Adrian Adonis was a flamboyant and charismatic professional wrestler who entertained millions of fans in the 1980s. He was best known for his controversial and colorful persona as “Adorable” Adrian Adonis, a cross-dressing villain who wore pink outfits and makeup. He was also a successful tag team wrestler, winning championships in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). However, his life and career were cut short in a devastating car accident on July 4, 1988. Here is the story of Adrian Adonis’ cause of death and how the wrestling world mourned his loss.
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Adrian Adonis’ Early Career and Success
Adrian Adonis was born as Keith Adonis Franke on September 15, 1953, in Buffalo, New York. He dropped out of high school and played football in the Canadian Football League before pursuing a wrestling career. He trained under Fred Atkins and debuted in 1974 under his real name. He later adopted the ring name Adrian Adonis and the character of a brawling biker.
He joined the AWA in 1979 and formed a tag team with Jesse Ventura called the East-West Connection. They won the AWA World Tag Team Championship and held it for nearly a year. They moved to the WWF in 1981, but Ventura retired due to injuries. Adonis then teamed up with Dick Murdoch as the North-South Connection and won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1984.
Adrian Adonis’ Controversial Gimmick Change
In 1985, Adonis underwent a drastic gimmick change that shocked and angered many fans. He ditched his leather jacket and adopted an effeminate and flamboyant persona as “Adorable” Adrian Adonis. He wore pink clothing and garish makeup, carried a hand mirror and a bouquet of flowers, and spoke in a high-pitched voice. He also had a new manager, Jimmy Hart, who called him “the prettiest man in wrestling”.
Adonis’ new character was widely seen as a mockery and a stereotype of the gay community, especially at a time when the AIDS epidemic was spreading fear and stigma. Adonis claimed that he was not gay, but rather a ladies’ man who liked to dress up. He also said that he was not trying to offend anyone, but rather to entertain and provoke a reaction.
Adonis’ gimmick was a success for the WWF, as he became one of the most hated and despised heels in the company. He feuded with popular wrestlers like Junkyard Dog, Hulk Hogan, and Roddy Piper. He also had his own talk show segment called “The Flower Shop”, where he interviewed and insulted other wrestlers.
Adrian Adonis’ Final Feud and Departure from the WWF
Adonis’ most memorable feud was with Piper, who had his own talk show segment called “Piper’s Pit”. The two traded insults and attacks on their respective shows, leading to a hair vs. hair match at WrestleMania III in 1987. Piper won the match and shaved Adonis’ head, humiliating him in front of a record crowd of 93,173 fans.
However, shortly after WrestleMania III, Adonis was fired by WWF owner Vince McMahon for unknown reasons. Some speculated that it was due to his weight gain, his drug use, or his refusal to lose to newcomer Bam Bam Bigelow. Adonis denied these rumors and said that he left on good terms with McMahon.
Adonis returned to the AWA briefly, but his ankle injury prevented him from competing in a major tournament. He then worked for various independent promotions, hoping to make a comeback to the big leagues.
Adrian Adonis’ Tragic Death in a Car Accident
On July 4, 1988, Adonis was traveling with three other wrestlers, Dave McKigney, Pat Kelly, and Victor Arko, to a show in Newfoundland, Canada. According to reports, their minivan swerved to avoid a moose on the road, but ended up crashing into a transport truck. Adonis, McKigney, and Kelly were killed instantly, while Arko survived with serious injuries. Adonis was only 34 years old.
Adonis’ death was a shock and a tragedy for the wrestling world, as he was one of the most talented and charismatic performers of his generation. He left behind a wife, Bea, and two children, Keith Jr. and Jimmy. He was also survived by his adoptive parents, Kenneth and Hortense Franke, and his sisters, Karen and Susan.
Adonis was buried in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, where he was honored by his family, friends, and fans. He was also remembered by his former colleagues and rivals in the wrestling industry, who praised his skills, his personality, and his legacy.
Adrian Adonis’ Legacy and Impact
Adrian Adonis was a pioneer and an innovator in the wrestling business, who pushed the boundaries of his craft and his character. He was a versatile and adaptable wrestler, who could work as a face or a heel, as a singles or a tag team wrestler, and as a brawler or a technician. He was also a charismatic and entertaining performer, who could captivate and engage the audience with his mic skills, his expressions, and his antics.
Adonis’ controversial and groundbreaking gimmick as “Adorable” Adrian Adonis was a risk that paid off, as he became one of the most memorable and influential characters in wrestling history. He challenged the norms and stereotypes of masculinity and sexuality in a conservative and macho industry, and paved the way for other wrestlers to explore and express their identities and personalities. He also inspired and influenced many wrestlers who followed him, such as Goldust, Gorgeous George, Rico, Orlando Jordan, and Velveteen Dream.
Adrian Adonis was a wrestling star who died too soon, but left a lasting impression on the wrestling world. He was a legend who will never be forgotten.
