Today marks 26 years since Ron Simmons became the first recognized African American world champion in pro wrestling history by defeating the late Vader in 1992 for the WCW Heavyweight Championship (note: Bobo Brazil actually won the NWA Heavyweight Championship from Buddy Rogers back in 1962, but it was never recognized by the NWA).
Simmons’ former APA partner and poker opponent, JBL went on Twitter to pay homage to the man once known as Farooq:
This day in 1992, my former tag team partner and current best friend, Ron Simmons, became pro wrestling’s first African American world champion. #legend pic.twitter.com/GJla8dgDhw
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) August 2, 2018
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Sting
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Sting #1
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: WWE Professional Wrestler Steve Borden aka Sting attends day 3 of Wizard World Comic Con at Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 9, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
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Sting #2
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: WWE Professional Wrestler Steve Borden aka Sting attends day 3 of Wizard World Comic Con at Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 9, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
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Sting #3
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: WWE Professional Wrestler Steve Borden aka Sting attends day 3 of Wizard World Comic Con at Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 9, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
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Sting #4
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: WWE Professional Wrestler Steve Borden aka Sting attends day 3 of Wizard World Comic Con at Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 9, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
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Sting #5
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: WWE Professional Wrestler Steve Borden aka Sting attends day 3 of Wizard World Comic Con at Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 9, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
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Sting #6
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: WWE Professional Wrestler Steve Borden aka Sting attends day 3 of Wizard World Comic Con at Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 9, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
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Sting #7
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: WWE Professional Wrestler Steve Borden aka Sting attends day 3 of Wizard World Comic Con at Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 9, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
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Sting #8
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: WWE Professional Wrestler Steve Borden aka Sting attends day 3 of Wizard World Comic Con at Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 9, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
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Sting #9
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: WWE Professional Wrestler Steve Borden aka Sting attends day 3 of Wizard World Comic Con at Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 9, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
