Members: Ax, Smash
Additional members: Crush, Mr. Fuji (manager)
Signature move: Demolition Decapitation (Backbreaker hold, second rope elbow drop combination)
Debut: January 17, 1987
Highlights: WWF World Tag Team Champions (3), UXW Tag Team Champions
WWE profile:
In the late 1980s, when hair bands and metal rock were en vogue, Demolition’s wrecking-ball style dominated WWE’s tag-team division stocked with talented tandems like The British Bulldogs, The Hart Foundation, The Rockers, the Powers of Pain and the Legion of Doom. During their four-year run in WWE, the men in black pounded their opposition into submission with thunderous ax handle blows. With their opponents reeling from the pairs’ powerful onslaught, a decapitating top-rope elbow drop sealed the deal.
Arriving in 1988, the duo utilized the managerial services of the devious WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Fuji. Defeating Strike Force at WrestleMania IV, Ax & Smash held the titles for a record 478 days, until finally being defeated by the Brain Busters (Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson)..
After regaining the titles at WrestleMania VI, Demolition became a trio, adding Crush to this already formidable force. The group had utilized a rule instated by the famed Fabulous Freebirds trio – a rule that allowed any two members of a team to defend the championship they held as a group. (The Spirit Squad would also use this rule in 2006 to declare their five-man team collective champions.)
Today, Demolition still holds the WWE all-time record for longest time as a championship pairing. During their three combined reigns as World Tag Team Champions, the team wore the gold for 698 days – nearly two full years. Only Billy Gunn (917 days) and Mr. Fuji (931 days) have worn tag gold longer.