36. Adrian Adonis

The bulk of Adrian’s career was spent as a leather clad biker who excelled in the tag team ranks and was known for his technical skills. That isn’t how he is best remembered. Like others before him, he was given the gimmick of a playing a homosexual, but nobody before or since had played as over the top as Adonis did. He claimed he was gay, wore granny dresses and wore garish makeup. He looked more like a fat cross dresser than anything that may be found in a gay pride parade but he was playing the perceived stereotype. His weight ballooned to the mid 300’s, yet his skill never waned. After his Wrestlemania III match with Roddy Piper, he was let go from the company and was killed in a car accident a year later. Regardless of what his gimmick was, Adrian Adonis should be best remembered as a great wrestler.

Should Adrian Adonis be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 75.9%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 10.3%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.4%

No opinion. - 1.5%

No way! - 6.9%

The Bullet Points

Other Aliases: Keith Franke (Real Name)
“Adorable” Adrian Adonis
Billed From: U.S.A. (New York City, NY)
Key Championships Held: AWA World Tag Team (w/Jesse Ventura)
NWA Americas Heavyweight
NWA Americas Tag Team (2) (1w/Black Gordman, 1w/Roddy Piper)
NWA Pacific North West Tag Team w/Ron Starr
WWF World Tag Team (w/Dick Murdoch)
Why they will get in: He was a competent worker whose best days were for Vince.
Why they won't get in: Are they ready to induct a wrestler whose biggest role was as a gay grappler.
Five Greatest Matches/Moments: 1. Won AWA Tag Title w/Jesse Ventura (7/20/80)
2. Won WWF World Tag Title w/Dick Murdoch (4/17/84)
3. Beat Hulk Hogan by DQ in a World Title Shot (6/26/86)
4. Teamed with Randy Savage in Steel Cage loss to Bruno Sammartino & Tito Santana at MSG (7/12/86)
5. Lost the Hair VS Hair match to Roddy Piper which to some was the most important event of the historic card (3/29/87)