Editing Arn Anderson (section)

==== Semi-retirement (1997–2002) ====
On the August 25, 1997, episode of ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Monday Nitro]]'', Anderson formally announced his retirement from the ring.<ref name=AlumArch/> While standing in the ring, surrounded by Ric Flair and newest Horsemen members [[Steve McMichael]] and Benoit, Anderson declared that his last official act as the "Enforcer" for the Four Horsemen was to offer his "spot" in the group to [[Curt Hennig]], as he was forced to retire due to extensive neck and upper back injuries. He worked a couple tag matches afterward, including teaming with [[David Flair]] on an episode of ''[[WCW Thunder]]'', but his physical involvement was extremely limited in those bouts.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web| url = https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=479&page=4&search=david+flair| title = Reference at www.cagematch.net}}</ref>

On the September 14, 1998, edition of ''Nitro'', alongside Steve McMichael, Dean Malenko, and Chris Benoit, Anderson ceremoniously reintroduced Ric Flair to WCW after his 12-month hiatus. In doing so, they reformed the Horsemen who then feuded with WCW President [[Eric Bischoff]]. Flair won the presidency of WCW from Bischoff on the December 28, 1998, episode of ''Nitro'' followed by winning the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] at [[Uncensored (1999)|Uncensored 1999]] and turn heel in the process. Anderson remained Flair's right-hand man during this time as he attempted to keep Flair's delusional hunger for power at bay.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=1704| title = Reference at www.cagematch.net}}</ref>

In 2000, Anderson was a member of the short-lived Old Age Outlaws. Led by [[Terry Funk]], the group of veteran wrestlers battled the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)#Revival|revived]] [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]].<ref name="OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/arn-anderson/|title=Online World of Wrestling profile|date=May 22, 2023 }}</ref> On May 9, Anderson wrestled and lost to [[David Flair]] and a week later teamed with Ric Flair to defeat David Flair and [[Crowbar (wrestler)|Crowbar]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

WCW was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in early 2001, ending Anderson's tenure there. He later made his return to the WWF.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/arn-anderson-says-the-spinebuster-he-gave-to-undertaker-at-wrestlemania-18-was-his-favorite-all-time-talks-involvement-in-the-match/|title=Arn Anderson Says The Spinebuster He Gave To Undertaker AT WrestleMania 18 Was His Favorite All-Time, Talks Involvement In The Match|first=Joey|last=G|work=Wrestling Headlines |date=November 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/67205/20-Years-Ago-Today-WWF-Bought-WCW/|title=20 Years Ago Today WWF Bought WCW|date=March 23, 2021}}</ref>