Legendary Wrestler “Exotic” Adrian Street Passes Away at 82

Legendary UK wrestler “Exotic” Adrian Street has passed away at the age of 82, according to The BBC. Street passed away today at The Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, England. He recently underwent brain surgery and the cause of death was sepsis that developed from a bout of colitis.

Street, who debuted in the 1950s, had successful runs across Europe and North America. Alongside his wife and manager, Miss Linda, Street later ventured into designing and selling gear for professional wrestlers. Street estimated that he worked between 12,000 and 15,000 matches in his career, with his last match taking place in June 2014.

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H, a longtime fan of Street, tweeted a tribute to the legendary wrestler, saying, “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. My thoughts are with Miss Linda and the family, friends, and fans of Adrian Street.”

WWE also issued a statement on Street’s passing, remembering him as a flamboyant wrestler who entertained audiences and reimagined what was possible in sports-entertainment. Street, born the son of a coal miner in Wales, had a nearly 60-year career that spanned the globe. He competed as Kid Tarzan before being introduced to the world as “Exotic” Adrian Street, making his way to the ring adorned in pastels and glitter with his glam-rock entrance music providing the perfect soundtrack. Street worked in various promotions across the UK, Germany, Mexico, and Canada before settling in the Continental Championship Wrestling promotion in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to his in-ring career, Street is credited with designing the gear worn by Mick Foley’s “Dude Love” during his rivalry with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. He 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.

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