Ron Simmons is considered an icon in professional wrestling with accomplishments such as being one half of the inaugural WCW World Tag Team Champions and the first black WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Appearing alongside JBL “Insight with Chris Van Vliet” Simmons looked back on the aforementioned world title win against Vader and admitted it’s something he goes back and watches often.
“It was a real moment in this business,” he recalls, noting how it was not only for him, but also for his fans and friends. While he didn’t want to pull the curtain too far, Simmons revealed that no one, including himself, knew about the title change until shortly before it took place. “And that’s where you get the realism of it, because nobody would ever expect that at a home show.”
JBL then weighed in, recalling fans approaching him at conventions and celebrating Simmons’ victory against Vader. Simmons then admitted that when he won the belt, he had no real idea what it would mean to people.
“I get emails every week from someone saying they’re in a bad place in their life, a dark place, how it changed and inspired them, and not just black people, you get me. Do you know all people of all classes?’ he announced. “So it’s really special and it really means a lot.”
Simmons’ title win took place in August 1992 and was later featured on the WCW Main Event. His title lasted until later that year when Vader regained it at a live event.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet” and credit ah/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
