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 in 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.

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).

Related Topics:
Butch Reed - Doom

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Simmons is also considered to be the first ever Black man to win a World Heavyweight Championship, when he defeated Vader for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on August 2, 1992.

Related Topics:
Vader - WCW World Heavyweight Championship - August 2 - 1992

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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.

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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.

Related Topics:
Nation of Domination - Bradshaw - Acolyte Protection Agency - Gimmick - World Tag Team Championship

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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!.

Related Topics:
Faction - The Undertaker - December 2002 - June 2003 - SmackDown!

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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.

Related Topics:
Storyline - SmackDown! - Paul Heyman - WrestleMania XX - Stone Cold Steve Austin

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He was one of JBL's bestman during Bradshaw's wedding to Meredith Whitney.

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