On a recent episode of DEMOPOD, Ryan Mar joined Bill “Ax” Eadie and Barry “Smash” Darsow to discuss their official induction into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame, correcting what Mar called “the biggest oversight in history” concerning the legendary tag team’s career. The induction news caught the duo off guard during a Zoom call when The Undertaker unexpectedly revealed the honor.
Smash described the surprise moment, saying,
“When you get the call from the Undertaker and he says ‘Hey I want to get you guys inducted into the Hall of Fame,’ that’s a pretty huge deal.”
Ax explained the call’s original purpose:
“The Zoom call originally was for showing us new merchandise that’s coming out – action figures, apparel, and things of that nature,”
adding,
“And then all of a sudden, Undertaker butted in and surprised us and that’s when he made the announcement.”
Weather Disruption Prevented Earlier Reveal in Montreal
WWE had planned to announce Demolition’s induction months earlier during an event in Montreal, but severe weather forced a cancellation. Smash recalled,
“We were invited to go to Montreal. They were going to talk about the Royal Rumble in Montreal. This was before they went to Saudi Arabia. So we were all set—we were doing a show up in Atlanta—so we were all set to go right after that show to go to Montreal and that’s when that big snowstorm hit. So they were going to do all of this live in Montreal during that show and we had to cancel because we couldn’t get there.”
Fan Support Played a Major Role in Securing Induction
Both Eadie and Darsow credited decades of fan backing as a key factor driving their Hall of Fame recognition. Ax noted how fan enthusiasm often influenced WWE’s decisions:
“I think that the powers that be listen to the fans and they’re swayed by the fans. We just appreciate all the support over these years. Like you said, every time we’re at a convention or a signing, people come up to us and we have no control over it, but we’re happy that it’s transpired.”
Smash emphasized how their active presence on the independent wrestling circuit kept their legacy alive, explaining,
“I think a lot of it is all the conventions we do for, what, six, seven years now Bill? We’re out pretty much every other weekend everywhere seeing all of the fans. Once we signed that contract a year ago and kind of got in and talked to everybody and seen everyone, we were kind of in on it. I think that helped a lot too for them to make the decision for us to get into the Hall of Fame.”
Details About the Induction Ceremony and Peer Reactions
The formal Hall of Fame induction is scheduled for April 17, 2026, in Las Vegas. Demolition will be inducted alongside notable industry figures such as Stephanie McMahon and AJ Styles. The announcement has garnered positive feedback from fellow wrestlers and insiders. Ryan Mar highlighted Kevin Nash’s praise, quoting him as saying,
“Not only Hall of Fame level talent, but Hall of Fame character of men.”
Smash shared that congratulatory messages also came from wrestlers like Ric Flair, Bret Hart, The Hardy Boyz, and The Dudley Boyz. While no official inducer has been confirmed, Smash revealed progress is ongoing:
“I actually made a list of some guys and I talked to the WWE and they said to pick one and send them a couple and then they go through a committee to figure out if everything’s going to work out. So yeah, we can’t say nothing yet, but it’s in the process.”
The Lasting Impact of Demolition’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction
This induction formally acknowledges Demolition’s significant contributions to professional wrestling, ending years of speculation and fan anticipation. Recognizing them alongside talents like Stephanie McMahon and AJ Styles highlights their enduring influence on the sport. Given the active involvement of Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow in wrestling conventions and appearances, their Hall of Fame status will likely enhance their opportunities to connect with fans and maintain their legacy in the industry.
