Browsing: Ron

Ron Simmons is entering another Hall of Fame.

The Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame announced that the 1976 Warner Robins Screamin†Demons team, which Simmons was a part of, will be inducted as part of this year’s ceremonies.

“The 1976 Demons had two Hall of Famers of their own. Linebacker Ron Simmons was a force on defense, accumulating 130 tackles that season,†the press release reads.

Simmons went on to have a successful career in college football, playing for Florida State. Upon graduating he was briefly signed to the NFL and played for the USFL before entering professional wrestling in 1987. Highlights from his pro wrestling career include winning the WCW World Championship from Vader in 1992 and forming the APA tag team with Bradshaw, where the two held WWE’s Tag Team titles multiple times.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012 and is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

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Bryan Rose

Bryan Rose is an editor from California that has been covering professional wrestling for well over a decade. He officially joined F4WOnline as an editor in 2017.

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Ron Simmons just added another Hall of Fame nod to his legendary résumé—and this one goes all the way back to where it all began.

The WWE Hall of Famer and former WCW World Champion is now being honored as part of the 1976 Warner Robins Screamin†Demons, who are set to be inducted into the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame this October.

This latest induction adds to Simmons†legacy as a multi-sport icon. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012 as part of the legendary tag team Doom and for his groundbreaking run as the first recognized Black World Champion in WCW history. Now, the spotlight returns to his dominant high school football days—where he laid the groundwork for everything that came after.

The 1976 Warner Robins team isnâ€t just being remembered—theyâ€re being immortalized. Known for their overwhelming power on both sides of the ball, they racked up 614 offensive points and shut out eight of their 13 opponents. Defensively, they were a brick wall, allowing just 86 points all season—including a ridiculous 90–0 blowout in game nine against Jordan. Simmons was the anchor of that defense, finishing the season with 130 tackles and setting the tone as a future force in both college football and pro wrestling.

This marks the first time the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame is inducting full teams, with the 1971 Valdosta Wildcats also getting the honor. But for longtime fans of Simmons, itâ€s a powerful reminder that greatness followed him long before his legendary “DAMN†catchphrase echoed through WWE arenas.

Ron Simmons†journey from Friday night lights to WWE immortality is nothing short of inspiring—and now the high school chapter of his story gets the Hall of Fame status it deserves.

Do you think Ron Simmons is one of the most underrated all-around athletes in wrestling history? Drop your thoughts and let us know what his legacy means to you.

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It was just four months ago that R-Truth became the biggest story in pro wrestling after his WWE contract expired, only for the promotion to re-sign him just days later after fan uproar. But just when it appeared WWE was set to go all the way in repackaging Truth under his real name, Ron Killings, and with a more serious persona, the character quickly fizzled out. Only a few weeks later, Truth reverted back to his more comedic persona, suggesting plans were scrapped.Â

But according to Truth during an interview with CBS Sports, nothing went array with the creative plans.

“It went where it was supposed to,” Truth said. “Ron Killings created R-Truth. Those hundreds of millions of fans who spoke and up-roared. They wanted R-Truth back. Ron Killings was the rebellious one who spoke up for R-Truth.”

At the same time, Truth also seemed to suggest that the character revert was brought on by fans wanting R-Truth more than they wanted Ron Killings. He also implied that John Cena turning back babyface after his heel run played a role.

“Ron Killings has been around for years, but people had never come together in lockstep like that,” Truth said. “They did that for R-Truth. You feel me? I wanted Ron Killings to go where he was supposed to go. He made a statement; he had eyes on him. When John Cena came back, R-Truth came back. Ron Killings was the cavalry.”

Truth then made a rather shocking statement, stating that, had he continued on with his serious persona, it wouldn’t have been right towards the fans, even going as far to say such a decision would’ve been “selfish.”

“I think [Ron Killings] was a selfish-type deal, more of a selfish move,” Truth said. “I had more than 100 million views that wanted R-Truth. If numbers are real, that was the power of numbers.”

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Hulk Hogan passed away, but his memory will live on forever. His restaurant, Hoganâ€s Hangout in Clearwater, Florida, is also still going strong.

You never know who will show up at Hoganâ€s Hangout. The Hulkster was spotted there all the time before his passing. Now, another heavy-hitter from an entirely different world is set to make an appearance there.

Hoganâ€s Hangout posted to promote a major announcement coming to their place. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be present, where he has something big to day.

“Big news coming to Hoganâ€s Hangout! Governor Ron DeSantis will be here TOMORROW at 10:15 AM with a special announcement… and you never know who else may show up Join us in person at Hoganâ€s Hangout to hear it first!â€

Hulk Hogan became a political figure in the last year or so of his life. He spoke about his support of Donald Trump, and he also had a famously rousing speech at the Republican National Convention.

We will have to see what Ron DeSantis is going to Hoganâ€s Hangout to announce. He has a lot of connections to pro wrestling, if only because he allowed WWE and AEW to produce their programming during the pandemic in his state, as he deemed their work an essential service.

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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Ron Washington will not return for a third season as the Los Angeles Angels manager, The Athletic reported.

The Angels hadnâ€t publicly announced their decision Tuesday on Washington, who missed roughly half of the current season after undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery. Interim manager Ray Montgomery also wonâ€t be the Angels†next manager, according to the report.

The 73-year-old Washington was the oldest manager in the majors during his two seasons with the Angels, who hired him in November 2023. Los Angeles had the worst season in franchise history in 2024, going 63-99 after the free-agency departure of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

The Angels went 72-90 this season and finished last in the AL West for the second straight season under Washington and Montgomery, the bench coach who stepped up in late June after Washington was sidelined by his health issues. Washington was back around the Angels in uniform at the close of the season, but he didnâ€t resume managerial duties.

Washington repeatedly said he hoped to return as manager next season, but owner Arte Moreno has decided to make yet another change to a franchise that has endured 10 consecutive losing seasons and 11 straight non-playoff seasons — both the longest active streaks in the majors.

Washington had success during his tenure as Texas Rangers manager from 2007-14, reaching two World Series while making three playoff appearances and posting five straight winning seasons. He moved on to coaching roles in Oakland and Atlanta, and he won a World Series ring with the Braves in 2021.

But he couldnâ€t save the long-struggling Angels despite remaining popular with his players and Orange County fans. The Halos will have their fifth full-time manager in eight seasons since the departure of Mike Scioscia, who managed the club for 19 years and won its only World Series title in 2002.

After years of free spending on veteran players by Moreno, the Angels have built the start of a young core with shortstop Zach Neto, catcher Logan Oâ€Hoppe, outfielder Jo Adell and first baseman Nolan Schanuel. That rising talent hasnâ€t led to an improvement in the standings.

The Angels also paid $38.5 million this season to third baseman Anthony Rendon, who didnâ€t play in 2025 due to a lingering hip injury. Rendon, who hasnâ€t played more than 58 games in any of his six seasons with Los Angeles, still has one year left on one of the most disastrous free-agent contracts in major league history.

Four MLB teams have moved on from their managers since the regular season ended Sunday. San Francisco fired Bob Melvin and Minnesota fired Rocco Baldelli on Monday before Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers mutually decided Bochy wonâ€t return to the dugout.

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  Alden GonzalezSep 30, 2025, 05:10 PM ET

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  ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.

Ron Washington, who missed more than half of the 2025 season after undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery, will not be returning as manager of the Los Angeles Angels in 2026, he told The Athletic on Tuesday.

Interim manager Ray Montgomery also will not get the full-time manager role in 2026, a source confirmed to ESPN, as the Angels will search for their sixth manager in nine years.

Washington told The Athletic that general manager Perry Minasian told him that the team’s decision to not pick up his contract option was based on the team’s performance — the Angels went 36-38 prior to him leaving — rather than the manager’s health.

“You know, when you’re a competitor, and you’re in charge, none of that stuff comes into play,” Washington told The Athletic. “Sometimes you’ve got to make chicken salad out of chicken s—.

“I have to accept that. I can’t go back to argue with them to try and tell them different when they’ve made a decision. … We were starting to perform better.”

Ron Washington said he had the Angels “going in the right direction” prior to him having heart surgery. “I think the team took on my personality. We were definitely showing that. When everything goes not the way people wanted, you take the blame for it.” Robert Gauthier/Getty Images

Washington, who turns 74 in April and was the oldest manager in the majors this past season, told The Athletic that he never had the opportunity to talk about the team’s decision with Angels owner Arte Moreno. He also said that he’d like to continue managing or join a team’s coaching staff.

The Angels finished with a 72-90 record, accounting for their 10th consecutive losing season. They’ve made the playoffs just once since 2009.

After Mike Scioscia stepped down at the end of the 2018 season, ending a 19-year run that included the franchise’s only World Series championship, the Angels went through Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon and Phil Nevin as managers over a five-year stretch. None produced more than 77 wins.

Washington, the former Texas Rangers manager and highly regarded infield instructor, was brought in ahead of the 2024 season in hopes that he could mentor a young nucleus headlined by Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, Nolan Schanuel and Jo Adell. However, the team finished with a franchise-record 99 losses.

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The 2025 team showed some promise but wound up finishing last in the American League West for the second straight year, 25½ games out of first.

“I think I had the team going in the right direction, I really did,” Washington told The Athletic. “And it was just too bad that my health came into play. There’s nothing that I can do about that.

“It was my team. I think the team took on my personality. We were definitely showing that. In this business, this is the kind of stuff that happens to you. When everything goes not the way people wanted, you take the blame for it. And I’m OK.”

Washington last managed a game on June 19, when he left the Angels after experiencing shortness of breath and appearing fatigued during a four-game series against the New York Yankees.

He eventually underwent quadruple-bypass surgery but stressed last month that he was in good health and wanted to return as the Angels’ manager in 2026.

“What happened to me saved my life,” Washington said earlier this season, adding that he has quit smoking, changed his eating habits and is sleeping better.

Overall, Washington was 99-137 in two seasons with Los Angeles.

Montgomery’s option also will not be picked up. The rest of the Angels’ coaching staff also had 2026 options, but their status is not yet known.

Perry Minasian, who just finished his fifth season as the Angels’ general manager, is under contract through 2026, though the team has not made a formal announcement about his status.

Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter, two decorated former Angels who currently serve as special assistants with the team, are considered strong candidates to become the next manager — unless owner Arte Moreno seeks someone with more experience.

Washington was the winningest manager in Rangers history, compiling a 664-611 record from 2007 to 2014. He led them to their first two World Series appearances, in 2010 and 2011. After initially returning to the Athletics organization for the 2015 and 2016 campaigns, Washington joined the Atlanta Braves’ staff from 2017 to 2023 and was part of their 2021 World Series championship team.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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ANAHEIM — The Angels will have a new manager in 2026.

Manager Ron Washington, who was placed on medical leave on June 27 and underwent a quadruple bypass heart surgery on June 30, will not have his option picked up, while interim manager Ray Montgomery also wonâ€t be his replacement, a source told MLB.com on Tuesday.

The Angels, however, have yet to make an announcement about the decision to move on from Washington and Montgomery as manager, which was first reported by The Athletic.

Washington, 73, was hired by the Angels prior to the 2024 season and the Angels went 63-99 in his first year at the helm. They improved on that mark this season under Washington, going 36-38 before he was placed on leave.

Montgomery, who had served as bench coach since 2022, took over as interim manager and went 36-52. The Angels suffered a slew of injuries late in the season and went 13-28 over their final 41 games.

The Angels have a pair of internal candidates who have no Major League or Minor League managing experience, but they have expressed a desire to manage in the big leagues. Former Angels Torii Hunter and Albert Pujols are both special assistants to general manager Perry Minasian.

Hunter said in late August that heâ€d manage if the right opportunity came up and joined the Angels on a few of their final road trips and their last homestand while spending time in full uniform in the dugout.

Another potential candidate with a tie to the organization is former longtime Padres and Rockies manager Bud Black. Black was the Angels’ pitching coach from 2000-06 before going on to manage in San Diego from 2007-15 and Colorado from 2017 until being fired this past May.

Former Marlins manager Skip Schumaker is also from the area, attending nearby Aliso Viejo High School. He managed in Miami from 2023-24, winning NL Manager of the Year honors in ‘23. Heâ€s currently a senior advisor to the Rangers.

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The Los Angeles Angels have parted with manager Ron Washington, The Athletic’s Sam Blum reports.

Interim manager Ray Montgomery is also out, according to the report.

Washington, 73, took a medical leave on June 27 and later revealed he had undergone quadruple bypass surgery on his heart. Montgomery took over as interim manager for the rest of the season.

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The Angels will go in a different direction in 2026. The status of general manager Perry Minasian moving forward isn’t clear, per the report.

The Angels made the moves after posting a 72-90 record.

They hired Washington in 2024 after parting with previous manager Phil Nevin. They finished 63-99 in Washington’s first year as manager and in last place in the AL West in both seasons with Washington leading the clubhouse.

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Washington was 10 years removed from his previous managing job with the Texas Rangers when the Angels hired him. He’d since worked as a coach with the Oakland A’s and Atlanta Braves and was on staff when the Braves won the 2021 World Series. He’d previously led the Rangers to consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.

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The next Angels manager will be tasked with shifting the culture of a franchise that’s long languished in irrelevance. Despite a roster that’s featured Mike Trout for 15 seasons and Shohei Ohtani from 2018-23, the Angels haven’t made the postseason since 2014. Before that, their previous playoff appearance was in 2009.

The Angels have rarely been competitive during their playoff drought. They haven’t posted a winning record since 2015 and have finished in fourth or fifth place in the AL West in eight of the past 10 seasons.

Developing a winning culture, of course, will require a roster capable of winning. Whether that responsibility will lie with Minasian or someone else is unclear.

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PITTSBURGH — Scotty Bowman and Ron Francis headline the Pittsburgh Penguins†Hall of Fame class of 2025.

Bowman, the NHLâ€s all-time winningest coach, and Francis, the leagueâ€s fifth all-time leading scorer, were both important members of the Pittsburgh teams of the early 1990s that claimed the franchiseâ€s first two Stanley Cups.

The duo, both of whom are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, will be joined by forward Kevin Stevens and former coach/general manager Eddie Johnston during an on-ice ceremony when the Penguins host Columbus on Oct. 25.

All four inductees played a role in Pittsburgh becoming one of the leagueâ€s marquee attractions during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Johnston was the general manager when the Penguins drafted Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux with the first overall pick in 1984 and later served as the clubâ€s head coach from 1993-97.

Bowman was Pittsburghâ€s director of player personnel during the 1990-91 season, during which he helped the club bring in a series of veterans – including Francis – to round out a roster ready to compete for a title. Bowman took over as head coach in 1991 after Bob Johnson was forced to step down because of a brain cancer diagnosis shortly after leading the Penguins to a championship.

Pittsburgh won its second straight Stanley Cup in 1992 with Bowman behind the bench. He then guided the Penguins to the Presidents†Trophy in 1992-93 but exited the following offseason in a contract dispute.

Francis spent eight seasons in Pittsburgh after coming over in a trade with the Hartford Whalers. He scored 164 goals to go with 449 assists with the Penguins, adding another 100 points in the playoffs.

Stevens was a three-time All-Star across his two stints in Pittsburgh, scoring 260 goals and adding 295 assists in 522 games with the club.

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Sep 23, 2025, 08:35 PM ET

PITTSBURGH — Scotty Bowman and Ron Francis headline the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Hall of Fame class of 2025.

Bowman, the NHL’s all-time winningest coach, and Francis, the league’s fifth all-time leading scorer, were both important members of the Pittsburgh teams of the early 1990s that claimed the franchise’s first two Stanley Cups.

The duo, both of whom are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, will be joined by forward Kevin Stevens and former coach/general manager Eddie Johnston during an on-ice ceremony when the Penguins host Columbus on Oct. 25.

All four inductees played a role in Pittsburgh becoming one of the league’s marquee attractions during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Johnston was the general manager when the Penguins drafted Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux with the first overall pick in 1984 and later served as the club’s head coach from 1993-97.

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Bowman was Pittsburgh’s director of player personnel during the 1990-91 season, during which he helped the club bring in a series of veterans — including Francis — to round out a roster ready to compete for a title. Bowman took over as head coach in 1991 after Bob Johnson was forced to step down because of a brain cancer diagnosis shortly after leading the Penguins to a championship.

Pittsburgh won its second straight Stanley Cup in 1992 with Bowman behind the bench. He then guided the Penguins to the Presidents’ Trophy in 1992-93 but exited the following offseason in a contract dispute.

Francis spent eight seasons in Pittsburgh after coming over in a trade with the Hartford Whalers. He scored 164 goals to go with 449 assists with the Penguins, adding another 100 points in the playoffs.

Stevens was a three-time All-Star across his two stints in Pittsburgh, scoring 260 goals and adding 295 assists in 522 games with the club.

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