Anthony Norris  |
|
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | Moadib Ahmed Williams Ahmed Johnson Black Superman Big T Tony Norris |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Billed weight | 305 lb (138 kg/21.8 st) |
| Born | June 6 1970 St. Louis, Missouri  |
| Billed from | Pearl River, Mississippi |
| Trained by | Ivan Putski Steve Casey |
| Debut | 1995 |
Anthony (Tony) Norris (born June 6, 1970) is a former American professional wrestler known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation as Ahmed Johnson, where he was the first African-American to hold the WWF Intercontinental Championship.
Contents |
Early Career
During the early 1990s, he fell into the training school run by Steve Casey and Ivan Putski in Houston, with fellow trainees Booker T and Stevie Ray. Norris started wrestling in 1995 in the Global Wrestling Federation as Moadib. He was part of Skandor Akbar's heel stable Devastation, Inc.
World Wrestling Federation
1995
Norris' first appearance at a WWF event is known to be as early as In Your House III in September 1995 when he defeated Skip (Chris Candido) under the name Ahmed Williams in a dark match. Norris made his in ring TV WWF debut as Ahmed Johnson in late 1995 as a participant in the Survivor Series "Wild-Card match," which put both faces and heels on the same teams. He made an immediate impact on his first night on the job, a RAW before the PPV, by becoming only the second man in WWF history at the time to body slam Yokozuna (Lex Luger being the first). At the next PPV, he faced "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel. Johnson destroyed him with ease, but in a post-match interview with Jerry Lawler, he was attacked by Jeff Jarrett, setting up their feud.
1996
Jarret was disqualified during their Royal Rumble match, but left the company shortly afterwards. He engaged in feuds with Owen Hart and the British Bulldog throughout 1996. He received an Intercontinental Title shot and defeated Goldust at the 1996 King of the Ring to claim the belt. As the first African-American WWF Intercontinental Champion, most assumed it was only a matter of time before he climbed to main event status. He was soon paired on-screen with Shawn Michaels in several tag team matches, and often helped Michaels against Jim Cornette and his men, known as "Camp Cornette". Johnson later participated at an In Your House Pay-Per-View event, International Incident, along with Sycho Sid and Michaels against Vader, Owen Hart, and the British Bulldog. Johnson also won a battle royal on RAW to be the #1 contender for the WWF heavyweight championship. In the summer of 1996, Faarooq attacked Johnson after a match on RAW in Seattle. This was supposed to lead to a match at Summerslam for the Intercontinental Title. Soon after, he was diagnosed with legit kidney problems. As a result, he would be out for 4 months and to keep the storyline going the attack by Farooq was said to be the cause of the kidney damage. By the time the news was made public on WWF programming, the 3rd (out of 4) showing of Raw from Seattle taped on the same night as the attack had not been broadcasted and included an 11-man battle royal which Ahmed Johnson won. Voice-over correction was done such that Ahmed's participation in the battle royal was said to be against doctors' orders when in reality his kidney problem had yet to be discovered. The injury forced him to vacate his Intercontinental Championship, which was subsequently won in a tournament by Marc Mero. His World title shot would go to the battle royal's runner-up, Goldust.
1997
He returned to enter a feud with Faarooq in 1997 (who had a new gimmick and formed the Nation of Domination). Johnson began teaming with the Legion of Doom and engaging in gang-fights with the entire Nation. However, mired in the angle and losing popularity with the fans, Johnson turned into a shadow of his former self. Johnson eventually turned on WWF Champion The Undertaker and joined the New Nation, along with Kama Mustafa, D'Lo Brown, and Faarooq. Johnson was injured soon after this; it was said that he was to fight the Undertaker at the In Your House pay per view Canadian Stampede for the WWF title but injuries meant the spot went to Vader. The Nation turned on him after he recovered. Johnson began feuding with them again.
1998
Johnson appeared in the Royal Rumble. His last WWF pay-per-view appearance was at No Way Out of Texas in February 1998, alongside Ken Shamrock and D.O.A. vs. the Nation.
Departure from WWF
In an undated article at SLAM! Wrestling, part of the Canadian news website CANOE, Norris stated he walked off the set of a Raw Is War in 1998 without explanation after refusing to do an angle.[1]
World Championship Wrestling
He was picked up by WCW in late 1999 and took on the character of Big T to team with Stevie Ray in the reformed Harlem Heat. He was released by WCW shortly before the company was purchased by its longtime rival, WWF. Johnson's performances had also declined due to him putting on excess weight. Norris later appeared in the 2001 movie Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story as Marion "Suge" Knight.
Retirement / Return
Norris stayed away from wrestling after his release from WCW until, on March 7, 2003, Norris returned to action in a match at a Maximum Pro Wrestling show, teaming with Monty Brown against Sabu and Gangrel. Norris and Brown lost the match.
Personal life
Norris is divorced and has a son.[2] Norris also had a brief career as a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys.
Wrestling facts
- Finishing and signature moves
Championships and accomplishments
Notes
- ^ CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Ahmed Johnson: Found! [1]
- ^ [Stated in the May 2000 issue of WOW Magazine]
