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Midnight Express


Last updated by Chris George on August 10, 2015

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[Midnight Express GALLERY]

Title History

  • Mid-South (UWF) Tag Team Titles (Condrey and Eaton)
  • World Class Tag Team Titles (Condrey and Eaton)
  • NWA World Tag Team Titles (Condrey and Eaton)
  • NWA United States Tag Team Titles (Eaton and Lane)
  • AWA World Tag Team Titles (Condrey and Rose)
  • IWC Tag Team titles (Condrey and Eaton) defeating Chris Hamrick and Tracy Smothers (December 11, 2004);
  • NWA Bluegrass Tag Team titles (Condrey and Eaton) defeating Ricky Morton and Brad Thomas (October 30, 2005);

Career Highlights

The Original Midnight Express:

  • The Original Midnight Express was formed around 1983.
  • The Original Midnight Express was a six man tag team in Alabama, consisting of Dennis Condrey, Randy Rose and Norvell Austin.
  • ~~~The threesome was mildly successful in regional federations in the south.
  • ~~~But the trio eventually the trio split up.
  • ~~~Dennis traveled up to the Mid-Southern area where he started teaming with Bobby Eaton, who was managed by Jim Cornette.

Mid-South Wrestling:

  • Jim Cornette managed the Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey).
  • Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express went after Magnum TA and Mr Wrestling II (reigning Mid-South Tag Team Champions).
  • ~~~They even resorted to the tasteless insult of tarring and feathering Magnum on TV!
  • Spring 1984: The Midnight Express defeated Magnum TA and Mr Wrestling II to win the Mid-South Tag Team titles.
  • ~~~The Rock n Roll Express spoiled the celebration party by smashing the cake in Cornette’s face.
  • ~~~Bill Watts reran the incident repeatedly on Mid-South Television, which enraged Cornette!
  • ~~~Bill Watts ended up slugging Cornette!
  • ~~~Cornette and the Midnight’s gained revenge by attacking Watts the following week.
  • ~~~This led to a series of Bill Watts/Junkyard Dog vs Cornette/Midnight Express matches.
  • The Midnight Express were defeated by Mr Wrestling II and III (masked RockNRoll Express) for the Mid-South tag team titles.
  • ~~~This officially ignited one of the longest running feuds in the history of wrestling.
  • ~~~They traded the belts back and forth and eventually engaged in a series of scaffold matches.
  • Jim Cornette hired Hercules Hernandez as his bodyguard for protection from Hacksaw Jim Duggan.
  • October 1984: Hercules defeated Jim Duggan at the Superdome in a hair vs. hair match.
  • ~~~But Cornette was the one who wound up bald after all the babyfaces in the arena shaved his head!
  • Cornette began wearing a mask on Mid-South Television to hide his bald head.
  • The Midnight Express absolutely demolished The Fantastics with steel chairs during a contract signing.

World Class Championship Wrestling

  • December 1984: Cornette and the Midnight Express moved to World Class Championship Wrestling.
  • 1985: The Midnight Express defeated the Fantastics to win the World Class Tag Team titles.

National Wrestling Alliance – Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton

  • 1985: Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express made their move to the National Wrestling Alliance.
  • Starrcade 1985: Jimmy Valiant and Ron Garvin defeated the Midnight Express in an Atlanta Street Fight.
  • January 1986: The war between the Midnight Express and The Rock N Roll Express (NWA World Tag Team Champions) reignited.
  • ~~~The Midnights and Cornette attacked the Rock n Roll Express during a taping of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.
  • February 2, 1986: The Midnight Express (Eaton/Condrey) defeated the RockNRoll Express for the NWA World Tag Team title.
  • Great American Bash 1986 Tour: Cornette faced Baby Doll in a series of matches.
  • Cornette hired Big Bubba Rogers as his personal security guard.
  • August 8, 1986: The RandR Express defeated the Midnight Express to recapture the NWA Tag Titles.
  • The Midnight Express began feuds with The Road Warriors and America’s Team (Dusty Rhodes and Magnum TA).
  • Starrcade ’86: The Midnight Express were defeated by the Road Warriors in a SCAFFOLD match!
  • January 1987: During a match with Ron Garvin and Barry Windham (US Tag Champs), the Midnight Express team began to fall apart.
  • ~~~Jim Cornette then fired Dennis Condrey and replaced him with “Sweet” Stan Lane.
  • ~~~Stan Lane had just split from ‘fabulous ones’ partner, Steve Kiern.

Regarding the departure of Dennis Condrey:

Dennis Condrey suddenly disappeared from NWA Television and Bobby Eaton teamed with Big Bubba on house shows. In April 1987, Cornette publically ditched Condrey and replaced him with Stan Lane. The story they gave to the audience was that Cornette’s mother ordered him to shake up the team and rebuild. Condrey had a brief stay in Portland before going to the AWA to reform the original Midnight Express with Randy Rose with Paul E. Dangerously as their manager (as you will read later in this profile).

National Wrestling Alliance – Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane:

  • February 15, 1987 – MoscaMania 2: The Midnight Express defeated Hector Guerrero and Barry Windham in Hamilton, Ontario.
  • Jim Crockett Senior Memorial Cup: The Midnight Express (Stan Lane and Bobby Eaton) participated in the tag team tournament.
  • ~~~The Midnight Express defeated Ron and Jim Garvin in the first round.
  • ~~~The Midnight Express defeated The Road Warriors in the second round.
  • ~~~Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff defeated The Midnight Express in the Semi-finals.
  • May 16, 1987: The Midnight Express won a tournament for the vacant NWA United States Tag Team Titles.
  • Great American Bash 1997: The RockNRoll Express (World Champs) defeated the Midnight Express (US Champs) by DQ.
  • Fall 1987: The Midnight Express interfered in a RandR title defense allowing Arn/Tully to win the World Tag Team Titles.
  • September 10, 1988: The Midnight Express defeated Tully Blanchard and Arn Andersonfor the NWA World Tag Team title.

Meanwhile, over in the American Wrestling Association:

  • Former Midnight Express members Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose popped up in the AWA tag team scene.
  • They were calling themselves the ORIGINAL MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, managed by Paul E. Dangerously.
  • They would use pattened Midnight Express manuvers and would even make references to the “other” Express.
  • October 1987: The ORIGINAL Midnight Express defeated Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee for the AWA World Tag Team Titles.
  • ~~~The Original Midnight Express would eventually be defeated by the Midnight Rockers.
  • The “Original” Midnight Express and Paul E. left the area and spent the next nine months in regional federations.

Back in the National Wrestling Alliance:

  • Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express set a record for the longest reign as United States Tag Team Champions (12 months).
  • The Midnight Express rekindled their old feud with the Fantastics (Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton).
  • Clash Of The Champions I: The Midnight Express defeated the Fantastics to retain.
  • ~~~The Fantastics eventually defeated the Midnight Express for the United States Tag Team titles.
  • Great American Bash 1988: The Midnight Express defeated the Fantasics to recapure the United States Tag Team titles.
  • September 10, 1988: The Midnight Express (US Champs) defeated Anderson/Blanchard (World Champs).
  • ~~~The M.E. win the World tag team titles, so they vacated the United States strapes due to NWA rules.
  • October of 1988: The Midnight Express were defeated by the Road Warriors for the NWA World Tag Team Titles.
  • Late 1988 – WCW TV: Jim Cornette recieved an unexpected phone call during one of his men’s matches.
  • ~~~Cornette hung up on his caller and whispered something to Eaton.
  • ~~~When asked by announcer Tony Schvonie about the phone call, Cornette was evasive.
  • ~~~Cornette suddenly shouted “Jesus Christ!!!” and watched in horror as the “Original” Midnight Express hit the scene!
  • ~~~The OME and Paul E. Dangerously showed up and gave Eaton, Lane and Cornette a serious beating.
  • Starrcade 1988 – True Gritt: Cornette’s Midnight Express defeated Dangerously’s Midnight Express.
  • Chi-town Rumble 1989: Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express beat Dangerously’s Midnight Express (Jack Victory and Randy Rose).
  • ~~~This was a “Loser of the Fall Leaves the NWA” match so :Ravishing: Randy Rose left the National Wrestling Alliance.
  • Great American Bash 1989: Jim Cornette defeated Paul E. Dangerously in a “tuxedo street fight”.
  • May 19, 1990 – Capitol Combat: The Midnight Express defeated Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman to win their 3rd U.S. Tag Team title.
  • The Midnight Express (playing the ‘faces’) began a feud with Paul E’s new team, the Samoan Swat Team (Fatu and Samu).
  • Clash Of The Champions VI: The Samoan Swat Team defeated the Midnight Express.
  • The Midnight Express left the NWA and it was rumored that they would be headed to the WWF. (That didn’t happen)
  • The National Wrestling Alliance announced a tournament to crown new NWA World Tag Team Champions.
  • ~~~This lured the Midnight Express back to the NWA scene.
  • ~~~The Midnight Express defeat Butch Reed and ? in the first round.
  • ~~~The Midnight Express defeated the Samoan Swat Team in the second round.
  • ~~~The Midnight Express were defeated by the Freebirds in the finals!
  • July 23, 1989 – Great American Bash – The War Games Match:
  • ~~~The Midnight Express, The Road Warriors and Steve Williams defeated Samoan Swat Team and the Freebirds.
  • Fall of 1989: The Midnights turned heel began a feud with the Dynamic Dudes (Shane Douglas and Johnny Ace).
  • November 15, 1989 – Clash IX: The Midnight Express (Eaton/Lane) defeated the Dynamic Dudes (Shane Douglas and Johnny Ace).
  • Early 1990: The Midnight Express began a feud with Tom Zenk (Z-Man) and Brian Pillman.
  • ~~~Pillman and Zenk won the match by DQ but the Midnights attacks Pillman, hitting him in the throat with Cornette’s tennis racket.
  • Capital Combat ’90: The Midnight Express defeated Zenk and Pillman to recapure the United States Tag Team titles.
  • August 1990: The Midnight Express was defeated by the Steiner Brothers for the United States Tag Team titles.
  • Halloween Havoc ’90: The Midnight Express were defeated by Tommy Rich and Rick Morton.
  • November 1990: The Midnight Express finally split for good.

The New Midnight Express:

Midnight Express Reunion Tour:

  • October 2, 2004 – ROH: Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane) three hour QandA.
  • September 25, 2004 – Continental Wrestling: Original M.E. (Randy Rose and Norvell Austin) b Texas Roughrider and Luke Goldberg.
  • October 30, 2004 – U of Virginia Children’s Medical Center Benefit: Fantastics (Rogers/Fulton) b Midnight Express (Condrey/Eaton).
  • November 6, 2004 – Carolina Championship Wrestling: The Midnight Express w/Stan Lane defeated The RocknRoll Express.
  • ~~~Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton beat Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson in a 2/3 falls match with Ricky Steamboat as referee.
  • November 27, 2004 – Continental Championship Wrestling: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton beat Luke Goldberg and Texas Roughrider.
  • December 4, 2004 – Carolina Championship Wrestling: RnR Express and Dusty Rhodes beat Midnight Express (Condrey/Eaton/Lane).
  • December 11, 2004 – IWC: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton beat Tracy Smothers and Chris Hamrick to win IWC Tag Team titles.
  • January 8, 2005 – Carolina Championship Wrestling: RnR Express b Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton w/Jim Cornette in a Cage match.
  • January 18, 2005 – Southern Championship Wrestling: The Fantastics defeated The Midnight Express in a Steel Cage Match
  • ~~~Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton beat Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey w/Terri Runnels to capture the vacant Tag Team Titles.
  • January 22, 2005 – Georgia Championship Wrestling: The Steele (AJ and Damien) beat The Midnight Express (Condrey and Eaton).
  • January 29, 2005 – WrestleReunion: The RnR Express and The Fantastics beat The Midnight Express (Condrey/Eaton/Lane/Cornette).
  • February 11, 2005 – UCW TV taping: The Midnight Express defeated The RNR Express to win the UCW Tag Team titles.
  • ~~~Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton beat Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson in a 2/3 fall match with Jimmy Valiant as referee.
  • February 12, 2005 – Carolina Championship Wrestling: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton b Thunderfoots (Gene Ligon and David Isley).
  • February 26, 2005 – ACPW: Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey defeated Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson.
  • March 12, 2005 – Carolina Championship Wrestling: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton beat RnR Express in a First Blood Street Fight.
  • March 18, 2005 – UCW: Ricky Morton and Buff Bagwell and Lash Leroux beat Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane.
  • April 9, 2005 – Carolina Championship: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton beat Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson in a Scaffold match!
  • April 29, 2005 – International Wrestling Cartel: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton defeated Tracy Smothers and Chris Hamrick.
  • April 30, 2005 – ICW: Sebastian Dark and Hentai defeated Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey to win the Tag Team titles.
  • May 7, 2005 – Carolina Championship Wrestling: Ricky Morton and Brad Armstrong beat Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton in 2/3 falls.
  • May 13, 2005 – Wrestle Birmingham: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton defeated Scott Armstrong and Tracy Smothers.
  • May 28, 2005 – Southern Wrestling Alliance: Ricky Morton and Tracy Smothers beat Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton in a Street Fight.
  • June 25, 2005 – NWA Spinebuster: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton defeated Ricky Morton and Jody Peterman.
  • July 1, 2005 – Memphis Clash of the Legends: The RockNRoll Express beat The Midnight Express and The PTY Express in a 3-WAY.
  • ~~~RNR Express (Morton/Gibson) | Midnight Express (Condrey/Eaton w/Phil Hickerson) | PTY Express (Koko Ware/Porkchop Cash).
  • July 17, 2005 – Iron Ring Wrestling: Eddie and Jimmy Golden defeated Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton by DQ.
  • August 19, 2005 – NWA Rocky Top: Ricky Morton and Brad Armstrong beat The Midnight Express to win the Tag Team titles.
  • August 20, 2005 – NWA Legends Convention: The RockNRoll Express defeated The Midnight Express with Tommy Young as referee.
  • August 27, 2005 – WrestleReunion: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane defeated Dory and Terry Funk and Mick Foley
  • September 10, 2005 – Wrestle Reunion: Team 3-D (former Dudleys) defeated The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton).
  • October 30, 2005 – NWA Blue Grass: The Midnight Express defeated Ricky Morton and Brad Thomas to win the Tag Team titles!
  • November 6, 2005 – Iron Ring Wrestling: The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey) beat Brad and Bob Armstrong.
  • November 19, 2005 – Tribute to Starrcade: Brad Armstrong/Jeff Hardy/Jerry Lawler beat Dennis Condrey/Bobby Eaton/Jim Cornette.
  • December 3, 2005 – Carolina Championship Wrestling: Jeff Hardy/Kip James/BG James beat D.Condrey/B.Eaton/Rob Cornette
  • December 25, 2005: The Midnight Express won “Best Independent Tag Team” Award on the 2005 OWW.com Awards.
  • January 6, 2006 – Carolina Wrestling Association: Homies with Attitudes defeated Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton by DQ.
  • February 2, 2006 – Ricky Morton Benefit Show: The Thunder Valley Express defeated The Midnight Express (Eaton/Condrey) by DQ.
  • February 17, 2006 – New Generation Wrestling: The RockNRoll Express (Morton/Gibson) beat The Midnight Express (Eaton/Condrey).
  • February 18, 2006 – New Generation Wrestling: The Midnight Express (Eaton/Condrey) defeated Brad Armstrong and Tim Horner.
  • March 4, 2006 – Southern Championship Wrestling: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton defeated The Warlord and The Barbarian ..
  • March 5, 2006 – Legends PPV: Bob and Scott and Brad Armstrong w/Bobby Heenan beat The Midnight Express w/Jim Cornette.
  • March 10, 2006 – World 1 Wrestling: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton defeated Simon Sermon and Tommy Too Much.
  • March 11, 2006 – Pro Wrestling World 1 (Tournament): Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton defeated Steve Madison and Brad Thomas…
  • ~~~The Midnight Express beat Buddy Landell and C.W. Anderson | The Midnight Express beat Tully Blanchard and Glacier (Finals).
  • May 6, 2006 – TNT Pro Wrestling: The Steiners beat Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose and Lenny and Lodi in a 3-WAY Cage Match!
  • May 13, 2006 – TNT Pro Wrestling: The Steiner Brothers defeated Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton in a Steel Cage match!
  • May 27, 2006 – High Velocity Wrestling: The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton) beat Kid Country and Jason Jett.
  • June 10, 2006 – Southern Championship Wrestling: Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey) beat The Inferno and Brian Alexander
  • June 16, 2006 – Clash of the Legends III: Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson defeated Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey.
  • July 15, 2006 – Juggalo Championshit Wrestling: The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey) beat Bump-N-Uglies..
  • July 22, 2006 – Pro Wrestling World 1: The Midnight Express (Condrey and Eaton) defeated The Heartbreak Express by DQ.
  • September 30, 2006 – Liberty States Wrestling: The Rock and Roll Express defeated The Midnight Express..
  • January 14, 2007 – AWA World 1 South: The Heartbreak Express teamed with their childhood heros The Midnight Express
  • ~~~The Heartbreak Express and The Midnight Express beat Vordell Walker and Jon Davis and David Holiday and Brad Thomas
  • June 2, 2007 – West Carolina Championship Wrestling: The Rock-N-Roll Express w/Baby Doll beat The Midnight Express..
  • August 11, 2007 – -NWA Legends Show: Midnight Express w/Jim Cornette beat RockNRoll Express with Tommy Young as referee.
  • August 17, 2007 – Memphis Wrestling: The Midnight Express (Condrey and Eaton w/Jim Cornette) defeated Flex and Tim Grind by DQ
  • June 28, 2008 – South Atlantic Wrestling: Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton w/Jim Cornette defeated Damien Wayne and Mike Booth.
  • December 6, 2008 – Highspots: Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson defeated Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane w/”Big Cheese” Sal Corrente.