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Ex-Wrestler Crush, 44, Found Dead

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: August 13, 2007

Updated: 08/13/2007 11:20 pm

Photo courtesy of the WWE

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TAMPA - Brian Adams, known to wrestling fans as Crush, was supposed to be part of Demolition's reunion. The tag team partners planned a September trip to Orlando to bring the trio together in front of fans.

Instead, his partners are mourning his death. Adams, former World Wrestling Federation tag team champion, was found dead Monday at his home in northeast Tampa.

Bill Eadie of Georgia, known as Ax, was stunned by the death of his former tag team partner. Barry Darsow, known as Smash, also was with Demolition.

"We had just talked about calling Brian about our reunion," Eadie said. "I'm just shocked. This is sad. I feel so sorry for his family. I am at a loss for words. I am never at a loss for words."

Authorities were called to the home at 4918 Anniston Circle at 11:30 a.m. His wife had found Adams in bed, unconscious and not breathing, according to a Tampa Police Department report.

Tampa Fire Rescue crews could not revive Adams, 44, and he was declared dead at the scene, according to the report.

There were no visible signs of injury, authorities said. It is being treated as an unexplained death.

At 6 feet 6 inches tall and 300 pounds, Adams was an imposing figure, Eadie said. But it was Adams' demeanor that caught Eadie's attention.

"He was a huge man in stature and in character," Eadie said. "He had no problem picking up and manhandling the real big oversized guys, but he'd give you the shirt off his back."

When Adams joined Demolition, he fit right in, Eadie said.

"He was old school," Eadie said. "He was ears open and mouth shut. He knew what it took to be successful. He asked us to critique his matches. He took the business very serious."

Vito LoGrasso, known as Big Vito, of Tampa, fought Adams in the ring. LoGrasso was part of a tag team when he met Adams in the 1990s.

"For a man his size, Adams was extremely athletic, agile and very powerful," LoGrasso, 43, said in a written statement. "Adams was kind and soft-spoken and very family oriented. He liked to have a quiet laugh and was well-respected."

Outside the ring, Adams was friendly and approachable, a neighbor said.

"That's a shame," Geetha Kumar, a neighbor, said when she heard of his death. "I didn't know him personally, but he was a very nice person, … a good neighbor."

World Wrestling Entertainment, which is the former World Wrestling Federation, has posted the news of Adams' death. He last performed for the World Wrestling Federation in 2001, serving on the roster beginning in 1990, according to a WWE news release.

His last wrestling match was in 2003. A spinal injury forced him to retire, according to WWE.com.

Adams was born in Hawaii and was a boxer in the Air Force, according to Slam!, a Web site dedicated to sports and wrestling.

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