Dennis Condrey
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Dennis Condrey (born February 1, 1952) is an American retired
professional wrestler Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...
. He is best known for his appearances with the
Continental Wrestling Association Continental Wrestling Association (later the Championship Wrestling Association) was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. The CWA was the name of the "governing body" for the Championship Wrestling, Inc. promotion which was usually ...
,
Jim Crockett Promotions Jim Crockett Promotions, at times branded as Eastern States Championship Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, is a Family business, family-owned professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, United Sta ...
and
World Championship Wrestling World Championship Wrestling (WCW) was an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Ted Turner in 1988, after Turner Broadcasting System, through a subsidiary named Universal Wrestling Corporation, purchased the assets of National W ...
in the 1970s and 1980s.


Professional wrestling career


National Wrestling Alliance (1973–1987)

Dennis Condrey was born in
Florence, Alabama Florence is a city in, and the county seat of, Lauderdale County, Alabama, Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the state's northwestern corner, and had a population of 40,184 in the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Florence is l ...
, and started wrestling in 1973 in the
Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina t ...
area, wrestling for promoter
Nick Gulas Nick Gulas (September 3, 1914 – January 21, 1991) was an American professional wrestling promoter in the Southern United States, partnered with Tennessee promoter Roy Welch for decades. Gulas was also known as "The King of Managers", "King B", ...
. He would also wrestle in the Mid-Atlantic area as well. In 1974, Condrey teamed up with
Phil Hickerson Phil Hickerson (born October 4, 1946) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the Tennessee-based NWA Mid-America and Continental Wrestling Association promotions. Professional wrestling career ...
, and became known as the Bicentennial Kings, and was managed by "Kangaroo" Al Costello. In March 1977, he began wrestling for Jerry Jarrett's promotion in Memphis. Four months later, he would make his first international trip to Canada, wrestling in the Maritimes. In 1978, Condrey went to
Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...
's Southeast Championship Wrestling. After the Bicentennial Kings broke up in 1979, Condrey formed the Big C's with Don Carson. In 1980, after Carson retired, Condrey teamed up with Randy Rose, and formed the Midnight Express, alongside Norvell Austin. They left for Mid-South wrestling in 1984. Once in Mid-South, Condrey formed a new version of the Midnight Express with Bobby Eaton with
Jim Cornette James Mark Cornette (born September 17, 1961) is an American author, sports historian, and podcaster who previously worked in the professional wrestling industry as an agent, booker, color commentator, manager, photographer, promoter, tra ...
as their manager. They also started a legendary feud with the
Rock 'n' Roll Express The Rock 'n' Roll Express is a professional wrestling tag team consisting of professional wrestlers Robert Gibson (wrestler), Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton. The duo began teaming together in Memphis in the early 1980s, followed by Universal Wrest ...
that carried over into the NWA's
Jim Crockett Promotions Jim Crockett Promotions, at times branded as Eastern States Championship Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, is a Family business, family-owned professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, United Sta ...
in 1985. In early 1986, Condrey and Eaton won the NWA World Tag Team Titles from the Rock 'n' Roll Express on '' Superstars on the Superstation'' and feuded with them until Condrey left the promotion in early 1987. He left overnight, giving no notice to Cornette, Eaton, or the NWA.


American Wrestling Association (1987)

Condrey would reunite with former partner Randy Rose in the AWA under manager Paul E. Dangerously. "Loverboy" Dennis and "Ravishing" Randy called themselves "The Midnight Express", and claimed the right to the name, which had since been used by Condrey and Eaton (and later by "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton and "Sweet" Stan Lane) in the NWA. They would defeat Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee for the AWA World Tag Team titles on October 30, 1987, in
Whitewater, Wisconsin Whitewater is a city located in Walworth and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located near the southern portion of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Whitewater is the home of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. As of t ...
. They would have a two-month title reign, losing the titles to the returning Midnight Rockers (
Shawn Michaels Shawn Michaels (born Michael Shawn Hickenbottom on July 22, 1965) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he is the Senior Vice President of Talent Development, Creative, and oversees the creative aspects of th ...
and Marty Jannetty) on December 27, 1987, in
Las Vegas Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...
,
Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a landlocked state in the Western United States. It borders Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the seventh-most extensive, th ...
.


Return to the NWA World Championship Wrestling (1988–1989)

After wrestling the independents, Condrey returned to the NWA in November 1988, alongside Randy Rose and Paul E. Dangerously, and now calling themselves "The Original Midnight Express". During the November 5 episode of
World Championship Wrestling World Championship Wrestling (WCW) was an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Ted Turner in 1988, after Turner Broadcasting System, through a subsidiary named Universal Wrestling Corporation, purchased the assets of National W ...
, Jim Cornette received an anonymous phone call. The caller ridiculed Cornette over Eaton and Lane's loss of the NWA World Tag Team titles to the Road Warriors on October 29. Cornette recognized the caller and basically asked him to come say it to his face. At that point, Dangerously and the Original Midnight Express hit the ring and proceeded to pummel Cornette and Stan Lane, who was wrestling in a singles match. By the time Bobby Eaton showed up, it was three on one. Cornette showed up the next week on TBS carrying his blood stained suit jacket and the feud was on. The teams wrestled at Starrcade '88, but nothing was solved. The Midnights vs. Midnights would be the hottest feud in the NWA for months, building up to a 6-man tag match involving the managers at the
Chi-Town Rumble Chi-Town Rumble was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) banner. It took place on February 20, 1989, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinoi ...
pay-per-view in February 1989. The one who got pinned would have to leave the promotion. However, due to changes in ownership, the NWA was going through booking upheaval with Dusty Rhodes being replaced as head booker by George Scott. Jim Crockett, Jr. already had a problem with Condrey due to his previous overnight disappearance and Scott had previous animosity with Rose, so Scott's appearance as top booker made for the catalyst to bury both teams and the feud. The feud was cooled off and the "loser leaves town" match was going to be used to kick one of them out of the territory once and for all and continue to bury the other. At the last minute, Dennis Condrey once again decided to leave the NWA, rather than take his PPV payoff and give Crockett and Scott the satisfaction. Jack Victory was brought in as his replacement and the match went forward.


Continental Wrestling Federation and International Championship Wrestling (1989–1990)

Condrey returned to Alabama (now known as Continental) in the Spring of 1989. On July 22, 1989, Condrey defeated
Tom Prichard Thomas Prichard (born August 18, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestling, professional wrestler and author better known by the ring name Dr. Tom Prichard. He is the older brother of Bruce Prichard. Professional wrestling career ...
to win the
CWF Heavyweight Championship The NWA Continental Heavyweight Championship was a major title in the National Wrestling Alliance's Alabama territory called Southeastern Championship Wrestling. It existed from 1984 until 1988 when SECW became the Continental Wrestling Federatio ...
, before losing the title back to Prichard on December 6. He would also form a short-lived tag team called the "Lethal Weapons" with Doug Gilbert. Together, they went to the New England area to wrestle for International Championship Wrestling. On December 30, 1989, they defeated Phil Apollo and Vic Steamboat, who was subbing for Apollo's partner Eric Sbraccia, who no-showed, to win the ICW Tag Team Championship. They held onto the belts until March 1990, when they left the promotion. Condrey retired shortly thereafter.


Independent circuit (2004–2011)

Condrey came back to team with Eaton in 2004 and, along with Stan Lane, they have been wrestling as the Midnight Express in the independents and feuding with the Rock 'n' Roll Express and The Fantastics. Condrey signed to
World Wrestling Entertainment World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...
in March 2010 as a developmental trainer. He was assigned to
Florida Championship Wrestling Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) was a professional wrestling professional wrestling promotion, promotion based on the former National Wrestling Alliance member promotion, Championship Wrestling from Florida, which operated from 1961 until ...
and works with the rookies on the NXT roster. Condrey retired in 2011, after wrestling his last match on October 15, against Bill Mulkey at the AWE Night of Legends.


Championships and accomplishments

*
American Wrestling Association The American Wrestling Association (AWA) was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 until 1991. It was founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo. The promotion was born out of the Minneapolis ...
**
AWA World Tag Team Championship The American Wrestling Association (AWA) World Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in the American Wrestling Association from 1960 until the promotion folded in 1991. History When the NWA Minneapolis ...
( 1 time) – with Randy Rose * Continental Wrestling Federation **
CWF Heavyweight Championship The NWA Continental Heavyweight Championship was a major title in the National Wrestling Alliance's Alabama territory called Southeastern Championship Wrestling. It existed from 1984 until 1988 when SECW became the Continental Wrestling Federatio ...
( 1 time) *
Georgia Championship Wrestling Georgia Championship Wrestling is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. The promotion was affiliated with what had been the world's top sanctioning body of championship titles for decades b ...
** NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time) * International Championship Wrestling (New England) ** ICW Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Doug Gilbert *International Wrestling Cartel **IWC Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bobby Eaton *
Jim Crockett Promotions Jim Crockett Promotions, at times branded as Eastern States Championship Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, is a Family business, family-owned professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, United Sta ...
** NWA World Tag Team Championship ''(Mid-Atlantic version)'' ( 1 time) – with Bobby Eaton * Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame **Class of 2017 - with Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane and
Jim Cornette James Mark Cornette (born September 17, 1961) is an American author, sports historian, and podcaster who previously worked in the professional wrestling industry as an agent, booker, color commentator, manager, photographer, promoter, tra ...
* Mid-South Wrestling Association ** Mid-South Tag Team Championship ( 2 times) – with Bobby Eaton *
National Wrestling Alliance The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is an American professional wrestling professional wrestling promotion, promotion and governing body owned by Billy Corgan and operated by its parent company Lightning One, Inc. Founded in 1948, the NWA be ...
** NWA Hall of Fame (class of 2008) * NWA Bluegrass **NWA Bluegrass Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bobby Eaton *
NWA Mid-America NWA Mid-America was a professional wrestling promotion territory under the umbrella of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) that promoted shows in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama from 1940 until 1981. The company was founded in 1940 by Nick Gulas ...
/
Continental Wrestling Association Continental Wrestling Association (later the Championship Wrestling Association) was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. The CWA was the name of the "governing body" for the Championship Wrestling, Inc. promotion which was usually ...
** NWA Southern Tag Team Championship ( 9 times) – with
Phil Hickerson Phil Hickerson (born October 4, 1946) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the Tennessee-based NWA Mid-America and Continental Wrestling Association promotions. Professional wrestling career ...
(5), Don Carson (1), David Schultz (1), and Randy Rose (2) ** NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship ( 2 times) ** NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Phil Hickerson ** NWA Six-Man Tag Team Championship ( 2 times) – with Al Greene & Phil Hickerson (1), and Tojo Yamamoto & Chris Colt (1) ** NWA United States Tag Team Championship (''Mid-America version'') ( 5 times) – with Phil Hickerson ** NWA World Brass Knuckles Championship ( 1 time) * NWA Wrestle Birmingham ** NWA Wrestle Birmingham Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time) **NWA Wrestle Birmingham Television Championship (1 time) *
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) and Museum was an American professional wrestling hall of fame and museum located in Wichita Falls, Texas; following the postponement of its 19th induction ceremony, planned for May 2020, and an annou ...
**Class of 2019 – Inducted as part of The Midnight Express with "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton and "Ravishing" Randy Rose *
Southeastern Championship Wrestling Continental Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Dothan, Alabama, from 1985 until 1989, owned by Ron Fuller. The promotion evolved out of the NWA-affiliated Southeastern Championship W ...
** NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship ( 2 times) ** NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship ''(Northern Division)'' ( 1 time) ** NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship ( 15 times) – with Randy Rose (10), David Shultz (1), Don Carson (1), and Phil Hickerson (3) *
Windy City Pro Wrestling Windy City Pro Wrestling is an American regional professional wrestling promotion originally based in Chicago, Illinois. Established as Windy City Wrestling by retired wrestler Sam DeCero in 1988, the promotion was one of several major regional ...
**WCPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Randy Rose *
World Class Championship Wrestling World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), later known as the World Class Wrestling Association (WCWA), was an American professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by ...
** NWA American Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Bobby Eaton *
World Wrestling Council The World Wrestling Council (WWC; Spanish: "Consejo Mundial de Lucha") is a professional wrestling promotion based in Puerto Rico. It was originally established as Capitol Sports Promotions in 1973 by Carlos Colón, Victor Jovica, and Goril ...
** WWC North American Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Dutch Mantel *
Pro Wrestling Illustrated ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...
**PWI ranked him # 219 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003. **PWI ranked him # 21 of the 100 best tag teams during the "PWI Years" with Bobby Eaton in 2003. * Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards ** Tag Team of the Year (1986) with Bobby Eaton **
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame The ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' (''WON'') Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to their professions. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Mel ...
(Class of 2009) with Bobby Eaton as the Midnight Express;


See also

* The Midnight Express


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Condrey, Dennis 1952 births 20th-century male professional wrestlers 20th-century American professional wrestlers 21st-century male professional wrestlers 21st-century American professional wrestlers American male professional wrestlers Living people Sportspeople from Florence, Alabama Professional wrestlers from Alabama Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Dangerous Alliance members First Family (professional wrestling) members AWA World Tag Team Champions WCW World Tag Team Champions NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champions NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Champions