
Brian Damage
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, it was very common to see some no name wrestler go up against a proven star of a promotion. Whether that be from the WWF, NWA/WCW, AWA or elsewhere, these nomads of professional wrestling were there to make the stars look great. They were known as enhancement talent, preliminary wrestlers or as many fans have come to know them…”jobbers.” While fans were clamoring to see big time match ups, these “squash matches” served a very important purpose. While perhaps not appreciated at the time, they were just as important as the stars themselves.
In the early 1980’s, Arn Anderson competed as enhancement talent for both Georgia Championship Wrestling and Mid South Wrestling. He first used the name ‘Jim Vertaroso’ where he lossed TV matches to the likes of Paul Jones and Ron Bass. He would later simply use his real name of Marty Lunde and continue to “job” to the likes of Kamala, Tim Horner, Jim Duggan and Tony Atlas.

After over a year of losing matches to all of the territories top stars, Marty Lunde caught a break when Ole Anderson took a liking to Lunde’s style of wrestling. Ole made him a member of the fictitious Anderson family and dubbed him Arn Anderson.

As Arn Anderson, Lunde made himself into a hall of fame wrestler winning various regional titles across the country. His most memorable time was as a key member of the Four Horsemen faction where Arn served as the group’s “enforcer.” Not only was Arn a gifted in ring competitor, but also one of the very best on the microphone. He currently works with AEW as a manager and road agent.
Just make sure you don’t approach him if he’s walking to his car. I ain’t fucking with Arn Anderson.
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Arn is fabulous talent and great believable promo was unlucky to be same era as flair in nwa any other time he been a multi time world champion WWF was to circus for his type of wrestler and size . His television title made title seem important .
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Arn was always put over as the main man of horseman by Russian commontators Flair was seen as the champ and all style why Arn was the work horse (no pun) .
I know been said about Bret (which was true) Arn could carry a broom to a good match infact he even carried tom McGee to a passable tv match something Bret couldn’t .
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Even today I can’t think of the tv title without Arn insteadly coming to mind and he had best spinebuster ever in bussiness imo .
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Junkyard Dog also played a part in him becoming an Anderson. It was his recommendation while they were in Mid-South to send him to Georgia…
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Now that I didn’t know. Interesting.
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Yes i was going to say that. And that’s from Arns words. He’s doing his career month by month on his podcast.
He and his tag team partner were on a roll and the partner got in some trouble. It may have been matt borne but i don’t remember.
Kind of being stuck without a program and by happenstance jyd told Watts that Arn resembled ole and the rest is history
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Also about Matt Borne, had it not been for Borne fucking around & getting in trouble with Ole, Ole wouldn’t have needed to hire replacements, which turned out ot be the Road Warriors. Interesting how that all played out.
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And now he’s in the Armed Anderson phase of his career, where it’s glock O’ clock all-day, everyday, apparently haha. Hey, Arn should most definitely lean into the meme he’s become out of this. Embrace, play it up, and make some good money off it. Why not, he’s earned it.
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