Athletes - Ron Simmons

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	Athletes - Ron Simmons

Ron Simmons (born May 15, 1964 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

World Championship Wrestling

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 (although Bobo Brazil won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1962), when he defeated Vader for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on August 2, 1992.

Extreme Championship Wrestling

Simmons appeared in ECW from late 1994 to early 1995. During that time he contended for the ECW World Championship belt held by Shane Douglas at November to Remember '94 and had matches against Mikey Whipwreck and 911.

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

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 three 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.

Despite Internet rumors to the contrary, the "hatred" was strictly kayfabe designed to promote JBL as a heel; Simmons was one of JBL's best men during Bradshaw's wedding to Meredith Whitney and the two remain friends.

In wrestling

Previous managers

Theodore Long
Sunny
Clarence Mason
Jacqueline
Woman
Iron Sheik
The Jackyl
John "Bradshaw" Layfield

Nickname(s)

"The All American"

Quotes

"Well, I'll be damned!"
"DAMN!"

Finishing and signature moves

The Dominator (Inverted front powerslam)
Spinebuster
Scoop powerslam
Shoulder block

With Bradshaw====

Aided powerbomb
Backdrop, neckbreaker combination
Double spinebuster

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Ron Simmons ]

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