Arn Anderson Reveals When Four Horsemen Knew They Were Catching On As a Stable

The Four Horsemen rank high among the most famous wrestling stables of all-time, and Arn Anderson recently recalled when the group knew they were catching on as a unit. The original foursome — Ric Flair, Arn & Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard — allied in September of 1985. Arn Anderson coined the name for the group during a promo at a Jim Crockett Promotions taping, and he was asked the question by Tommy Dreamer on a Masters Class episode of Busted Open Radio.

“After that [promo] aired, two weeks later we were in Greensboro,” Anderson recalled. “And we went to the ring, it was a six-man [tag team match]. And walking out, we just did this [holds up four fingers] on our way to the ring. Not thinking much about it. It was almost like wildfire. It started a little bit over here, a little bit a little bit there, and a little bit there. Within two weeks, they were already tuned into [the hand gesture].”

Anderson continued, “And Tully tells the story. [Crockett] was sitting there when we came back through the curtain. He goes, ‘Thank you, Tully. This four horsemen thing is catching on, isn’t it?” And Tully, in his infinite wisdom, went, ‘You think?’ I wanted to choke him. ‘He’s the one that writes the payoff, idiot.'”

The Four Horsemen became of the most influential groups in wrestling. In addition to holding titles throughout their 12 years in the NWA and WCW, they influenced nearly every wrestling stable to follow them. The group counted among their various iterations stars like Lex Luger, Sting, Sid Vicious, Brian Pillman, and Jeff Jarrett. WWE inducted the original lineup — including manager JJ Dillon — into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Busted Open Radio with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.