Imagine What He Could’ve Done To You!

Exotic Adrian Street was a wrestler who I became a bigger and bigger fan of with each bit of his story that I learned. His was a name that I knew mainly through magazines and maybe from one or two tape appearances. Despite his being a star throughout the 80s, his appearances never lined up with the wrestling that I watched. We all know the WWF’s gender-bending “Adorable” Adrian Adonis, but what about the originator? Back then I’d often wondered if there was any connection between “Exotic” Adrian and “Adorable” Adrian. While I’m sure that many would claim otherwise, I’ve always felt that “The Adorable One” was in fact the WWF’s answer to “The Exotic One.”

At 5’7, Adrian Street was a bit shorter than even some of the WWF’s smallest stars such as Koko B. Ware. It was the land of the giants then and it doesn’t surprise me that the act of Exotic Adrian and Miss Linda didn’t make it to WWF rings. The WWF’s loss was the rest of the wrestling world’s gain. Incredible devotion to a gimmick, a great and unique talker, built-in valet (who could also get involved) and a look like no other. That’s what drew me to Street even if he wasn’t part of the organizations that I was most familiar with.

Despite not being with the WWF, Street knew that his visage was marketable. With the styled hair, outlandish makeup and even more flamboyant costumes, Street made an impact wherever he went. When his homeland of the United Kingdom was no longer big enough for the character, Street and Linda came to the United States to ply their trade in many of the most successful wrestling territories of the day.  Mid-South, Stampede in Calgary, Memphis and Continental in Alabama are just a few of the areas that got a taste of what Exotic Adrian could do to them.

Street did cross through the doors of Jim Crockett Promotions and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling for a time but ultimately didn’t make a huge impact. It’s surprising as that is where I could’ve seen him becoming a true household name in the U.S. as opposed to the WWF which may have toned down the character too much. Then again, with things like Adorable Adrian, Rude Awakenings and even The Bobby Heenan Show, Street may have been able to get away with more than one would think had he went to “New York.”

As mentioned above, Street did know marketing. He and Linda released an album “Shake, Wrestle ‘N’ Roll” with a backup band known only as “The Pile Drivers.” In recent years Street commissioned a figure which could fit right in with the Galoob WCW line. Due to its uniqueness in the years just before the “boutique” figure lines started popping up, the Exotic Adrian figure was named Figure Of The Year on this very blog. He and Linda certainly deserve a turn at modern articulated figures as well. Maybe we can get PowerTown on that.

I had the pleasure of meeting Adrian and Linda several times as well as corresponding with them. You could not meet two nicer people in or out of the wrestling business. My thoughts and prayers go out to Miss Linda following Adrian’s passing last week. A brighter and more flamboyant territorial legend there never was nor never will be.

"Exotic" Adrian Street

1940-2023

And The 2019 "Figure Of The Year" Is...

And what does the year boil down to? Why it's "Wrestling Figure of the Year," of course! Once again collectors were inundated with plastic representations of their favorites from yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Some stars saw their first time being immortalized in such a way while others made their first journey into the toy box in quite some time. Before we get to the winner (as far as this blog is concerned), we'll take a brief look at some other possible choices.

When you're talking wrestling figures, you have to be talking Mattel. Unfortunately, the company which holds the WWE license decided to louse up a lot of the fun of collecting by making many of the most desirable characters limited. This practice looks to be continuing into 2020 much to the pleasure of no one. Two great figures were released in that asinine way, those being Pat Patterson and Sensational Queen Sherri. Patterson saw his first ever action figure in an over 60 year career while Sherri saw only her third and arguably coolest.

Mattel brought other characters back with "Ultimate" editions. While there was a separate figure line called "WWE Ultimate Edition," I was ultimately more partial to the most recent release of "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. Included in the now cancelled "WWE RetroFest" line designed to evoke memories of the WWF WrestleFest video games, Mattel's newest Duggan figure reflects three different periods in the brawlers WWF career. Depending on which accessories you use, ol' Hacksaw can wear his late '80s t-shirt, his regal "King Duggan" crown from 1989, or his 1993 singlet. They even created an all-new "tongue out" head to recreate some of Hacksaw's goofier moments.

The company most famous for Barbie wasn't done there with creating cool figures or cancelling cool figure lines. At long last, "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel made his debut in the WWE Retro figure line. The line was virtually a continuation of the legendary Hasbro WWF figure collection of the 1990s. While Diesel was planned for that line, the figure never saw the light of day. In 2019 Diesel was finally produced in the beloved style...and the line was abruptly cancelled. Thanks again, Mattel.

But the constant disappointment from Mattel didn't damper 2019. Bringing smiles to many was the company Mego, brought back to life a year earlier by its original founder Marty Abrams. Though the company originally began creating action figures a half century earlier, it wasn't until 2019 that Mego introduced its first wrestling figure. Who better to start with than Andre the Giant? While the mammoth Frenchman wasn't quite as lifelike as other releases, the figure included a certain charm that only the classic Mego figure style can capture.

But enough with the runners up. The 2019 "Figure of the Year" is...

Exotic Adrian Street! Yes, in a shocking and unexpected move fitting from the Welsh grappler, the flamboyant and gender-bending wrestler had his own figure produced. While clicking his name in the labels below will bring you to a full review of the figure, what are you waiting for? Hop over to eBay and grab one for yourself. They're only available from Street himself!

2019 is over! Some are cheering, others are lamenting. Whichever camp you find yourself in, remember that 2020 should be even bigger in the wrestling figure world. Will the new NJPW figures prove to be major players? Will AEW reveal a figure line? Which legend will Mattel produce and screw us over on by making limited next? Let's watch the ball drop and find out!

Imagine What This Bizarre Little Figure Could Do To You

Sure we all fondly remember the all-too brief flowery antics of "Adorable" Adrian Adonis. We will also never forget the name, or career, of Goldust. But going back in the history of men wearing makeup and long blonde locks into the ring, there's one guy who started it all. The original wrestling "gender bender" was Exotic Adrian Street. While he may never have had that classic WWF or WCW run that so many others did, there's no discounting his career and contributions to the business. Now, in somewhat of a surprise at this point in the game, The Exotic One has his own action figure.

In my several times meeting Exotic Adrian and his wife/valet Miss Linda, the two have been extremely kind and gracious. They're engaging, talkative, and seem to really enjoy meeting the fans. They've also always had an online presence, especially for their wrestling gear business. Though I had heard that the couple had returned to Wales, I did not know of their latest merchandising venture. Yes, an Exotic Adrian Street action figure had been born. Sold exclusively on eBay from the Streets themselves, I had to have one. Thankfully, they will ship to the United States.

For as much as having an action figure independently produced has to cost, this figure is very reasonably priced for us collectors. The first thing that's notable is that the packaging is truly collector friendly. The box closes nicely, but there isn't any tape or seal so that you can essentially remove and replace the figure as much as you'd like. The window box is nice, and as a bonus both Adrian and Linda sign the package on the back in a spot specially left for signatures. Three photos of the couple appear on the box, as does the title of Street's self-performed theme, "Imagine What I Could Do To You."

The figure itself is very reminiscent of the Japanese wrestling figures of
fifteen years ago or the Galoob WCW line. Similar to those lines, it isn't far off in scale from the Hasbro WWF or Mattel Retro WWE figures, either. Like the former two lines, there isn't much movement here. The arms look to have been produced as separate pieces, but they do not move. I would have preferred a more flamboyant pose seeing as there isn't arm movement, but hey, that only leaves room open for a sequel.

The detail and paint are amazing for a figure that had to have been produced on a small scale. Adrian's hair, makeup, and tattoos are all on point. A colorful pallet was chosen for his gear, with a wide variety of colors going from front to back. There's only one person in the world that this figure could be and that's Exotic Adrian Street.

There hasn't been a lot of fanfare surrounding this figure to my knowledge. I certainly hadn't heard of it until I stumbled upon it on eBay. This is the only licensed figure of Exotic Adrian. Every legend should have a figure as so many wrestlers do now who will never attain a similar status. Instead of going with the larger companies, the Streets did it this way and hit a home run. I must say that it was the collecting shocker of the year for me to even find out that it existed. I don't know how many were produced, but I would advise getting one now if you want one. How could you pass it up when it's coming directly to you from the star himself, autographed to boot? And if this "bizarre one" does well, I would love to see second and third entries into the "series": Miss Linda and Adrian in full entrance regalia.

Wrestling action figure collections worldwide have just been turned upside down!

Farewell To Fanfest Part II--"Memorabilia, Memories, Folks, & Flavors"

Mid-Atlantic Fanfest.  NWA Fanfest.  Charlotte Fanfest.  No matter what name you knew it by, if you ever had the opportunity to attend, you likely had the time of your life.  Last week's blog entry was a "goodbye" of sorts to the event which is said to have had its final installment just a few weeks ago.  This week we're taking a look at that last blowout in the Queen City.  Four days of wrestling legends, friends, and even food is a lot to capture, but if even a small portion of the fun is conveyed in the next few paragraphs, then my mission is accomplished.

For many fans who are also collectors, autographs and photo opportunities are a major part of the event.  Dozens of wrestling legends, current names, and up-and-comers are on-hand to create a true "rasslin' melting pot."  One could argue that Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, and Arn Anderson were positioned as this years headliners, but everyone has their own favorites.  Rare appearances by territorial stars like "Number One" Paul Jones and Exotic Adrian Street and wife/valet Miss Linda were among the most exciting names for me, as was the convention debut of "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Rey.  The former member of "The Heavenly Bodies" was able to get away from his post-wrestling career to reunite with Dr. Tom Prichard and Jim Cornette much to the delight of fans.

After being unable to appear at 2013's Fanfest due to family reasons, Ole Anderson made his return to Charlotte.  Ever since my first time at the event in 2004, Ole has come across as the exact opposite of how he is portrayed by many who are allegedly "in the know."  Sure he's salty tongued and opinionated, but very few are as willing to tirelessly sign autographs, pose for photos, and tell stories as Ole is.  Despite a continued battle with multiple sclerosis and not having an official signing time, Ole's friends and family positioned the former champion's wheelchair in the hallway several times so that "The Rock" could spend as much time with fans as he could.  You can tell that, like many of the other stars, the adulation of the fans transports Ole back to his days of ruling the ring.

Another rare appearance was made on Sunday morning, when Bill Mercer was brought in to Fanfest as a vendor guest.  The 88-year-old Mercer still seems as sharp as a tack and even looks very similar to how he did during his days as the voice of World Class Championship Wrestling.  Mr. Mercer also has a place in history as part of one of the most fascinating periods of the 20th century--the JFK assassination.  Shortly before he, himself, was assassinated, Lee Harvey Oswald was held at Dallas police headquarters being charged with the slaying of JFK. Reporters were positioned throughout the building and were able to ask Oswald a question or two as he was shuttled between rooms.  One of those questions, caught on camera, was asked by Bill Mercer.  There is something about the legendary voices of wrestling's past such as Bob Caudle, Lance Russell, and Mercer.  The class that they each portrayed on television was far from an act.

Many of the vendors are actually stars themselves.  Jimmy Valiant, The Rock N Roll Express, "Fantastic" Bobby Fulton, and Jim Cornette were among those who set up shop.  Cornette again combined his space with Memphis historian and author Mark James.  If you did not come away with a book or relic from either gentleman, you missed a great opportunity.  Of course, Cornette would sign autographs or pose for photos even if you did not spend a dime.  He's another one of those opinionated yet often misunderstood stars of the glory days that often gets a bad rep.

It's always interesting to see just what fans are going after at Fanfest as far as the vendor room is concerned. The latest book or DVD?  A rare treasure from the past?  Maybe an action figure or two to take home for the kids.  As is usually the case at Fanfest, a variety of all was available.  Some of the most treasured items in my own collection were found over the years at Fanfest.  The thrill and wonder of just what would be uncovered each year is yet another important aspect of the show that I will miss.

One regret of the Charlotte-held Fanfests that I have attended was that I was unable to truly experience the city itself.  Due to the enormity of Fanfest, there just isn't enough time to explore the city at any length.  I do know that what little I have seen has made me realize that Charlotte is a place that deserves a separate visit. One of those experiences actually took place on the Friday and Saturday of this last Fanfest.  My crew, usually confined to quick meals each evening, decided to venture out for some true Carolina barbecue.  We found ourselves wandering into an establishment known as Old Hickory House.  The restaurant is like a step back in time, looking exactly as it must have at the beginning of its fifty-seven year history.  The food? Well, going two nights in a row should answer that.  My recommendation?  The large platter with ribs, chicken, pork, and beef, hush puppies, slaw, a bowl of Brunswick stew, and sweet tea.  You won't leave hungry.  You may not be able to stand for awhile, either.

Of course, what's wrestling without surprises?  Everyone was stunned to see David Crockett make an unannounced and rare appearance at Fanfest.  One of the voices of his father's wrestling product, Crockett was happy and maybe even a bit stunned that so many fans wanted photos and autographs.  Mr. Crockett's appearance was just another example of an experience that you just won't find anywhere else.

As is standard at Fanfest there were question and answer sessions, two separate nights of wrestling action, and other activities, but this year I believe the true attraction was making that connection.  With the word out long in advance that this would be the final event of this kind, I think that many fans tried their best to make it last as long as possible.  Whether it was meeting a long time idol or rekindling an old friendship, no one was taking the connections for granted.  Longtime wrestling fans have learned the hard way that the words "See you again" are often just that--words.  No one is guaranteed a tomorrow.  At Fanfest 2014, I believe that the special moments and opportunities presented were appreciated just a bit more.

This week and last, as well as any of my other writings regarding Fanfest over the years, are just a small glimpse into what the event was all about.  Not "is" about.  As difficult as it is for all of us to accept, Fanfest is now in the past tense.  There is no more "see you next year" or wondering which wrestling legends will appear next August.  The event itself now perfectly reflects the time period which it celebrates.  Both are nothing but memories.  My memories?  Ghosting through my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, back in 2004, as my first Fanfest was held later that weekend.  Tossing, turning, and being unable to sleep for over a month in advance due to my anticipation of returning to Charlotte in 2009.  Meeting stars from all aspects of the wrestling business and seeing them enjoy themselves as much as all of the fans that I met from all over the world.  That was Fanfest.  Often imitated.  Never, ever, duplicated.

Farewell To Fanfest Part I--"Soul"

 Ten years is a long time for any venture to last.  Greg Price's Fanfest has done just that.  What is it that kept twelve shows alive in the span of a decade?  The talent.  The promoters.  The fans.  All are suitable answers.  Jim Cornette has often been quoted as saying that the Mid-Atlantic territory was the greatest wrestling territory of all-time.  He cites the amazing array of talent and a rabid fanbase as to what made it great.  Those same fans, and many of us who wish that we could have been part of it, kept the spirit of the promotion alive and transferred that love into what made Fanfest equally great.  But Fanfest had something that other similar events didn't.  That one ingredient?  Soul.

This past weekend, hundreds of fans enjoyed what was said to be the final Fanfest.  It delivered what Fanfest has become famous for being: a wrestling fan's dream weekend.  It never mattered whether you were a fan of the Mid-Atlantic territory or not.  Any wrestling devotee could enjoy what was brought to the table over the several day extravaganza.  Legends, current stars, and up-and-comers in the wrestling business all came together to deliver something that, despite their best efforts, WWE will never be able to recreate, nor would they probably care to.

Walking down a hall at the Charlotte University Place Hilton last weekend would have displayed any and all of these scenarios: wrestlers reuniting with wrestlers, fans catching up with other fans, fans rushing off to catch that next photo op or autograph session.  Off to the side of one hallway, the often-misunderstood Ole Anderson sits in a wheelchair, obviously enjoying signing autographs and posing for pictures for fans.  In fact, he would rather tell the fans stories than pause for lunch.  Sounds a bit different than what you have read elsewhere on the Internet, doesn't it?  Just a few feet away in a large ballroom, Jimmy Valiant is catching up with Exotic Adrian Street and Miss Linda.  On the other side of the ballroom, Matt Hardy and Reby Sky are meeting fans of all ages.

While men like Dusty Rhodes, Arn Anderson, and Ricky Steamboat were "main event" level attractions, every legend appearing at Fanfest is treated as a superstar by both the fans and other wrestlers.  Egos and grudges are pushed aside to give the fan an untarnished experience.  In this day and age, fans know that it was the undercard wrestlers who had quite an instrumental hand in making the big names as memorable as they are today.  Occasionally, such as in the case of The Mulkey Brothers, those journeymen stars are equally as ingrained in fans memories.

As I rubbed elbows with so many of wrestling's greats last weekend, I thought back to Fanfests of the past. Without this amazing event, I never would have had the opportunity to meet such greats as Jackie Fargo, Gary Hart, Ernie Ladd, and Billy Robinson.  I would not have gotten a hug from Sherri Martel or had dinner with Sir Oliver Humperdink.  I would not have seen the Four Horsemen reunite before my very eyes or the final appearance of the Fabulous Fargos.  It's things like these that other events of its kind, or WWE, will never deliver.  It just isn't in the business model anywhere else.  The "it" being, of course, soul.

In the days following Fanfest, social media became a hub of photos and memories.  It was interesting to note that cries of "This can't be the final Fanfest" came equally as often from fans and wrestlers alike.  Although there are other reunions for wrestlers themselves, many absolutely love Fanfest for its ability to combine reuniting with other wrestlers and finally getting to meet so many longtime fans.  As is often forgotten in other entertainment industries, wrestlers do not necessarily stay in touch after their time in the business is over.  Just like when a television program or movie wraps, everyone goes their separate ways.  Seeing the wrestlers relive those long days and nights on the road together is often a treasure in itself.

Next week, we'll take a closer look at the 2014 edition of Fanfest.  Memories, memorabilia, sights, and even tastes!  As for now, however, I'd like to offer my personal thanks to Mr. Greg Price.  Almost all has been said over the past few days following the great event, but it's worth repeating.  Thank you for the seven amazing Fanfests that I was able to attend.  I truly had the full experience, attending the November 2004 Tribute to Starrcade, the 2006 Capitol Legends Fanfest, the 2011 Last Battle of Atlanta, and four other Charlotte Fanfests.  Each had their own feel, flavor, and countless memories that I'll never let go of.  Most of all, despite not being born until after so much of this great wrestling that we celebrate had already taken place, I was made to feel as if I was part of it.  I was able to experience that soul.  If this is indeed the end, I'm glad that I will be able to pass that soul on and keep those grand territorial wrestling memories going as long as I can.

Join us again next week for more Mid-Atlantic Memories!