Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow of Demolition have shared strong opinions on the current use of gimmick matches in professional wrestling, arguing that they no longer carry the same meaning they once did.

Speaking on the Demo Pod podcast, both veterans explained that gimmick matches were once reserved as the final chapter in long-running feuds. According to Eadie, these matches were built over extended periods, often lasting more than a year, before reaching a decisive conclusion.

“Sometimes that buildup was a year, a year and a half, and it culminated with, now we’re going to get a winner. Now it’s finally going to be settled,” Eadie said. “I think it meant more then than it does now, because sometimes they just throw people into this gimmick match where there was no buildup for it.”

Darsow agreed and pointed to steel cage matches as an example of how things have changed over time. He noted that such matches were once rare, which made them feel important.

“The blowoff was a cage match or whatever. And then they wouldn’t have a cage match again until somebody else had another blowout,” Darsow said. “You might have one every other year. Now it’s like, ‘Hey, let’s just throw a cage match in there. Let’s have a ladder match.’”

Eadie also raised concerns about the physical toll of modern matches, suggesting that the focus has shifted away from traditional wrestling.

“A lot of the stuff is like gymnastics. It’s not wrestling. And they’re taking so many bumps, the propensity of potential injury greatly accelerates,” Eadie said. “We used to wrestle for the idea we’re going to be in this business for a long period of time. They have wrestlers now that have to outdo the match before, or the two matches, or the three matches before.”

Darsow echoed those concerns, warning about long-term health risks.

“These guys are unbelievable, the stuff they’re doing, but they’re crippling themselves up. Some of them are getting hurt so bad they can’t hardly work anymore,” Darsow said. “Every guy has to beat what the next guy does.”

He also referenced the famous Hell in a Cell moment involving Mick Foley and The Undertaker, recalling how dangerous it felt to watch.

“I just was like, oh my God, please be okay. One wrong move and you’re done. Thank God he walked away from it, but not very well,” Darsow said.

Eadie added that modern performers like Shane McMahon and Logan Paul highlight how far the risk level has increased.

“There’s only so many bumps in your body,” Eadie said.

Both men made it clear they would not have agreed to certain match types in today’s environment.

“If somebody proposed a scaffold match to me, I would certainly not do it. I have a hard time going off the high dive knowing that there’s water underneath,” Eadie said.

Their comments reflect a broader concern among veterans about how wrestling has evolved, especially regarding safety, storytelling, and the long-term health of performers.

Demolition Criticize Modern Gimmick Matches in Wrestling

AdvertisementAdvertisement