10 Greatest WCW Champions Ever
8. Ron Simmons
The beneficiary of a history-making decision by booker Bill Watts in 1992, Ron Simmons' status as the first ever African American World Heavyweight Champion in any national organisation is sadly neglected a mention as long as WWE are only scripting him to say precisely one word.
A rare case in wrestling of the catch surpassing the thrill of the chase, Simmons literally won a raffle to earn a shot at fearsome titleholder Big Van Vader after intended challenger Sting suffered a storyline injury at the hands of new arrival Jake Roberts. Whilst his chase may have been peak WCW, his ascent was masterfully scripted wrestling drama.
Overcoming the Champion with a snap powerslam on an August edition of WCW Main Event, Simmons' victory triggered one of the more underrated title celebrations in wrestling history. The audience were utterly ecstatic for the win, embracing the legitimately significant nature of the win. For all Southern wrestling stereotypes perpetuated by Vince McMahon, WCW had in one night taken a progressive leap WWE would wait another six years to even contemplate.