On-Topic RIP

[wandshogun09]

Just seen Dennis Condrey has died. 

One half of one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history, The Midnight Express with Bobby Eaton. So there’s only Stan Lane and of course Jim Cornette left repping the Midnights overall now.

I’ll admit I haven’t seen enough of the Condrey and Eaton version of the team. That stuff was before my time and I didn’t get to see any Mid South or Memphis stuff until way later. The Eaton and Lane version was more familiar to me just because they were in WCW and on some of those VHS tapes that got released over here in the early 90s. What a team though.

Are the Midnight Express in the WWE Hall Of Fame yet? If not, why not? They should’ve gone in years ago with all four members up on the stage. At least get them in while Corny and Sweet Stan are still around. 

[Chili]

I always thought 'Loverboy' was a tremendous heel skeeze nickname.

[Chico Torres]

RIP Loverboy Dennis, him and Bobby were the best version of the Midnight Express because Dennis was nasty whereas Sweet Stan was slick and I’d take nasty over slick in wrestling (Bobby and Stan version were still awesome obviously). Also the Dennis and Bobby version were the team that were part of the peak territory years in Mid South, World Class and Crockett when the team was all about nuclear heat and violence. The best years of the team were 84-86, Dennis was also great in his last run in the NWA as part of the Original Midnight Express with Ravishing Randy Rose and Paul E against Bobby and Stan with Cornette.

Cornette has often said the best team he ever saw was Dennis Condrey and Phil Hickerson in Memphis, sadly very little footage of them around.

Also one of those guys who always looked like a grizzled, weathered middle aged veteran despite being in his early 30s during his Midnight Express run.

[Dai]

I think the way that wrestling worked back then is that most of his best stuff in the MX is probably not on tape. 

Cornette released some great videos years ago, which was the comprehensive guide to MX, with a description for each match. Was a cracker of comp. Think the prevailing thiught is that the Condrey version drew way better, but the Lane version had much better matches. 

[davertfnewman]

RIP Dennis. Him and Bob Orton were at one point two of the most interesting workers in their respective companies with the moves they were doing and how they were doing them in a very basic but authentic wrestler package.

[Rossman]

1 hour ago, Dai said:

I think the way that wrestling worked back then is that most of his best stuff in the MX is probably not on tape. 

Cornette released some great videos years ago, which was the comprehensive guide to MX, with a description for each match. Was a cracker of comp. Think the prevailing thiught is that the Condrey version drew way better, but the Lane version had much better matches. 

This is a really good comp of Midnight Express matches.

Starting when they formed this version in 1984. Paul Boesch in Houston was partnered with Mid South by this point so they ran the city. And he filmed a lot of his shows. So it's matches from the Midnight's, 3 main feuds in 1984. Vs Magnum TA & Mr Wrestling 2. Vs. Rock n Roll Express & Vs. The Fantastics. It goes onto their WCCW stuff in 1985. And also their Crockett work in 1986.

The Midnight's had chemistry from the off and it was the foresight from Bill Watts who took them from Memphis as 3 separate entities and paired them all together. There's a companion piece on YouTube where Jim Cornette uses all of his diaries and looks back at the Memphis territory in 1983 and Mid South on 1984. He's only up to April in 1984. (he's been doing this one for 2 years so far) But some of the venues Mid South are running, by March of 84, they're getting record attendances with the Midnight Express in the main events.

It's sad to hear Dennis has gone, there was a photo of him from last year or year before in really good shape. I see a Go Fund Me has been set up for him and it's almost already at it's total, so a lot of love out there for him.

 

 

 

[Chico Torres]

The other big feud in 1984 Mid South was with Bill Watts culminating in the Last Stampede against Watts and the masked Stagger Lee (JYD). When Cornette talks about the insane heat and near riots and getting attacked by fans it’s mainly those Mid South days with Dennis and Bobby.

The Watts feud can be seen here

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzvomy

[Jazzy G]

Ironically, as much as I have an irrational dislike of the Rock & Roll Express, I love the Midnights. Loverboy Dennis and Beautiful Bobby were the peak lineup. Might have to stick some Giorgio Moroder on and raise a glass to him. 

 

[Kfogg1991]

Just found this out seeing a tribute video from Cornette on YouTube very sad loss. Denis was in one of the biggest and most important tag teams in history people dropping like flies every other day this year so far it's insane.

I thought last year was crazy the amount we lost it's not stopped at all yet hopefully we get a couple months without any substantial figures passing away.

 

R.I.P Dennis condrey 

[Retro Red]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/937873266547978/user/100044303142288/ Van Hammer’s death reported by Mark Mero - still no age at 66. He was one of my early favourites as a young kid watching Worldwide in the 90s, thought his slingshot suplex was the coolest thing ever. Then my folks got us Sky, WWE took over my tv time and that was that. He’ll always have a place though as one of my first favourites along with Steamboat, Sting, 2 Cold Scorpio, Johnny B Badd and more.

[Chili]

He had an amazing look did Van Hammer, but my favourite story of the silly sod was him complaining about being called Private Stash in the Misfits in Action, because it was the lowest rank. Even though calling him Major Stash (when there was already Major Gunns), defeated the point of the weed joke the name was a play on. He complained about his fictional military rank in a wrestling stable. Lovely stuff.

Edited April 19 by Chili

[mim731]

RIP Heavy Metal Van Hammer

 

[Chili]

10 hours ago, mim731 said:

RIP Heavy Metal Van Hammer

 

That's a nostalgia hit that. Van Hammer just fucking bellowing all his lines, Johnny B. Badd's amazing face throughout, the way Mero pronounces 'Chamber of Horrors' as 'Chamber of Whores' etc.

I used to love that WCW Magazine advert too with Sting, Lex, Dustin and the Steiner's doing their tribute to The Who. 

[Roy]

13 hours ago, Chili said:

He had an amazing look did Van Hammer, but my favourite story of the silly sod was him complaining about being called Private Stash in the Misfits in Action, because it was the lowest rank. Even though calling him Major Stash (when there was already Major Gunns), defeated the point of the weed joke the name was a play on. He complained about his fictional military rank in a wrestling stable. Lovely stuff.

I see what you mean, but I guess it stemmed from him having been in the US Navy so it probably mattered more to him than most.

Like @Retro Red , I have fond memories of his slingshot suplex when I first saw it. I remember thinking that and Sid Justice's powerbomb being some of the most innovative moves in wrestling at that time (!). I think Van Hammer benefied from the smaller ring and cables in WCW to perform the move, I don't think it would have been as impressive anywhere else.

[tiger_rick]

He was crap but he had an incredibly memorable look and name. First saw him on the ITV stuff in the early 90s and I assumed he was a pretty big star because he looked great and they sold him well. 

Are his WWF tryouts in 1993 around anywhere? Seems mad that they didn't bring him in at a time when they were hiring any old shite from WCW. How bad must he have been in their environment? 

Thought he was alright as a member of the Flock as a low card JTTS but god knows how he survived into the 2000s. Recall the story Chili mentioned that was from the Observer, via SCG, that he kicked off about being Private Stash in the MIA because it wasn't a high enough rank. The absolute no-mark. That they changed it instead of sacking him off is insane.

Sorry to see him pass. He was unforgettable, that's for sure.