The wrestling world is once again in mourning as another legend of the squared circle has passed away. This time, it is Sonny King, real name Larry Johnson, a trailblazing performer of his era, who has died at the age of 79.
News of King’s passing was shared on Facebook by his son John Tighe who described his late father “the most remarkable man I’ve ever encountered.” King was shown respect wherever he went according to Tighe, which “spoke volumes to the type of man he truly was.”
Sonny King in Wrestling
After beginning his career as a boxer, King turned to wrestling after befriendly Ernie Ladd. In 1972, King and Chief Jay Strongbow dethroned Baron Mikel Scicluna and King Curtis Iaukea to become the fourth-ever WWWF Tag Team Champions. The win made Sonny WWE’s first African-American Tag Team Champion, beginning a path that’d be followed by the likes of the New Day, Rocky Johnson, D-Von Dudley, and others. King and Strongbow held the titles for a month before losing the gold to Professor Tanaka and Mr. Fuji.
Away from the future WWE, King held gold in the NWA, including the Alabama Heavyweight Championship one time and the Gulf Coast Tag Team Titles with Eddie Sullivan. During his career, he’d share the ring with some huge names including Ric Flair and Terry Boulder, who’d burst onto screens years later as Hulk Hogan.
On Twitter, Mark Henry paid tribute to King.
Sonny King Out of the Ring
After exiting the squared circle in the early 1980s, King earned a living running a junkyard in South Florida, buying cars and selling parts. While King stepped away from the ring to lead a more conventional life, the legacy he made will never be forgotten by his fans.
We here at SEScoops would like to send our condolences to King’s family and friends at this sad time.
