At the start of WWE SummerSlam week, the wrestling community mourns the loss of a true icon. Adrian Street, the renowned wrestler famous for his eccentric persona, passed away on July 24 at the age of 82. His family and WWE confirmed the sad news.
Street’s wrestling career was filled with memorable moments as he earned nicknames like “the sadist in sequins” and “the man fans love to hate.” His unique and wacky appearance, coupled with his ruthless aggression in the ring, made him a beloved figure among fans in the 70s and 80s.
Originally hailing from Wales, Street decided to forge his path and avoid working in the mines like his father. In his mid-teens, he ventured to London, where he signed up with a wrestling promoter who gave him his original gimmick of “Kid Tarzan Jonathan.”
Recently, Street had undergone brain surgery, and his passing leaves behind a legacy that will forever be cherished in the world of professional wrestling. Fans and fellow wrestlers remember him for his entertaining and captivating performances that brought joy and excitement to wrestling fans worldwide.
“Too dark down there, I was born for the spotlight,” Street said in one interview.
Eventually, Street went back to his own name, wearing flamboyant costumes that featured dayglo face paint, peroxide pigtails and a feather boa.
In response to crowds’ jeers and cat-calls, Street became even more over the top, skipping around the squared circle and giving lip-stick kisses to his opponents’ foreheads before slamming them onto the mat.
Street moved from Wales to Canada and the United States in the 80s, where his popularity rose even more.
After years of success in the ring, Street battled cancer and managed to defeat it in 2001, but it was not the last of his health problems.
“He’d had a heart problem a while ago which was resolved,” said Street’s wife, Linda. “But then he had a stroke earlier this month which resulted in a bleed on the brain. He was recovering from that at home when he developed colitis – a chronic inflammatory bowel disease – which later turned into sepsis. That’s what killed him.”
“It all came about so quick. I’ve still not come to terms with it yet,” she added.
Linda said she plans on cremating Street and scattering his ashes on the mountains near their home.