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Adrian Adonis

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[Adrian Adonis GALLERY]

[North South Connection] [East West Connection]

Article: The Forgotten Minority

Title History

  • NWA Americas tag team titles w/ Black Gordman defeating Victor Rivera and Chavo Guerrero (April 25, 1977);
  • NWA Americas title defeating Hangman (May 13, 1977);
  • NWA Americas tag team titles w/ Roddy Piper defeating Tom Jones and Mando Guerrero (July 22, 1977);
  • PNW tag team titles w/ Ron Starr defeating Roddy Piper and Killer Brooks (April 3, 1979);
  • AWA world tag team titles w/ Jesse Ventura via forfeit (June 14, 1981);
  • SCW Southwest Heavyweight title defeating Bob Sweetan (April 15, 1983);
  • SCW Undisbuted World title defeating Bob Orton Jr in a tournament final (May 26, 1983);
  • WWF world tag team titles w/ Dick Murdoch defeating Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas (April 17, 1984);

Career Highlights

American Wrestling Association:

  • January 25, 1978 – Florida Superbowl of Wrestling: Keith Franks defeated John Ruffan.

Portland Wrestling:

  • 1979: Adrian Adonis formed a tag team with Ron Starr and feuded with Buddy Rose and Ed Wiskowski and Roddy Piper and Killer Brooks.

American Wrestling Association:

  • July 14, 1980 – Comiskey Park: Maddog Vachon and The Crusher beat Adrian Adonis and Jerry Valiant and then competed in a battle royal.
  • Adrian Adonis formed a tag team with Jesse Ventura in the AWA known as the East/West Connection.
  • June 14, 1981: Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne defeated Adrian Adonis and Jesse Ventura for the AWA Tag Team titles.

New Japan Pro Wrestling:

  • Nov/Dec 1982 – 3rd Annual MSG Tag League: Adrian Adonis and Dino Bravo competed in the league, which was won by Hogan/Inoki.
  • Nov/Dec 1983 – 4th Annual MSG Tag League: Adrian and Dick Murdoch competed in the league, lost in the finals to Hogan/Inoki.
  • May/Jun 1984 – IWGP League: Adrian Adonis competed in the league, which was eventually won by Antonio Inoki.
  • June 14, 1984 – Sumo Hall: Yoshiaki Yatsu, Masa Saito and Riki Chosyu beat Adrian Adonis, Dick Murdoch and Ken Patera.

World Wrestling Federation:

  • Adrian Adonis formed a tag team with Dick Murdoch in the WWF known as the North/South Connection.
  • April 17, 1984: The North/South Connection defeated Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas to win the WWF Tag Team titles!
  • July 23, 1984 – The Brawl to End It All: The North/South Connection beat Sgt Slaughter and Terry Daniels to retain the Tag Team titles.
  • ~~~Later in the night, Adrian Adonis competed in a Battle Royal, which was won by Antonio Inoki.

Southwest Championship Wrestling:

  • 1984: Adrian Adonis defeated “Cowboy” Bob Orton to win Southwest’s World Heavyweight title (Tournament Final).
  • ~~~Legend Lou Thesz was at ringside and presented Adonis with the Southwest belt AND an NWA World title replica belt.

New Japan Pro Wrestling:

  • Nov/Dec 1984 – 5th Annual MSG Tag League: Adonis and Murdock competed in the league, losing in the finals to Inoki/Fujinami.
  • May 24, 1985: Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura beat Adonis and Murdock for the vacant WWF/New Japan International Tag titles.
  • April 18, 1985 – Sumo Hall: The North/South Connection beat Kengo Kimura and Kantaro Hoshino.
  • May/Jun 1985 – IWGP League: Adrian Adonis beat King Kong Bundy, then lost to Tatsumi Fujinami.

World Wrestling Federation:

  • August 28, 1985 – Michigan State Fair: Adrian Adonis defeated George Wells.
  • November 7, 1985 – Wrestling Classic: Adrian Adonis defeated Corporal Kirschner in 1st round, lost to Dynamite Kid in 2nd round.
  • Adrian Adonis picked up Jimmy Hart as a manager in the WWF.
  • March 1, 1986 – SNME: Junk Yard Dog defeated Adrian Adonis.
  • April 7, 1986 – WrestleMania II: Adrian Adonis defeated Uncle Elmer.
  • May 3, 1986 – SNME: Adrian Adonis defeated Paul Orndorff by DQ.
  • July 12, 1986 – MSG Network: Bruno Sammartino & Tito Santana defeated Adrian Adonis & Randy Savage in a steel cage match.
  • August 13, 1986 – House Show: Adrian Adonis defeated Cousin Luke.
  • August 25, 1986 – MSG Network: Adrian Adonis defeated Tony Atlas.
  • August 28, 1986 – The Big Event: Adrian Adonis defeated by Junk Yard Dog by count out.
  • September 7, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: Adrian Adonis defeated Tommy Sharpe.
  • December 6, 1986 – Superstars: Adrian Adonis defeated Paul Roma.
  • December 13, 1986 – Superstars: Adrian Adonis defeated Mario Mancini.
  • December 14, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: Adrian Adonis defeated SD Jones by disqualification.
  • December 27, 1986 – Superstars: Adrian Adonis defeated David Gold.
  • December 28, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: Adrian Adonis & The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart) defeated SD Jones & The American Express (Danny Spivey & Mike Rotundo).
  • January 3, 1987 – SNME: Adrian Adonis defeated Roddy Piper by count out.
  • January 31, 1987 – Superstars: Adrian Adonis defeated Jack Kruger.
  • February 1, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: Adrian Adonis & The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart) defeated Jim Parks, Paul Roma & Tony Garea.
  • February 8, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: Adrian Adonis defeated Mario Mancini.
  • February 23, 1987 – MSG Network: Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper & The Junkyard Dog defeated Adrian Adonis, King Harley Race & Randy Savage in a tag team elimination match.
  • February 28, 1987 – Superstars: Lanny Poffo & The Can-Am Connection (Rick Martel & Tom Zenk) defeated Adrian Adonis & The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake & Greg Valentine).
  • March 8, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: Adrian Adonis defeated Don Driggers.
  • March 14, 1987 – Superstars: Roddy Piper defeated Adrian Adonis in a dark match.
  • March 21, 1987 – Superstars: Adrian Adonis defeated Jim Young.
  • March 29, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: Adrian Adonis defeats Corporal Kirchner.
  • March 29, 1987 – WrestleMania III: Roddy Piper defeated Adrian Adonis in a Hair vs Hair match.
  • Adrian Adonis hosted an interview segment call ‘the Flower Shop’ on WWF Television, to replace the old Piper’s Pit segment.

The Death of Frank Keith:

  • July 4, 1988: Adrian Adonis (age 34), Pat Kelly, and Dave McKigney were killed in a car accident in Lewisporte, Newfoundland.
Updated: February 7, 2024 @ 6:12 am

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Trained By

Debut

1974-July 1988

Birthday

September 15, 1953

Hometown

New York City, New York

Gender

Male

Height

5'11"

Weight

245-to-310 lbs Peaked at over 400 lbs

Finishing Move(s)

DDT,
Goodnight Irene sleeper

Favorite Move(s)

Knee Drop,
Shoulderdrop from TopRope

Notable Feuds

Victor Rivera,
Buddy Rose (PNW),
Ed Wiskowski (PNW),
Roddy Piper (PNW),
Killer Brooks (PNW),
Antonio Inoki,
Rocky Johnson (WWF),
Tony Atlas (WWF),
Bob Orton Jr. (Southwest),
Junk Yard Dog (WWF),
Roddy Piper (WWF),
Brutus Beefcake (WWF)

Status

Deceased