Bryan Clark on Adam Bomb, Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, Wrath, KroniK and Retirement

BRYAN CLARK is a powerhouse professional wrestler best known to WWF fans as the unforgettable Adam Bomb, one of the most explosive and visually striking characters of the early-to-mid ‘90s. Billed as a mutant survivor of Three Mile Island, he made an instant impression in 1993 with his glowing red goggles, bright yellow contact lenses, and comic book-style intensity. A true standout of the New Generation era.

After his WWF run ended in 1995, Clark continued to build his career in WCW, first performing as Wrath, before achieving his greatest success as one half of the dominant tag team KroniK, alongside Brian Adams. Together, they captured the WCW World Tag Team Championships twice and went on to win gold in All Japan Pro Wrestling, showcasing their hard-hitting style on an international stage.

Clark was also immortalised in Hasbro’s iconic WWF figure line. His Adam Bomb figure, part of the elusive Series 11 ‘green cards’ that never reached British high streets, is considered a Holy Grail among UK collectors and remains one of the most valuable in the line.

With a unique look, international accolades, and a legacy that spans generations, Bryan Clark continues to be celebrated as one of professional wrestling’s most memorable heavy hitters.

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On Wrestling Life episode 42, Bryan Clark joins Ben Veal to reflect on his wrestling career across America’s top two promotions, the highs and lows of the industry, and how those years shaped the person he is today, including:

• His run as Adam Bomb in the World Wrestling Federation

• His relationship with his close friend and tag team partner Bryan ‘Crush’ Adams

• What happened with Vince McMahon and why he left the WWF

• Joining WCW, the introduction of his Wrath character, and how the nWo changed everything

• Working for Eric Bischoff and his differing experiences of being a talent in WWE and WCW during the 1990s

• Forming KroniK with the late Brian Adams and twice holding the WCW World Tag Team Titles

• Returning to the WWF during the ill-fated Invasion angle and what went wrong

• Retiring in 2003 and his life after wrestling, living amongst the beautiful Arizona mountains

• His involvement with theToys for Tots charity, a cause close to his heart

• What he thinks about the business today, his favourite modern-day wrestlers, and his continued relationship with the fans via his social media channels.

Bryan Clark on the surprising truth behind his Adam Bomb character

WWF fans were introduced to Bryan Clark when he debuted as Adam Bomb in 1993, but that wasn’t the only direction the character could have taken. In fact, Clark was almost given an entirely different gimmick.

“They sent me three [ideas for characters]. One was a military character – and that doesn’t get mentioned that often, but I’m a veteran, I’m former military – so that was one, because they try to tie it in a bit to your real character. One was Adam Bomb, and the other one was The Ringmaster.”

“When I say that, people are like, ‘No, it’s different,’ because it’s a few years before what they did [with Steve Austin]. But they trademark all these names and gimmicks. Of the three, I said Adam Bomb has to be it, so at least I got that choice. Tom [Fleming] came up with it, and then I sort of added my own personal touches. I suggested the contact lenses, they hadn’t thought of that. I did the red tongue, and a bit of colour under the eyes. Just little things I added to help it become this monster from Three Mile Island.”

Bryan Clark on Crush being embarrassed by the WrestleMania IX finish

Before becoming Bryan Clark’s tag team partner in KroniK, Brian Adams was already a good friend. Known backstage as a joker with a big personality, Adams was usually upbeat. But Clark remembers one storyline that genuinely left him deflated: the now-infamous ‘Two Doinks’ angle at WrestleMania IX.

“I always got along with Brian in WWF, but we weren’t as close as we’d become later, which was a blessing. He was a jokester. I don’t ever remember him being in a bad mood… well, maybe a couple of times in WCW!

“He was just always fun to be around. He was that guy in the locker room where you’d be like, ‘Okay, this schedule’s really bad, I’m tired, I didn’t get to work out, I didn’t get to eat…’ But then you’d walk in and there’s Brian shooting away, and you’re like ‘here’s some entertainment!’

“But I don’t think he liked the whole thing with him versus Doink. He did not like that at all and I don’t blame him. He wasn’t a fan, because we talked about it and he was not happy.

“I think he had a lot of steam going into that and they just used him for the angle. I understand it… because you invest so much in yourself and your character – the look, the training, everything that goes with it – and then to just be sort of tossed aside? That’s not always easy to deal with.”

Bryan Clark on Harvey Wippleman and turning babyface as Adam Bomb

After parting ways with Johnny Polo, Adam Bomb was paired with longtime WWF manager Harvey Wippleman, best known at the time for guiding giants like Giant Gonzales. The 6ft 6in powerhouse became Wippleman’s latest project, and for Bryan Clark, the partnership was an easy one.

“Really easy. Easy to get along with, funny. We didn’t always travel together, but when we were working together – at TV tapings, house shows, whatever the case – he was always a good guy, and it was enjoyable.

“Initially, I thought the manager part was a good idea. It would keep me more ominous, really let people think about the character. In the long term, I think it would have been better to have me slowly work into it.”

Bryan Clark on leaving WWF, signing with Eric Bischoff, becoming Wrath

After wrapping up his run as Adam Bomb in the WWF, Bryan Clark made the decision to walk away. He joined WCW and became part of one of its most visually striking factions. From a tense exit to a new persona, Clark reflected on how the transition unfolded.

“I want to say it was Boston. I was just like, ‘I’m done.’ I don’t think I brought up all the issues [with Vince McMahon], but he knew what they were: the energy drink deal, the payoffs, the schedule. A combination of all those things. I knew I could make four or five times the money in Atlanta and at least be closer to home. I don’t think he was happy with it! But you’ve gotta look out for yourself at some point.

“My first contract deal, I met with Eric in Atlanta… I think it was a sports bar! I told him I had this 90-day no-compete and I had a month or so left. He said, ‘Okay, as soon as that’s ready, let’s meet.’ We did, and we agreed on a three-year deal.

“The Blood Runs Cold thing — with Ernest Miller, Chris Kanyon who was Mortis, and of course Ray Lloyd as Glacier — I was Wrath. It was very much a martial artist-style character, and that’s how I was brought in.

“Of course, this was before the nWo popped in, before they started making all the noise. So at the time, I’m sure [Bischoff] thought it would work and it did for a little while. But everything in the company was overshadowed so much by the nWo.”

Bryan Clark on what went wrong for KroniK in the WWF

After a successful run as WCW World Tag Team Champions, Bryan Clark and Brian Adams made a return to WWF as KroniK during the Invasion angle. But their time back in the company was short-lived and far from smooth.

“We both had guaranteed contracts and still had… maybe a year left. I signed a three-year deal, then signed another three-year deal, so we were locked up. I was like, ‘Okay, this is the time we go to Japan.’ That’s what I wanted to do. That was my first thought, because I didn’t really want to go back there [WWF].

“For one year, full pay, we re-signed. Brian was really the catalyst in that, because he was friends with ’Taker and I think he wanted to go back. Just to see what it was like, see if it had changed, if it was better. Maybe they made him some promises I didn’t know about, in terms of what he’d make, or potentially make.

“We had a downside guarantee for that first year, and we went up there… and it just did not work out. We still got paid a full year’s salary, that was probably the brightest spot of it. A couple of parts of it weren’t horrible, but I knew and I felt – and I think Brian did too – that there was some resentment. There was still some underlying heat.”

REAL TALK FROM REAL TALENT

Wrestling Life with Ben Veal shines the spotlight brightly and positively on those who shaped wrestling's past, drive its present and influence its future. Widely available, the show features honest, open and inspiring conversations with many of the sport's biggest names, including Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Mick Foley, Lilian Garcia, Candice Michelle, Buff Bagwell, Doug Williams, Eric Bischoff and many more. The show is presented by award-winning journalist and content creator Ben Veal, co-author of Marc Mero's autobiography, Badd To Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman.

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