Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson (February 8, 1945 – August 31, 2024) was an American professional wrestler better known as Sonny King. He competed in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), where he won the WWWF Tag Team Championship. Professional wrestling journalist and historian Dave Meltzer credits King as one of the first African-American wrestlers ever to hold a championship in WWWF, which would later become WWE.

Professional wrestling career Johnson began his career as a professional boxer, but later turned to professional wrestling after befriending Ernie Ladd. After a month, they lost the title to the team of Professor Tanaka and Mr. Fuji.

Johnson won the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship in Alabama in March 1977. In 1978 and 1979, Johnson worked in Memphis as a manager to Jos Leduc and Ron Bass.

While partnering with The Angel in the Continental Wrestling Association in 1980, he won the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship. While waiting for a card to start in the Carolinas, he noticed a male force his way into an arena past an elderly security guard. When Johnson confronted the man, he was stabbed numerous times, during which he suffered a punctured lung and the knife nicked his heart. Johnson was rushed into emergency surgery. Years later, Johnson recounted the surgeon having to massage his heart outside his body to keep him alive. He retired in the mid-1980s. He grew up in North Carolina. One of his sons played football for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Championships and accomplishments Championship Wrestling from Florida NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) (1 time)

Continental Wrestling Association AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Ricky Morton (1) and The Angel (1)

International Wrestling Association IWA Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)

World Wide Wrestling Federation WWWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Chief Jay Strongbow