• On This Day In Pro Wrestling History (July 4, 1988) – Old School WWF Veteran Passed Away
On this day in 1988, we lost Old School WWF Veteran Adrian Adonis (Real name: Keith Franke Jr.), who died in a car accident at the age of 34.
Adrian Adonis formed ‘The East-West Connection’ with Jesse “The Body” Ventura and ‘The North-South Connection’ with “Dirty” Dick Murdoch, before adapting the queer gimmick of “Adorable” Adrian Adonis, which led to the legendary match with fellow WWF Legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper at WrestleMania III, that resulted in Adonis getting his head shaved.
He has yet to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, which might actually happen as part of the annual Legacy Wing inductions.
† REST IN PEACE ADRIAN ADONIS!
September 15, 1953 – July 4, 1988
• Stone Cold Steve Austin Possibly Returning To WWE TV
According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is expected to return to WWE programming in the new few weeks.
Austin’s appearance would likely be to promote his new show, Straight Up Steve Austin, on the USA Network. RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch is set to appear on Austin’s show as a guest on one of the episodes.
While Austin’s return most likely won’t be related to any current WWE storyline, WWE officials would have absolutely no problem in having an Old School Legend appear on RAW and help boost their TV viewership.
Austin last appeared on WWE TV at RAW 25 back in 2018.
The USA Network posted the following about Austin’s new show:
“Straight Up Steve Austin, a unique interview-based series hosted by retired WWE legend “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. The series of seven half-hour episodes will air on USA on Mondays at 11/10c following WWE Monday Night Raw, beginning August 12!
In each episode, Austin and a celebrity guest swap stories about their lives and careers during one-of-a-kind custom-tailored adventures in different cities across America. In this unique interview format, there’s no studio, no couch and no cue cards — just a straight-up good time and some good old-fashioned American fun.
Guests include country singer and actor Trace Adkins, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., comedian Gabriel Iglesias, WWE Superstar Becky Lynch, NFL Quarterback Baker Mayfield, actor and retired United States Marine Corps Reserve officer Rob Riggle, and Impractical Jokers star Sal Vulcano.
Straight Up Steve Austin joins USA’s growing unscripted lineup, which includes family docu-comedies Chrisley Knows Best, Growing Up Chrisley and The Radkes, WWE-related series Miz & Mrs, and buzzy reboots Temptation Island and The Biggest Loser.”
