Hired by the WWF on the recommendation of Jim Ross, who was a fan from his WCW days, Ron Simmons attended a meeting at Vince McMahons house shortly after he signed to discuss what his role in the WWF would be. He was shocked when McMahon laid out his vision. We see you as this gladiator. This Spartan, McMahon told him. McMahon then produced a series of drawings that his team in Creative Services had provided depicting Simmons in a leather helmet and a cheap fancy-dress Roman gladiator costume. Simmons was so convinced that McMahon was ribbing him that he began to laugh. Then he realised he was the only one laughing and McMahon was serious. Torn between wanting the security of a long-term WWF job or looking like a laughing stock, Simmons had to make a choice. As is so often the case, money talks, and Simmons agreed to the character named Faarooq Asad telling Vince, I think its great. Its absolutely fantastic! I think it will be the best thing that Ive ever done. The gimmick lasted less than four months before Simmons was repackaged as the leader of black militant group the Nation of Domination.
The author of the highly acclaimed 'Titan' book series, James Dixon has been involved in the wrestling business for 25 years as a fan, wrestler, promoter, agent, and writer. James spent several years wrestling on the British independent circuit, but now prefers to write about the bumps and bruises rather than take any of them. His past in-ring experience does however give a uniquely more "insider" perspective on things, though he readily admits to still being a "mark" at heart.
James is the Chief Editor and writer at historyofwrestling.co.uk and is responsible for the best-selling titles Titan Sinking, Titan Shattered, and Titan Screwed, as well as the Complete WWF Video Guide series, and the Raw Files series.
