• Look Back In History
• Pmessages
• Quiz
• Stump The Staff
• Top Fifty
• Close

A Chance To Feel Young Again

Posted: Feb 21st 2009 By: CMBurnham

Sitting outside his home in Phoenix, Arizona, Roy Wayne Farris says he is barefoot watching the sunset, as he speaks with the Standard-Freeholder over the telephone.

Farris is planning a road trip to Canada and to Cornwall.

"I'm going to pack three pairs of long johns," Farris jokes. His luggage will also include wrestling gear, and maybe a guitar.

In the wrestling ring Farris is known as the Honky Tonk Man, who is famous for his blue jump suit, and his shake, rattle and roll.

He is the longest standing Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, holding the title for a record 64 weeks in the late 1980s.

Farris, 56, now makes a living on the independent circuit, says wrestling is all about feeling young again.

"On a Friday or Saturday it's boring in Arizona if I'm not at a wrestling show," he says. "I've been around for 30 years. It's a fountain of youth. I get to act young, and do what they do."

Farris says he saw the movie The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke.

"I saw most of the movie. It's another wrestling movie exposing behind-the-scenes stuff. In some cases it was very factual," he says.

The movie portrays the struggles of an '80s wrestling legend who still dreams of the spotlight, and continues to wrestle on the independent circuit.

Both Rourke and Farris are scheduled to make appearances this April at Wrestlemania 25.

Farris is the real-life cousin of wrestler and colour commentator Jerry the King Lawler.

Farris has done a bit of ringside commentary, and he says he is interested in working for the WWE again, even if it was behind the scenes.

"It's their call. I'd love to go back," he says.

On the independent circuit Farris sees a lot of young wrestlers trying to make it in the business.

"My advice to them: Don't quit your day job, finish school, continue doing independent wrestling as a hobby, do weights, and learn to be a real professional," he says.

The Honky Tonk Man has made a few appearances at Royal Rumbles, and fought a match at Cyber Sunday against current wrestler Santino Marella. Marella tried to beat Honky Tonk Man's record for holding the Intercontinental Championship, but failed to do so.

A number of controversial stories about the Honky Tonk Man have surfaced in some recent books by those within the wrestling industry. But Farris laughs it all off.

In Eric Bishoff's book, the former WCW boss says his favourite person to fire was The Honky Tonk Man.

"I got a laugh out of that," Farris says. "I don't know what I did to rub him the wrong way. He says I was fired, I say I quit."

In Mick Foley's book he claims that the Honky Tonk Man hit Jake the Snake with a real guitar, causing serious injury.

"He checked one source," Farris explains. "Mick Foley apologized to me about it. My side of the story is different than Jake's."

Farris says he will put on an entertaining show when he heads north to Cornwall.

"It's a family event open to everyone. There will be high-flying matches, and singing and dancing from the Honky Tonk Man."

WWE Smackdown is also coming to Cornwall Friday, but Farris says, "the independent show is cheaper, still just as entertaining, and fans are able to interact with the wrestlers, and it is a family event," he says.

The Honky Tonk Man battles Chez 106 DJ and former wrestler Ben McCully. Also on the bill is wrestling sensation Hannibal.

The Wrestling Super Show event takes place Sunday at 2 p. m. at Murphy's Inn. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Tags: The Honky Tonk Man, WWE, Jerry Lawler, WCW, Jake Roberts