Back in the day, the whole professional wrestling scene – particularly the WWF – was like living in an alternate universe brimming with neon-clad characters, acid-washed outfits, and, of course, larger-than-life gimmicks based on actual jobs. In more ways, wrestlers’ themes were somewhat significantly bigger than their actual height and weight.
Upon looking back at the careers and – to a certain degree – accomplishments of our beloved sports entertainers of the past, it’s difficult to grasp the idea that some of them are either forgotten or celebrated. One of those infamous, polarizing wrestlers of that era is The Honky Tonk Man.
The Honky Tonk Man, or Roy Wayne Farris in real life, joined the then-called World Wrestling Federation in 1986. He went on a meaningful push in the early part of his wrestling career, before slipping into obscurity a couple of years later. Aesthetically, Farris was known for his slick back hairstyle, his long sideburns, and his love for his pink Cadillac. In other words, in a wrestling era full of real-life job gimmicks, The Honky Tonk Man was a glorified Elvis Presley impersonator.
In hindsight, everything worked out even if, on the surface, it probably shouldn’t have. The whole Elvis Presley persona was charismatic and likable, so much so that it’s used as the basis of video games such as Visual Concepts’ ‘90s hit ClayFighter, as well as an online slots game entitled Elvis the King Lives which is showcased on Slingo’s mobile gaming page. In addition to these digital iterations, these factors – at least on paper – make up a quintessential wrestling babyface. However, The Honky Tonk Man put a spin on it, thus cementing himself as one of the most recognizable wrestling heels of that generation.
Most fans remember The Honky Tonk Man for being the longest-reigning WWF Intercontinental Champion. He held the belt for 454 days straight by bashing opponents’ heads with his guitar, only to lose it to The Ultimate Warrior in just 31 seconds. The Honky Tonk Man was nowhere near the likes of the Warrior, Hulk Hogan, and the Macho Man in that era, yet he carved out a name for himself in the WWF by making the most of a gimmick that shouldn’t have worked in the first place.
It was rumored that Roy Wayne Farris was forced into the gimmick of being an Elvis Presley impersonator. Yes, he had the looks (though he was blonde at that time) and the personality to be a great WWF version of the King. He was even born and raised in – Elvis’ hometown no less – Memphis, Tennessee.
Today, Roy Wayne Farris enjoys occasional appearances in local indie wrestling events in some parts of the United States. He even wrestled in Impact Pro Wrestling, teaming up with Britenay and Brook Duncan in a six-person tag match against Curt Chaos, Mr. Burns, and Taylor Adams in Wellington, New Zealand.
For The Honky Tonk Man, though his career trajectory fell short of the WWE Hall of Fame, he remains the epitome of a pro wrestler who can work through his strengths, in a time of larger-than-life gimmicks, no matter how ridiculous it was.
