Roy Wayne Farris aka The Honky Tonk Man

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 (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

Wrestling Career

World Wrestling Federation (1986-1990)

Farris was best known for his portrayal as The Honky Tonk Man in the World Wrestling Federation, from 1986 through 1990. 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, whom was in the midst of a face turn. The feud intensified when Honky attacked Roberts on his talk show set, The Snake Pit. 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.

During a television taping on June 2, 1987 in Buffalo, New York, Honky upset Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat and won 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, taking advantage of a loophole that allowed him to keep his title. 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. However, Savage never won the title from Honky ... and neither did 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 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, and also came up short in a feud against "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.

His last major run 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.

World Championship Wrestling (1994)

In 1994, the Honky Tonk Man 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. Farris has responded by saying that it was an honor as Bischoff had fired a number of people while in WCW.

Return to WWF (1997)

After a brief stint in the American Wrestling Federation, Honky resurfaced in the WWF in 1997 as a manager for 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 made an appearance in the 2001 Royal Rumble where he entered the Rumble but got nailed with his own guitar by Kane and was quickly eliminated.

Independent Wrestling, The Internet and Beyond (2000-Today)

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.

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.

In wrestling

* Finishing and signature moves

* Shake, Rattle and Roll (Swinging Neckbreaker with a hip-swiveling dance in the middle)
* Guitar shot

* 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)
* "You're Just a Honky Dog Baby" (WCW)

Championships and accomplishments

* All Pro Wrestling

* APW Universal Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

* 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 Southeast Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* NWA Southeast Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ron Starr
* NWA Southeast United States Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

* Stampede Wrestling

* Stampede International Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Ron Starr (2) and The Cuban Assassain (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)

* XJAM Pro Wrestling

* XJAM Championship (1 time, current)

Personal life

Farris is the cousin of professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler.

He is an avid golfer.

He is a Minister with the Universal Life Church.

Farris has been married for 22 years and has a daughter named Megan and a son named Roy. (Credit: Wikipedia).

Website

The Honky Tonk Man - MySpace

Interviews

The Honky Tonk Man - 8th January 2008

Profiles

Wrestling

World Wrestling Entertainment