Ron Simmons (a.k.a. Faarooq Assad or simply Faarooq) is a professional wrestler who wrestled for WCW and later the WWE. Ron spent much of his wrestling career as a tag team specialist. He is currently residing at Warner Robins, Georgia. He was also a former star player for the Florida State Seminoles football team under Bobby Bowden many years ago and in early 1990s Florida State retired Ron Simmons' jersey. Ron was also cut by the Cleveland Browns.

Profile

• Height: 6'2"
• Weight: 280 pounds
• Birthday: 15th May 1958
• Hometown: Perry, Georgia
• Trained By: Hiro Matsuda
• Pro Debut: October 1986
• Previous Identites: Faarooq, Faarooq Assad, "The All American", Ron Simmons
• Previous Manager(s): Theodore Long, Sunny, Clarence Mason, Jacqueline
• Quote/Catchphrase: "Well, I'll be damned!"; "DAMN!"
• Finishing/Signature Move(s): The Dominator, Spinebuster, Double Powerbomb

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).

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

WWE

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 (Acolytes 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.

Faarooq is also a former member of the Ministry of Darkness, an old wrestling faction led by The Undertaker. 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. Off camera, Simmons would be released by the WWE due to alleged alcohol problems. Currently he was one of J.B.L.'s bestman during Bradshaw's wedding.

Titles/Accomplishments

• WCW World Heavyweight Champion (WCW Championship)
• WCW Tag Team Champion (w/ Butch Reed)
• WCW United States Tag Team Champion (w/ Big John)
• WWE World Tag Team Champion (w/ Bradshaw)
• NWA Florida Champion
• MCW Southern Tag Team Champion (w/ Bradshaw)
• OVW Southern Tag Team Champion