The Honky Tonk Man

At 71 years old, The Honky Tonk Man has this physical status:

Roy Wayne Farris (born January 25, 1953), also known as the Honky Tonk Man, is an American professional wrestler.

He competed for both World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE).

He is best known for his first time with WWF, where he dominated the WWF Intercontinental Championship for a record 64 weeks and lost it to The Ultimate Warrior at the 1988 SummerSlam.

He is the uncle of fellow professional wrestler and color commentator Jerry Lawler.Farris was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the 2019 induction ceremony.

Personal life

Farris is a first cousin of Jerry Lawler and a first cousin of the late Brian Christopher who was also displaced. In his spare time, he plays a lot of golf.

Farris' first marriage to Judy Lynn Nuckolls was brief, but he has been married to Tammy, his current wife, since 1984. He has lived in Gilbert, Arizona, since June 1993.

Despite being a kayfabe competitor of Randy Savage, Farris had a positive working relationship with him. Both men competed in the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for more than a year, with Farris defeating Savage by a few weeks.

Farris considers Harley Race to be the best professional wrestler of all time.

Farris has stated that he donates his hair to Locks of Love once a year.

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Professional wrestling career

Farris began his career in 1977 in Malden, Missouri, where he competed with his mentor Koko B. Ware for promoter Henry Rogers. Farris made his way to Memphis Wrestling in 1978, starting as a student to the stars. Wayne Farris, nicknamed "Dynamite" Wayne Farris, wrestled frequently in Birmingham, Dothan, Mobile, and Pensacola. When Jerry Brisco put together the Blond Bombers, he had more success. Later, the Bombers were released with Sgt. When they returned to Memphis, Danny Davis was their boss.

Both the Blond Bombers and Jerry Jartt's Memphis area were involved in tense rivalries with several fan favorite teams across two competing Tennessee franchises, including Nick Gulas' Nashville based territory and Jerry Jartt's Memphis area. Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee were among their favorite moments during their "Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl" against Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee. Jim Crockett Promotions, World Wrestling Council (WWC), Southwest Championship Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance, and Stampede Wrestling Association (1980s) fought him through the 1980s, winning multiple singles and tag team championships in each.

When the Honky Tonk Wayne gimmick was born in Calgary in 1982, Farris made his debut for Stampede Wrestling. He sported slicked-back hair, sideburns, and carried a guitar, a spinoff of rock star Elvis Presley. In 1985 and 1986, Honky and Ron Starr won the Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship. He later competed for the International Tag Team Championships with Cuban Assassin Nicholas. He defeated Bad News Allen for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship in 1986, but the honour was vacated when Honky left WWF in 1986.

In 1986, Farris joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring name The Honky Tonk Man. Honky made his televised WWF debut on September 28, 1986, defeating Terry Gibbs in the Wrestling Challenge. Honky soon cut a line of ads with Jesse "The Body" Ventura, asking followers for a "vote of confidence," although these promos mocked supporters in the manner of Andy Kaufman before him. The verdicts were predictable, and it was not long before Honky became a cocky criminal and took on "Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart, a nodote to Elvis Presley's boss Colonel Tom Parker) as his boss.

Jake "The Snake" Roberts, who was in the middle of a fan favorite run, was Honky's first big feud. The feud erupted after Honky slammed Roberts on his talk show host, The Snake Pit. Honky was supposed to smash him with a fiberglass balsa wood guitar, but Roberts said he was wrongfully pulling a real, non-gimmicked guitar and smashed it across Roberts' back, properly injuring him. This began his dependence on prescription painkillers, according to Roberts (in an interview, Roberts claims he was picking pieces of the guitar out of his back for weeks after he was struck). Roberts had been a known drug user for years prior to this incident, but this has been disputed. Honky denied Roberts' assertion, saying, "That's not true, and, in fact, I owe most of it to Mick Foley, who wrote about it in his book, and Jake, who lied about it," even though a television video of the incident showed that the guitar did not crack like a gimmicked one, and that it took several more hits to Roberts' back for the guitar to break apart, although a television video of the case showed that it Nonetheless, Roberts continued to wrestle regularly following this angle, throwing into doubt the suspected non-gimmicked guitar shot into question. Honky grabbed the ring ropes to win in a tumultuous match, but Roberts restored Honky's ring before he and Alice Cooper assaulted Hart with Damien, Roberts' python.

Honky defeated Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat for the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship on June 13, 1987; Honky turned Steamboat's inside cradle and grabbed extra leverage for additional leverage to win the pinfall match. Butch Reed had been expected to win the title right away. Honky was expected to be a transitional champion but was unable to pass a short time, but after losing WrestleMania and Honky, the champion would face the opposition for a record-breaking run, he was only expected to be a champion. Honky remarked that Hulk Hogan, who later had a close, collaborative relationship outside of the ring, may have given Honky a chance to fight for the title after a coincidental meeting between Hogan, Honky, and Vince McMahon took place. Even though McMahon had someone else in mind, Hogan stayed up for Honky.

Honky continued to be unable to defeat opponents like Steamboat, Billy Jack Haynes, Bruno Sammartino, and George "The Animal" Steele in order to hold his position, which could only be obtained by pinfall or submission. Honky also began using a 50s-styled, themed entrance song performed by Farris (included on Piledriver: The WWF's second album of wrestling themes). Randy Savage, "Macho Man" of 1987, was in the middle of a fan favorite turn and began challenging Honky for the title (after Honky claimed to be "the highest Intercontinent Heavyweight Champion of all time" and making disparaging remarks about former champions, particularly Savage). Despite having several games before, they had also met in 1986, when the then-villain Savage was champion and fended off by fan favorite Honky – the first Savage-Honky match to air on national television was on September 23, 1987. During the match, Savage barely beat Honky before Honky's allies in Jimmy Hart's stable, The Hart Foundation, burstled Honky, causing Honky to be disqualified, and Honky was disqualified. Miss Elizabeth, Savage's boss, tried to prevent the assault on Savage, but Honky ordered her to the locker room, while Honky continued his attempt to break his guitar over Savage's head. Miss Elizabeth returned with Hulk Hogan, Savage's former flame who assisted Savage in running off the heels (leading to the formation of The Mega Powers). Honky's tumultuous rivalry against Savage continued as Honky made moves toward Miss Elizabeth, including one at the 1987 Slammy Awards to agitate his opponent. Honky lost by countout after Savage rammed him into the outside of the ring during the last high-profile Savage-Honky match, which was broadcast on Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant on 1988. Their feud was blown out in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania IV by a string of tag team-style steel cage matches, with several allies of Honky and Savage on their respective sides fighting, with Savage eventually winning, with Savage usually winning.

Honky retained the title in matches against Savage and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, Honky's next big rival. Honky promised not to let Beefcake cut his ducktail hair during the Beefcake-Honky feud, which started at WrestleMania IV (where Jimmy Hart disqualified him by knocking out the referee with his megaphone), but Honky kept the title, but Beefcake promised not to let him cut his ducktail hair during his promotionals. Honky was often seconded by a mysterious lady named Peggy Sue, while WWF Women's Champion Sherri Martel was more often than not in drag. "Georgina" (George "The Animal" Steele in drag) befcake countered with a "woman" of his own: "Georgina" was befuted by Beefcake. Honky and Beefcake were due to meet in the 1988 SummerSlam in what was described as Beefcake's last shot at the now referred to Intercontinental Championship.

However, Beefcake was thrust into a feud with "Outlaw" Ron Bass after Bass committed a sneak attack on Beefcake, which was aired the weekend before SummerSlam; in a storyline twist, the two were thrust in a storyline twist. It was revealed that a "mystery adversary" would face Honky for the title. Honky screamed for the microphone as he called the game and announced that he didn't care who his opponent was. For the Intercontinental Championship, the Ultimate Warrior rode out and pinned his stunned rival in just 31 seconds, snapping his reign at 454 days. Honky had been the champion for one year, two months, and 27 days, the longest Intercontinental Championship reign in history.

Honky was born in 1989, where he was shaved away by Tito Santana and Bushwhacker Butch. Greg Valentine, who was also managed by Jimmy Hart, and the tag team Rhythm and Blues formed in late 1989 and 1990. They rode in a pink Cadillac at WrestleMania VI, with future WWE Hall of Fame candidate Diamond Dallas Page as the pilot. Rhythm & Blues debuted at WrestleMania V and The Legion of Doom, alongside Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Team and his "mystery" partner, the debuting Undertaker, against Rhodes' Dream Team The Hart Foundation and Koko B. Ware, where they emerged victorious. Honky finished his WWF career with a stint as a pro-villains color commentator with Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper on Superstars before leaving in January 1991.

Honky went into the independent circuit after leaving WWF. On February 19, 1991, he defeated his longtime friend Greg Valentine to a double disqualification for the United Wrestling Alliance. On June 28, 1992, Don Muraco of Century Toyota lost to Don Muraco. He appeared for one night for the United States Wrestling Association on November 11, 1993, after losing to Jeff Jarrett by disqualification.

Honky was battling Johnny B. Badd for the WCW World Television Championship from summer to winter 1994, but then he had to leave due to a dispute with leadership. Eric Bischoff said in his book Controversy Creates Wealth that Honky was his favorite firing. Honky has expressed appreciation by saying that it was an honor, as Bischoff fired a number of people while serving in WCW before he was fired.

Honky returned to the islands after a frustrating stint with WCW. In 1995, he wrestled for the National Wrestling Conference, battling former WWF stars Virgil, Ultimate Warrior, and Jake Roberts. He was with them until 1998.

He served for the American Wrestling Federation in 1996, where he feuded with Koko B. Ware.

He was a member of Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling (ECCW) in British Columbia, Canada, in 1998. He fought Michael Hayes in a losing bid for SSOW on May 5, 1999.

Honky resurfaced in the WWF full-time in 1997 as a color commentator on Raw Is War, WWF Superstars, and Shotgun Saturday Night, and then as the boss of Billy Gunn, who had just started a singles run. Gunn became known as "Rockabilly" under Honky's tutelage, a short-lived, unsuccessful gimmick that was also disliked by Honky himself. He then appeared in the 1998 Royal Rumble event that was then ruled out by Vader. Honky returned to the WWF for a one-time appearance at the 2001 Royal Rumble, but Kane soon dismissed him after being struck on the head with his guitar.

Santino Marella said in 2008 that he intends to smash Honky's record for longest Intercontinental Championship reign, notably displaying a special "Honk-a-meter" comparing Honky's 64-week record with that of his own time. On the October 6 episode of Raw, Honky (now a fan favorite for the first time since 1986), along with Goldust and Roddy Piper, were listed as one of the potential opponents for Marella's Intercontinental Championship on Cyber Sunday. He was chosen by supporters to challenge for the title with 35% of the vote; despite fear that his injured finger would necessitate surgery, he did win the match by disqualification (thus failing to win the title). Goldust and Piper descended on the ring after the match had concluded and assaulted Marella, as a teammate. Honky appeared as a special guest commentator on Raw's October 27 episode. After an impersonation of Marella's on-screen mother, Beth Phoenix, Charlie Haas, was knocked into the announcer table, Marella assaulted Honky, causing Piper and Goldust to prevent Marella from fleeing the ring. Marella turned around to be struck on the head by Honky's guitar as a result of Goldust's entry to the ring. On April 4, 2009, Honky inducted Koko B. Ware into the WWE Hall of Fame.

In 2010, WWE offered him a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame, but he turned down the invitation. On March 4, 2013, Honky made a brief appearance on Old School Raw for a short period of time. Heath Slater was smashed over the head with a guitar during a match between Brodus Clay and Tensai. Clay and Tensai performed his "Cool, Cocky, Bad" theme song then and then danced with them to his signature "Cool, Cocky, Bad" theme tune.

Honky has appeared on televisions around the world since 2000. Honky, along with Ryan Smith and a number of others, ran a number of tense wrestling websites from 2000 to 2006. Honky's personal website, a large photo gallery, audio news, and others were among Honky's frequent updates. The Honky Tonk Man and Jerry Lawler, Roddy Piper, and others have all started strong online feuds. Fans of these often fierce online rivalries became a major drawing point for fans. In December 2006, the website unexpectedly closed without much explanation. Former website manager Ryan Smith, who is still tight-lipped about the site's demise, is now looking at a number of new ventures.

Honky has competed in the Southern Championship Wrestling Championship in Castroville, Texas, and MSW in eastern Canada. Honky was seen wrestling in Presque Isle, Maine, for the North Atlantic American Wrestling Association's promotion on April 23, 2008. On June 14, 2008, he appeared on Heavy on Wrestling in Superior, Wisconsin. He was a fan favorite during his bout with Big Brody Hoofer and smacking Cameron Steele with a guitar. He also appeared at PDX Wrestling (the new-age Portland Wrestling, managed by Sandy Barr's son Josh) teaming with a local fan favorite against two villains.

Honky was inducted into the XWF Hall of Fame by its designer Jack Blaze on April 26, 2008, during their 2008 XWF Superbrawl event. Honky is now listed in their Hall of Fame, but the XWF was later renamed LPW (Legends Pro Wrestling). Larry Sweeney, the narrator, had flown him aboard for his Sweet N'Sour Inc. faction in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, on June 28, 2008. He lauded the crowd and was planning to perform and dance for them until Sweeney stepped in and told him he would not be doing anything until their demands were fulfilled.

Honky had the index finger of his right hand severed during a public appearance in Canada ahead of the Ultimate Championship Wrestling Exhibition in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on July 27, 2008. He was playing guitars at a Boston Pizza in Charlottetown only hours before the performance when someone wanted to photograph him with both men and women. The neck of Honky's guitar turned and sliced into Honky's finger, almost cutting it into Honky's finger. The Honky was admitted straight to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where doctors stitched the finger and bandaged it. Honky appeared at the Ultimate Championship Wrestling exhibition only a few hours later. Due to the injury, he was unable to participate in his scheduled match and was replaced by Trash Canyon, who ruled from ringside. Honky, although injured and in apparent pain, performed his theme song twice in the ring.

Honky appeared at Wrestling Supershows around Canada in August 2008. Honky has also appeared in SWCW in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He wrestled for Big Time Wrestling, his first match in four months), defeating L'Empereur on October 24, 2008. He appeared in a World Pro Wrestling tournament in Colusa, California, alongside Doink The Clown (a new masked version) to face WPW World Tag Team Champions Jerry Grey and Mighty Henrich. Doink turned on Honky and the three triple-teamed him, bringing the match to a no-win no contest. Honky and Bushwacker Luke defeated "Kowboy" Mike Hughes and "Wildman" Gary Williams for the UCW Tag Team Championship on May 7, 2009. Honky made his Dynamic Wrestling Alliance debut on January 31, 2011, defeating Col. Jonathan James at the "Golden Opportunity II" event in Middletown, Ohio.

At the Armageddon Expo in Wellington on June 5, 2016, Honky competed in Impact Pro Wrestling in New Zealand. He teamed up with Brook Duncan and Britenay to defeat the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Champion Curt Chaos, Taylor Adams, and Mr Burns.

Honky made a cameo appearance in the first episode of Lucha Underground's season 3 as a warden in a prison, with the former prisoner returning Dario Cueto's life upon his release.

WWE announced on February 26, 2019 that the Honky Tonk Man would be a member of the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame class. Jimmy Hart, his former boss, inducted him on April 7, 2019.

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