Dave Meltzer’s Pro Wrestling Observer reported earlier today that former WCW/WWF fixture Brian Adam (above, far right), who achieved his greatest fame as Crush of Road Warrior wannabes Demolition, died earlier today in Tampa, FL.
Though Adams’ stint alongside Ax and Smash will probably not be recalled as a wild artistic success, it should be noted that Adams’ career straddled a few different eras, as evidenced by his managers over the years ranging from Mr. Fuji, to Precious Paul Ellering to Dancing Stevie Richards.
In addition, Adams was the original Demon in WCW’s ill-fated collaboration with Kiss, a role that would later be assumed by Antonio Alfonesca nemsis Dale Torborg.
Incredibly, Adams’ old colleagues in Demolition, Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow, are scheduled for appear for Florida indie promotion UXW on a September 29 card that also includes such legends as Abdullah The Butcher, Sabu and….uh, Norman Smiley.
Man, people were busting on me for talking about these issues two WWE deaths ago.
It’s sad that “Crush” died. The WWE and old school WWF has really taken a lot of hits lately. One thing in this article I wanted to comment on was the “Road Warrior wannabes” referring to Demolition. Come on now, Demolition was awesome, easily a greater tag team and personality then most, in my opinion even LOD or The Road Warriors.
Brendan,
I don’t mean to speak ill of the dead (or in the case of Ax and Smash, the still alive), but I don’t think I’m the only person who’d opine that Demolition’s gimmick (face paint, Rick Derrenger instead of Sabbath for entry music, squash matches galore) was essentially culled from that of the Road Warriors.
very sad day another hero taken before his time
Man, how could you say that Demolition was the lesser of the two tag teams? Demoltion was far more succesful that The Road Warriors while in the WWF. Their WCW stint was pretty much only because they come from the WWF. Each one of Demolitions members actually had a decent singles career including Brian Adams. What has Animal and Hawk done in singles? Animal made joke appearances in WCW while Hawk was getting plastered. Brian Adams had an accomplised career in singles and tag from the US to Japan. Give the guy some respect that he deserves. Hes done way more for wrestling than The Rock, John Cena or any other one of Vince’s puppets.
number of straps awarded is a fair indicator of aesthetic quality? uh, not quite. I’ll still stand by comment no. 3 — Demolition’s persona was largely copped from the Road Warriors’ squashtastic run thru the AWA and NWA. That Hawk and Animal were played out by the time Titan hired ’em is of little consequence in this argument. I mean no disrespect to Adams, his fans or friends, but in my estimatation, Demolition snacked on diminished returns and dined on dullness.
Yes, Demolition were originally intended to be a LOD ripoff because Vince couldnt acquire them at the time. BUT the fans decided that Demolition were much more than that, being one of the most loved and hated teams in the WWF. While their style was basic brawler-fashion, you cant discredit them for that because at the time that was all that was needed to make for an exciting and enjoyable match for the ppl.All in all Demolition was a legendary team and should be praised for becoming much more than what they were intended to be.