Ron Simmons and Ahmed Johnson Finally End Their Longstanding Feud After Nearly 30 Years

After nearly three decades of backstage tension, Ron Simmons and Ahmed Johnson have officially buried the hatchet.

Back in the ’90s, the two men were seen as trailblazers—Simmons as the first Black World Champion in WCW, and Johnson as the first Black WWE Intercontinental Champion. But behind the scenes, things were anything but smooth.

Tension boiled over in 1996 when, during an episode of Monday Night RAW, Simmons—then known as Faarooq—attacked Johnson at ringside with a kidney shot that derailed Ahmed’s push. Johnson later accused Simmons of intentionally injuring him and suggested jealousy was at the root of their issues.

“Yeah, I think he did [deliberately cause injury]. I think he was also jealous and upset because here he was, the first black champion in WCW, and then here I was becoming the first Intercontinental black champion in WWF. I think there was some jealousy there.”

The two would go on to feud and team together in the Nation of Domination, but the bad blood reportedly lingered for years—even after Johnson’s WWE exit in 1998 and his falling out with Vince McMahon.

But in 2025, that decades-old grudge has finally come to an end. Speaking to The Wrestling Classic, Ron Simmons confirmed that the two have made peace and reconnected on a personal level.

“Look here, man. Look, there [were] differences that we’ve had, and which happens in this business, right? Look, it’s been time to set that stuff aside and let it go. You know, look, the track record with us right now, man—as everybody knows—is not good, you know, with us losing a lot of friends and everything. Look, so hey, why not let’s be on the same page with everything and enjoy these days we got remaining here as friends, you know? And it’s good to talk with my brother and get back to—hey—talking about some things that we love, and that’s this business and other things in life. So yeah, so everything’s cool.”

Considering how rare real reconciliations are in pro wrestling—especially when old wounds go this deep—this one feels special.

Do you think more veterans should let go of grudges like Simmons and Johnson just did? Or are some beefs too personal to ever squash? Drop your take in the comments and let us know what you think.

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