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Ron Killings
Born (1972-01-19) January 19, 1972 (age 52)[1]
Atlanta, Georgia[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)K-Kwik[1]
Kid Krush[3]
K. Malik Shabazz[1]
K-Krush[1]
Ron Killings[1]
R-Truth[1][4]
Pretty Ricky[1]
Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[4]
Billed weight228 lb (103 kg)[4]
Billed fromCharlotte, North Carolina[4]
Trained byManny Fernandez[3][5]
Chris Hamrick[5]
Italian Stallion[5]
George South[5]
Debut1997[6]

Ronald "Ron" Killings[3][6] (born January 19, 1972) is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is signed to World Wrestling Entertainment, performing on its Raw brand, where he is the current United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth.[4] He was perhaps best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he was a two time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, a one time NWA World Tag Team Champion and a one time TNA World Tag Team Champion.

Professional wrestling career

Jackie Crockett of the National Wrestling Alliance first tried to convince Killings to become a professional wrestler, but he was determined to focus on his music career. Killings spent two years working on his music career and then contacted Crockett once more and expressed an interest in becoming a wrestler.[5] Crockett, by now the senior cameraman for World Championship Wrestling, took Killings to several WCW and Pro Wrestling Federation events, introducing him to wrestling personalities.[6] Killings debuted in the PWF in 1997 as a manager, then spent three years traveling and training with Manny Fernandez.[6] In 1999, he debuted in NWA Wildside as K-crush, where he was awarded the newly-created NWA Wildside Television Championship on December 12. Killings lost the title to A.J. Styles on January 8, 2000.[5]

World Wrestling Federation (1999–2001)

At the urging of Rick Michaels, Killings sent a promotional LOLZ videotape to the World Wrestling Federation.[6] He was signed to a two year developmental contract by the WWF in 1999 and was assigned to Memphis Championship Wrestling, a WWF developmental territory. On April 12 in Robinsonville, Mississippi, he won a battle royal to claim the vacant Southern Heavyweight Championship.[6] He lost the title to a masked Jerry Lawler on May 24 in Tunica, Mississippi, but reclaimed it from Joey Abs several months later in Memphis, Tennessee on August 19.[6] His second reign ended on November 3, when he lost to Steve Bradley in Manila, Arkansas.[5]

Killings was then promoted to the main roster and put in a tag team with Road Dogg.[6] He debuted on the November 13, 2000 episode of Raw is War, attacking William Regal during a match against Road Dogg. Killings, renamed K-Kwik, and the Road Dogg began rapping together, performing a song called "Gettin' Rowdy" as they approached the ring.[5] Upon the return of Road Dogg's former partner Billy Gunn later that month, Killings was involved in a D-Generation X quasi-reunion. At Survivor Series, Killings teamed with former DX members Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, and Chyna to face The Radicalz in a Survivor Series match.[6] Killings was eliminated from the match by Chris Benoit, and the Radicalz went on to win the match. At Armageddon, Killings and the Road Dogg took part in a four way tag team match for the Tag Team Championship, which was won by Edge and Christian.[6]

After Road Dogg was suspended in December and eventually released on January 26, 2001,[7] Killings became a singles competitor and became a successful mainstay on Jakked. He took part in the 2001 Royal Rumble, but was eliminated by Big Show. Killings then began competing in the hardcore division. He defeated Raven for the Hardcore Championship on February 3, but lost the title to Crash Holly that same evening under the title's 24/7 rules.[8] He defeated Raven for the title a second time on February 5, but once again he lost the title to Holly within the space of several hours.[8] Killings became somewhat a background figure of "The Invasion" angle during the summer months, often seen in dressing rooms and watching television with other superstars during interpromotional matches. Killings was released from the WWF later that year.[6]

Xtreme Pro Wrestling (2002)

In 2002, Killings joined Xtreme Pro Wrestling as K. Malik Shabazz, teaming with Tony Drake/Saleem Jihad and Raphael Muhammed as the New Panthers, a faction based upon the Black Panther Party. On July 20, in Pico Rivera, California, Shabazz and Muhammed took part in a four way tag team match for the World Tag Team Championship, which was won by Damián 666 and Halloween. He left the promotion later that year.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2002–2007)

Debut (2002)

Killings in TNA.

Killings signed with the Nashville, Tennessee-based Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion in June 2002, and appeared on the first weekly TNA pay-per-view on June 19 as "K-Krush". Killings immediately established himself as a villain by harassing NASCAR drivers Sterling Marlin and Hermie Sadler until he was attacked by Brian Christopher. Later that same evening, he participated in the Gauntlet for the Gold match, but was eliminated by Malice. The following week, Killings lost to Christopher after Marlin and Sadler interfered in their match. On July 3, Killings and Jeff Jarrett defeated Christopher and Scott Hall after Christopher turned on Hall during the match, aligning himself with Killings and Jarrett. On July 10, Killings defeated Hermie Sadler in a squash match. The decision, however, was overturned after Killings continued to attack Sadler after he had been awarded the match.

On the July 17 TNA pay-per-view, Killings delivered an angry promo in which he implied that he had been held back as a result of his race. He then stated that he was to be referred to as "The Truth". Killings eventually began using his own name, referring to himself as Ron "The Truth" Killings. Killings defeated Ken Shamrock for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at NWA-TNA 8 on August 7, thus becoming the first ever recognized black NWA World Heavyweight Champion in history.[6] He successfully defended the title in matches with Monty Brown, Jerry Lynn, Low Ki, Curt Hennig, and Scott Hall before losing to Jeff Jarrett on November 20 with the help of Vince Russo.[6] As a result of Russo's involvement, Killings turned into a fan favorite. In subsequent months, Killings feuded with Sports Entertainment Xtreme before turning into a villainous character once again by attacking Jarrett on March 19.[6] He later introduced Nelson Knight as his bodyguard.[6]

3Live Kru (2003–2005)

Main article: 3Live Kru

Between May and June, Killings began teaming with Konnan and former WWF ally B.G. James. In July the trio formed a faction known as the 3Live Kru.[6] The Kru first wrestled as a unit on August 13, 2003, defeating The Disciples of the New Church (Sinn, Vampire Warrior, and Devon Storm).[6] The Kru soon went after the NWA World Tag Team Championship. On November 26, the Kru defeated Simon Diamond, Johnny Swinger, and Glenn Gilberti in a six man tag team match with the vacant NWA World Tag Team Championship on the line.[6] The NWA World Tag Team Championship was held by all three members of the Kru as part of the Freebird Rule until January 28, 2004, when they were defeated by Redshirt Security (Kevin Northcutt and Legend).

After several abortive attempts to regain the tag title, the Kru began supporting Killings' bid to become NWA World Heavyweight Champion. On June 9, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett took part in a "3Live Kru Challenge" which saw him face Konnan, James and Killings in three subsequent matches. Jarrett defeated Konnan in a strap match and James in a "trailer park trash match" (hardcore match), but lost to Killings in a "Ghetto Justice match". On May 19, Killings faced NWA World Heavyweight Champion A.J. Styles, Raven, and Chris Harris in a four-way title match. He won the bout, becoming a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, after Jarrett hit Styles with a guitar. His reign lasted until June 2, when Jarrett defeated him in a King of the Mountain match which also included Harris, Styles, and Raven. The Kru went on to feud with Jarrett's mercenaries, the Elite Guard (Chad Collyer, Hotstuff Hernandez, and Onyx). On July 14, the 3Live Kru, Dusty Rhodes, and Larry Zbyszko defeated Jarrett, Ken Shamrock, and the Elite Guard in a ten man tag team match. The Kru began feuding with Team Canada in August. At Victory Road on November 7, Konnan and James defeated Team Canada members Bobby Roode and Eric Young for the NWA World Tag Team Championship. After Konnan suffered an injury, Killings and James lost the title to Team Canada at Turning Point on December 5.[6] Throughout early-2005, the Kru feuded with Michael Shane and Kazarian, Team Canada, and The Naturals.

Dissension arose after James' former tag team partner from the WWF, Billy Gunn, joined TNA as "The New Age Outlaw" and began trying to convince James to reform their former tag team, the New Age Outlaws. Killings and Konnan feuded with The Outlaw and Monty Brown, with James's loyalties divided. Brown and The Outlaw, who had by now renamed himself "Kip James" as a psychological ploy, defeated Killings and Konnan at No Surrender on July 17, with James declining to help either team. Killings and Konnan became increasingly frustrated, at one point referring to themselves as the "2Live Kru", although Killings repeatedly attempted to act as a mediator between James and Konnan. The two teams faced one another in a No Surrender rematch on August 14 at Sacrifice, with James appointed special guest referee by Director of Authority, Larry Zbyszko. James reaffirmed his loyalty to the Kru by attacking Kip, enabling Konnan to pin him and win the match. The 3Live Kru won a six-man tag team match against The Diamonds in the Rough at Unbreakable on September 11. After Impact! premiered on Spike TV on October 1, Kip James entered the picture once more, but appeared to be helping 3LK this time. He refereed a Hockey Stick Fight at Genesis on November 13, which 3LK won. Kip James later joined the stable, which became known as "4Live Kru". On December 11 at Turning Point, the 4Live Kru faced Team Canada in an eight man tag match. In the course of the match, Konnan hit Kip and B.G. James with chair shots, enabling Bobby Roode to pin Kip. He then attempted to celebrate with Killings, who appeared shocked by Konnan's actions. Killings would later tell Konnan that he was done with the Kru.

Various feuds and departure (2006–2007)

Following the break-up of the 3Live Kru, Killings began competing as a singles wrestler once more. He briefly aligned himself with Sting in March, teaming with Sting, A.J. Styles, and Rhino as "Sting's Warriors". At Lockdown on April 23, Sting's Warriors defeated Jarrett's Army in a Lethal Lockdown match. On the May 25 episode of Impact!, Killings defeated Monty Brown to qualify for a King of the Mountain match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary on June 18. At Slammiversary, however, Killings failed to win the championship. Killings then teamed with Lance Hoyt in the following months, even participating, but losing, in a Battle Royal at No Surrender. On November 19 at Genesis, Killings and his tag team partner Lance Hoyt defeated Austin Starr and Alex Shelley with Kevin Nash at ringside. He then took time off the active roster due to injury. Killings returned to action at Slammiversary, teaming with James Storm in a losing effort against Frank Wycheck and Jerry Lynn, implying that he was now a villain.

On June 19, Killings tried to resign from TNA, intending to work for the Mexican Asistencia Asesoría y Administración.[9] Amidst more dissension backstage, however, TNA refused to release Killings. He returned to TNA on August 12 at Hard Justice, confronting football player Adam Jones.[10] At No Surrender, Adam "Pacman" Jones and Ron Killings defeated Sting and Kurt Angle to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship.[6] On October 14, A.J. Styles and Tomko defeated him and Jones' replacement, Rasheed Lucius "Consequences" Creed, for the World Tag Team Championship. In December, he worked out a deal for his release from the company.[6]

Return to WWE (2008–present)

Smackdown (2008–2010)

Killings in FCW.

Killings re-signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2008. On July 25, during an episode of SmackDown, a vignette announced that Killings would debut on the SmackDown brand under the ring name R-Truth.[11] WWE completely ignored his former time with the company as K-Kwik, making no mention of his Hardcore Championship title reigns or any other events from past years in the company.[4] He made his in-ring redebut on the August 29, 2008 episode of Friday Night SmackDown as a face character, defeating Kenny Dykstra.[12] At Cyber Sunday, R-Truth, along with Festus and Montel Vontavious Porter, was one of the choices to vote for to compete against United States Champion Shelton Benjamin for the title. Although he received 59% of the vote, R-Truth was unsuccessful in winning the title from Benjamin. On WWE.com, R-Truth won the Slammy Award for the Best Musical Performance.[13] On July 10, 2009, R-Truth debuted a new prankster character known as Delicious Pretty Ricky in a promo on SmackDown that showed him in a sleeveless T-shirt and a set of fake teeth trying to get his way into the Rabobank Arena. However, the character was soon scrapped and R-Truth then began a feud with the redebuting Drew McIntyre on the August 28 episode of SmackDown.[14] This feud would setup a match between the two at his first-ever Hell in a Cell pay-per view, which he lost.[15] On the October 23, 2009 episode of SmackDown, R-Truth, Finlay, Matt Hardy, and the Hart Dynasty defeated Cryme Tyme member JTG, Eric Escobar, Dolph Ziggler, and Drew McIntyre in a five-on-four handicap match to qualify as the representatives of Team SmackDown at the first-ever WWE Bragging Rights pay-per-view. At the event, Team SmackDown defeated Team Raw when Raw member The Big Show turned on his team.[16]

On the February 16, 2010 episode of ECW, R-Truth was announced to appear on the WWE NXT as the storyline mentor of David Otunga.[17] On the February 5, 2010 edition of SmackDown, R-Truth won an elimination chamber qualifying match against Mike Knox. At WWE Elimination Chamber R-Truth competed in the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship, but was eliminated by CM Punk.[18] On the March 2 episode of WWE NXT, Truth accompanied his WWE Rookie David Otunga to the ring for his match against CM Punk's Rookie, Darren Young (wrestler). In the match, Punk interfered, which cost Otunga his match, leading to a backstage brawl between David Otunga and R-Truth.At Wrestlemania Truth teamed with fellow wrestler John Morrison to face The Miz And The Big Show for the WWE Unified Tag Team Championship in a losing effort.

Drafted to Raw (2010–present)

Truth was drafted to Raw during the 2010 WWE Draft on April 26. He immediately began a feud with Ted DiBiase after DiBiase offered him a job as his personal assist, which Truth declined with a slap across DiBiase's face. Two weeks later, during a match with William Regal, Truth was attacked by Carlito and Primo, who were paid off by DiBiase after the assault. Truth went on to wrestle and defeat DiBiase at the first ever Over the Limit pay-per-view on May 23. The next night on Raw, Truth defeated The Miz to win the vacant United States Championship, earning himself his first major singles championship in WWE.[19]

Media

Acting career

In wrestling

  • Entrance themes
    • "Gettin' Rowdy" performed by Brian Gerard James and himself (WWF)[6]
    • "Rowdy" performed by himself and composed by Jim Johnston[6]
    • "What's My Name?" performed by himself (TNA)
    • "What's My Name? (Instrumental)" edited by Dale Oliver
    • "3 Live K" performed by Brian Gerard James, Charles Ashenoff, and himself and composed by Dale Oliver (Used while a member of the 3Live Kru)
    • "Beware" performed by Brian Gerard James, Charles Ashenoff, and himself and composed by Dale Oliver (Used while a member of the 3Live Kru)
    • "What's Up?" performed by himself and composed by Dale Oliver
    • "He's Back" composed by Dale Oliver (Used while teaming with Adam Jones)
    • "What's Up? (Remix)" performed by himself, composed by Dale Oliver and remixed by Jim Johnston (WWE)

Championships and accomplishments

  • Cyberspace Wrestling Federation
    • CSWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[27]

1Killings defended the title with either James or Konnan under the Freebird Rule.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Ron Killings bio". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  2. ^ "IMDB profile".
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Cagematch profile".
  4. ^ a b c d e f "R-Truth profile". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Ron Killings interview". Wrestling Observer. 2004-11-30. Archived from the original on 2008-01-02. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Ron Killings Bio". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  7. ^ Apter, Bill (2001). "Down a Dark Road". Wrestling Digest. Find Articles. Retrieved 2009-08-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. ^ a b c "History of the Hardcore Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  9. ^ "2 stars quit TNA before tonight's TV tapings". WrestlingObserver.com. June 19, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  10. ^ Sokol, Chris (2007-06-13). "Bad booking mars Hard Justice". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-13.
  11. ^ Martin, Andy (2008-07-09). "Regal's WWE suspension ending, Ron Killing update, + Trevor Murdoch". WrestleView. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  12. ^ Passero, Mitch (2008-08-29). "Steel City SmackDown". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  13. ^ a b "WWE Slammy award winners". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  14. ^ "Extreme exodus".
  15. ^ Passeo, Mitch (2009-10-04). "McIntyre shows R-Truth what's up". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
  16. ^ "Team SmackDown defeats Team Raw at Bragging Rights".
  17. ^ Caldwell, James (2010-02-16). "WWE News: Complete cast of the NXT show revealed including The Miz mentoring [[Bryan Danielson]]". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2010-02-17. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  18. ^ http://us.wwe.com/shows/eliminationchamber/photos/whceliminationchamber/
  19. ^ a b c Martin, Adam (2010-05-24). "Raw Results - 5/24/10". WrestleView. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  20. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325537/fullcredits#cast
  21. ^ "Full cast of The Wrestler".
  22. ^ Tedesco, Mike (2008-08-30). "Smackdown Results - 8/29/08 - Pittsburgh, PA - (HHH vs. Benjamin)". WrestleView. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  23. ^ Parks, Greg (2008-10-17). "Parks' WWE SmackDown report 10/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage, including Kozlov vs. Hardy". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  24. ^ Keller, Wade (2010-03-15). "Keller's WWE SmackDown report 3/12: Jericho's Highlight Reel returns with Edge, Show vs. Morrison, Tiffany wrestles McCool, Punk confronts Rey's family". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  25. ^ Tedesco, Mike (2009-07-10). "Superstars Results - 7/9/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  26. ^ Tedesco, Mike (2008-09-16). "Smackdown Results – 9/12/08 – Milwaukee, WI ('New #1 Contender')". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  27. ^ Westcott, Brian. "Cyberspace Wrestling Federation/NWA Cyberspace Heavyweight Championship history". Solie. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  28. ^ Westcott, Brian. "MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship history". Solie. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  29. ^ Westcott, Brian. "NWA Wildside Television Champiosnhip history". WWE. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  30. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – 2004". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  31. ^ Duncan, Royal. "NWA World Heavyweight Championship history". Solie. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  32. ^ Duncan, Royal. "NWA World Tag Team Championship history". Solie. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  33. ^ Oliver, Earl. "TNA World Tag Team Championship history". Solie. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  34. ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 22, 2007), "2006 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards", Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Campbell, CA, pp. 1–12, ISSN 1083-9593
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