10 Wrestling Firsts That Happened Earlier Than You Think

2. The First African-American To WIN A World Title

Ron Simmons WCW Champion
WWE.com

Ron Simmons' August 1992 WCW Championship victory was a huge, cathartic moment that brought genuine progressivism to professional wrestling, as it was put over as the first time an African-American had ever captured a world title. Shattering those old southern rasslin' stereotypes, Ted Turner's company crowned him years before Vince McMahon would be prompted to do the same, and the response was one of pure elation, with Simmons enjoying a 150-day run on top.

But while the future Faarooq was the first African-American to hold a world title, he wasn't the first to win one.

That nod goes to Bobo Brazil, who defeated 'Nature Boy' Buddy Rogers to win the coveted NWA World Heavyweight Championship in October 1962. He didn't reign, though. The organisation, stuck in their ways, concocted a contrived injury angle that saw Bobo turn the belt down on account of Rogers not being 100% when he fought. The NWA awarded him the gold anyway, but the change isn't officially recognised by the group, even through Brazil ended up carrying it around for 73 days before dropping it back to Rogers on a house show.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.