Ron Simmons
Ron Simmons (born May 15, 1958 in Perry, Georgia) is a professional wrestler who wrestled for WCW under his real name and later the WWF (now WWE) under the names Faarooq and Faarooq Asad. Ron spent much of his wrestling career as a tag team specialist. He is currently residing in Warner Robins, Georgia. He was also a former All-American football player at Florida State University under Bobby Bowden. He had a brief career in the NFL, playing for the Cleveland Browns. In 1988, Florida State retired Simmons' jersey.
Career
WCW
Ron Simmons teamed up with Butch Reed to form Doom. Doom defeated the Steiner Brothers for the NWA Tag titles, which would be later renamed to WCW Tag titles (making them the first WCW tag team champions).
Simmons is also considered to be the first ever African-American to win a World Heavyweight Championship, when he defeated Vader for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on August 2, 1992.
WWF/WWE
Simmons joined the WWF in 1996 as Faarooq Asad and feuded with Ahmed Johnson briefly before dropping the Asad from his name, and was known as Faarooq until the WWF brand extension in 2002 where he briefly competed under his real name before reverting to Faarooq upon reuniting in the APA.
Simmons was the leader of the Nation of Domination and the former best friend and tag team partner of Bradshaw a.k.a. John "Bradshaw" Layfield. The two were known collectively as the APA (Acolyte Protection Agency) - perhaps one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history. The APA gimmick was about two tough and mean wrestlers who love brawling, smoking cigars, fighting and especially drinking beer. The team of the APA captured the World Tag Team Championship on multiple occasions.
Faarooq is also a former member of the Ministry of Darkness, an old wrestling faction led by The Undertaker. In December 2002, Ron retired from professional wrestling but on June 2003 he returned to SmackDown!.
In his last WWE storyline, he was fired by former SmackDown! General Manager Paul Heyman after he disrespected Heyman (due to the WrestleMania XX issue between Heyman and Stone Cold Steve Austin during that night). At first the APA would be fired, but it turned out to only be Faarooq. Ron left the WWE with hatred against Bradshaw because of him not being a faithful friend. During that event, Heyman told Layfield that it was time for him to break out on his own again. This made Layfield turn heel again. Ron Simmons retired from wrestling after this incident but continues to make appearances for the WWE in a promotional capacity.
He was one of JBL's best men during Bradshaw's wedding to Meredith Whitney.
Profile
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 275 pounds
- Birthday: 15th May 1958
- Hometown: Perry, Georgia
- Trained by: Hiro Matsuda
- Pro debut: October 1986
- Previous identites: Faarooq, Faarooq Assad, "The All American", Ron Simmons
- Previous manager(s): Theodore Long, Sunny, Clarence Mason, Jacqueline, Woman, Iron Sheik, The Jackyl
- Quote / Catchphrase: "Well, I'll be damned!"; "DAMN!"
Finishing and signature moves
- The Dominator (Inverted front powerslam)
- Spinebuster
- Scoop powerslam
- Shoulder block
With Bradshaw
Titles and accomplishments
- 1-Time WCW World Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time WCW World Tag Team Champion (with Butch Reed)
- 1-Time WCW United States Tag Team Champion (with Big Josh)
- 3-Time WWF World Tag Team Champion (with Bradshaw)
- 1-Time MCW Southern Tag Team Champion (with Bradshaw)
- 1-Time OVW Southern Tag Team Champion (with Bradshaw)
- 1-Time NWA World Tag Team Champion (with Butch Reed)
- PWI ranked him # 108 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003. He was also ranked # 91 of the best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Butch Reed.
- Simmons won the PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler Award in 1992.
- Inducted into the HoF for 4 years as a defensive nose guard at Florida State University.