In the past, The Undertaker would start to resurface around this time of year in anticipation of WrestleMania season. Today, when you see The Undertaker “coming, that means you’re going…into the WWE Hall of Fame.” The Six Feet Under podcast host took some time out of his busy schedule to welcome a couple more deserving legends to the Hall of Fame. WWE better get ready because here comes the Ax! Here comes the Smasher! Undertaker announces Demolition will join the 2026 Hall of Fame Class.
Demolition to Enter WWE Hall of Fame
WWE just revealed that The Undertaker made a phone call to Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow, the men behind the painted faces of Ax and Smash, Demolition.
The Undertaker took to social media to share the news with the decorated Tag Team:
“It’s my esteemed honor to welcome you two, Demolition, Ax and Smash, into the 2026 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Congratulations, guys!”
Ax and Smash’s induction to the WWE Hall of Fame is a long time coming. The pair held the record for the longest reign as WWE Tag Team Champions for over three decades. Today, The New Day and The Usos are the only two teams to surpass the team’s record.
Demolition joins the Hall of Fame Class, along with AJ Styles and Stephanie McMahon. While the wrestling world is reacting positively to Demolition’s Hall of Fame induction, Stephanie McMahon’s own family member has criticized hers.
What Took So Long for Demolition to Join Hall of Fame?
It’s been a long journey from Demolition’s last day in WWF in 1991 to The Undertaker announcing their induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2026. Since then, Demolition has been involved in many lawsuits with WWE.
First, Demolition was told to stop using their gimmicks on independent shows in the 1990s. Bill Eadie tried to reprise the roles with Moondog Rex, even suing the WWF for rights to the Demolition name in 1997. However, WWE won the case and blacklisted the former Tag Team Champions.
In 2017, Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow joined a class action lawsuit against WWE. The case was thrown out, and requests to reopen the case were declined in 2021.
With Vince McMahon parting ways with WWE, it seemed like Demolition coming home was inevitable. In fact, there were rumors that Demolition would join the Hall of Fame last year, when they signed their first Legends Deal with the company. However, Demolition fans had to wait patiently as Natural Disasters got the nod last year instead.
Now, it’s Demolition’s turn, as The Undertaker announces their pending induction into this year’s Hall of Fame. With one team in, it’s doubtful these other legends who started a petition to be enshrined will make it in this year.