TNA Genesis pay-per-view on January 9, 2011, Ken captured his first TNA World Heavyweight Championship, defeating fellow former WWE wrestler, Jeff Hardy.

Although Ken has had some setbacks due to injury, he still has a long and successful career ahead of him.

Several of Ken's contemporaries in wrestling whom have had a chance to work with him on the independent circuit were asked their thoughts on "Kamikaze Ken". This is what they had to say:

Kujo: "One of my favorite 'nice heads' to kick the shit out of in the ring. One of my favorite 'nice heads' to be around outside the ring. Hope he gets that match with Gillberg he has always wanted..."

Sam Hayne: "First, he has improved about 300 times since he started, he is learning a lot of psychology and improving his matches with that. He is tight, almost stiff, but I like that, he really knows how to work the crowd."

Tim Larson: "Ken is one nasty, cocky heel. He has great athletic talent and good charisma. It is obvious from his ACW work why fans voted him as co-wrestler of the year in the Upper Midwest Wrestling Newsletter for 2001."

Nicholas Loken: "Ken is a great worker, never seen him have a bad match. The guy has a great look and I believe will one day be a big superstar."

Announcer AJ Fontana: "He is an incredible talent with a ton of potential. He has a great look. I am sure he will be going someplace big sometime soon."

DJ Danielson: "Statements like "He has potential" are thrown around all too often on the independent wrestling scene. Kamikaze Ken Anderson is one of the very few who has real potential to make it to the national scene. He is a solid worker, who can wrestle any style, whether it be high flying, mat work, or even brawling. It doesn't matter if he is opening the card, or in the main event, you can always count on Kamikaze Ken to put on a terrific match."

Horace the Psychopath stated it better than anyone else when he said, "Ken Anderson...this man is the future of wrestling."

KEN ANDERSON/KEN KENNEDY PROMO PHOTOS