Wrestling Icon Adrian Street Remembered for His Glamorous Persona and Love for America

_{Honouring a wrestling icon: Adrian Street during the premiere of his biopic in Wales. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

The wrestling world mourned the loss of one of its most flamboyant figures, Adrian Street, who passed away on July 24, 2023, at the age of 82 at Cwmbran's Grange University Hospital.

Street’s death followed a series of health complications, including brain surgery and chronic heart issues. What some may not know, however, is that Street was one of the figureheads and a huge inspiration for WWE and some of its greatest wrestlers. 

Street’s legacy was honoured in the 2019 biopic "You May Be Pretty, But I Am Beautiful," directed by award-winning filmmaker Joann Randles. The film explored Street’s vibrant life and the journey from a coal miner's son to a wrestling sensation. He dazzled audiences across America, found a receptive and adoring fan base and made friends (and enemies) with some of the biggest names in wrestling, some of whom are appearing at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas on April 20 and 21. 

Wrestler Proposed to Miss Linda at Riviera Hotel and Casino 

Street may have been violent in the ring, but he had a romantic side, especially during his unforgettable proposal to his long-time companion, Miss Linda, in Las Vegas in 2005.

The couple, who had shared a life together for over three decades, marked this special moment in front of friends at the annual Cauliflower Alley Club reunion at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

"For me, it doesn’t get better than this," Street said, revealing his love for Linda and their connection to the city that had become his second home. 

American audiences embraced Street, who claimed he made his mark as one of wrestling's greats while also becoming a cultural icon in the U.S. He often reflected on his early inspirations from wrestling magazines and spoke with nostalgia about his childhood heroes.

_{Street headlocking our reporter Alan Evans at the film premiere. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

Buddy Rogers; the Stanlee Brothers; the Tolos Brothers; the Grahams; Killer Kowalski; Yukon Eric; Antonino Rocca; and his favourite of all time, Don Leo Jonathan. "You guys, you rescued me," he said at the time in a tearful tribute during his proposal speech.  

A Pioneer and Cultural Icon 

Adrian Street first captured the attention of wrestling fans during ITV’s "World of Sport" in the 1970s. Street could rile even the gentlest granny into hurling abuse at the TV screen when he performed his antics of hair pulling and booting his opponents just for fair measure (and theatre) when they were on the canvas. 

_{Street and Miss Linda at the film premiere in his beloved Wales. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

Street and Linda made their North American debut in 1981. The two appeared in various areas in the territories in North America and finally settled in Ron Fuller's Continental Championship Wrestling (CCW) in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1985. 

Early on, Street worked as a heel against Austin Idol, Wendell Cooley, and Norvell Austin before turning face in 1986. Street was so convincing as a heel that fans stood in shock as Street, under a mask as the Bullet, saved Bob Armstrong from an attack by Robert Fuller, Jimmy Golden and Tom Prichard. 

One of his most famous catchphrases was, “I’ve got so many ways to hurt you, you have to invent new ways to scream.” 

Street had a long feud there with "The Hustler," Rip Rogers. He returned to the area shortly before it closed in summer, 1989, teaming with Bill Dundee and Todd Morton against "RPM" Mike Davis and a young Masahiro Chono, as well as a feud against Terry Garvin and his partner, Marc Guleen, known as Beauty and the Beast. 

Following his retirement from full-time in-ring work, Street operated the Skull Krushers Wrestling School in Gulf Breeze, Florida, until Hurricane Ivan forced them to close. Street and Linda also went into business designing and selling professional wrestling gear and other sundries via their website. He created the ring gear worn by Mick Foley as Dude Love during his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin. 

Street estimated that he had wrestled between 12,000 and 15,000 matches during his career, which ended with a final match held in Birmingham, Alabama, in June 2014. 

When asked what advice he would give to a little boy who wanted to become a wrestler, Street said, “It doesn’t matter how you win as long as you cheat.”

Street famously gave Jimmy Savile a beating in a wrestling match in Nottingham. The promoter had told Street to make the match a draw, but Street said he was having none of it. He described how Saville tried to outshine him in the theatrical entrance to the ring, which got him angry enough to pummel Saville into the ground and win. Saville did not pursue a career in wrestling after the beating. 

Street Expressed his Love for Miss Linda Until the End 

Describing her role in Street’s life and career, Miss Linda said that they had had a wonderful time pioneering and forging their way in a man’s world where she had to interact with male wrestlers. They were, she said, ‘gentlemanly people’ and would ‘show her respect’. 

_{Wrestling icon Adrian Street poses with his coal miner father in 1974 as a symbolic clash of worlds. (Image: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy)}

Street admitted at the time that it was tough for Linda but said that they always supported each other. The film documents their amazing relationship and family life from their appearance on TV to running a wrestling training school in America. Street won four world titles in three different weight divisions. He had, of course, an alter ego, best summed up by his wife as "the kindest, most loving man you could ever meet." 

Violence in the Ring Masked Street’s Kind Side

Throughout his career, Street was known not just for his wrestling skills but also for his kindness. He frequently visited sick children in hospitals and became a beloved figure within both the wrestling community and beyond. 

The wrestling legend was remembered as a "sparkling star" who paved the way for today's wrestlers, with tributes pouring in from former and current stars, including a heartfelt message from WWE: "WWE extends its condolences to Street’s family, friends, and fans." 

A miner’s son, who decided going down the mine was not for him and opted for the spotlight, made our world a little brighter. 

Colourful, exotic, and effeminate are just some of the words used to describe the diminutive man by wrestling commentators, including the famous Kent Walton. 

The wrestler who adorned our TV screens and graced some of America’s biggest wrestling venues had returned to Wales after a long and successful career in the U.S. Street had been suffering from heart problems but was admitted to hospital with a bleed on the brain.  

Adrian Street left behind a storied legacy as a wrestling trailblazer who revelled in the spotlight, forging a path in the industry with his unique flair. His contributions have left an indelible mark on wrestling history, symbolising the spirit of creativity and resilience, especially in his adopted home of America.