WWE announced Demolition—Bill Eadie as Ax and Barry Darsow as Smash—will be inducted into the Hall of Fame class of 2026, revealed by The Undertaker via video call. Ax expressed deep gratitude to fans and families for their role in the tag team's career and induction. The ceremony is set for April 17 in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 week.
On March 2, 2026, WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker informed Ax (Bill Eadie) and Smash (Barry Darsow) of Demolition's induction into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026 during a Zoom call. "It is my esteemed honor, to welcome you two, Demolition Axe and Smash, into the 2026 class of the WWE Hall of Fame," The Undertaker said. Eadie responded, "Thank you, my friend. I appreciate that," while Darsow added, "It is a huge honor."
Demolition debuted in the World Wrestling Federation in the late 1980s, clad in black leather and spikes, managed by Mr. Fuji. They captured the WWF Tag Team Championship three times, with their first reign starting at WrestleMania IV in 1988 after defeating Strike Force. That run lasted 478 days, a record that stood until The New Day's 484-day tenure in 2015-2016. They defended the titles against teams like The Rockers, The Twin Towers, and The Powers of Pain, and later won at WrestleMania VI against The Colossal Connection. The team later included Crush (Brian Adams) due to Eadie's health issues, though the induction focuses on Ax and Smash.
In a follow-up interview with Undisputed, Eadie emphasized the importance of fan support. He stated, "It is great to receive acceptance from the wrestling fraternity to be recognized as a contributor to the history of the sport. To be considered good enough to be placed in a special position along with top talent in wrestling, that is very special." Eadie further credited fans, saying, "We owe our career to the fans and to the unselfish sacrifice of our families. As for fan support, we have always said that without their support, there is no drive to excel. The fans drive the sport. They give you a reason to do your best. They drive you to do your best. After all these years of support, we truly believe they were a great part of the decision-making to induct us into the Hall of Fame."
Demolition joins previously announced inductees Stephanie McMahon, former WWE Chairwoman and Co-CEO, and Grand Slam Champion AJ Styles. The ceremony will occur on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 9 p.m. PT at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, following SmackDown at T-Mobile Arena. Tickets go on sale March 10 via Ticketmaster, with a presale on March 9. Additional inductees will be revealed in coming weeks. WWE Hall of Fame Priority Passes are available through On Location for premium access.
