The Honky Tonk Man

:"Honky Tonk Man redirects here. For the song by Johnny Horton, later covered by Dwight Yoakam, see Honky Tonk Man (song). For the film by Clint Eastwood, see Honkytonk Man."Infobox Wrestler
name=The Honky Tonk Man


names=The Honky Tonk Man
height=6' 1"
weight=232 lb
birth_date = birth date and age|1953|1|25
birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee
resides= Phoenix, Arizona
billed=Memphis, Tennessee
trainer=Herb Welch
debut=1977|

Roy Wayne Farris (born January 25 1953), is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name The Honky Tonk Man. Currently working on the independent circuit, he has previously worked for World Championship Wrestling and most notably World Wrestling Federation, where he was considered by many "the greatest Intercontinental champion of all time" with a reign of 64 weeks. He is also the cousin of professional wrestler and color commentator Jerry "The King" Lawler and second uncle to Brian Lawler. [cite journal|title=Amazing But True..|journal =WWE Magazine|issue=13|pages=23|year=2007|month=July]

Wrestling career

Early years

Farris began his career in Memphis Wrestling in 1978. Originally a low-card wrestler, he later achieved greater success when he teamed with Larry Latham to form The Blonde Bombers tag team with Sgt. Danny Davis as their manager. He then had stints in the American Wrestling Association, NWA Mid-Atlantic, World Wrestling Council, NWA Southeastern, and Stampede Wrestling through the early '80s, winning multiple singles and tag team championships in each.

World Wrestling Federation (First Run,1986-1991)

Early run

Farris was best known for his portrayal as The Honky Tonk Man in the World Wrestling Federation, from 1986 through 1991. Originally pushed as a face wrestler with an Elvis impersonator gimmick, Honky soon cut a series of promos that aired on the WWF's syndicated programming asking fans for a "vote of confidence." The results came back negative, and it wasn't long before Honky became a cocky heel and took on Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart as his manager. Hart was billed as "The Colonel" for Honky's matches, a reference to Col. Tom Parker.

Honky's first major feud came against Jake "the Snake" Roberts, who was in the midst of a face turn. The feud intensified when Honky attacked Roberts on his talk show set, "The Snake Pit". According to Roberts, Farris was supposed to hit him with a gimmicked balsa wood guitar. Roberts believes Farris accidentally grabbed a real, non-gimmicked guitar and smashed it across Roberts' back, injuring him, and starting him on his dependence of prescription pain medication. However in a recent interview for "World Wrestling Insanity", the Honky Tonk Man disputed Roberts' assertion saying "That's not true and, in fact; I attribute most of that to Mick Foley, who wrote about it in his book, and Jake, who lied about it."

One of the feud's better-known moments came at WrestleMania III, where Honky grabbed the ring ropes to score a tainted win; afterward, Roberts cleared the ring of Honky before he and Alice Cooper attacked Hart with Roberts' python, Damien.

Intercontinental Championship

During a television taping on June 2, 1987 in Buffalo, New York, Honky replaced an absent Butch Reed in upsetting Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat and winning the WWF Intercontinental Championship; Honky reversed Steamboat's inside cradle and grabbed onto the bottom ropes for extra leverage to get the pin. One of the first wrestlers to congratulate Honky on the win was a man who at the time was finishing a fierce feud with Steamboat, but would go on to be one of Honky's most bitter rivals: Randy "Macho Man" Savage.

Honky quickly adopted a cowardly heel persona, often getting himself counted out or disqualified on purpose against challengers such as Steamboat, Billy Jack Haynes, Bruno Sammartino, and George "The Animal" Steele, as titles cannot be lost by these methods. Also during this time, Honky began using the entrance theme, "Cool, Cocky, Bad," a 50s-styled, narcissistic-themed song performed by Farris and included on "Piledriver - The Wrestling Album 2", the WWF's second album of wrestling themes.

By September 1987, Savage was in the midst of a face turn and began challenging Honky for the Intercontinental title (after Honky had made comments about himself being "the greatest Intercontinental champion of all time" and disparaging comments about former champions, particularly Savage). Although they had several matches beforehand — they had also met in 1986, when the then-heel Savage was champion and challenged by the face Honky — the first Savage-Honky match to air on national television was part of a "Saturday Night's Main Event" taping September 23 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. During that match, Savage nearly defeated Honky until Honky's allies, the Hart Foundation (who had interfered throughout the match), ran into the ring and brutally attacked Savage, getting Honky disqualified. Savage's valet, Miss Elizabeth, attempted to stop the carnage but Honky shoved her down and she fled to the locker room; meanwhile, Honky completed his attempt to break his guitar over Savage's head. Shortly thereafter, Elizabeth returned with Savage's former rival, Hulk Hogan, who aided Savage in running off the heels (leading to the formation of The Mega Powers).

Honky continued his bitter feud against Savage. Frequently, Honky would make advances toward Elizabeth — including one such incident at the 1987 Slammy Awards — to agitate his challenger. Honky retained the title in matches with Savage and Brutus "the Barber" Beefcake, Honky's next major rival.

During the Beefcake-Honky feud - which began at WrestleMania IV and continued during the spring and summer of 1988 - Honky vowed not to let Beefcake cut his ducktail hair, something Beefcake often said he would do in promos. In their matches, Honky was often seconded by a mysterious woman named Peggy Sue; while Sherri Martel sometimes played the role, more often than not, "Peggy Sue" was Hart dressed in drag. Beefcake countered with a "woman" of his own: "Georgina" (Steele in drag).

At the inaugural SummerSlam, The Ultimate Warrior needed just 29 seconds to pin Honky to claim the Intercontinental Championship. Honky had been scheduled to face Beefcake for the title at SummerSlam, but Beefcake fell victim to "Outlaw" Ron Bass' sneak attack at a "WWF Superstars of Wrestling" taping (aired the weekend before the event). Honky, now thinking he was without an opponent, brazenly issued an open challenge to any wrestler for the title. His confidence disappeared when the Ultimate Warrior's entrance music began to play.

Honky had been the champion for one year, two months and 27 days, a record that still stands as of 2008. Honky was unsuccessful in his bid to reclaim the title.

Later WWF run

In 1989, Honky began a feud against "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, but came up short. His last major push came in late 1989 and 1990, when he and Greg Valentine wrestled as the tag team Rhythm and Blues, competing against such teams as the Hart Foundation and The Legion of Doom. Honky wrapped up his WWF career with a stint as a pro-heel color commentator alongside Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper on "Superstars of Wrestling".

World Championship Wrestling (1994)

In 1994, Honky was working for World Championship Wrestling and was challenging Johnny B. Badd for the WCW World Television Championship when he left due to a dispute with management. In his book "Controversy Creates Cash", Eric Bischoff stated that his favorite firing was that of the Honky Tonk Man. Honky has responded by saying that it was an honor as Bischoff had fired a number of people while in WCW.

World Wrestling Entertainment(Second Run,1997-1998)

After a brief stint in the American Wrestling Federation, Honky resurfaced in the WWF in 1997 as a color commentator on "RAW is WAR" and then as the manager of Billy Gunn, who had started a singles run. Under Honky's tutelage, Gunn became known as "Rockabilly," which was a short-lived and unsuccessful gimmick.Honky then made an appearance in the 1998 Royal Rumbleand he lasted for a while in the 1998 event.

Independent Circit (2000)

The Honky Tonk Man continues to work independent wrestling shows all over the world. He is one of the most booked indy wrestlers on the scene today and continues to stay active.

World Wrestling Entertainment (Third Run, 2001)

Made his return at 2001 Royal Rumble, but was quickly eliminated by Kane after being hit on the head with his guitar. After this appearance he left the company and went back to the independent circuit.

Independent Circit (2001-2008)

The Honky Tonk Man along with Ryan Smith and a host of others, ran the most controversial wrestling websites online from 2000-2006. TheHonkyTonkMan.com was a one of a kind official wrestler website that featured frequent updates from the Honky Tonk Man himself, a highly interactive message board community, extensive photo gallery, audio updates, and more. Notable online feuds began between the Honky Tonk Man and Jerry "The King" Lawler, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and others. These often intense online rivalries became a major drawing point for fans. The website unexpectedly closed without much explanation in December 2006. The site now forwards to various new ventures of former website manager Ryan Smith, who remains tight-lipped about the closing.

The Honky Tonk Man recently wrestled for the Castroville, Texas based promotion named Southern Championship Wrestling. He also wrestles for an Eastern Canada based promotion entitled MSW.

On April 23, 2008, Honky Tonk Man was seen wrestling in Presque Isle, Maine for the North Atlantic American Wrestling Association promotion.

His most recent indy appearance was for Heavy on Wrestling on June 14 2008 in Superior, Wisconsin. He wrestled as a face and defeated Big Brody Hoofer and hit Cameron Steele with a guitar.

He appeared at PDX Wrestling (the new-age Portland Wrestling run by Josh Barr who is the son of Sandy Barr) as a face teaming with a local face against two heels. His song signaled his entrance, with the audience singing "Honky Tonk Man" when signaled, as well as after he won the match when his song again sounded.

On June 28, 2008 in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, he made a special guest appearance for Ring of Honor with the storyline that "Sweet N'Sour" Larry Sweeney had brought him on board with his Sweet N'Sour Inc. faction. He praised the crowd and was about to sing and dance for them until Sweeney stepped in and told him he wouldn't do be doing either until their demands were met.

On July 27, 2008, Honky Tonk Man almost had his index finger of his right hand severed during a public appearance before an Ultimate Championship Wrestling show in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. As Honky Tonk Man told the story, he was doing an appearance at Boston Pizza in Charlottetown several hours before the show when someone wanted to take a photo with him with both men clashing guitars. When the guitars colided, the neck of Honky Tonk Man's guitar turned and sliced into Honky Tonk Man's finger, almost severing it. Honky Tonk Man was immediately taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital where doctors stitched the finger and bandaged it. Honky Tonk Man made his appearance at the Ultimate Championship Wrestling show several hours later. He was unable to wrestle his scheduled match due to the injury and was replaced by Trash Canyon, whom he managed from ringside. Honky Tonk Man, although injured and in obvious pain, sang his theme song twice in the ring and was a consummate professional. He is expected to finish the tour with UCW although the injury may prevent him from wrestling, he is expected to be at the shows.

In August 2008 Farris appeared at Wrestling Supershows across Canada.

Cyber Sunday

Currently on "WWE Monday Night Raw", Santino Marella is doing a storyline where he is trying to break Honky Tonk Man's record of longest Intercontinental Championship reign of all time, usually displaying a special "Honk-a-meter" comparing the record length of Honky Tonk Man's 64-week reign with the length of Marella's reign at the time. Though heavily rumored, it is not known whatsoever whether Honky Tonk Man will make an actual appearance in this storyline.On the October 6th edition of RAW, the Honky Tonk Man, along with Goldust and Roddy Piper, was named as one of the possible opponents for Santino Marella's Intercontinental Championship at Cyber Sunday.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves :*"'Guitar shot :*"Shake, Rattle and Roll" (Swinging neckbreaker preceded by a hip-swiveling dance) :*Diving fist drop

*With Greg Valentine:*Double belly to back suplex
*Managers :*Danny Davis:*Jimmy Hart :*Judd the Studd :*Peggy Sue :*Judge Lawless :*Gentleman Jim Holiday
*Wrestlers managed :*Rockabilly
*Entrance themes :*"That's All Right, Honky Tonk Mama" (1987) :*"Cool, Cocky, Bad", which begins with the lyrics: "I've got long side burns and my hair's slicked back :*"Hunka Hunka Hunka Honky Love" (performed by him and Greg Valentine at "WrestleMania VI") :*"Honky Tonk Baby" (WCW)

Championships and accomplishments

*All Pro Wrestling:*APW Universal Heavyweight Championship (1 time) [cite web|url=http://www.titlehistories.com/All_Pro_Wrestling.htm | title=All Pro Wrestling Title Histories| accessdate=2008-07-11|publisher=titlehistories.com]

*Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation:*MEWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*NWA Mid-America | Continental Wrestling Association:*AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Larry Latham (3) and Tojo Yamamoto (1):*NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Larry Latham

*Northern States Wrestling Alliance:*NSWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Greg Valentine

*Southeastern Championship Wrestling:*NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship (1 time):*NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship "(Northern Division)" (1 time):*NWA Southeast Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ron Starr:*NWA Southeastern United States Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*Stampede Wrestling:*International Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Ron Starr (2) and The Cuban Assassin (1):*Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*World Wrestling Council:*WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*World Wrestling Federation:*WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time) (Longest Reign)

*XJAM Pro Wrestling:*XJAM Championship (1 time, current)

Personal life

Farris is the cousin of professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler and second uncle to Brian Lawler. [cite journal|title=Amazing But True..|journal =WWE Magazine|issue=13|pages=23|year=2007|month=July]

He is an avid golfer.

He is a Minister with the Universal Life Church. [ [http://debaclypsenow.blogspot.com/2006/07/im-joiner.html debaclypsenow: I'm A Joiner ] ]

Farris has been married for 22 years and has a daughter named Megan and a son named Roy. [ [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wherearetheynow/honkytonkman WWE: Superstars > Where Are They Now? > Catching up with The Honky Tonk Man ] ]

Notes

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References

* [http://www.kayfabecommentaries.com/commentaries_Honky.html Kayfabe Commentaries with the Honky Tonk Man]
* [http://wrestlingdb.com/lp/http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=32861&p=1 Interview with the Honky Tonk Man]
* [http://www.rfvideo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3169 Shoot Interview with Raven and the Honky Tonk Man]
* [http://www.rfvideo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2522 On The Road with the Honky Tonk Man]
* [http://www.rfvideo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=580 Shoot Interview with the Honky Tonk Man 2004]
* [http://www.rfvideo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=658 Shoot Interview with the Honky Tonk Man 2001]
* [http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/other/apwtit.htm APW title histories]
* [http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/other/mewftit.htm MEWF title histories]
* [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/nwa/ NWA Mid-America and Mid-Southern title histories]
* [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/ Stampede title histories]
* [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/pr/wwc/ WWC title histories]
* [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/home.html WWF title histories]
* [http://www.asw-wrestling.com/ Recent match results]

External links

* [http://www.thehonkytonkman.com Honky Tonk Man's Official Website]
* [http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/johnnymik/Honky Honky Tonk Man's Interview with Insane Wrestling]
* [http://www.xjamwrestling.com/welcome.html Honky Tonk featured on XJAM Pro Wrestling site]
* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wherearetheynow/honkytonkman Honky Tonk Man interview on WWE.com]
*myspace|honkytonkman|Honky Tonk Man
* [http://www.genickbruch.com/index.php?befehl=interviews&art=1&jahr=2003&interview=131&version=1 Honky Tonk Man's Interview with GENICKBRUCH.com]
* [http://www.genickbruch.com/index.php?befehl=interviews&art=1&jahr=2004&interview=133&version=1 Honky Tonk Man's 2nd Interview with GENICKBRUCH.com]
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_3_2/ai_65858889 Whatever happened to … the Honky Tonk Man]
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_1_5/ai_101337648 Bio file: the Honky Tonk Man]