Smash (wrestler)

Barry Darsow

Darsow as Demolition Smash in 2008.
Born (1959-10-06) October 6, 1959[1]
Minneapolis, Minnesota[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Barry Darsow
Tsar Mongo
The Blacktop Bully[2]
Crusher Darsow[2]
Krusher Khruschev[2]
Mr Hole-In-One[2]
Repo Man[2]
Demolition Smash[2]
Billed height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Billed weight 292 lb (132 kg)[1]
Billed from Parts Unknown (as Smash)
The Motor City (as Repo man)
Trained by Eddie Sharkey[2]
Karl Gotch
Debut 1983

Barry Darsow[2] (born October 6, 1959)[1] is an American semi-retired professional wrestler who performs as Smash, one half of the tag team Demolition. He has also wrestled as Krusher Khruschev, Repo Man, The Blacktop Bully and "Mr. Hole in One" Barry Darsow.[3] Throughout his career he worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and several regional promotions in the 1980s and 1990s. He is a four-time former world tag team champion, winning three WWF World Tag Team Championships as part of Demolition and one NWA World Tag Team Championship as part of a three-man team with Ivan and Nikita Koloff (although the NWA no longer recognizes any former tag team champions prior to 1992; Darsow's championship is considered part of the WCW World tag team championship lineage), and a one-time NWA United States Tag Team Champion.

Early life

Darsow attended high school in Robbinsdale, Minnesota with six other future wrestlers: Curt Hennig, Richard Rood (Rick Rude), Brady Boone, Tom Zenk, John Nord (The Berzerker), and Scott Simpson (Nikita Koloff).[4] He also worked as a bouncer with The Road Warriors, Hawk and Animal.

Professional wrestling career

Darsow made his debut in Hawaii as Tsar Mongo, before a short stint in New Zealand.[2] He returned to Hawaii, before he began wrestling in 1983 in Georgia for Georgia Championship Wrestling before moving in 1984 to Mid-South Wrestling as Crusher Darsow, a turncoat American who was now a Soviet sympathizer and a tag team partner of Nikolai Volkoff.[2] He changed his name to Krusher Khruschev and won the first ever Mid-South Television Title in a tournament by beating Terry Taylor in the finals on May 2, 1984 but lost it to Taylor on June 16, 1984. Darsow moved on to Florida Championship Wrestling where he teamed with Jim Neidhart.[2] They won the Florida United States Tag Team Titles on October 11, 1984 from Hector Guerrero and Cocoa Samoa.[5] The team held them until December 1984, when they lost them to Mark and Jay Youngblood.[5]

Jim Crockett Promotions (1985–1987)

Krusher moved on to the National Wrestling Alliance to work for Jim Crockett, Jr. in December 1984. He was awarded a third of the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship with Ivan Koloff and Nikita Koloff. The Koloffs had already won the NWA World Tag Team Championship and Ivan declared that any two of them could defend the titles.[2] They feuded with The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) and The Road Warriors. On July 9, 1985, he and Ivan lost the NWA Tag Titles to the Rock 'N Roll Express.

At Starrcade 1985, on November 28, Krusher won the vacant NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship by defeating Sam Houston.[6][7] On January 11, 1986, Krusher severely injured his knee in a match with Houston on TBS. He lost the title to Houston and had to take almost six months off to recover.

When Krusher returned, Nikita was feuding with Magnum T.A. for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship. On August 17, 1986, Krusher helped Nikita win the title in the final match of a Best of 7 series by holding the referee while Nikita used his "Russian" chain on Magnum. After helping Nikita defeat Magnum, Krusher and Ivan targeted the new NWA United States Tag Team Championship, which was to be awarded to the winners of a tournament. They reached the finals, held on September 26, 1986, and defeated the Kansas Jayhawks (Dutch Mantel and Bobby Jaggers) with Nikita's help to become the first US Tag Team Champions.

In October 1986, Magnum T.A. had a car accident that ended his career, and after admitting that he respected his one-time rival, Nikita turned his back on Ivan and Krusher to team with Magnum's good friend, Dusty Rhodes. Krusher and Ivan briefly feuded with Nikita and Rhodes but primarily defended their titles in rematches against Mantel and Jaggers. On December 9, 1986, they lost the US Tag Titles to Ron Garvin and Barry Windham. Darsow's contract eventually ran out and he left Jim Crockett Promotions.

World Wrestling Federation

Demolition (1987–1991)

Main article: Demolition

Darsow next went to the World Wrestling Federation. He was brought into the company to be part of the tag team Demolition, which had originally consisted of Bill Eadie as Ax and Randy Colley, who had been one of The Moondogs, as Smash. Darsow was tabbed as the new Smash after Colley, who wore face paint like Eadie did as part of his character, was deemed too recognizable even in disguise due to fans chanting "Moondog" at him whenever Demolition wrestled.[3][8] At first, they were managed by Johnny Valiant, but he was soon replaced by Mr. Fuji. Their initial feuds involved the team of Ken Patera and Billy Jack Haynes, and Strike Force (Tito Santana and Rick Martel).

On March 27, 1988 at WrestleMania IV, they defeated Strike Force to win their first WWF World tag team title, which they held for a record 16 months.[4][9] They later lost Mr. Fuji as he left to manage their newest rivals, The Powers of Pain (The Barbarian and The Warlord). The double turn at Survivor Series '88 was the solution to the massive popularity being enjoyed by Demolition, who were designed to be the heels in their rivalry with the Powers of Pain.

They lost the WWF Tag Team Title to Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard, known as The Brain Busters, on the July 29, 1989 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event.[10] They regained the title on October 2, but lost them to The Colossal Connection (Haku and André the Giant) on December 13.[11] They defeated the Connection at WrestleMania VI on April 1, 1990 to become the third full-time team to win three titles in WWF history.[12][13] The duo was joined by Crush (Brian Adams) later in 1990, making them a 3-man tag team and the second team Darsow had been involved in whose title reign operated under the Freebird Rule. Ax began appearing in a managerial role which was to eventually lead to the phasing out of the character.[4] Demolition lost the titles to The Hart Foundation at SummerSlam '90.[14] After a feud with Legion of Doom, the team dropped down the card and would disband in the spring of 1991, with Crush leaving the WWF for a year and Smash wrestling as a singles wrestler,[4] primarily in house show undercards, where he was used to elevate other stars, such as Kerry Von Erich, Greg Valentine and Ricky Steamboat. His only victories during this run came over Jim Powers and Shane Douglas. He also appeared under a mask as an unnamed man hired by Ted DiBiase to wrestle Virgil on the August 18, 1991 SummerSlam Spectacular special. His final recorded match as Smash would occur on August 24, 1991, getting pinned by The British Bulldog.

Repo Man (1991–1993)

In late 1991, Darsow was repackaged as Repo Man, a ubiquitous, sneaky heel character who delighted in repossessing items such as cars from people when they were late on (or unable to make) their payments. Repo Man wore a black Lone Ranger Zorro-like Domino mask and an outfit with tire tracks on them, and had mannerisms similar to Frank Gorshin's portrayal of The Riddler. He always carried a tow rope that he would tie up opponents with after defeating them and then assault them after. The character was actually the idea of Darsow himself, who once previously had a job repossessing cars.[15]

Shortly after his debut, he was hired by Ted DiBiase to help him defeat Virgil for the Million Dollar Championship,[16] leading to a series of matches with Virgil. At the This Tuesday in Texas pay-per-view, Repo Man and DiBiase defeated Virgil and Tito Santana.[17] Repo Man made a memorable appearance at the 1992 Royal Rumble, sneaking to the ring and eliminating Nikolai Volkoff and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine before eventually being eliminated by The Big Boss Man.[18] He also appeared at WrestleMania VIII, teaming with The Mountie and The Nasty Boys to be defeated by The Big Boss Man, Virgil, Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Sgt. Slaughter.[19]

Repo Man's most notable feud was with The British Bulldog in mid-1992, sparked by Repo Man hanging the Bulldog over the ring ropes with his tow rope on the May 3, 1992 episode of Wrestling Challenge. The two had a series of house show matches as well as a match on Prime Time Wrestling, all of which saw Bulldog come out victorious. Repo Man lost a match to former partner Crush at SummerSlam,[20] though it was never acknowledged on television that Repo Man was actually Smash. Repo Man also had a short feud with Randy Savage in January 1993 when he stole Savage's hat on an episode of Monday Night Raw. The two had a match the following week, which Savage won.[1] Repo Man made his final PPV appearance at the 1993 Royal Rumble, where he was eliminated by Savage.[21] Originally, Darsow had planned that after a run as a villain, Repo Man would become an heroic character. However, the turn never happened.[15] His final recorded match in the WWF would be on March 28, 1993, a loss to Typhoon.

Independent Association of Wrestling (1993)

In 1993, Darsow joined the IAW promotion where he teamed with Paul Roma to win the IAW Tag Team titles on February 4, 1993 (while he was still on the WWF roster). They held them until July 24, when they lost them to The Iron Sheik and Brian Costello.

World Championship Wrestling (1994–1995)

Darsow went to WCW in 1994 where he was always seen in the front row with a blow horn making noise and berating the faces while they wrestled. He was soon "arrested" for pushing Dustin Rhodes. Col. Rob Parker bailed him out and he became The Blacktop Bully, with Parker as his manager. He feuded with Rhodes but was fired after Uncensored 1995, when he and Rhodes both bladed (which was against WCW's 'no-blood' policy) during a "King of the Road" match in the back of a moving flatbed truck.[1][22]

Independent circuit (1995–1997)

From there, he went to Pro Wrestling America in Minnesota to feud with Wahoo McDaniel and Tom Zenk. He next appeared in the American Wrestling Federation, with Jimmy Valiant's wife Big Mama as his valet. The AWF folded at the beginning of 1997.

Return to WCW (1997–1999)

Darsow returned to WCW in October 1997. Initially, he competed under his real name, appearing in the undercard as a heel, mostly on programs like WCW Saturday Night and WCW Worldwide. In October 1998, he was repackaged as Mr. Hole-In-One and later "Putting" Barry Darsow, a villainous golf player. He often entered the ring in casual wear and a flat cap as if ready to golf and, prior to matches, would offer his opponents a victory if they could make a putt in the ring, often only to sneak attack the opponent.[1][3] Darsow feuded with "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Chris Adams during this time, typically on Saturday Night.[1] Darsow's golf gimmick lasted until late 1999, when he briefly returned to his Blacktop Bully gimmick before leaving the company.

Return to the independent circuit (2000-present)

Darsow as Demolition Smash at a Jersey All Pro Wrestling show in 2009.

Darsow joined the WXO promotion run by Ted DiBiase. He feuded with Mike Enos until it folded shortly after in 2001.[2] That same year, Darsow made a special WWF appearance at WrestleMania X-Seven for the gimmick battle royal as the "Repo Man".[23]

The Millennium Wrestling Federation (MWF) helped reunite Darsow with his partner Ax as Demolition and the two appeared at the Wrestling Living Legend's reunion in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in March 2007. On the March 2008 MWF Ultra television program, Darsow, as "Demolition Smash" teamed with former WCW wrestler Rick Fuller to defeat Ox Baker's Army in a tag team casket match.[24]

On Raw XV, on the 15th-anniversary WWE Raw special on December 10, 2007, a bald Darsow participated in the 15th Anniversary Battle Royal under his "Repo Man" persona.[25]

Alongside Ax and One Man Gang, he competed in the Chikara King of the Trios Tournament in 2008, but were eliminated in the second round by "The Fabulous Three" (Larry Sweeney, Mitch Ryder and Shayne Hawke).

Darsow still competes on the independent circuit to this day with fellow Demolition member Ax. They are currently the GLCW and USXW Tag Team Champions.

On March 12, 2011 Darsow is scheduled to make his Dynamic Wrestling Alliance debut at Dynamic Destiny 2011 teaming with Demolition Ax as they take on another former WWF World Tag Team combination, The Dream Team (Greg "The Hammer" Valentine & Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake).[26]

On May 21, 2011 Demolition reunited at Full Impact Pro's debut iPPV In Full Force. Their match against Tony DeVito and Ralph Mosco went to a no contest when local commentator and manager Larry Dallas came out and said his men wanted revenge. The ring was stormed by Manu, Sami Callihan, Blain Rage and Joey Attel. Demolition, Devito and Mosco managed to clear the ring and beat Dallas to end the show.[27]

Demolition returned to Chikara on September 16, 2012, taking part in a tag team gauntlet match, from which they eliminated The Devastation Corporation (Blaster McMassive and Max Smashmaster), before being eliminated themselves by their old WWF rivals, the Powers of Pain.[28]

Outside wrestling and in popular culture

Darsow balances his time between wrestling, his two businesses, his family, and the golf course. Darsow owns Added Value Printing, a printing company that specializes in hard-hats and medical supplies, and also sells real estate.[3] In December 2008, Darsow's son, Dakota, signed a developmental contract with WWE.[29] Darsow has worked with the Millennium Wrestling Federation (MWF)'s efforts with the Special Olympics. Darsow is good friends with Arn Anderson, Barry Horowitz, Bill Irwin, and Brad Rheingans.[2] He was also good friends with Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, Brady Boone, Dino Bravo, and Brian Adams.[2]

Japanese band Aural Vampire produced a song called "The Repoman" and use video footage of Darsow and other wrestlers in live performances. Former Ring of Honor performer Adam Pearce is often heckled by fans who call him "Repo Man" because he looks similar to Darsow. At one match in 2007, at the pay-per-view taping for Driven, against Takeshi Morishima, Pearce pulled a mask similar to the Repo Man's out of his tights and put it on to the delight of the crowd.

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

1 The Koloffs won the tag team titles and then brought Darsow (as Krusher Khruschev) in and, using the "Freebird Rule", defended the titles in various combinations.

2 In Demolition's third reign as WWF Tag Team Champions, Ax and Smash were joined by Crush, forming a three-man team and defending the titles under the Freebird Rule

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Barry Darsow Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on 17 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Oliver, Greg. "Barry Darsow: Happy to be done wrestling; Reflecting on a long list of characters". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Hoffman, Brett (2007-02-28). "Where Are They Now? - Catching up with Smash". SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on 25 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Clevett, Jason (2007-04-26). "Fan fests bring Demolition back together". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  5. 1 2 3 "N.W.A. United States Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  6. ↑ "NWA Starcade 1985 - "The Gathering"". Online World of Wrestling. 1985-11-28. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  7. 1 2 Bourne, Dick. "The Definitive History of the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship". Mid-Atlantic Wrestling. Archived from the original on 31 December 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  8. ↑ Wrestlecrap.com induction of original Demolition, "featuring Bill Eadie and Pizza Face".
  9. 1 2 "History of the World Tag Team Championship - Demolition (1)". WWE. Archived from the original on 18 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  10. ↑ "Saturday Night's Main Event Results". WWE. 1989-07-18. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  11. 1 2 "History of the World Tag Team Championship - Demolition (2)". WWE. Archived from the original on 19 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  12. ↑ "WrestleMania VI". WWE. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  13. 1 2 "History of the World Tag Team Championship - Demolition (3)". WWE. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  14. ↑ "SummerSlam 1990 Results". WWE. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  15. 1 2 "Chewin' the Turnbuckle with Smash/Repo Man". The Herald News.
  16. 1 2 Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. Dorling Kindersley. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  17. ↑ "WWF This Tuesday in Texas results/info". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  18. ↑ "WWF Royal Rumble 1992 entrant/elimination info". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  19. ↑ "2008 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s Historical Cards: WrestleMania VIII (Kappa Publishing). 2008. p. 120.
  20. ↑ "WWF SummerSlam 1992 results/info". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  21. ↑ "WWF Royal Rumble 1993 entrant/elimination info". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  22. ↑ "Uncensored 1995". Online World of Wrestling. 1995-03-19. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  23. ↑ "WrestleMania X-Seven Results". WWE. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  24. ↑ "MWF Ultra & MWF Xtra Television Web-Casts". BostonWrestling. Archived from the original on 20 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  25. ↑ Plummer, Dale (2007-12-10). "Raw: Nostalgia show quite the (beer) blast". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  26. ↑ "DWA official site". Dynamic Wrestling Alliance.
  27. ↑ "Full Force 2011 results". Dragon Gate USA forum. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
  28. ↑ "Past results". Chikara. Retrieved 2012-09-16.
  29. ↑ Hyatt, Missy. "Missy Hyatt on wrestling conventions, women's wrestling, indy scene, more". Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  30. ↑ "1995 WCW results". Retrieved 2012-04-21. WCW @ Atlanta, GA - Center Stage Theatre - February 8, 1995; The Blacktop Bully (w/ Col. Rob Parker & Meng) defeated Buddy Wayne via submission with the Breaker 1-9 at 1:59; WCW @ Gainesville, GA - Georgia Mountains Center - February 21, 1995; The Blacktop Bully (w/ Col. Rob Parker) defeated Kenny Kendall via submission at 2:45 with the Breaker 1-9; WCW @ Milwaukee, WI - Eagle's Auditorium - February 24, 1995; The Blacktop Bully (w/ Col. Rob Parker & Meng) defeated Larry Santo via submission at 5:10 with the Breaker 1-9; WCW @ Atlanta, GA - Center Stage Theatre - March 7, 1995; Blacktop Bully (w/ Col. Rob Parker) defeated Leroy Howard via submission at 2:57 with the Breaker 1-9
  31. ↑ "Finishing Moves List". Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  32. ↑ "1992 WWF results". Retrieved 2012-04-21. WWF @ Syracuse, NY - War Memorial - April 29, 1992; Repo Man defeated Jay Sledge via submission with a half crab at 1:17; WWF @ Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena - May 19, 1992; Repo Man defeated Brian Costello via submission with a half crab at 1:45; WWF @ Ottawa, Ontario - Civic Center - June 2, 1992; Repo Man defeated Joe McMullen via submission with a half crab at 1:30; WWF @ Glens Falls, NY - Civic Center - June 29, 1992; Repo Man defeated Greg Starr via submission at 1:30 with a half crab; WWF @ Binghamton, NY - Broome County Arena - June 30, 1992; Repo Man defeated Phil Apollo via submission with a half crab at 1:12; WWF @ Nashville, TN - Municipal Auditorium - August 11, 1992; Repo Man defeated Major Yates via submission with a half crab at 1:58; WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - September 2, 1992; Repo Man defeated Kerry Davis via submission at 2:02 with a half crab; WWF @ Brandon, Manitoba - Keystone Centre - September 22, 1992; Repo Man defeated Steve May via submission with a half crab at 3:13
  33. ↑ "1986 Jim Crockett Promotions results". Retrieved 2012-04-21. JCP @ Atlanta, GA - WTBS Studios - November 16, 1986; NWA US Tag Team Champion Khrusher Kruschev pinned Keith Patterson at the 29-second mark with the Russian Sickle
  34. ↑ "Demolition Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on 30 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-11.

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