So many times we hear about someone that got their big break because someone believed in them, and This Day in Wrestling History isn’t any different.
On August 7, 2002 at NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #8, Ron Killings became the first African American NWA Champion. This move came about as Killings had paid his dues and was, still is, a phenomenal talent.
Jeff Jarrett realized this and he thought Killings deserved to carry the NWA Championship. Vince Russo also backed the idea, and they moved forward with it.
An added bonus came when Ken Shamrock said this was his favorite match with the company.
With so much backing him, Killings took hold of the chance and he’s never disappointed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW8e0SGV1CQ
Making history
For his part, Killings knew it was coming but he just didn’t know when, as he explained in an interview with Lilian Garcia. Special thanks to @awrestlinghistorian for the transcript.
“This guy that came from a dream, from having an inspiration, a goal, or chasing glory that met this guy that believed in him. Crockett believed in me. Something told him to give back to me because I would make good of it. I was at the point of my life where I was ready to accept and make good of something. The first time I was told I was gonna get that title, I didn’t realize how important or how special and how amazing it would be.
“When I got it, to hear the feedback from it, and to feel it was another surreal moment because I didn’t see it coming, but I knew it would come. I always knew God had me pretty much protected and on this mission. I knew great things were coming, but to be the first African American to hold that title, I felt like I reached the pinnacle of my career then.
“God just keeps giving more, keeps giving more. I’m just trying to be as positive of an inspiration as I can be to anybody and everybody to where. If you respect, appreciate, and see where I came from, to where I’m at now, it’s because I believed, somebody else believed and I chased.” – Ron Killings, Chasing Glory interview with Lilian Garcia, December 24, 2018.
Beginning of a run
Killings continued showing he’s capable of headlining shows as he won the NWA Championship a second time and added some more titles to his growing resume in NWA-TNA and WWE as R-Truth.
He’s been more of a comedic wrestler the last few years after a United State Championship run in 2019.
Killings is one of a kind and it’s always a joy to see him in action, and we hope he gets another This Day in Wrestling History moment before he retires and goes into music full time.
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