Ken Anderson responds to allegations of scamming wrestling school students

[Chris]

Source: f4wonline.com

Former WWE and TNA wrestler Ken Anderson has responded to claims that he's scammed students of his wrestling school.

Earlier this week, a Reddit user who enrolled in Anderson's "The Academy: School of Professional Wrestling" in Minnesota alleged that the school has remained closed despite Anderson taking in new recruits for more than a year during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reddit user wrote that the school has no facility and no real return date has been set. During the user's sign-up process, not having a facility to train in wasn't disclosed.

"[Anderson's] gone silent and his only update every 2-3 months is that they’re in talks with a realtor for a new facility but no real progress comes out of it," the Reddit post said.

"Students have now been enrolled for close to two years with no training in sight, not even remote homework like tape study, character development or promos. His official website for the school has since gone down, which doesn’t help the situation or convey a good message."

The user wrote that they were making the post in hopes that it would encourage the school to come up with a real plan for reopening or issue refunds to all students that haven’t been trained.

Another poster in the Reddit thread stated that they signed up for a free 30-minute consultation for the wrestling school last year through its website. After they traveled for the consultation, they found the school to be empty, and the business next to the school said that it had left years ago. The poster stated that the email they received basically confirming the appointment must have been automated.

A student also told Bodyslam.net that no one involved in the school has responded to their request for a refund.

In a statement on Facebook responding to the claims on Wednesday, Anderson stated that no one has been "conned or scammed." Anderson said that COVID-19 closed the school's doors in 2020, and they decided to play it safe and not re-open while being hit with new variants and waves of infection. Anderson said that, without the benefit of hindsight, he would have handled those unsure times the same way if he had to do it again.

"As those dates got pushed forward, in the individual correspondence with our students, there was a natural sense of frustration," Anderson wrote. "But each time we expressed our reasons and concerns, we were met with understanding every time, from every student. It was our understanding that everyone was on the same page. In hindsight we recognize that we could have and should have communicated more."

Anderson said that they're currently working with a realtor to find a new location that meets all of the school's needs. He encouraged students to contact him and the school at any time with their concerns.

Anderson's full statement is available below:

I feel it neccessary, given the nature of the original Reddit post and subsequent articles written about my character and my wrestling school, to address them publicly.
I personally have not been contacted by anyone from the Internet Wrestling Community wishing to ask for my comments on those statements about me.
In 2016, my friend Shawn Daivari and I realized we had similar visions for how a wrestling school should be and could be operated. We decided to team up and open 'The Academy: School of Professional Wrestling.'
Since day one, we were committed to giving everyone that came through our doors an opportunity to learn as much as they could about professional wrestling. From safety to etiquette, from basic holds to exciting high spots, from character development to interview skills, we either covered it or were able to connect our students to resources that did. We've hosted some of the biggest names in the wrestling industry as guest trainers. We've welcomed over 200 students from all walks of life, foreign and domestic, each with individual goals and aspirations.
Dozens of those students now appear weekly around the midwest independent wrestling scene, some have traveled nationally and even internationally, a handful of our graduates are 'on the radar' of the big companies, and a few call AEW their current fulltime employer.
Unfortunately, Covid 19 closed our doors in 2020. I understand that not all will agree with our decision to not re-open and to play it safe (some re-opened almost immediately) as we were hit with variants and waves of infection. I don't have control over what others choose to do with their bodies or businesses, but I felt it was the right thing to do for the health and safety of our students and their families as well as our own family. Pro -wrestling and social distancing do not pair well. If I had to do it again without the benefit of hindsight I would have handled those unsure times the same way.
As those dates got pushed forward, in the individual correspondence with our students, there was a natural sense of frustration. But each time we expressed our reasons and concerns, we were met with understanding every time, from every student. It was our understanding that everyone was on the same page. In hindsight we recognize that we could have and should have communicated more.
Nobody has been conned or scammed. We remain as dedicated to and excited about re-opening now as we were to initially open our doors in 2016.
We are currently working with a realtor to secure a new location that will meet our specific needs: high ceilings, zero noise restrictions, ample parking for our students, price and location. Two months ago, we had found a great building that met every single one of those criteria, but after discussing it with each student individually, and some expressing concerns over distance, we decided that it wasn't a fit. We need to do this right the ...second time. With minimum 3-5 yr lease terms we cannot get into a building that isn't going to check those boxes.
We look forward to re-opening. The minute that we secure that building, we will be in touch with everyone including new students, returning students and graduates.
In the meantime, our students are encouraged to contact us at any time, with any concerns.
Thank you,
Ken Anderson
The Academy: School of Professional Wrestling
(507) 722-2776

 

[Deezy]

A rasslin school ripping off students?

Say it ain't so.

 

[Alexa]

TIL Mr. Anderson has a wrestling school

 

[InSaNe]

During a pandemic where people are suffering? Bro. This is a really, really bad look for Ken, if true.

 

[Cwalker]

Man did get over by calling himself an asshole.

Wouldn’t surprise me