Roy Wayne Farris at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $1.5 Million
- Birthdate: January 25, 1953
- Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
- Profession: Professional Wrestler
- Nationality: American
- Major Achievements: WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2019), Longest-reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion (454 days)
Table of Contents
What is Roy Wayne Farris’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Roy Wayne Farris, known to legions of wrestling fans as The Honky Tonk Man, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
Unlike A-list Hollywood actors or main-event stars like The Rock, Farris’s wealth was not built on blockbuster film salaries. This $1.5 million figure is a comprehensive analysis of his peak earnings during his 1980s WWF run, his decades of consistent work on the independent wrestling circuit, royalties from his WWE Legends contract, merchandise sales, and revenue from his live “One-Man Show” tours.
Early Life
Roy Wayne Farris was born on January 25, 1953, in Memphis, Tennessee, a historic hotbed for professional wrestling.
He grew up in a family with deep roots in the business; he is the first cousin of fellow WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler. Farris began his own wrestling career in 1977, working in regional territories like Memphis, Stampede Wrestling, and Mid-South Wrestling, honing his craft long before his global debut.
Career
Farris’s career can be divided into two major phases: his meteoric rise in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and his long, successful career as a traveling icon on the independent scene.
After joining the WWF in 1986, Farris’s career exploded when he adopted “The Honky Tonk Man” gimmick—an arrogant Elvis Presley impersonator.
His defining moment came on June 2, 1987, when he defeated Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship. This victory kicked off a historic and unprecedented 454-day reign. To this day, it remains the longest Intercontinental Championship run in WWE history, a record that has cemented his legacy.
He famously lost the title in a shocking 31 seconds to The Ultimate Warrior at SummerSlam 1988, an event that is still one of the most-talked-about moments of that era.
Major Earnings & Achievements
While WWE Honky Tonk Man salary figures from the 1980s are not public, his primary income came from this championship run. As a top-level “heel” (villain) holding a major title, Farris would have earned a significant share of ticket sales (house show gates) and pay-per-view buy-rates from the events he main-evented.
His greatest achievements include:
- WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
- WWE Hall of Fame (Inducted in the Class of 2019)
Business Ventures & Investments
Farris’s primary business venture has been himself. After leaving the WWF, he became one of the most in-demand performers on the independent circuit, commanding a high booking fee for appearances, matches, and autograph signings for over 30 years.
His other income streams include:
- WWE Legends Contract: Farris is signed to a WWE Legends contract. This provides him with a steady income in exchange for sporadic appearances and, more importantly, allows WWE to use his likeness for action figures, video games, and other merchandise, for which he receives royalties.
- “One-Man Show”: In recent years, he has successfully toured a “Shake, Rattle & Roll” one-man stage show, where he shares stories from his career with live audiences.
Personal Life
Roy Wayne Farris has been married to his wife, Tammy Farris, since 1984. The couple has maintained a private life, largely outside the spotlight of his wrestling persona.
He is known for his candid and often controversial opinions on the wrestling business, which he shares in various interviews and on his own show.
Salary & Career Earnings Growth Chart
It is impossible to know the exact Roy Wayne Farris career earnings year by year. However, his income potential followed a clear trajectory tied to his career phases.
The table below provides a conceptual look at his earning power over the decades, moving from a territorial wrestler to a WWE-level star and, finally, to an independent legend.
| Career Period / Role (Years) — Late 1970s – 1985 (Territorial Wrestler) | Estimated Earning Potential: Low to Moderate — Primary Income Source(s): Small guarantees, percentage of live gate |
| Career Period / Role (Years) — 1986 – 1988 (Peak WWF Star) | Estimated Earning Potential: Very High — Primary Income Source(s): PPV bonuses, high % of gate, merchandise |
| Career Period / Role (Years) — 1989 – 1991 (Late WWF Run) | Estimated Earning Potential: Moderate to High — Primary Income Source(s): Base salary, live event pay |
| Career Period / Role (Years) — 1990s – 2000s (Independent Star) | Estimated Earning Potential: High (for indies) — Primary Income Source(s): Guaranteed booking fees, autograph sales |
| Career Period / Role (Years) — 2010s – Present (WWE Legend) | Estimated Earning Potential: Moderate & Stable — Primary Income Source(s): WWE Legends contract, royalties, live shows |
FAQ
How much is The Honky Tonk Man worth?
As of 2025, The Honky Tonk Man net worth is estimated at approximately $1.5 million, based on analysis of his career earnings, independent bookings, and WWE Legends contract.
How long was The Honky Tonk Man’s Intercontinental title reign?
His historic reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion lasted 454 days, from June 2, 1987, to August 29, 1988. It remains the longest reign in the title’s history.
Is The Honky Tonk Man in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Yes. After many years of anticipation from fans, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2019.
Who is The Honky Tonk Man related to?
Roy Wayne Farris is the first cousin of fellow Memphis wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer, Jerry “The King” Lawler.