Every WCW Heavyweight Champion: Where Are They Now?

18. Ron Simmons

A former college football star and NFL draftee, Ron Simmons was a born athlete who made the jump from shoulder pads and helmets to wrestling boots and tights in the mid-1980s. It wouldn't take long for him to become a fan favourite thanks to his energetic style and relatable character.

Despite a cheeky heel turn as a part of the tag team Doom alongside Butch Reed, his greatest success came as one of the company's top babyfaces. In 1992, after a kayfabe injury ruled out Sting from a title match against Big Van Vader, Simmons was picked out of a raffle (of all things) to be the replacement. Stunning everyone, he actually won!

The post-match celebration is incredible to watch, with so much raw emotion as the entire crowd are on their feet, going wild for the first African-American World Champion.

He would barely last over a year in the company after losing the title back to Vader, dropping into ECW for a short time before joining the WWF and enjoying a successful mid-card run as a part of the Nation Of Domination and then The APA, before retiring from the ring a few years into the new century.

He's remained loyal to WWE since, making an appearance every now and then to drop his signature catchphrase, "DAMN!", on any unsuspecting victim, usually at an anniversary show or random PPV. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.