Toni Adams (45) passed away at Norton Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville on 6/24. The cause of death is a infection in her system. Toni underwent surgery last month(June) to remove a abscess but infection sat up in her abdomen. Toni went into cardiac arrest at home as they was able to revive her but the family took her off life support.
Toni Adams was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and begin working as a assistant with the production staff for Fritz Von Erich's (Jack Adkisson) World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) out of Dallas, Texas in 1984.
She then would meet her soon to be husband "Gentleman" Chris Adams. Chris and Toni shorly got married ever meeting as Adams had just divorced Jeanie Clark (who later on would work as Lady Blossom in WCW in the early 90's and would be the wife of a long blonde hair guy by the name of "Stunning" Steve Austin)
In 1989 Toni would work a long side of her husband Chris, for a short stint for Bill Watt's Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF)
In May 1990 Toni returned to Dallas under the United States Wrestling Association (USWA)
and worked a angle along with her husband Chris against Jeanie Clark & Steve Williams
In 1991 Toni would divorce Chris after Chris begin suffering from alcohol abuse.
In late 1993 Toni appeared for Jerry Lawler's based promotion in Memphis known as the United States Wrestling Association (USWA) doing a French Maid gimmick known as Nanny Simpson, and would manage Brian Christopher (Brian Lawler) in his feud against ex husband Chris Adams. Toni would also compete against the likes of Ms. Texas (Jacque Moore), Robin Smith (Rockin Robin), and Sweet Georgia Brown (Debra Moore) just to name a few.
Toni returned back to Dallas and worked for the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF) and would continue her feud with Chris where she managed Iceman King Parsons until the promotion closed up in 1994.
Toni retired from the ring in 1995
Toni was living in Louisville, KY at the time of her death with finacee Leonard Donahoo as the two was engaged. (A few reports out their stated they was married they was not married they was engaged)... The family went on and put her last name as her finacee's last name in her obituary.
Toni is survived by her finacee Leonard Donahoo, children: Christopher Adams, Tori Grant, sisters: Beverly Vanover, Karen Hanson, Nancy Coleman Witherspoon.
No burial has been announced at this time.
Donations can be sent to the following:
Louisville Ballet Ratterman Bros. Funeral Home
3711 Lexington Rd.
The staff of Rasslin Riot would like to send our condolence to the family and friends of Toni Adams.
Write up by: George Wren
George Wren is a former pro wrestling photographer/Associate Editor for the defunct New Wave Wrestling Publication, and has added RRO to his list of accomplishments.
