R.I.P Wrestling legend Exotic Adrian Street dies at 82

[LionDen]

Wrestling star Adrian Street, 82, died last week following a stroke. Street began his wrestling career in 1957 under the ring monicker Kid Tarzan Jonathan before eventually using his birth name inside the squared circle. He competed for various promotions such as NWA Hollywood Wrestling, NWA Wrestle Birmingham, Mid-South Wrestling Association, Southeastern Championship Wrestling, All Star Wrestling, and Cauliflower Alley Club. Street won championships in all of the aforementioned territories. His early wrestling inspirations were Lou Thesz and Buddy Rogers. Street competed across countries like Germany, Canada and Mexico before eventually making his way to the states in the 1980s.

Adrian Street and Miss Linda

Street's wife, Linda, shared the news of her husband's passing on Monday.

"He was recovering from that at home when he developed colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, which later turned into sepsis," Linda told BBC. "That's what killed him. It all came about so quick. I've still not come to terms with it yet."

Adrian Street vs Mick McMichael World of Sport 1970's Wrestling

Street officially retired from professional wrestling in 2014. He estimated to have wrestled somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000 matches during his seven-decade career.

Support from the wrestling world has poured in for Street and his family. WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque paid tribute to the late wrestler on Twitter.

"A genre-bending pioneer whose larger-than-life presence and ruthlessness between the ropes changed the wrestling world forever. Honored to have called Adrian Street a friend," Triple H wrote.

Drew McIntyre also expressed his admiration for Street, calling him a "genuine trailblazer."

"Adrian Street was before his time, a genuine trailblazer and one of the toughest men you could wish to meet," McIntyre wrote. "My thoughts go out to his wife Linda & the rest of his family and friends. RIP."

WWE issued the following:

WWE is saddened to learn that Adrian Street has passed away.

Born the son of a coal miner in Wales, Street enjoyed a nearly 60-year career that spanned the globe, as his flamboyant style entertained audiences and reimagined what was possible in sports-entertainment.

After competing as Kid Tarzan, “Exotic” Adrian Street was introduced to the world in bold fashion, as Street would make his way to the ring adorned in pastels and glitter with his glam-rock entrance music providing the perfect soundtrack.

Accompanied by his long-time manager and future wife, Miss Linda, Street worked throughout the UK, Germany, Mexico and Canada before finally settling in the Continental Championship Wrestling promotion in Birmingham, Alabama.

Street estimated that he competed in somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000 matches, but his influence stretched well-beyond in-ring competition. Street is credited with designing the gear worn by Mick Foley’s “Dude Love” during his rivalry with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

Street also starred alongside Ron Perlman in the 1981 film “Quest for Fire” and performed in the band “The Pile Drivers.”

WWE extends its condolences to Street’s family, friends, and fans.

[LionDen]

Tweet's dedicated to Exotic Adrian Street:

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