The 1989 Royal Rumble match saw Ax (Bill Eadie), one half of the World Wrestling Federation tag team champions, enter the ring at number one. He was quickly followed by his tag team partner Smash (Barry Darsow). True to the spirit of the event - and the grit of Demolition - rather than team up, the two big men battled it out against one other until Andre the Giant entered at number three.
That Demolition was given the honour of starting the iconic 30-man elimination match spoke volumes about their popularity as a tandem; it would be one of many memorable moments in the long wrestling career of Darsow, who also memorably performed in WWE as the Repo Man and under his own name (and as Blacktop Bully and Mr Hole-in-One) in World Championship Wrestling.
The veteran grappler joined 'Wrestling Life with Ben Veal' for episode 022 of the show - and this insightful #WrestlingLifePod interview revealed five things hat you might not know about this future Hall of Famer:
Barry Darsow learned his trade from some wrestling dynasties
His first wrestling job was in Honolulu working for Mrs Maivia, The Rock’s grandmother. After a stint in New Zealand, he then worked with Dusty Rhodes - father of current WWE champion, Cody Rhodes.
After some more regional gigs, he wrestled in Florida as the partner of Jim 'The Neidhart' Neidhart, a member (by marriage) of the legendary Hart wrestling family. Nonetheless, his move to Jim Crockett Promotions in North Carolina (one of the largest US wrestling promotions in the 1980s) partnering with Ivan Koloff (AKA the Russian Bear) was a shock to the system: “He taught me so much it was like I hadn’t even wrestled before,” Barry said.
Barry Darsow wasn’t the first Demolition Smash
When Darsow was asked by Vince McMahon to join the World Wrestling Federation, the Demolition tag team had already been formed: Bill Eadie had created the gimmick with Randy Colley.
However, after just two appearances it became clear that Colley was too familiar to audiences as his previous character, Moondog Rex.
Barry was just 25 years old when he joined the Federation, but he was welcomed into the dressing room as the partner of the highly-experienced Eadie, who had already established his reputation as The Masked Superstar. Barry describes Bill as like a “big brother” and he still considers himself Eadie's junior, even at the age of 65!. Barry and Bill still proudly tour fan conventions together 40 years later as Demolition.
Demolition's favourite opponents were the British Bulldogs
Demolition wrestled in one of the greatest ever eras for tag teams with many future WWE Hall of Famers. Barry was best friends with the Hart Foundation (Jim Neidhart and his brother-in-law Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart).
However, he felt that Demolition had their best matches with the British Bulldogs, Davey Boy Smith (who was also related to the Harts by marriage) and his cousin, The Dynamite Kid Tom Billington.
Crush joined Demolition because Bill 'Ax' Eadie was sick
In June 1990 Demolition was joined by a third member Crush (Brian Adams). Barry revealed to Ben Veal on the show that Bill Eadie was really sick in hospital at the time and almost died. Demolition had three months’ of shows already booked and so the decision was made to bring in another wrestler to help.
“Right away I liked him,” Bill shared. “He was a really, really good guy, was willing to listen … and was one of the funniest guys I have ever known.” At Summerslam 1992, Barry (as The Repo Man) wrestled against Koana Crush at London's Wembley Stadium in front of over 80,000 fans. From having once been the development talent, now it was Barry’s job to help Crush get him into a press slam, which became the iconic image of that match. “One of the greatest things in wrestling is where you wrestle your friends,” Barry reflected.
The Repo Man upset the Macho Man Randy Savage for real
Before entering wrestling Barry had a job repossessing cars. When Demolition split up, he reinvented his character as The Repo Man, a comedy heel. In 1993 – in one of his most infamous segments - he stole the Macho Man Randy Savage’s colourful hat. Barry said that Savage (Randy Poffo) was very protective of his hat and had no idea it would be taken, so the heat between them was very genuine.
Barry’s favourite memory from his wrestling life is all the friends he made. Now happily retired in Michigan with his wife of 35 years and one son, he is a contented man who achieved his dream of wrestling in the WWF. Nonetheless, surely he and Bill Eadie are due one last starring turn as they rightfully enter the WWE Hall of Fame one day…
About the author: Steve Shepperson-Smith lives in Hertfordshire, England and has a highly successful career in the public relations industry and as a Board member. He has been a wrestling fan for over 30 years and would still like to work in publicity for a wrestling promotion one day. Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, The Rock and Asuka are some of the wrestlers he has most enjoyed watching over the years. His ambition is to attend WrestleMania one day with his kids. In London. Connect with Steve: X | LinkedIn | Instagram