Wrestling's 13 Greatest African-American Stars

These days, Ron Simmons has largely been reduced to barking a monosyllabic catchphrase at the culmination of eyebrow-raising thirty second cameos. It does him a disservice; the future-styled Farooq's legacy in the industry is so much more important than a single word imprecation and a penchant for poker.

Thirty years after Bobo Brazil's NWA title victory was expunged from the record books, Ron Simmons became the second 'first' African-American to claim the belt, whilst under the auspices of WCW. Simmons' route to the title was somewhat preposterous - he won a raffle held by company president Bill Watts to replace the injured Sting - but there was nothing ridiculous about him actually winning the belt.

Watts had first began promoting black wrestlers in Mid-South when he recognised the success of African-American athletes in other sports would de-legitimise the business if it didn't boast likewise. They didn't get more legitimate than Simmons, a college All-American footballer and defensive tackle for the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Avaricious intent or not, few could say he deserved the accolade.

Then he joined WWF and they dressed him up as a gladiator. Righto, then.