View source for Ron Simmons

{{Short description|American football player and professional wrestler (born 1958)}}
{{About|the professional wrestler|the politician|Ron Simmons (politician)|other people with similar names|Ron Simmons (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Faarooq|other people with similar names|Farooq}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Ron Simmons
| image              = Ron Simmons Photo Op GalaxyCon Richmond 2020 (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Simmons in 2020
| birthname          = Ronald Kyle Simmons
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1958|5|15}}<ref name="OWW"/>
| birth_place        = [[Perry, Georgia]], U.S.<ref name=PWIYears500>{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 of the PWI Years: 108 Ron Simmons|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|publisher=Sports and Entertainment publications LLC|location=Blue Bell, [[Pennsylvania]], United States|id=June 2003|page=28|date=May 21, 2003}}</ref>
| alma_mater         = [[Florida State University]]
| module             = {{Infobox professional wrestler|child=yes
|height              = 6 ft 2 in<ref name="wwebio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/ronsimmons|title=Ron Simmons|access-date=November 9, 2013|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
|weight              = 270 lb<ref name="wwebio"/>
|names               = Doom #1<ref name="KreikenbohmDoom"/><br />Faarooq<ref name="OWW"/><br />Faarooq Asaad<ref name="OWW"/><br />Ron Simmons
|billed              = [[Warner Robins, Georgia]]<br />"The Mean Streets"<br />(as Faarooq Asaad)<ref name="wwebio"/>
|trainer             = [[Hiro Matsuda]]<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="wwebio"/>
|debut               = 1986<ref name="OWW"/>
|retired             = March 17, 2012<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=715&page=4&year=2012&promotion=759 | title=Ron Simmons}}</ref>
}}
| module2            = {{Infobox NFL biography
| embed       = yes
| college     = [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]]
| high_school = [[Warner Robins High School|Warner Robins (GA)]]
| number      =
| position    = [[Defensive tackle]]
| draftyear   = 1981
| draftround  = 6
| draftpick   = 160
| pastteams   = * [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|1981}})*
* [[Ottawa Rough Riders]] ({{CFL Year|1981}})
* [[Tampa Bay Bandits]] ({{USFL Year|1983}}–{{USFL Year|1985}})
| highlights  = * 2× Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1979 College Football All-America Team|1979]], [[1980 College Football All-America Team|1980]])
* [[Florida State Seminoles football#Honored jersey numbers|Florida State Seminoles Jersey No. 50]] honored
| CollegeHOF  = 2217 
}}
}}
'''Ronald Kyle Simmons'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/s/simm04000.html | title=Ron Simmons | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=19 August 2024}}</ref> (born May 15, 1958) is an American former [[professional wrestler]] and [[Gridiron football|football]] player. He is best known for his tenures in [[WWE]] and [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW). Prior to becoming a professional wrestler, Simmons played football as a [[defensive tackle]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL), [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL) and [[United States Football League]] (USFL) for four seasons during the 1980s.

Simmons played [[college football]] for the [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State Seminoles]] and was recognized as an [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]]. He played professionally for the NFL's [[Cleveland Browns]], the CFL's [[Ottawa Rough Riders]] and the USFL's [[Tampa Bay Bandits]].

Simmons performed for [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW) under his real name, and in the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWF/E) under both his real name and the [[ring name]]s '''Faarooq Asaad'''<ref name="OWW"/> (sometimes spelled '''Asad''') and '''Faarooq''' (sometimes spelled '''Farooq''').<ref name="OWW"/> In WCW, Simmons was a [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|one-time]] [[WCW World Heavyweight Champion]];<ref name="OWW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/r/ron-simmons/|title=Ron Simmons|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling|access-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/ "WCW World Championship."] [[WWE]] Retrieved on August 14, 2012.</ref> as the [[List of African-American firsts|first]] [[African American]] to win the title,<ref name=nff /> he is recognized by WWE as the first [[Black people|Black]] [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world champion]] in professional wrestling history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/08/ron-simmons-firect-recognized-african-american-wrestling-heavyweight-champion|title=Twenty-Three Years Ago, Ron Simmons Became the First African-American Professional Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion|website=Complex}}</ref> He was also a [[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|one-time]] [[WCW World Tag Team Champion]] with [[Butch Reed]] and a [[WCW United States Tag Team Championship|one-time WCW United States Tag Team Champion]] with [[Matt Osborne|Big Josh]].<ref name="wcwtag"/><ref name=WCWUS/> He was one of the most prominent stars in the WWF in the early [[Attitude Era]].<ref name="vids.wwe.com"/> In the WWF, he was a [[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|three-time]] [[WWF Tag Team Champion]] with [[John Layfield|Bradshaw]] as one half of the [[Acolytes Protection Agency]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|access-date=June 15, 2008|title=World Tag Team Championships|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Simmons was a sporadic world title contender between ECW and the WWF,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/ron-simmons-218.html?res=2000|title=Ron Simmons: Profile & Match Listing|publisher=Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=July 27, 2017}}</ref> and led the [[Nation of Domination]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]] in the latter promotion. He was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] Class of 2012.<ref name="wwebio"/>

==Football career==
===College career===
[[File:Ron Simmons FSU1981.jpg|thumb|left|Simmons while playing for Florida State University in 1981.]]
Ron Simmons was considered one of [[Florida State University|Florida State]]'s greatest recruiting victories when he signed out of high school.<ref name=robbins>[http://www.seminoles.com/genrel/simmons_ron00.html "Ron Simmons Bio."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502225348/http://www.seminoles.com/genrel/simmons_ron00.html |date=May 2, 2014}} Seminoles.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014</ref> Simmons played four years (1977–1980) as a defensive [[nose guard]] at FSU under coach [[Bobby Bowden]] (whom Simmons described as "a second father"), earning consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] honors in 1979 and 1980. The [[Florida State Seminoles football|Seminoles]] were 39–8 during Simmons's years at the school, finishing in the [[Associated Press]] Top 20 three times ('77, '79 and '80), and earning back-to-back [[Orange Bowl]] trips after Simmons's junior and senior seasons.<ref>[http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/fsu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/FSUYear-By-Year.pdf "Florida State Seminoles Football: Year-By-Yer Record."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031080049/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/fsu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/FSUYear-By-Year.pdf |date=October 31, 2008 }} www.grfx.cstv.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.</ref>

In 1979 Simmons finished ninth in the [[Heisman Trophy|Heisman]] voting behind the winner, [[Charles White (American football)|Charles White]] of [[University of Southern California|USC]].<ref>[http://www.heisman.com/winners/c-white79.php "1979 Heisman Trophy Voting."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010340/http://www.heisman.com/winners/c-white79.php |date=October 5, 2013}} Heisman.com. Retrieved August 8, 2012.</ref> In 1988, Simmons's [[jersey (clothing)|jersey]] (number 50) was retired by FSU,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seminoles.cstv.com/trads/fsu-trads-retired.html |title=Traditions: Retired Numbers/Jerseys |publisher=Seminoles.com |access-date=October 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330222448/http://seminoles.cstv.com/trads/fsu-trads-retired.html |archive-date=March 30, 2008 }}</ref> the third time a number has been retired in school history. Simmons was inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame for his accomplishments while playing at Florida State, and he was elected to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2008.<ref name=nff>[{{College Football HoF/url|id=2217}} "College Football Hall of Fame. Ron Simmons: Member Biography."] [[National Football Foundation]]. Retrieved November 12, 2013.</ref><ref>Hoops, Brian. [http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_25471.shtml "Nostalgia News: Ron Simmons elected to College Football Hall of Fame."] Pro Wrestling Torch, May 1, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050108aab.html "Ron Simmons to be Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112190740/http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050108aab.html |date=November 12, 2013}} Seminoles.com, May 1, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://seminoles.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/fsu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/ConsensusNCAAAll-Americans|access-date=June 15, 2008|title=Consensus NCAA All-Americans|publisher=Seminoles.com|archive-date=January 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101111944/http://seminoles.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/fsu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/ConsensusNCAAAll-Americans|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Professional football===
He had a brief career in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He was selected in the sixth round of the [[1981 NFL draft]] by the [[Cleveland Browns]]. However, he was cut on August 25, 1981.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pensacola-news/145380915/ | title=Ron Simmons cut by Browns | publisher=The Pensacola News | date=August 25, 1981 | accessdate=April 14, 2024}}</ref> He played in six games for the [[Ottawa Rough Riders]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] in 1981.<ref name="Stats">{{cite web | url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-simmoron002 | title=Ron Simmons | publisher=statscrew.com | accessdate=April 14, 2024}}</ref> He was released by the Rough Riders before the start of the season in July 1982.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/145381062/ | title=Ron Simmons ends career | publisher=Tampa Bay Times | date=July 9, 1982 | accessdate=April 14, 2024}}</ref> Simmons then played for the [[Tampa Bay Bandits]] of the [[United States Football League]] from 1983 to 1985, and it was in Tampa where he was a teammate of future professional wrestler [[Lex Luger]].<ref name="Stats"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dougherty|first=Jack|date=September 1, 2020|title=Ron Simmons Was a Football Star at Florida State and Got Drafted by the Browns Before Joining the WWE|url=https://www.sportscasting.com/ron-simmons-was-a-football-star-at-florida-state-and-got-drafted-by-the-browns-before-joining-the-wwe/|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=Sportscasting {{!}} Pure Sports|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Professional wrestling career==
===Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling (1986–1994)===
==== Early years (1986&ndash;1988) ====
Simmons joined [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] in 1987, appearing on the first show of the Great American Bash tour when he defeated The Tahitian Prince in Lakeland, Florida on July 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/jcp87.htm |title= JCP 87 |access-date=September 6, 2019 |website=The History of WWE}}</ref> Simmons wrestled only preliminary level competition that summer, but on August 7 he scored the biggest victory of his career when he defeated [[Ivan Koloff]] in St Louis.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cawthon|first=Graham|title=JCP @ St. Louis, MO - Arena - August 7, 1987 (7,000)|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/jcp87.htm|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=The History of WWE}}</ref> The rookie Simmons defeated the likes of a young [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Rodney Anoa'i (Yokozuna)]] and [[The Barbarian (wrestler)|The Barbarian]]. On the October 24 episode of Power Pro Wrestling, he became involved in his first televised angle when he was attacked by Tiger Conway Jr. and Shaska Whatley in an interview.

He remained undefeated in singles actions until finally losing to Ivan Koloff on a house show at the Omni in Atlanta on February 14, 1988.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/jcp88.htm |title= JCP 88 |access-date=September 6, 2019 |website=The History of WWE}}</ref> Simmons was dominant through the first half of the year against lower-level competition on house shows, including Whatley and [[The Terminator (wrestler)|The Terminator]]. Simmons teamed with [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|Steve Williams]] at the 3rd Annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup in Greenville, South Carolina on April 22, 1988. They were defeated in the opening round by [[Mike Rotunda]] and [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]] when Simmons was hit with a foreign object.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Graham|first=Cawthon|title=3rd Annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament Cup @ April 22, 1988 in Greenville, SC at the Greenville Auditorium drawing 4,440 ($53,000)|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/cup.html#3rd|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=ProWrestlingHistory.com}}</ref>

==== Doom (1989&ndash;1991) ====
{{main|Doom (professional wrestling)|l1=Doom}}
Soon after, in March 1989, Simmons began showing signs of a heel turn as he got more aggressive in his matches, including a non-title match against fellow babyface, then-[[NWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat]] and a match on the April 29, 1989 episode of World Championship Wrestling, where he broke the rules during what was supposed to be a face vs. face match against [[Junkyard Dog]].  Simmons won the match when the referee, Ron's future manager [[Theodore Long|Teddy Long]] made a fast count (Long was fired (kayfabe) as referee by [[Jim Herd]] immediately following this match). He completed his heel turn on the May 27 episode of World Championship Wrestling during a tag team match, where he teamed with [[Ranger Ross]] against the [[The Headshrinkers|Samoan Swat Team]] as part of a tournament for the vacant [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|NWA World Tag Team Championship]], leaving him in the ring alone when Long came out. Simmons later teamed up with [[Butch Reed]] to form [[Doom (professional wrestling)|Doom]]. In the beginning, the members of Doom were masked and only known as Doom #1 and Doom #2, managed by [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]. In their [[pay-per-view]] debut at [[Halloween Havoc 1989]], Doom defeated [[The Steiner Brothers]]. In the "Iron Team Tournament" at [[Starrcade (1989)|Starrcade 1989]], Doom finished fourth, losing all three of their matches. Doom's misfortune continued as Woman soon dropped the team to manage [[The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|The Four Horsemen]]. Then on February 6, 1990, at [[Clash of the Champions X]], Doom hit rock bottom when they were defeated by Rick and Scott Steiner and as a result of the stipulation were forced to unmask.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#X |title=NWA Clash of the Champions Results (X) |access-date=April 9, 2007 |publisher=prowrestlinghistory.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623095650/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html |archive-date=June 23, 2008 }}</ref>

With new manager Long, they rebounded and defeated The Steiner Brothers for the NWA World Tag Team Championship at [[Capital Combat]] in 1990. They held the title for nine months, defeating teams like [[The Rock 'n' Roll Express]] and [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuding]] with The Four Horsemen (becoming [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#tweener|tweeners]] in the process). Among their most memorable encounters during their title reign was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Hardcore-based variations|street fight]] against Horsemen [[Arn Anderson]] and [[Barry Windham]] at [[Starrcade (1990)|Starrcade 1990]] which ended in a no-contest when Windham pinned Simmons while Reed simultaneously pinned Anderson. During Doom's reign, the titles first became known as the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] in January 1991.  Doom - by then the longest reigning champions of the title's 1975-2001 lifespan - finally lost the titles to [[The Fabulous Freebirds|The Freebirds]] at [[WrestleWar (1991)|WrestleWar]] in February 1991. Subsequently, Doom broke up, with Simmons turning fully face and feuding with Reed (who reverted back to full heel), defeating him in a [[cage match]] at the very first [[SuperBrawl I|SuperBrawl]]. Simmons defeated midcarders including [[Kevin Nash|Oz]] and [[Scott Hall (wrestler)|The Diamond Studd]], then unsuccessfully challenged [[Lex Luger]] for the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] at [[Halloween Havoc 1991|Halloween Havoc]], losing the [[Professional wrestling match types#Series variations|best-of-three-falls match]] one fall to two.

==== World Heavyweight Champion and final storylines (1992&ndash;1994) ====
Simmons and [[Matt Borne|Big Josh]] won the [[NWA/WCW United States Tag Team Championship|WCW United States tag team championship]] in January 1992 from the [[Southern Boys|Young Pistols]] before losing them the following month to [[Greg Valentine]] and [[Terry Taylor]].  He spent the rest of the first half of 1992 feuding with [[Mick Foley|Cactus Jack]]. On August 2, 1992, at a house show in Baltimore, Maryland, a scheduled title match between [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] and WCW World Heavyweight Champion [[Big Van Vader]] was canceled after [[Jake Roberts]] ([[kayfabe]]) injured Sting.<ref name="mf225">Foley, Mick (2000). Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. New York: Avon Books. {{ISBN|978-0-06-103101-4}}. p.3.</ref> WCW President [[Bill Watts]] responded by holding a raffle to determine the number one contender.<ref name=mf225/> Simmons won the raffle and defeated Vader with a [[Powerslam#Scoop powerslam|snap scoop powerslam]] to win the championship.<ref name=mf225/> By defeating Vader, Simmons became the first recognized [[African American]] WCW World Heavyweight Champion and the second African American wrestler to win a World Heavyweight title.<ref name=mf225/>

Simmons held the title for five months. He continued to feud with Cactus Jack, whom he defeated via pinfall at [[SuperBrawl II]], with Jack next bringing in [[The Barbarian (wrestler)|The Barbarian]] to challenge Simmons at [[Halloween Havoc 1992|Halloween Havoc]]. Reed, embittered at his former partner's success, also unsuccessfully challenged Simmons. At [[Starrcade 1992|Starrcade]], Simmons was scheduled to wrestle [[Rick Rude]], but due to Rude being injured he faced [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|"Dr. Death" Steve Williams]] instead, wrestling to a double [[countout]] that was changed to a [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualification]] win for Simmons when Williams attacked him after the match. His title reign ended two days later on December 30, 1992, when Vader defeated him to regain the title.

Afterwards, Simmons was relegated to mid-card status. He was due to face fellow babyface  [[Dustin Rhodes]] for the [[WWE United States Championship|United States Heavyweight Championship]] at [[Superbrawl III]] but was injured and replaced with [[Maxx Payne]]. He also unsuccessfully challenged [[Paul Orndorff]] for the [[WCW World Television Championship|World Television Championship]] at [[Beach Blast (1993)]].  In late 1993 he turned on protege [[Ice Train (wrestler)|Ice Train]], becoming a bitter heel who felt like the fans abandoned him after he lost the championship.  In the spring of 1994, Simmons was working for WCW without being signed to a contract, also Simmons was briefly managed by [[Sherri Martel]] during this time. Simmons competed in the European Cup Tournament, winning his 1st round match against Marcus Bagwell but lost the next round to Sting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlingforum.com/classic-wrestling/2001906-wrestling-observer-1994-a.html|title=Wrestling Observer 1994 - Wrestling Forum: WWE, AEW, New Japan, Indy Wrestling, Women of Wrestling Forums|website=www.wrestlingforum.com|date=July 3, 2016 }}</ref> He would go on to feud with Sting and Bagwell, mostly competing in tag matches. His final match was a win over [[Scott Armstrong (wrestler)|Scott Armstrong]] on the September 10, 1994 edition of WCW Worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/wcw94.htm |title=WCW 1994 |website=thehistoryofwwe.com|date=January 16, 2023 }}</ref>

=== Extreme Championship Wrestling; New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1994–1995) ===
Simmons debuted in [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW) in September 1994. In November 1994, he began teaming with [[2 Cold Scorpio]], with the duo unsuccessfully challenging [[The Public Enemy (professional wrestling)|The Public Enemy]] for the [[ECW World Tag Team Championship]]. At [[November to Remember (1994)|November to Remember]] in November 1994, Simmons unsuccessfully challenged [[ECW World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Shane Douglas]]. On the December 27 edition of [[ECW Hardcore TV]], Simmons won the [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)#Rumble rules battle royals|Extreme Warfare]] match.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch ECW Hardcore TV Season 2 Episode 50: December 27, 1994 on Peacock |url=https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/sports/ecw-hardcore-tv/7062368692955582112/seasons/2/episodes/december-27-1994-episode-50/090fa64d-eaf1-3962-a92f-2445a767d1c1 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=@peacocktv |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Bob Colling |date=2016-07-19 |title=ECW Hardcore TV 12/27/1994 |url=https://wrestlingrecaps.com/2016/07/19/ecw-hardcore-tv-12271994/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Wrestling Recaps |language=en-US}}</ref> He faced Douglas again in December and January, but was unable to win the title. At [[ECW Extreme Warfare|Extreme Warfare]] in March 1995, Simmons defeated [[Hack Meyers]] then issued a challenge to [[911 (wrestler)|911]], who came to the ring and [[chokeslam]]med Simmons. The following month at [[Three Way Dance]] Simmons lost to [[Mikey Whipwreck]] by disqualification after he chokeslammed the referee; following the match, 911 attempted to attack Simmons again, only for Simmons to give 911 a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|low blow]] and chokeslam him. At [[Hostile City Showdown (1995)|Hostile City Showdown]] later that month, 911 defeated Simmons after chokeslamming him off the top rope. Simmons made his final appearances with ECW in May 1995.

In January and February 1995, Simmons wrestled in Japan with [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW) as part of its "Fighting Spirit" tour. During the tour, he largely teamed with other American wrestlers such as [[Flying Scorpio]], [[Mike Enos]], and [[Scott Norton]] in tag team matches and [[six-man tag team match]]es, facing opponents such as [[Kensuke Sasaki]], [[Masa Saito]], [[Shinya Hashimoto]], and [[Tadao Yasuda]]. Simmons made a second tour with NJPW in May and June 1995, again teaming with American wrestlers such as [[Arn Anderson]], Mike Enos, and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]].

Following his appearances with ECW and NJPW, Simmons went into semi-retirement. He began working as a warehouse manager for a [[Coca-Cola]] factory on the outskirts of [[Atlanta, Georgia]].


===World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment===
==== Nation of Domination (1996–1998) ====
{{Main|Nation of Domination}}
In 1996, Simmons returned to professional wrestling, signing a contract with the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). He made his debut on the July 22, 1996, episode of ''[[Monday Night Raw]]''. His first [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] was that of "Faarooq Asad", a [[gladiator]]/street thug who wore a black and blue gladiator outfit with a misshaped helmet and was managed by [[Tammy Lynn Sytch|Sunny]]. Simmons started his first [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with [[Ahmed Johnson]] before shortening his ring name to Faarooq. The feud was started when Faarooq attacked Johnson during a tag team match pitting Johnson and [[Shawn Michaels]] against the Smoking Gunns. As a result of the injuries sustained, Johnson vacated the [[WWF Intercontinental Championship]]. In the subsequent tournament, Faarooq lost in the finals to [[Marc Mero]].

In November 1996, Faarooq dropped his gladiator gimmick, parted ways with Sunny and formed the [[Nation of Domination]] (NOD), a [[Professional wrestling stable|stable]] loosely based on the [[Nation of Islam]]{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} and the [[Black Panther Party]]{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}, although the members of the stable were not exclusively African American. They initially feuded with Ahmed Johnson. At the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|Royal Rumble 1997]], Johnson defeated Farooq by disqualification. In the [[Royal Rumble]] match, Johnson eliminated himself when he saw Faarooq in the aisle and chased after him. Later in the same match Faarooq was eliminated when Johnson returned and attacked him with a [[Dimensional lumber|2x4]]. At [[WrestleMania 13]] Johnson and the [[The Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]] defeated the NOD in a [[Chicago Street Fight]].

After losing to [[WWF Champion]] The Undertaker, at the [[1997 King of the Ring]], Faarooq blamed [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Savio Vega]] for his loss and threw them out of the NOD. Both formed their rival factions, known respectively as the [[Disciples of Apocalypse]] and [[Los Boricuas]], and Faarooq recruited more African American members for the NOD, including half-Samoan [[Rocky Maivia]]. The three stables feuded with one another throughout 1997. In the summer of 1997, Faarooq again lost a tournament final for the WWF Intercontinental Championship, this time to [[Owen Hart]] after [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] interfered. Austin, who had forfeited the title due an injury inflicted by Hart, wanted Hart to win so he could again beat him for the title.

In early 1998, Faarooq's leadership of the NOD was increasingly challenged by Maivia, who had shortened his name to The Rock and felt he should be the leader as he was now Intercontinental Champion. In the Royal Rumble match, all five NOD members were in the ring at the same time and frequently brawled with each other, Faarooq even eliminating his fellow members [[D'Lo Brown]] and [[Mark Henry]]; he was one of the final three along with the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Faarooq wanted the Rock to help him eliminate Austin, but the Rock refused and eliminated Faarooq. The following month at [[No Way Out of Texas: In Your House]], the Nation of Domination lost a [[10-man tag team match]] to Ken Shamrock, Ahmed Johnson, [[Brian Lee (wrestler)|Chainz]], [[Skull and 8 Ball]] when The Rock submitted to an [[ankle lock]] by Shamrock. After the match Faarooq and The Rock almost came to blows. At [[Wrestlemania XIV]], Faarooq and [[The Godfather (wrestler)|Kama]] were unsuccessful in the tag team battle royal. Later in the evening, Faarooq was the only NOD member absent from The Rock's title defense against [[Ken Shamrock]]. When Shamrock put The Rock in an ankle lock, Faarooq ran down to the ring but decided against helping him and walked off, with the crowd cheering his decision, thus turning him face. The following night on ''Raw is War'', the Rock assumed leadership of the NOD and kicked Faarooq out of the group. Faarooq spent the next several months feuding with his former stablemates. Faarooq feuded with The Rock but failed to win the Intercontinental title at [[Over the Edge: In Your House]]. Also this time Simmons then teamed briefly with [[2 Cold Scorpio]] and worked mainly on [[Shotgun Saturday Night]] and house shows. 

==== Acolytes Protection Agency (1998–2004)====
{{Main|Acolytes Protection Agency}}

After feuding with the Nation, in November 1998, Simmons began teaming with [[John Layfield|Bradshaw]] as the [[Acolytes Protection Agency|Acolytes]], a violent tag team sporting occult symbolism on their tights and chests. They were managed by [[Don Callis|The Jackyl]] until he left the WWF, at which point they were reintroduced as members of the [[Ministry of Darkness]] led by [[The Undertaker]]. The Acolytes recruited [[Phineas I. Godwinn]] and [[Mabel (wrestler)|Mabel]] to the Ministry by [[kidnapping]] and [[brainwashing]] them (renaming them "Mideon" and "Viscera", respectively), and feuded with The Undertaker's rivals, such as [[D-Generation X]] and [[The Brood (professional wrestling)|The Brood]], the latter of which later joined the Ministry as well.

During this time the Acolytes had two short reigns as tag team champions; they defeated the team of [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] and [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] but lost the title to [[the Hardy Boyz]]. At the [[Fully Loaded (1999)|Fully Loaded]] pay-per-view in 1999, they won the title back in a no disqualification handicap match against the Hardyz and [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]]. Their second reign ended when they lost the title to Kane and X-Pac.

After the Undertaker suffered an injury in late 1999, the Ministry of Darkness disbanded. Faarooq and Bradshaw continued to team with one another, and eventually adopted the gimmick of two brawlers who enjoyed drinking beer and smoking cigars. After Bradshaw began hiring out the services of the Acolytes as mercenaries and bodyguards, the tag team was renamed the "Acolytes Protection Agency" (APA). Around this time, Faarooq adopted his "Damn!" catchphrase. The team won their third tag team title by defeating the [[Dudley Boyz]] in June 2001 but lost the titles the following month to [[Diamond Dallas Page]] and [[Chris Kanyon]] when [[Test (wrestler)|Test]] interfered.

The APA teamed together until 2002, when Faarooq was [[WWE Draft|drafted]] to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] brand. Around this time, Ron Simmons began wrestling under his real name, as the terrorist group [[Al-Qaeda]] had a training camp called Al-Faarooq.<ref name="OWW" /> Simmons had a brief heel run when he teamed with [[Reverend D-Von]] until he left television in December 2002, but in June 2003 he returned to WWE with Bradshaw and the APA reunited.

In his last [[WWE]] [[Angle (professional wrestling)|storyline]], On the March 18, 2004 episode of Smackdown, he was fired by SmackDown! General Manager [[Paul Heyman]] after the APA lost a match WWE Tag Team Champions [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]] and [[Scotty 2 Hotty]]. It was assumed that the APA was fired, but Heyman told Bradshaw he was allowed to stay. Simmons retired from his in-ring career, accusing Bradshaw of not being a faithful friend in storyline. In reality, Simmons, who had been planning to retire due to his health and age, became a backstage agent for the company.

====Sporadic appearances, "Damn!" and Hall of Famer (2006–present)====
[[File:Ron simmons.jpg|thumb|upright|Simmons making a promotional appearance for WWE in 2005.]]
In 2006, during a rebroadcast of the 1981 [[Orange Bowl]] on [[Sun Sports]], Simmons stated that since his retirement from professional wrestling, he would like to continue or even improve his role within [[WWE]]. Starting on October 23, 2006, he began making short cameos on ''Raw'' to say his catchphrase "Damn", often in awe of or shock at odd occurrences. For a long time it was his only spoken word on a given show.

On the November 20, 2006 edition of ''Raw'', Simmons was chosen by [[Ric Flair]] to replace the injured [[Roddy Piper]] at the [[Survivor Series (2006)|Survivor Series]] to take on the [[Spirit Squad]]. He was the first to be eliminated, via countout. On the January 15, 2007 episode of ''Raw'', he was seen in the ring with [[Chris Masters]] in the "[[Chris Masters#Debut and Master Lock Challenge|Master Lock Challenge]]", which ended prematurely after interference from [[Super Crazy]]. Simmons's escaping the Master Lock, was not recognized. On the July 27, 2007 edition of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', Simmons was named the [[Wedding ceremony participants#Best man|best man]] for [[Theodore Long]] and [[Kristal Marshall|Kristal]]'s [[wedding]].

Simmons also feuded with [[Santino Marella]]. On the September 10, 2007 episode of ''Raw'', Simmons was attacked by Marella. On the September 24, 2007, edition of ''Raw'', Simmons returned to the ring and defeated Santino Marella by countout after Marella left the ring and walked out. Simmons occasionally competed on ''[[WWE Heat]]'', taking on [[Job (professional wrestling)#Jobbers|jobbers]] from the town in which the show is being taped. At the end of each match, Simmons held a microphone, pulling it toward and away from his mouth while the crowd cheered him until he eventually uttered his catchphrase. On the December 3, 2007 episode of ''Raw'', Simmons and Bradshaw were hired by [[Hornswoggle]] to help him in a [[Hardcore wrestling|no disqualification]] handicap match against [[Jonathan Coachman]] and [[Carly Colón|Carlito]].<ref>Robinson, Bryan. [http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12032007/articles/aparetrospective "Back in Business."] [[WWE]], December 4, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2013.</ref>

On [[WWE Raw#Special Episodes|''Raw''{{'}}s 800th episode]] on November 3, 2008, Simmons interrupted wrestlers, who were dancing in the ring, with his catchphrase. During the [[Slammy Awards#2008|2008 Slammy Awards]], he gave [[The Great Khali]] the award for the DAMN Moment of the year. Simmons was released from WWE on January 13, 2009, due to budget cuts but repeatedly reappeared on various WWE events to interrupt awkward situations with his catchphrase. Occasions include episodes of ''[[WWE Raw#Special Episodes|WWE Old School Raw]]'' (November 15, 2010 and January 6, 2014) and ''Raw'' (May 2, 2011 and January 28, 2013), ''[[Hell in a Cell (2012)|Hell in a Cell 2012]]'' and WrestleManias [[WrestleMania 30|30]] and [[WrestleMania 31|31]].<ref name="vids.wwe.com">[http://www.wwe.com/videos/2012-wwe-hall-of-fame-inductee-ron-simmons-25060730 "2012 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee: Ron Simmons."] [[WWE]], February 20, 2012. Retrieved on November 15, 2013.</ref>

Simmons would wrestle in the [[independent circuit]] from 2008 to 2012. He wrestled his final match on March 17, 2012, teaming with former WWE wrestler [[Brian Christopher]] defeating former Nation of Domination stable mates [[PG-13 (professional wrestling)|PG-13]] ([[J. C. Ice]] and [[Wolfie D]]) at Crossfire Wrestling in Nashville, Tennessee.

[[File:Slater's veteran conquerors.jpg|thumb|Simmons (center) along with other WWE Legends at ''[[Raw 1000]]''.]]
Simmons was also credited in the tribute as being the first African American [[world heavyweight championship (professional wrestling)|world heavyweight champion]] in WCW.<ref name="vids.wwe.com"/> Simmons was acknowledged as a memorable character in WWE's "[[Attitude Era]]".<ref name="vids.wwe.com"/> On March 31 by his APA partner John "Bradshaw" Layfield. He ended his Hall of Fame speech with his signature "Damn" once again. Simmons and Layfield reunited as the Acolytes Protection Agency (APA) on the [[WWE Raw 1000|1000th episode of ''Raw'']], providing their signature protection and back-up for [[Lita (wrestler)|Lita]] during her match with [[Heath Slater]]. After Layfield hit Slater with the Clothesline from Hell, Simmons took to the microphone exclaiming "Damn!"

In 2012, Simmons was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]]. In 2014, Simmons made several appearances for [[MCW Pro Wrestling|Maryland Championship Wrestling's]] "Autumn Armageddon" tour.

On the January 19, 2015 episode of ''Raw'', during a "Raw Reunion" segment, Simmons came out to help the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo]] ([[Scott Hall]], [[Kevin Nash]], and [[Sean Waltman]]) and [[The New Age Outlaws]] ([[Billy Gunn]] and [[Road Dogg]]) and John "Bradshaw" Layfield against [[The Ascension (professional wrestling)|the Ascension]] ([[Konnor (wrestler)|Konnor]] and [[Viktor (wrestler)|Viktor]]).

Simmons appeared at the ''[[WWE Raw 25 Years|Raw 25 Years]]'' show on January 22, 2018, and attended the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2018)|2018 WWE Hall of Fame]] ceremony. He also appeared at the ''Raw Reunion'' show on July 22, 2019, in a backstage segment involving [[Mike Bennett (wrestler)|Mike]] and [[Maria Kanellis]], [[Eve Torres]], and [[Jimmy Hart]]; using Hart's megaphone to exclaim "Damn!"

Simmons also appeared on January 23, 2023, at [[Raw is XXX]] when [[Baron Corbin]] and [[John Layfield|JBL]] won a poker game to win money, but then they lost the money because they had to pay their "taxes". Simmons then came into view shook his head and said "Damn!" <ref>{{cite web | url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/24/wwe-raw-results-grades-brock-lesnar-returns-to-screw-bobby-lashley-18154261/ | title=Metro| date=January 24, 2023}}</ref>

==Other media==
[[File:Ron Simmons.jpg|thumb|Simmons at the [[WrestleMania Axxess]] in [[WrestleMania 25|2009]]]]
Simmons is a playable character in multiple wrestling video games including ''[[WWF War Zone]]'', ''[[WWF Attitude]]'', ''[[WWF WrestleMania 2000 (video game)|WWF WrestleMania 2000]]'', ''[[WWF No Mercy (video game)|WWF No Mercy]]'', ''[[WWF SmackDown! (video game)|WWF SmackDown!]]'', ''[[WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role]]'', ''[[WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It]]'', ''[[WWE WrestleMania X8 (video game)|WWE WrestleMania X8]]'', ''[[WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth]]'', ''[[WWE RAW 2]]'', ''[[WWE '13]]'', ''[[WWE 2K16]]'', and ''[[WWE 2K22]]'', ‘’[[WWE 2K23]]’’,[[WWE 2K24]]”.

==Championships and accomplishments==
[[File:Ron Simmons being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame2.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Simmons being inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2012)|WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2012]]
* '''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
** Lou Thesz/Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award (2023)
* '''[[Championship Wrestling from Florida]]'''
** [[NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/flhtnwa.html|access-date=June 15, 2008|title=Championship Wrestling From Florida (NWA): NWA Florida/North Florida Heavyweight Title History|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
*'''[[Extreme Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[Battle royal (professional wrestling)#Rumble rules battle royals|Extreme Warfare]] (1994)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch ECW Hardcore TV Season 2 Episode 50: December 27, 1994 on Peacock |url=https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/sports/ecw-hardcore-tv/7062368692955582112/seasons/2/episodes/december-27-1994-episode-50/090fa64d-eaf1-3962-a92f-2445a767d1c1 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=@peacocktv |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Extreme Warfare « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=9477 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.cagematch.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Bob Colling |date=2016-07-19 |title=ECW Hardcore TV 12/27/1994 |url=https://wrestlingrecaps.com/2016/07/19/ecw-hardcore-tv-12271994/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Wrestling Recaps |language=en-US}}</ref>
*'''[[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**Frank Gotch Award (2025)<ref>{{Cite web | title=RON SIMMONS TO BE HONORED WITH 2025 FRANK GOTCH AWARD FROM THESZ/TRAGOS PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME {{!}} PWInsider.com | url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/191017/ron-simmons-to-be-honored-with-2025-frank-gotch-award-from-thesztragos-professional-wrestling-hall-of-fame.html | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=www.pwinsider.com}}</ref>
*'''Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame'''
**Class of 2025 - as part of 1976 Warner Robins Screamin Demons team<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Mike |title=WWE HALL OF FAMER RON SIMMONS TO ENTER ANOTHER HALL OF FAME |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/201703/wwe-hall-of-famer-ron-simmons-to-enter-another-hall-of-fame.html?p=1 |website=PWInsider |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]''' 
**Class of 2023
* '''[[Memphis Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[MCW Southern Tag Team Championship]] ([[MCW Southern Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[John Layfield|Bradshaw]]<ref>Westcott, Brian. {{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/sttmcw3.html|title=MCW – Memphis Championship Wrestling: MCW Southern Tag Team Title History|website=www.solie.org|access-date=November 16, 2013}}</ref>
* '''[[Ohio Valley Wrestling]]'''
** [[OVW Southern Tag Team Championship]] ([[OVW Southern Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Bradshaw (wrestler)|Bradshaw]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ovsttnwa.html|access-date=June 15, 2008|title=NWA – National Wrestling Alliance NWA: Ohio Valley Wrestling Southern Tag Team Title History|publisher=Solie.org}}</ref>
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**[[PWI Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]] (1992)<ref name="PWI Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|title=PWI Awards|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|access-date=August 16, 2019|archive-date=January 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121172943/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**[[PWI Stanley Weston Award|Stanley Weston Award]] (2021)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bodyslam.net/2021/12/17/ron-simmons-and-terry-funk-named-2021-pwis-stanley-weston-lifetime-achievement-award/ |title = Ron Simmons and Terry Funk Named 2021 PWI's Stanley Weston Lifetime Achievement Award |date = December 17, 2021 |website=Bodyslam.net |access-date=March 21, 2022}}</ref>
**Ranked No. 20 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the [[PWI 500]] in 1992<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1992.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1992|access-date=August 16, 2019|website=Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref>
**Ranked No. 108 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.willywrestlefest.fr/Ressources/PWI/PWI500_PWI_Years_2003.htm|title=2003 Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years|access-date=November 17, 2013|publisher=www.willywrestlefest.fr (French)|archive-date=December 5, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205003511/http://www.willywrestlefest.fr/Ressources/PWI/PWI500_PWI_Years_2003.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**Ranked No. 91 of the top 100 tag teams of the "PWI Years" with [[Butch Reed]] in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.willywrestlefest.fr/Ressources/PWI/PWI500_PWI_Years_2003.htm|access-date=November 17, 2013|title=2003 Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 100 Tag Teams of the PWI Years|publisher=www.willywrestlefest.fr (French)|archive-date=December 5, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205003511/http://www.willywrestlefest.fr/Ressources/PWI/PWI500_PWI_Years_2003.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[World Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411011|access-date=June 15, 2008|title=WCW World Championship – Ron Simmons (August 2, 1992 – December 30, 1992)|website=www.wwe.com|archive-date=October 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011033252/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|WCW/NWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with [[Butch Reed]]<ref name="wcwtag">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html|access-date=June 15, 2008|title=WCW World Tag Team Championship history|website=www.wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
** [[WCW United States Tag Team Championship]] ([[WCW United States Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Matt Osborne|Big Josh]]<ref name=WCWUS>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/usttwcw.html|access-date=June 15, 2008|title=WCW United States Tag Team Championship history|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
* '''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation / WWE]]'''
** [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|3 times]]) – with [[Bradshaw (wrestler)|Bradshaw]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132111123 |title=World Tag Team Championship – The Acolytes (May 31, 1999 – June 29, 1999) |website=www.wwe.com |access-date=November 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211150508/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132111123 |archive-date=December 11, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413213113 |title=World Tag Team Championship – The Acolytes (July 25, 1999 – August 9, 1999) |website=www.wwe.com |access-date=November 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327034129/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413213113 |archive-date=March 27, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321143 |title=World Tag Team Championship – The APA (July 9, 2001 – August 9, 2001) |website=www.wwe.com |access-date=November 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323125059/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321143 |archive-date=March 23, 2008 }}</ref>
** [[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame (2012)|Class of 2012]])<ref name="wwebio"/>
** APA Invitational ([[Vengeance (2003)|2003]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full Event Results {{!}} WWE |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/2003/results |access-date=2025-12-13 |website=www.wwe.com |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of gridiron football players who became professional wrestlers]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="KreikenbohmDoom">{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=25|title=Doom|access-date=April 8, 2024|website=Cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* [http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=simmoron002 Stats Crew profile]
* [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ron-simmons-1.html College football stats]

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{{WCW World Tag Team Championship}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Simmons, Ron}}
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