Alex Marvez's weekly look at professional wrestling

"Honor" and "Jonny Fairplay" are words that fans of the TV show "Survivor'' don't use together.

Fairplay, though, will be appearing on a Ring of Honor show Saturday at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom. Fairplay's foray comes as he once again tries parlaying reality television infamy into a pro wrestling career.

"I'm in New York this weekend for the 'Survivor finale,' so the timing happened to work out," said Fairplay, referring to Sunday night's live "Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites'' reunion show (10 p.m. Eastern, CBS).

"Ring of Honor is a favorite of mine. It doesn't have glitz and pageantry. It's a bunch of guys on almost the grass-roots level honing their craft and working together to make an amazing product. Any time you can help guys like that, it's a good felling."

The thought of Fairplay doing a selfless act would shock Survivor aficionados who remember his antics from five years ago. Fairplay became one of reality television's most reviled characters on "Survivor: Pearl Islands'' through his obnoxious behavior and tricks, including lying about his grandmother's death for sympathy. He finished the show in third place.

Fairplay didn't have nearly the same success on "Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites,'' becoming the first contestant voted out. Fairplay was still recovering from dental surgery following a real-life fight with another reality star (Danny Bonaduce) and asked his tribe mates to send him home.

"As soon as the game started, the Survivor people told me, 'No more Vicodin,'" said Fairplay, whose real name is Jon Dalton. "The pain was too much without it. I was a victim of bad timing, but I'm glad at least I attempted doing it. I made more waves in one episode than most people did this entire season. This would have been the easiest cast to take $1 million from. People make idiot move after idiot move each week."

Fairplay's cutthroat Survivor playing style was shaped by his pro wrestling background. Fairplay worked as a manager on the North Carolina independent circuit, formed his own ill-fated promotion (Portland-based New Dimension Wrestling) and even served as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper's personal assistant.

Fairplay's first Survivor stint caught the attention of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He was signed in 2004 and became part of a memorable TNA angle when pressed overhead and thrown from the ring by Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Fairplay ultimately left TNA after failing to find a niche as a manager or announcer. Fairplay has since made appearances for smaller promotions (including Ring of Honor) and is affiliated with the Heyman Hustle entertainment project created by former grappling personality Paul Heyman. Fairplay also said he was forced to decline a spot on Hulk Hogan's upcoming celebrity wrestling show on Country Music Television because he already had appeared on a similarly-themed program for the network.

Fairplay has helped fellow "Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites'' cast member Joel Anderson try to become a wrestler. The most bullying figure in Survivor history, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Anderson is training with TNA's John "Rellik" Hugger.

Fairplay says he keeps in regular contact with TNA executive Dixie Carter about a possible return.

"Dixie calls me every two weeks telling me to be patient and that she's just waiting on creative," said Fairplay, referring to TNA's much-maligned scriptwriters. "I don't know if those people just don't like me or are waiting for the right time."

Fairplay believes that time is now because of the exposure he will receive on the Survivor reunion show.

"I think I'm going to get a lot of phone calls from (promoters) on Sunday afternoon," said Fairplay, 34. "You're talking about the possibility of around 18 million viewers tuning in Sunday night. If I'm Ring of Honor, TNA or (World Wrestling Entertainment), I would want that 15-second mention during the finale saying where I'm going to turn up next."

(Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro wrestling column for Scripps-Howard News Service. Contact him at alex1marv@aol.com.)