Look at the pop they got after WrestleMania VI. Was one of the best. To think they’d be virtually done and jobbing out to people 6-9 months later was so sad to see.
I remember watching WM6 and to me Demolition were the guys to 10 year old me. Crazy that 6 months later they’re forgotten about and one year later they’re in some throwaway match.
Remember watching US Rampage ‘91 on VHS and it was Smash versus Dragon steamboat from MSG. Smash was introduced already standing in the ring with no music. Steamboat proceeded to come out and make short work of Smash for the victory. It was then I knew Demolition was over. Done. Finished.
not an expert, but heard somewhere it takes 20 seconds of viewing to count as a view. Made me think of that. Because there was another time early in the video, I noticed more votes than views.
Crush couldn't work except for optics. He was all but a rookie. Ax was a legendary worker and carried the team. Smash legitimatized the gimmick with his heavy metal voice. Crush was the guy with the right look, body, height, who always stayed employed but never had an ounce of fire throughout his career. He's the guy who everyone wanted to like but couldn't get behind the moment he was booked in a position to get over. That's why Crush and Smash got jobbed out. McMahon wanted for Demolition to draw with LOD while they still could live off of their past glory, knowing that the Demolition bubble was going to burst.
James has found the secret recipe for the great shoot interview...get notable wrestlers her have held up well through injury, miles, age, and anything else.
I remember the time Darsow came to Portland, it was a big show at the old Portland Memorial Coliseum (before they built the Rose Garden/MODA Center) celebrating Don Owen's 60 years in the business. A lot of major stars came to town for that, Flair, Piper, Rhodes, The Russians came in to face The Road Warriors & Magnum TA, but for some reason Darsow/Kruschev couldn't wrestle so he was subbed by local wrestler Timothy Flowers.
@@dannelson99 Actually upon further review that probably wasn't the time Darsow met Adams, that card was in January of 86 and Adams didn't come to the Northwest until 87. It might have been a WWF house show with Adams and a couple of the Northwest guys visiting backstage.
From defeating Andre and Haku at WM6 in 1990, getting the biggest pop of the night outside of Hogan & Warrior at the Skydome, to then going to 1991 and jobbing all over the place, it doesn’t make sense, something is fishy, and it ain’t Bill’s sushi!
It was that they had lost their spot on top. All the top guys put over the guys going up when they are heading down. The trio Demolition mustn't have gotten over like the WWF wanted, they had the Road Warriors/LOD, and VInce was never as gung-ho for tag teams as he was the singles- despite having some of the best teams ever- Bulldogs, Hart Foundation, Killer Bees, Tito and Martel, Demolition, Road Warriors, and Arn and Tully- to name a few.
Demolition Ax Heart attack took place 5/21/1990-5/23/1990 5/20/1990 ( WWF) Houston, Texas: The Summit: WWF World Tag Team Titles Match: Demolition (Ax Last Match before having Heart Attack for Eating too much Sea food) & Smash.( Champions ) battled The Hart Foundation ( Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart ) to Double DQ. 5/24/1990-5/27/1990 WWF House Shows Demolition vs Hart Foundation turn into single matches Bret Hart vs Smash Demolition Crush WWF Debut 5/31/1990
I wish AX could have stayed at part of DEMOLITION. ( Yes, I saw his interview, on youtube, about how he got sick from seafood and almost missed WRESTLEMANIA.)
I can understand that. I quite liked them but wasn’t a huge fan. Like you I was more a Road Warriors fan, also the Hart’s, Bulldogs.. That being said Barry and Bill are both such genuine and regular men. In real life they’re as good as it gets. Fantastic interviews
I remember Bill saying Demoltion lost at WM7 simply becasue not long after they were going over to Japan for the rematch so it added something/more to their match over there
Thursday, 5/31/1990 (WWF House Show) Huntsville, Alabama: Von Braun Civic Center WWF World Tag Team Titles Match: Demolition Smash & Crush- Crush Debut as Demolition Crush replacing Ax who had Heart Attack-WWF World Tag Team Champions ) vs Hart Foundation ( Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart ) 💯
I love The Road Warriors but Demolition were also way over plus they were able to have better matches. Ax and Smash had some really good matches with Hart Foundation and The Brain Busters etc...fantastic team. One of the best of all time yet they never get the recognition anymore.
Depending on how well you and your new tag partner mesh together.. I would assume for some guys, it may feel like you are starting from square one.. And that can be a headache!
Just wondering, I know WWF/E has had debuting wrestlers win a title on their first night (Santino), but is Demolition Crush the first one to debut as a champion?
Considering WM 7 was Demolition's last WWF appearance, that was the simple protocol of burying talent on the way out--hanging it out to pasteur, so to speak. Vince got the Road Warriors, and he clearly felt he no longer needed the ones he made. I will say that of the three Demolition members, Crush (Brian Adams), probably got the better end on creative. Don't get it twisted, I realize Hawaiian Crush was right there with Repo Man. But in retrospect, I like what they did with him by WM 10. They turned him heel to work with Savage and gave him a gimmick that was an amalgamation of Hawaiian Crush and Demolition Crush--Hell! They even made Fuji his manager. Too bad Barry couldn't have had a similar gimmick.
Sadly, that was when Vince was full-on making gimmicks based off of jobs people didn't like to deal with or other dumb ideas instead of letting guys be themselves, or develop their own stuff- IRS, a garbage man, Red Rooster, hockey bully, dentist, just to name a few of the worse ones.
The Repo Man gimmick was actually Barry Darsow's idea. He had worked as an actual repo man in real life, and wanted a marketable wrestling gimmick that could lead to charity appearances and an eventual comedic babyface turn, so he pitched it to Vince. Vince wanted him to wear a bank robber mask to cover his head (to conceal his previous identity as Ax), but Barry said it would be better if he wore a domino mask that only covered his eyes, similar to the Riddler from Batman. Doink the Clown was a very similar story, it was the wrestler who came up with it, not Vince.
@Rocket1377 Yeah, I recently learned that Repo Man was Barry's idea. I think doing it in the vain of Adam West Batman is what made it a joke. I realize that was the kind of theme that Vince was steering towards in the New Generation era. But frankly, it feels like Barry, at the time, did not realize how stupid this new gimmick was coming off.
I guess I was the only one who got creeped out by two big guys dressed in sadomasochistic bondage gear? I know they were supposed to be WWF’s answer to The Road Warriors, but damn. Creepy as hell.
Still not as bad as shawn Michaels, barechested in an open leather jacket, wearing chaps and bikers cap whilst lying on a heart shaped bed, calling Kevin nash/diesel "big daddy" as he stands there in pleather trousers...
Demolition could have been much more like the four horseman, freebird, the grahams,etc, with wwf/wwe owning I would think the right too the name it should still be going today with bill or barry as manager, with new wrestlers what a waste!!wwe or new owner listen! Demolition was still one of the best with 3 title reigns, better than the lod,power of pain, steiners, etc
Well Bill was getting a bit old for it at that time anyway besides the heart thing he got out before it tore him up. Bill was working the back after this any way I say he knew it was time to retire.
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Look at the pop they got after WrestleMania VI. Was one of the best. To think they’d be virtually done and jobbing out to people 6-9 months later was so sad to see.
I just watched 6. I never realized how big that pop was. It was insane
After they jobbed at WrestleMania VII, unsure if Demolition was ever seen again after that on television. I don't remember seeing them after it.
Redicilous and sad to have them become heel for no real reason being back Fuji swap ax with crush and that shitty music it was so sad
I remember watching WM6 and to me Demolition were the guys to 10 year old me. Crazy that 6 months later they’re forgotten about and one year later they’re in some throwaway match.
Kinda felt the same way about Power and Glory at WrestleMania 7. Check out the pop Power and Glory got at SummerSlam 90 after beating the Rockers.
All of the interviews by James are interesting, but these with Barry are some of the best.
You can tell Darsow is being as honest as possible with his responses. Conversation feels like two friends catching up
Always liked Barry. Even as Krusher. Seems down to earth and good dude. Could definitely see having a beer with the guy.
Amazing that Bill not telling Barry he was sick still brings him to tears all these years later.
doesn't look like it brought him to tears. his eyes looked a little watery for the whole interview from start to finish.
Remember watching US Rampage ‘91 on VHS and it was Smash versus Dragon steamboat from MSG. Smash was introduced already standing in the ring with no music. Steamboat proceeded to come out and make short work of Smash for the victory. It was then I knew Demolition was over. Done. Finished.
2 veiws 5 upvotes.. That's the power of Barry..
not an expert, but heard somewhere it takes 20 seconds of viewing to count as a view. Made me think of that. Because there was another time early in the video, I noticed more votes than views.
Demolition are hands down my favorite tag team, thanks for the memories!
Mr darsow needs a training position at ANY company he wants ! Not many people have a grasp on the business like he does 🎉🎉🎉
Demolition was my favorite tag team as a kid. I tried painting my face for Halloween for years as a kid, and it was never good.
I met Crush in Salem, Oregon while he was employed by Portland Wrestling. Great individual, hands the size of dinner plates.
Demolition Ax and Smash is my all time favorite tag team. When Crush came in I hated it, just wasnt the same at all.
I didn't like it either.
Crush couldn't work except for optics. He was all but a rookie. Ax was a legendary worker and carried the team. Smash legitimatized the gimmick with his heavy metal voice. Crush was the guy with the right look, body, height, who always stayed employed but never had an ounce of fire throughout his career. He's the guy who everyone wanted to like but couldn't get behind the moment he was booked in a position to get over. That's why Crush and Smash got jobbed out. McMahon wanted for Demolition to draw with LOD while they still could live off of their past glory, knowing that the Demolition bubble was going to burst.
James has found the secret recipe for the great shoot interview...get notable wrestlers her have held up well through injury, miles, age, and anything else.
I remember the time Darsow came to Portland, it was a big show at the old Portland Memorial Coliseum (before they built the Rose Garden/MODA Center) celebrating Don Owen's 60 years in the business. A lot of major stars came to town for that, Flair, Piper, Rhodes, The Russians came in to face The Road Warriors & Magnum TA, but for some reason Darsow/Kruschev couldn't wrestle so he was subbed by local wrestler Timothy Flowers.
Miss the good old days of Portland Wrestling . Stood next to Andre The Giant in the sports arena in 1981 I came up to barely of his knees
@@dannelson99 Actually upon further review that probably wasn't the time Darsow met Adams, that card was in January of 86 and Adams didn't come to the Northwest until 87. It might have been a WWF house show with Adams and a couple of the Northwest guys visiting backstage.
I remember it being right away too. Its like it was Ax and then all of a sudden Crush was in there
I loved the addition of Crush!
From defeating Andre and Haku at WM6 in 1990, getting the biggest pop of the night outside of Hogan & Warrior at the Skydome, to then going to 1991 and jobbing all over the place, it doesn’t make sense, something is fishy, and it ain’t Bill’s sushi!
It was that they had lost their spot on top. All the top guys put over the guys going up when they are heading down. The trio Demolition mustn't have gotten over like the WWF wanted, they had the Road Warriors/LOD, and VInce was never as gung-ho for tag teams as he was the singles- despite having some of the best teams ever- Bulldogs, Hart Foundation, Killer Bees, Tito and Martel, Demolition, Road Warriors, and Arn and Tully- to name a few.
Demolition were extremely over during that 3 year run or so. They also had some great matches with The Brain Busters. Hart Foundation etc...
Demolition were extremely over during that 3 year run or so. They also had some great matches with The Brain Busters. Hart Foundation etc...
Demolition were extremely over during that 3 year run or so. They also had some great matches with The Brain Busters. Hart Foundation etc...
Was demolition over in that 3 yr period? I'm confused
I will always immediately click on anything involving Demolition
Hard to imagine Smash as the small one. :D
Demolition Ax Heart attack took place 5/21/1990-5/23/1990
5/20/1990 ( WWF) Houston, Texas: The Summit: WWF World Tag Team Titles Match: Demolition (Ax Last Match before having Heart Attack for Eating too much Sea food) & Smash.( Champions ) battled The Hart Foundation ( Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart ) to Double DQ.
5/24/1990-5/27/1990 WWF House Shows Demolition vs Hart Foundation turn into single matches Bret Hart vs Smash
Demolition Crush WWF Debut 5/31/1990
Yeah, Bill getting sick was the beginning of the end for Demolition. So sad, but glad Bill was OK after that. He and Barry were a great, great team.
I wish AX could have stayed at part of DEMOLITION. ( Yes, I saw his interview, on youtube, about how he got sick from seafood and almost missed WRESTLEMANIA.)
For all the gen z and gen y. We didn’t have internet back then. It was a cool Saturday morning surprise to see crush.
I have never understood why in the damn ass hell we didn’t get Demolition v Legion of Doom at WrestleMania VII.
Would have loved it but not sure you could have controlled LOD.
I think AX was completely gone by then and that's the version of Demolition everyone wanted to see face LOD
Never enjoyed Demolition in their day. Was sort of like a "Great Value" Road Warrior gimmick to me. Thoroughly enjoy their shoot interviews today.
I can understand that. I quite liked them but wasn’t a huge fan. Like you I was more a Road Warriors fan, also the Hart’s, Bulldogs.. That being said Barry and Bill are both such genuine and regular men. In real life they’re as good as it gets. Fantastic interviews
I remember they wrestled as 3 for a good time. I think that also helped Crush to get accepted.
I remember Bill saying Demoltion lost at WM7 simply becasue not long after they were going over to Japan for the rematch so it added something/more to their match over there
Thursday, 5/31/1990 (WWF House Show) Huntsville, Alabama: Von Braun Civic Center WWF World Tag Team Titles Match: Demolition Smash & Crush- Crush Debut as Demolition Crush replacing Ax who had Heart Attack-WWF World Tag Team Champions ) vs Hart Foundation ( Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart ) 💯
It killed me to see demolition bust up. I always enjoyed hearing Gorilla Monsoon say here comes the Axe as he'd start to axe handle some ham n egger
Demolition Ax out Nov 4- nov.18,1990 Demolition Crush as Ax replacement 11/19/1990 TV Taping and 11/20/1990 TV Taping
Just like Crush replaced Ax. Similarly a few years later replaced Hawk in LOD
R.I.P. Crush and L.O.D.
Ax and smash were my favorite team and when crush came in it was just way different. They were great workers but yea after WM 6, wasn’t the same.
Crush was really young at that time
Good morning James!! 🌄
To me the Destruction of Demolition has to be the biggest betrayal and mess up in pw history! That was not a fitting End, they desrved way better
I love The Road Warriors but Demolition were also way over plus they were able to have better matches. Ax and Smash had some really good matches with Hart Foundation and The Brain Busters etc...fantastic team. One of the best of all time yet they never get the recognition anymore.
Don Owen 60th Anniversary Show (PNW) Portland, Oregon: Sports Arena Tuesday, May 21,1985
I remember when Crush was introduced. I actually liked Crush in the Group ....!
Crush was a good addition he just was put in a tough spot.
I liked it too.... I thought it made them look like a rock band with a third member. As a kid I thought they were supposed to be like KISS.
Barry Darsow for some reason reminds me of My Dad
Depending on how well you and your new tag partner mesh together.. I would assume for some guys, it may feel like you are starting from square one.. And that can be a headache!
Just wondering, I know WWF/E has had debuting wrestlers win a title on their first night (Santino), but is Demolition Crush the first one to debut as a champion?
Great insight despite the Portland, Ore-a-gone!
Ikr
Shakah Brah it's Kona Crush!!!!!!
Barry made use of the Freebird Rule with both the Russians and Demolition. LOL
Considering WM 7 was Demolition's last WWF appearance, that was the simple protocol of burying talent on the way out--hanging it out to pasteur, so to speak. Vince got the Road Warriors, and he clearly felt he no longer needed the ones he made.
I will say that of the three Demolition members, Crush (Brian Adams), probably got the better end on creative. Don't get it twisted, I realize Hawaiian Crush was right there with Repo Man. But in retrospect, I like what they did with him by WM 10. They turned him heel to work with Savage and gave him a gimmick that was an amalgamation of Hawaiian Crush and Demolition Crush--Hell! They even made Fuji his manager. Too bad Barry couldn't have had a similar gimmick.
Sadly, that was when Vince was full-on making gimmicks based off of jobs people didn't like to deal with or other dumb ideas instead of letting guys be themselves, or develop their own stuff- IRS, a garbage man, Red Rooster, hockey bully, dentist, just to name a few of the worse ones.
The Repo Man gimmick was actually Barry Darsow's idea. He had worked as an actual repo man in real life, and wanted a marketable wrestling gimmick that could lead to charity appearances and an eventual comedic babyface turn, so he pitched it to Vince. Vince wanted him to wear a bank robber mask to cover his head (to conceal his previous identity as Ax), but Barry said it would be better if he wore a domino mask that only covered his eyes, similar to the Riddler from Batman.
Doink the Clown was a very similar story, it was the wrestler who came up with it, not Vince.
@@Rocket1377 Interesting. Didn't know that. it seemed very much in line with the terrible gimmicks of the time.
@Rocket1377 Yeah, I recently learned that Repo Man was Barry's idea. I think doing it in the vain of Adam West Batman is what made it a joke. I realize that was the kind of theme that Vince was steering towards in the New Generation era. But frankly, it feels like Barry, at the time, did not realize how stupid this new gimmick was coming off.
@@TheMrBmurray Yes! A campy Batman villain is a good way to describe Repo-Man.
The only reason Vince brought in Crush was because he didn't want the Road Warriors to beat Ax and Smash.
What the hell was the Hawaiian Crush?
I guess I was the only one who got creeped out by two big guys dressed in sadomasochistic bondage gear? I know they were supposed to be WWF’s answer to The Road Warriors, but damn. Creepy as hell.
Yes you were the only one. They just looked intimidating to me. I don't think 'creepy' was the look they were going for 😂
Still not as bad as shawn Michaels, barechested in an open leather jacket, wearing chaps and bikers cap whilst lying on a heart shaped bed, calling Kevin nash/diesel "big daddy" as he stands there in pleather trousers...
No I thought it as well but put it to the side and back of my mind. They were a bit more Conan than road warrior I always thought.
Demolition could have been much more like the four horseman, freebird, the grahams,etc, with wwf/wwe owning I would think the right too the name it should still be going today with bill or barry as manager, with new wrestlers what a waste!!wwe or new owner listen! Demolition was still one of the best with 3 title reigns, better than the lod,power of pain, steiners, etc
I know people like to hate on Crush joining the team, but it didn't bother me and anyway Crush and Smash >>>>> Kona Crush and Repo Man
Fourth 🤷
Congrats to top 3 🎉
So Barry didn't know about Vince's grooming of young Brian....
Démolition went downhill as soon as Ax was out of the picture.
was a big fan of crush as the hawaian and demolition, wasnt a fan of his later character
Well Bill was getting a bit old for it at that time anyway besides the heart thing he got out before it tore him up. Bill was working the back after this any way I say he knew it was time to retire.
Why can’t you just put the full interview up
Katao just seems like an awkward person.
Unpopular opinion, but ax and smash were road warrior wanna bes! Road warriors rule!!!!!
Demolition were never demolition after this
I never liked Crush in Demolition