Cruiserweight Classic Competitor Anthony Bennett Discusses Getting the Call to Join the Tournament, His Inspirations for Becoming a Pro Wrestler, and Gaining Weight for WWE

– The Pancakes and Powerslams podcast recently interviewed Cruiserweight Classic competitor Anthony Bennett. Below are some highlights.

Bennett on his inspirations for becoming a pro wrestler: “Honestly, just watching Scotty 2 Hotty and K-Kwik, and guys like that. The charismatic guys [who] had fun dancing and being characters is basically what got me into pro wrestling. I said, I want to do that. I want to be those guys. The Worm is what sealed the deal. When I was a kid, we did talent shows, plays, and soul train lines. Me and one of my friends would always do the Rikishi dance, and I would be Scotty 2 Hotty. I would just want to go out and do the Worm. The Worm was like my signature.”

On what got him watching wrestling: “When Kane and The Undertaker slammed the steps on Vince McMahon’s ankle. Ever since then, I wanted to be like that. I wanted to big that big guy walking around without a care. Just feeling like you are indestructible. But, clearly, size isn’t on my side.”

Bennett on getting the offer to join the CWC: “Gerald Brisco came [to the Monster Factory] in 2013, he was just looking at talent, and he heard I had an amateur wrestling background. He was fascinated by it, and he said, ‘Ok, kid. I’m gonna come back next year, and this is what I want you to do. I want you to gain 10 pounds.’ And, from there, once I gained the 10 pounds, he said, ‘Good. I see that you listened, you packed on a lot of size, you’re developing a character, you’re becoming more and more comfortable with wrestling. So, now I want you to gain another 15 pounds, be at this weight, and I’ll see what I can do with you when the time comes.’ He would message me every now and then [to check the] progress]… He put my name in for the Cruiserweight Classic.”