Farooq

Biography

Ron Simmons, known in the ring as Farooq, was born on May 15, 1958, in Perry, Georgia. Before his professional wrestling career, Simmons was a college football standout, even making the College Football Hall of Fame. He transitioned to wrestling in the late 1980s, where he found immense success.

Career History and Evolution

Simmons started his career with Jim Crockett Promotions before moving to World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he made history by becoming the first African-American world champion in 1992. He would later join the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in 1996, where he took on the ring name Farooq.
In WWE, Simmons was initially packaged as a gladiator but soon formed the Nation of Domination, a stable that touched on issues of race and power. After the group disbanded, Simmons formed the APA (Acolytes Protection Agency) with Bradshaw (later known as JBL), transitioning into a beer-drinking, cigar-smoking brawler persona.

Titles Won and Biggest Matches

Farooq’s historic World Heavyweight Championship win in WCW is a standout moment in his career, but he also had success in WWE. He and Bradshaw won the WWF Tag Team Championship three times as the APA.
Some of his biggest matches include his World Heavyweight Championship win against Vader in WCW, and his tag team championship defenses with Bradshaw in the WWE.

Biggest Rivalries and Tag Team Partners

Farooq’s most significant rivalries include his feud with The Rock, who overthrew him as the leader of the Nation of Domination, and his battles with the likes of The Dudley Boyz and Edge and Christian as part of APA.
His most notable tag team partner is Bradshaw, with whom he found much success as the APA.

Family Life

Simmons is married to Lottie Simmons, and the couple has four children.

Finishing Move, Clothing, and Entrance Music

Farooq’s finishing move was the Dominator, a one-shoulder powerbomb that he executed with devastating force.
In his Nation of Domination days, Farooq wore a black and silver outfit, but as part of APA, he switched to jeans and a black vest or shirt, often accompanied by a cigar.
His most recognized entrance theme in WWE was “Protection,” which he used as part of the APA alongside Bradshaw.

Legacy

Farooq’s influence on wrestling is profound, primarily due to his role as the first African-American World Heavyweight Champion. His success helped pave the way for other black wrestlers, and his various personas in WWE showcased his versatility. Simmons was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012.