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Sonny King Passes Away

Posted: Sep 1st 2024 By: Vinny Berry - ProWrestl8ngWire.com

Wrestling fans who watched the sport during the days of territorial wrestling, have probably seen a match or two involving Sonny King. Born in North Carolina, King who wrestled professionally for nearly two decades passed away at the age of 79 on August 31, 2024.

King’s record is quite impressive! If one is curious to know who he wrestled, the better question would be, who did Sonny King not wrestle? He really did step into the ring with the top wrestlers of his era. Names like Ric Flair, The Masked Superstar, Dusty Rhodes, Ray Stevens, The Spoiler, and the Andersons are just a short list of the talented men that King worked against.

King did have some long stays in certain areas when pro wrestling was running strong across the United States. Some of those places were Florida Championship Wrestling, The World Wide Wrestling Federation, Continental, and the Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling promotions.

King had the honor of holding some prestigious titles during his career. He held one half of the WWWF Tag Team Titles with Chief Jay Strongbow in 1972. In 1979, King held the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship with partner Ricky Morton. During his career, King also had the privilege of wrestling for the National Wrestling Alliance Title against champions, Dory Funk Jr. and Jack Brisco.

Not only did King wrestle, but he also boxed. It was not uncommon for King to put on the gloves with other wrestlers to treat the spectators to some speciality matches. Ox Baker and Rocky Johnson duked it out with King, and so did Johnny Valentine who he had a long standing feud with. In 1974 legendary prize fighter, Joe Louis refereed a boxing match with the pair in which King was the victor!

In 1979, King squared off with Buddy Rogers in a series of boxer verses wrestler matchups. The highly decorated Rogers, who at different times in his career has held the AWA, the NWA, and the WWWF World Heavyweight Titles; beat King with his exquisite grappling style in every matchup. 

Sonny King had passion for professional wrestling and he was respected by his peers. His dedication to professional wrestling will forever go unnoticed, and he loved to entertain the crowds. King will be remembered and missed by all of the people who knew him and who watched him wrestle over the course of his career! His son, John Tighe posted this message of Facebook.

"This is one of most difficult things I’ve ever written. They say you’re never really ready to say goodbye especially when Hello wasn’t that long ago. First thing my Dad taught me was to never be bitter or hold animosity for the journey it took us to find each other but to enjoy what time we have now. I really truly did enjoy every moment every visit every hug every I love you we have shared. I found a piece of myself that I was missing my entire life. In a short time I’ve gained such an immense amount of life lessons and I’m truly grateful because I would not have the drive I have today to becoming a better person. My Dad was truly the most remarkable man I’ve ever encountered and the love and respect shown towards him everywhere we went spoke volumes of the type of man he truly was. Today he went home to be with the Lord but forever he will always remain in my heart?? I love you Dad until we meet again"