Honky Tonk Man

Biography

The Honky Tonk Man, whose real name is Roy Wayne Farris, was born on January 25, 1953, in Bolivar, Tennessee. Known for his Elvis Presley-inspired character, he’s considered one of the greatest intercontinental champions in World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) history.

Career History and Evolution

Farris began his wrestling career in 1977, initially wrestling under his real name in various regional promotions. He joined WWF in 1986 and adopted the Honky Tonk Man persona, a cocky, Elvis-like character. His wrestling persona evolved into a more villainous character as he began to arrogantly boast about his abilities and used underhanded tactics to win matches.
After leaving WWF in 1991, he had stints in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and independent promotions. He returned to WWE sporadically in various non-wrestling roles.

Titles Won and Biggest Matches

The Honky Tonk Man is best known for his record-setting reign as the Intercontinental Champion in WWF. He held the title for 454 days from June 1987 to August 1988, a record that still stands.
Some of his biggest matches include his victory over Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat to win the Intercontinental Championship and his loss to the Ultimate Warrior at SummerSlam 1988, which ended his record title reign.

Biggest Rivalries and Tag Team Partners

The Honky Tonk Man had notable rivalries with “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and the Ultimate Warrior.
In terms of tag team partners, Honky Tonk Man was part of the tag team “Rhythm and Blues” with Greg “The Hammer” Valentine in the late 1980s.

Family Life

Farris is married and has a son and a daughter. His cousin is fellow professional wrestler and color commentator Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Finishing Move, Clothing, and Entrance Music

The Honky Tonk Man’s finishing move was the “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” a swinging neckbreaker.
Fitting his Elvis-like gimmick, his wrestling attire was often a jumpsuit reminiscent of those worn by Presley. He was also known for his use of a guitar, which he would occasionally use to strike his opponents.
His entrance music was a catchy, Elvis-inspired tune titled “Cool, Cocky, Bad,” which he would often sing along to while making his way to the ring.

Legacy

The Honky Tonk Man left a lasting legacy in professional wrestling, primarily for his record-setting reign as Intercontinental Champion. His unique, music-based gimmick made him a standout character in the world of wrestling. His impact on the industry was recognized in 2019 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.