Ron Simmons

Ron Simmons (a.k.a. Faarooq Assad or simply Faarooq) is a professional wrestler who wrestled for WCW and later the WWF (now the WWE). Ron spent much of his wrestling career as a tag team specialist. He is currently residing at Warner Robins, Georgia. He was also a former star player for the Florida State Seminoles football team under Bobby Bowden. In early 1990s, Florida State retired Ron Simmons' jersey. Ron was also cut by the Cleveland Browns.

Profile

• Height: 6'2"
• Weight: 280 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/Signature Moves

• The Dominator
• Spinebuster
• Powerslam Pin
• Football Tackle
• Spike Powerbomb (with Bradshaw)

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 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 (Acolytes 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 occassions.

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. Off camera, Simmons would be released by the WWE due to alleged alcohol problems. Currently he was one of J.B.L.'s bestman during Bradshaw's wedding Meredith Whitney.

Titles/Accomplishments

• 1-Time WCW World Heavyweight Champion (WCW Championship)
• 1-Time WCW Tag Team Champion (w/ Butch Reed)
• 1-Time WCW United States Tag Team Champion (w/ Big Josh)
• 3-Time WWE World Tag Team Champion (w/ Bradshaw)
• 1-Time MCW Southern Tag Team Champion (w/ Bradshaw)
• 1-Time OVW Southern Tag Team Champion (w/Bradshaw)
• 1-Time NWA Florida Champion

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated (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.