Karl Anderson on past anti-WWE comments: ‘I said some things that were out of passion’

Karl Anderson is glad to be back in WWE. 

Anderson opened up to Ryan Satin during the latest episode of "Out Of Character" about how angry he was after being let go from the company in 2020. 

Noting how he's an "emotional and fiery person," Anderson explained that while the release came as a surprise, he's happier these days that he, along with his tag-team partner Luke Gallows and WWE were able to "be men and move on."

"Maybe I said some things that were out of passion," Anderson said. "When you're angry about something or if you're working up about something, you're going to say what you feel and say what you think might be right or might not be right, but who knows what was going on behind the scenes? ... I don't know all that stuff and who knows who's calling the shots at certain points at that time in 2020, so I'm just glad that we were able to work it out."

When asked if he'd ever return to WWE in 2020, Anderson said "Absolutely f- not." From there, Anderson and Gallows went on an independent run that saw the team pop up everywhere from AEW to Impact Wrestling to NJPW. 

Anderson said in the interview that after he and Gallows were released, they made sure they'd "hit it hard" as they ventured toward life outside WWE. As a result, he claimed they were "busier than a lot of people in the industry" during the two years they were away from WWE. 

The former Raw Tag Team Champion also opened up about how he's "itching to get The O.C. moving," especially after the addition of Michin. Falling in line with that, he said, is a singles run he hopes to receive sooner than later. 

"I don't know why I wasn't in the Money In The Bank match," Anderson said. "Let's get this rocking. AJ's the World Champion, Gallows can be seen as the heater and throw me in the ladder match. I'm dying for it. I think it's just more about timing and just kind of waiting for the right story. I'm pushing for it. I hope for it."

Anderson was last seen on WWE television during last week's SmackDown, where he, along with Gallows, fought the Brawling Brutes (Butch & Ridge Holland) to a no contest. 

Anderson's stablemate AJ Styles is set to take on Karrion Kross on this week's episode of the show. Anderson lost to Kross in singles action two weeks ago.