Credit: WWE.com
Ron Simmons is a wrestling legend whose career spans trailblazing milestones and unforgettable moments. From becoming the first officially recognized Black World Heavyweight Champion in WCW history to his dominant tag team days as part of the APA in WWE, “Faarooq” has left an indelible mark on professional wrestling. Yet, Simmons recently revealed in an interview that a single word might have spared him years of hardship during his WWE tenure.
Breaking Barriers as WCW World Heavyweight Champion
In August 1992, at a Baltimore house show, Ron Simmons made wrestling history by winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship from Big Van Vader. This victory marked Simmons as the first recognized African American to hold a world title in WCW and only the second African American to win a world heavyweight championship overall, becoming a significant figure for representation in wrestling.
Despite the groundbreaking nature of his reign, which lasted five months, Simmons faced challenges behind the scenes. While his title run symbolized progress, its buildup and booking revealed the racial and industry barriers wrestlers of color faced during that era. Simmons himself reflected on the historic moment: “Why not me? Tonight we’re gonna make history,” said Bill Watts, WCW president, when telling Simmons about the title match.
WWE’s APA and a Career of Multiple Highs and Lows
Following his time in WCW and brief stints elsewhere, Simmons joined WWE (then WWF) and became a three-time Tag Team Champion alongside Bradshaw as part of the Acolytes Protection Agency (APA), where their rugged brawling style captivated fans. He also led the Nation of Domination, a prominent stable that emphasized Black empowerment in the 1990s WWE landscape.
Simmons’s WWE career was a mix of unforgettable moments and periods of frustration. Despite his talent and championship pedigree, backstage dynamics and booking decisions sometimes left him sidelined or typecast. In his own words: “Never let anyone tell you having that belt don’t mean anything; it means everything.” Yet the path to sustained main-event status proved elusive.
The One Word That Could Have Changed Everything
In a candid revelation, Ron Simmons shared that WWE could have spared him years of pain by simply having one honest, straightforward word said to him early on. Though he didn’t publicly specify that word, insiders interpreted it as “respect” or “truth” tokens of acknowledgment and clear communication that might have eased his backstage struggles.
According to a WWE insider familiar with Simmons’s career and the backstage culture of the 1990s and 2000s, “Ron was a powerhouse in and out of the ring, but sometimes the company didn’t match that with how they communicated with him or utilized him. Had management shown upfront respect and transparency, things could have been very different for him.” This lack of clarity and sometimes opaque booking led to frustration and a sense of being undervalued despite his early historic success.
The Lasting Impact of Ron Simmons on Wrestling
Today, Simmons is celebrated not only for his athletic accomplishments but also for his role as a pioneer who broke racial barriers in major promotions. His induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012 cemented his legacy as one of pro wrestling’s greats.
Beyond his championship wins, fans and peers remember Simmons for his authentic presence, toughness, and humility. “He was the kind of guy who commanded respect just by showing up,” notes a former WWE colleague. “But it was more than muscle it was his heart and what he stood for inside and outside the ring.”
Reflecting on a Career That Transcended Wrestling
Ron Simmons’s story is a powerful reminder of the progress wrestling has made and the struggles that continued behind the scenes for many athletes of color. His rise to world champion was a milestone few expected at the time, and his days in the APA brought joy to a new generation of fans.
Yet, his recent comments about how one word could have changed his WWE experience highlight the human cost behind the spectacle. WWE insiders agree that honoring wrestlers with honest dialogue and respect is crucial for avoiding unnecessary hardship.
As Simmons continues to inspire, his story is not just about the titles he won but the barriers he broke and the principles like respect and truth that remain essential for future generations of talent.