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Imitation Devastation: The Construction of Demolition

Imitation Devastation: The Construction of Demolition

Posted: Mar 6th 2026 By: Brian Damage - RingTheDamnBell.com

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

That expression has been bandied about for close to 200 years. It may be true in most cases, not so true in others. Pro wrestling has seen its fair share of imitators through the years. If a promoter can’t get the talent that they covet…why not just create your own similar version?

One of the most copied and imitated tag teams had to have been Hawk and Animal…The Road Warriors. From the Powers of Pain, to the Blade Runners (Sting and Ultimate Warrior)to the early days of The Eliminators (Saturn and Kronus)…promoters have tried and mostly failed to recreate the magic that was the Legion of Doom.

In 1987, it was Vince McMahon and the WWF’s turn to try and copy the successful formula of two behemoths that annihilated their opponents. The idea for the WWF’s version of the gimmick came from Bill Eadie (The Masked Superstar) and Randy Colley (Moondog Rex)

The duo debuted that year with manager Luscious Johnny Valiant. Eadie was named ‘Ax’ and Colley was ‘Smash’ and their journey to dominance began…or so we thought. Vince McMahon saw potential for the Demolition tag team, but some tinkering was needed. Firstly, Johnny V was removed as the team’s manager and replaced by Mr. Fuji. The reasoning? Some felt that Johnny Valiant didn’t mesh well with the team. He was more a heelish comedian and him cracking jokes during promos was not what Demolition was about. Mr. Fuji was regarded more of a straight laced heel manager that would fit better with Demolition’s style.

Secondly, one of the originators of the gimmick was out….Randy Colley. According to Bill Eadie, Vince felt that fans saw right through Colley’s face paint and recognized him as Moondog Rex. Eadie was always under a mask for the majority of his career, so he was safe. Replacing Colley in the team was a younger, lesser known talent named Barry Darsow. Darsow was last seen in the NWA under a Soviet gimmick named ‘Krusher Khruschev.’ With Colley out and Darsow in as Smash…the transformation was ALMOST complete.

The Road Warriors were known to have kick ass music accompany them into the ring. “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath would blare over the loudspeaker and immediate fear would enter into their opponents and jubilation for the fans. Demolition needed the same kind of intense music…so enter famed guitarist and producer Rick Derringer. Derringer performed such hits as “Hang on Sloopy” and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” His talents were put to use and created this song simply entitled, “Demolition.”

Demolition were rapidly pushed up the ladder and won the tag team titles on 3 separate occasions for a total combined 698 days. A record for the longest combined days as WWF tag team champions to this day. Demolition had been accepted widely by WWF fans and turned face once another Road Warrior ripoff…The Powers of Pain came to the company. It wasn’t until the real Road warriors set foot in the the WWF that Demolition were overshadowed.

Bill Eadie was aging and in his 40’s. To keep the Demolition team up to par with the newly arriving LOD, a third, younger member was added in Brian Adams aka ‘Crush.’ The trio…at times, wore masks and switched places with each other during matches. Before too long, Eadie was also phased out of the group. That left the two founding members of Demolition on the outside…looking in.

It was all for naught, Demolition became somewhat irrelevant once Hawk and Animal debuted in the WWF. Soon, Demolition was disbanded and were given new characters. Crush ditched the majority of his face paint and became the “Kona” Crush from Hawaii and Darsow became the “Repo Man.” As for Bill Eadie, he continued to use variations of the Demolition gimmick on the indies. First as a solo star called Axis the Demolisher and then Demolition with new partners Hux and Blast.

As for the other founding member…the original Smash…Randy Colley…word is he was none too pleased with being phased out of a gimmick he helped create. Colley continued to use his own variation of the Demolition gimmick in the remaining territories. He was named, “Detroit Demolition” and wore a similar outfit and face paint as his Smash character.

Regardless if you were a fan of Demolition or a fan of the original Road Warriors, Ax and Smash were at one point extremely popular and successful during their WWF run. While they may ultimately be considered by some to be imitators…they certainly did enough to stand out and separate from the team they were mimicking.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
  • 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
  • 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19

  • 09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2026 Tuff Love (Cade Lovee & Cole Lung) def. GBA (Drake Gallows & Colton Kinnamon) for the RDW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2026 Nate Bourne def. Ricky Wingrave for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2026 Malik Mayfield def. Will Chambers for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2026 Lunchador def. Max Leon for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2026 Max Leon def. Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
  • 09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jean-Claude def. Eddie LeVaughn for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Manico def. Billie the Kiid for the NAW Indigenous Land Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jeb Bingham def. Jastin Taylor for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
  • 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
  • 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
  • 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
  • 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
  • 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
  • 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
09-17
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