Andrew Anderson (wrestler)

For other people with similar names, see Andrew Anderson.

Andrew Anderson
Andrew Anderson in 2021
Birth nameAndrew Koloszuk[1]
Born (1967-10-22) October 22, 1967 (age 57)
Cliffside Park, New Jersey, United States
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
  • Andrew Anderson[2]
  • Baby Gorilla[2]
  • The Deadbeat Dad[2]
Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Billed weight396 lb (180 kg)
Billed fromRidgefield, New Jersey, United States
Trained by
Debut1993[5]

Andrew Koloszuk (born October 22, 1967), better known by the ring name Baby Gorilla Andrew Anderson,[2] is an American professional wrestler, promoter, actor and author. Koloszuk is currently working the independent circuit performing in matches for East Coast Professional Wrestling (ECPW),[6][7] Southwest Wrestling Entertainment (SWE)[8] and Ultimate Championship Wrestling (UCW). Koloszuk is co-founder of Tri-State Wrestling Alliance(formerly National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Big Apple).[9]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1993–1999)

Koloszuk began his career in 1993, He was discovered by WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka and "Metal Maniac" Jeff Miller. Initially Koloszuk was trained by Jimmy Snuka and Gino Caruso at Caruso's East Coast Pro Wrestling(ECPW) gym in Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey.[4] Koloszuk was later trained by Kodiak Bear, Mike Masters, Nikolai Volkoff, and Jerry Fazio.[2] From 1993 to 1999 Koloszuk performed in various independent wrestling companies across the United States, including Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW),[10] Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling (PCW)[11] and Hawaiian Islands Wrestling Federation (HIWF).[12] In 1997, Koloszuk wrestled under the ring name The Siberian Tiger a name he adopted while working as a tag team with Nikolai Volkoff. Koloszuk, was frequently managed throughout his career by; Captain Lou Albano, Godfather Joey G, Doug Devito, Roddy Piper, Mr. Big John Whol, and Nigel Rabid.[4][2][5]

Becoming an Anderson

Angelo Savoldi, at the time a wrestling promoter, influenced Koloszuk to change his ring name.

Jersey Championship Wrestling (2000–2002)

In early 2000 Koloszuk began performing for Jersey Championship Wrestling. On April 14, 2000, taping an episode of Jersey Championship Wrestling, Anderson defeated Nick Maddox in a tournament final to become the inaugural JCW Heavyweight Champion.[13] Eight days later on April 22, 2000, Anderson is defeated by Low Ki, losing the JCW Heavyweight Championship title.[14]

East Coast Professional Wrestling (2005 – Current)

Anderson began performing for East Coast Professional Wrestling (ECPW) in 2005.[6][7] ECPW is owned by Gino Caruso, one of the men who trained Anderson.[15] During his time with ECPW, Anderson has become a 4 time ECPW Heavyweight Champion, an ECPW Television Champion and an ECPW Tag Team Champion with The Pub Bully twice.[7][16][17]

United Pro Wrestling Association (2006–2007)

Between mid 2006 and mid 2007 Anderson performed in matches for United Pro Wrestling Association (UPWA).[18]

Pro Wrestling 225 (2019)

On July 21, 2019, at the Pro Wrestling 225 event Collision Course Anderson teamed with Mustang Mike defeated The Cajun Outlawz C-Thang & Rhett The Threat to become the PW225 Tag Team Champions. The reign lasted for 45 days before the titles were vacated.[19]

Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (2016 – Current)

Anderson co-founded National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Big Apple in 2016. In 2017 the company cut ties with NWA and the name was changed to Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TSWA).[9]

Southwest Wrestling Entertainment (2020–2020)

In early 2020 Anderson began performing in matches for Southwest Wrestling Entertainment (SWE).[8]

Ultimate Championship Wrestling (2021 – Current)

Anderson is currently the UCW Warfare Heavyweight Champion, in 2022 Anderson is set to make his debut for World Pro Wrestling in the United Kingdom. Anderson took on James Mason at Cheltenham Town Hall for World Pro Wrestling on Saturday February 19.

Acting career

Koloszuk also pursued a career in acting, appearing in both film and television.[1]

Koloszuk plays the role of the character Hammond Egger in the 2004 Spike Lee Showtime television film "Sucker Free City".[20]

Koloszuk was an extra in the 2008 American sports drama film "The Wrestler".[21]

Koloszuk has also starred in commercials for Doritos and Skittles.[3]

Writing career

Koloszuk is the author of his upcoming autobiography, "It's Really Not My Fault".[3][22]

Personal life

Although he was billed as such Koloszuk is not related to Arn Anderson or any other members of the Anderson family.[1][5]

Koloszuk graduated from St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1989 with a degree in business administration and a BA in marketing management.[1][4]

Koloszuk has two daughters and one son.[4]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2003 Creepy Tales: Girls Night Out The Werewolf [1][23]
2008 The Wrestler Wrestler [1][21]
2015 Fortress of Dumbbells Deadbeat Deadwood short film [1]
2017 Good Friday Man Myth Magic short film [1]
2018 350 Days – Legends. Champions. Survivors. Himself documentary [1][24]
TBA The Killer Bees Himself documentary, pre-production [1]
TBA Blade & Blood Crank pre-production [1]
TBA Deadly Terrain Drew Lewis pre-production [1]
Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2004 Sucker Free City Hammond Egger television film [1][20]
2009 Söndagsparty med Filip och Fredrik Himself Swedish talk show, Episode: "Manson och Gardell i premiären" [1]
2017 Gotham Secondary Demon Season 4, episode 7: "A Dark Knight: A Day in the Narrows" [1][25][26]
2018 Sneaky Pete Clerk Season 2, episode 3: "Man on the Run" [1]
2018 Confessions of Nick Sargenti and the Lolipop Gang Johnny Five Season 1, episode 1: "Jaw Breaker" [1]
Web Series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 Creative Continuity Himself Episode: "Joshua Williamson & Andrew Anderson" [1][27]

Championships and accomplishments

  • Cauliflower Alley Club
    • Men's Wrestling Award (2019)[28]
  • Champion Wrestling Federation
    • CWF Heavyweight Champion (2 times)
  • CyberSpace Wrestling Federation
    • CyberSpace Tag Team Champion (1 time, inaugural) with Billy Firehawk
  • East Coast Professional Wrestling
    • ECPW Tri-State Brass Knuckle Championship (1 time)
    • ECPW Heavyweight Championship (4 times)[16]
    • ECPW Television Championship (1 time)[16]
    • ECPW Tag Team Championship (2 times) with The Pub Bully[4][16]
  • Gulf State Wrestling
    • GSW Tag Team Championship (1 time with Mustang Mike
    • GSW Louisiana Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
  • Jersey Championship Wrestling
  • Pro Wrestling 225
    • PW225 Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Mustang Mike[16]
  • Renegade Wrestling Alliance
    • RWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[4]
  • Tri-State Wrestling Alliance
    • TSWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)
  • Ultimate Championship Wrestling
    • Warfare Heavyweight Champion (1 time, current)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Andrew Anderson – IMDb". IMDb.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Andrew Anderson « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  3. ^ a b c d "Official Merchandise Page of "the Reinforcer" Andrew Anderson".
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "AndrewAnderson - ECPWHV1.com".
  5. ^ a b c "ANDREW ANDERSON – WRESTLEVILLE". July 19, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Matches « Andrew Anderson « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  7. ^ a b c "Roster – EAST COAST PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING". April 16, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Matches « Andrew Anderson « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  9. ^ a b "National Wrestling Alliance Big Apple (NWA Big Apple) « Promotions Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  10. ^ "Matches « Andrew Anderson « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  11. ^ "Matches « Andrew Anderson « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  12. ^ "Matches « Andrew Anderson « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  13. ^ "GCW World Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  14. ^ "JCW TV Taping « Events Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  15. ^ "East Coast Pro Wrestling (ECPW) « Promotions Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Titles « Andrew Anderson « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  17. ^ "Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database".
  18. ^ "Matches « Andrew Anderson « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  19. ^ "PW225 Collision Course « Events Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database".
  20. ^ a b "Spike Lee: Sucker Free City %7C Oeuvre". August 15, 2012.
  21. ^ a b "The Wrestler (2008) – Andrew Anderson as Wrestler – IMDb". IMDb.
  22. ^ "Andrew Anderson %7C Zurko Promotions". May 8, 2017.
  23. ^ "Creepy Tales: Girls Night Out (2003) – Video Detective". October 7, 2003.
  24. ^ "350 Days – Legends. Champions. Survivors. in Movie Theaters %7C Fathom Events".
  25. ^ "GorillaPosition.com interviews wrestler Anderson of FOX Gotham %7C Miami Herald". Miami Herald.
  26. ^ "RADIO%7CACTIVE: FROM POWER SLAMS TO PRIME TIME – The Gorilla Position". November 4, 2017.
  27. ^ "Creative Continuity: Joshua Williamson & Andrew "the Reinforcer" Anderson".
  28. ^ "Honorees – Cauliflower Alley Club".