Slick (wrestling) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slick |
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Slick in 1989
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| Birth name | Kenneth Wayne Johnson |
| Born | December 8, 1957 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Campbellsville University |
| Family | Rufus R. Jones (father) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Reverend Slick Slick |
| Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Billed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Billed from | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Trained by | Texas All-Star Wrestling |
| Debut | 1986 |
| Retired | 1993 |
Kenneth Wayne Johnson (born December 8, 1957) is a retired American professional wrestling manager. He is famous by his ring name, Slick. He worked for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1986 to 1993. Kenneth is the son of professional wrestler Rufus R. Jones.
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Slick's Wrestling Career
Starting in Texas and Kansas
Kenneth Johnson began his career in wrestling in Texas. He worked for a group called Texas All-Star Wrestling. There, he managed wrestlers like Madd Maxx and Lord Humongous.
Later, Johnson moved to Kansas City. He joined Central States Wrestling and became "The Doctor of Style," Slick. His character was smooth and confident. He often danced when he walked his wrestlers to the ring. Some of the wrestlers he managed were Art Crews and Butch Reed. Slick and his group had rivalries with popular wrestlers. Eventually, Slick and Butch Reed had to leave Kansas City.
Time in the World Wrestling Federation
Slick joined the WWF in August 1986. He came in with Butch Reed. Soon after, he bought part of "Classy" Freddie Blassie's group of wrestlers. Blassie was getting older and leaving the spotlight. Slick then took over all the managing duties. He started managing wrestlers like Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik.
Slick had great success managing a team called the Twin Towers. This team included Akeem and the Big Boss Man. They had big matches against famous wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Slick even had his own theme song called "Jive Soul Bro." He also managed other wrestlers. These included The Bolsheviks, Rick Martel, and The Warlord.
In November 1991, Slick took a break from the WWF. He returned a month later with a new character. He became "Reverend Slick." This new role showed his real-life faith. He would give uplifting "sermons" on WWF shows. He also joined the show Prime Time Wrestling as a panelist. He gave comments and thoughts on matches until 1993. One of his main stories was helping Kamala. He showed Kamala that he was a person, not just a monster. He helped Kamala gain self-respect.
After the WWF
After leaving the WWF, Kenneth Johnson went to college. He earned two degrees from Campbellsville University. He is now an ordained minister in Kentucky.
Johnson has returned to wrestling events many times. On April 1, 2007, he appeared at WrestleMania 23. He danced with many WWE wrestlers and legends. He also appeared at independent wrestling shows in Texas. In 2009, he was added to the IHWE Hall of Fame.
In November 2010, Johnson came back as Slick on WWE Raw. He joined The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff in the ring. In 2012, he received a lifetime achievement award. On July 23, 2012, he made a special appearance on Raw 1000. He was the reverend for a wedding between Daniel Bryan and AJ Lee. On April 2, 2016, Slick helped induct Big Boss Man into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Wrestlers Slick Managed
- The One Man Gang/Akeem
- Big Boss Man
- Boris Zhukov
- Butch Reed
- Earthquake Evans
- Hercules
- The Iron Sheik
- Kamala
- Lord Humongous (as Ken Johnson)
- Nikolai Volkoff
- Paul Roma
- Rick Martel
- The Warlord
Awards and Achievements
- World Wrestling Federation
- Slammy Award (1 time)
- Best Personal Hygiene (1987) with Nikolai Volkoff and Boris Zhukov
- Slammy Award (1 time)
- IHW Entertainment Hall of Fame
- 2009 inductee
