Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch were a tag team in the WWF & NJPW from 1983 to 1988 consisting of Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch.
History[]
NJPW (1982-1984)[]
Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch first teamed in New Japan Pro Wrestling in a Six Man Tag Team Match with Rick McGraw at NJPW Summer Fight Series II 1982 - Day 2, losing to Seiji Sakaguchi, Tatsumi Fujinami & Tiger Toguchi. After almost a year without competing together, Adonis & Murdoch frequently teamed during and after July 1983, before entering the NJPW World Tag League 1983, placing third with 27.5 points. However, due to first place team Andre The Giant & Swede Hanson unable to compete due to injury, Adonis & Murdoch competed in the final, but were defeated by Antonio Inoki & Hulk Hogan at NJPW MSG Tag Team League 1983 - Day 21. Adonis & Murdoch also toured in Japan while with the WWF in 1984.
The North-South Connection (1983-1985)[]
After Adrian Adonis's regular partner in the WWF, Jesse Ventura, was unable to wrestle frequently due to injuries, Adonis & Murdoch joined forces. The pair was named The North-South Connection, a reference to Adonis being from the northern New York and Murdoch being from Texas in the south. As a result, the team were featured in vignettes of them exploring their different ways of life. The North-South Connection made their debut on the January 8, 1984 episode of All American Wrestling, defeating Kevin Collins & Terry Daniels.
The North-South Connection got their first shot at gold against WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Atlas & Rocky Johnson on the February 18, 1984 episode of WWF Wrestling at the Chase. Adonis & Murdoch were unsuccessful at winning the championship due to them winning by referee's decision, however, on April 17, 1984 The North-South Connection got another match with Atlas & Johnson. They were successful in defeating the champions to win their first and only title as a team, with the match being broadcast on the May 26, 1984 episode of Championship Wrestling.
The North-South Connection defeated Mil Mascaras & SD Jones in their first defence at a house show on June 15, 1984. Adonis & Murdoch would go on to defend their titles against the likes of The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika), B. Brian Blair & Bob Backlund, The Brisco Brothers (Jack & Jerry Brisco), and The U.S. Express (Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo). At a house show on January 21, 1985, Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo defeated The North-South Connection to end their 279 day reign. Adonis & Murdoch were broken up after Adonis left for Japan while Murdoch left for Mid-South Wrestling
Championships and accomplishments[]
- WWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time)
