When AEW comes to Huntsville, Alabama at the end of this month, the promotion will be honoring a tag team wrestling icon who called the city home.
Tony Khan told WAAY 31 News that AEW has plans to honor Dennis Condrey when Collision is held at the Von Braun Center on Saturday, May 30. Though he did not speak on specific plans for the tribute, Khan said the memory of Condrey is “very important” to AEW.
“Absolutely. The memory of Dennis Condrey is very important to us. I had met Dennis Condrey, and I’m a huge fan of Dennis Condrey,” Khan said. “I have so many things that I can say about the life and legacy of the late, great Dennis Condrey — a legendary professional wrestler who touched so many people.”
Condrey, one of the founding members of The Midnight Express, passed away at 74 years old this March after suffering a fall at his Huntsville home. He originally formed The Midnight Express with Randy Rose and Norvell Austin before going on to help define what tag team wrestling would become in his team with Bobby Eaton and manager Jim Cornette. After Condrey left Jim Crockett Promotions, Eaton began a new version of The Midnight Express alongside Stan Lane and Cornette.
To help Condrey’s widow Theresa after his passing, Dax Harwood of FTR started a GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $50,000. The donations included $5,000 from Khan.
Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales are back on Wrestling Observer Radio discussing the major stories from today’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
In the lead story, Dave Meltzer does an early obituary on Denis Condrey who passed away this week. A more extensive look at the Midnight Express member and tag team standout will come in future issues.
Dave also gives an update on the WWE WrestleMania 42 card and ticket situation, and the on-sale numbers for AEW All In and where the company could go main event-wise to help drive interest.
Dave also recaps the retirement show for El Satanico, and the new WWE Hall of Fame inductees.
Plus, there’s all the latest news, reviews, ratings and more for the past week of pro wrestling & MMA news.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back to talk tons of different topics including Dennis Condrey’s passing, Sid going into the WWE Hall of Fame and tons of memories from his career, the RAW report from Monday night, how big a star is SPEED?, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including more on the death of Dennis Condrey, the full RAW report with more matches made for WrestleMania, New Japan and Netflix line-ups, ratings notes, tons of news and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps: Start: More on Dennis Condrey & Midnight Express 8:09: Lio Rush’s new look and more WWE SmackDown thoughts 14:52: NJPW Sakura Genesis lineup, Titan injured 19:35: DDT wrestler Kazusada Higuchi retires due to neck injury 25:41: Ratings notes, Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano undercard announced 34:22: WWE Raw issues on Netflix & recap, lineups for the week
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez is back with tons to talk about including the death of Dennis Condrey, Tom and Bryan somehow get beaten again in a match they weren’t even in, a look at Smackdown from Friday night, thoughts on the WrestleMania build, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the death of the great Dennis Condrey, New Japan Cup and CMLL news, NXT injuries, Josh Alexander’s knee, another big change to the ratings, MMA and NCAA notes, the Smackdown report and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps: Start: Dennis Condrey passes away 19:06: Callum Newman wins NJPW Cup, CMLL notes 26:20: Josh Alexander, NXT injury updates 28:44: Nielsen updating methods yet again, ratings notes 42:20: Nate Diaz update, NCAA notes, Logan Paul & Tom Brady flag football 56:17: WWE SmackDown recap
Full coverage of AEW Revolution, keys to the show, the returns and surprises, poll results and other business notes, thoughts on the matches
Notes on Tony Khan’s attempt to buy WWE in 2023 that came out this week
Updates on WrestleMania with confirmed matches, matches not announced but are on the schedule, the 31.6% off ticket sale, comparisons of demand for tickets with last year, potential matches and more on how matches were changed, as well as Steve Austin talks
AAA Rey de Reyes update, a look at the promotion and how it differs from WWE and CMLL and what comes next
A look at what happened in the ring when referee Dallas Edwards suffered a medical emergency in the ring during a match and the response issues
The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major television and streaming shows of WWE, AEW and TNA, demos, comparisons, competition numbers and placings
Claudio Castagnoli draws his first Arena Mexico sellout as CMLL world champion
Notes on the other major shows of the week in Mexico
Stardom Cinderella tournament finals and the top matches for the company’s biggest show of the year
Champion Carnival blocks
New Japan Cup notes
Manami Toyuota and never going to WWE and would it have mattered
Sareee talks her WWE stint
Kendo Kashin on Tadao Yasuda
45th anniversary of the Tiger Mask debut and the best woman wrestler in the world at that time is still holding a championship today
NCAA wrestling tournament notes
Ted DiBiase Jr. trial notes
Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW, TNA, Tokyo Joshi Pro, Rousey vs. Carano and more shows
Mistico sells out San Jose three weeks in advance and thoughts on the show
Former WWE champion in boxing match
Ricochet, Gates of Agony and Mercedes Mone in Europe
TNA new business deal
Ricochet Twitter controversy
Former AEW and WWE champion appears this weekend on one of the most-watched TV shows
AEW contract notes
Zuffa makes choice not to accept a commission regulation and will do it themselves
Gina Carano talks about how UFC tried to stop the Carano vs. Cyborg fight from happening
WWE in Saudi Arabia thoughts
WWE’s deal with Front Office Sports and some thoughts
— Our Friday show with Garrett Gonzales talked about news of the week including AEW’s big PPV and TV ratings numbers of the past week, WWE WrestleMania news, the ratings controversy, Ronda Rousey, New Japan Cup and more. Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Dennis Condrey, the weekend TVs, Arena Mexico, New Japan Cup and more.
— Very sorry to hear about the death of Dennis Condrey of Midnight Express fame at the age of 74. We’ll have a major story on him this week. Condrey was a very good wrestler practically from the start. Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson held multiple tag team titles in Tennessee and were one of the best teams in the country in the mid-70s, when Condrey was in his early and mid 20s. He was one of those guys on Georgia television when it went national where he was not a main eventer, but was an obvious great worker. He had all the mechanics down, and was good in every facet of the in-ring. His offense was solid and innovative. His selling was great for babyface comebacks. He could impart comedy, seriousness, aggression and drama if need be in his matches.
The Original Midnight Express was Condrey & Randy Rose in the Gulf Coast, and later Norvell Austin joined the group with the gimmick there were three of them but any pairing of the three could wrestle. The Midnight Express of Condrey & Bobby Eaton managed by Jim Cornette was put together in the famed talent swap of Jerry Jarrett and Bill Watts in late 1983 that led to Mid South Wrestling having the best year in its history.
The Midnight Express feuded with Magnum TA & Mr. Wrestling II, The Rock & Roll Express, The Fantastics and had their record setting feud with Bill Watts & Stagger Lee (Junkyard Dog) which was the most successful few week period in the history of the territory including drawing more than 26,000 fans to the Superdome in New Orleans. They went to Jim Crockett Promotions during the hottest period in that company’s history as well.
Condrey disappeared and Stan Lane replaced him on the team. Condrey had said he wanted them to take the offer to go to WWE and the others didn’t want it, but he just left and later just talked abouot being burned out. Stan Lane took his place. Condrey & Rose resurfaced as the Original Midnight Express in the AWA, managed by Paul Heyman. Eventually they did a Condrey & Rose with Heyman feud with babyfaces Eaton & Lane & Cornette in WCW.
Condrey continued to wrestle after that program but was never really in a national high profile situation after that. Eaton & Condrey were one of the greatest tag teams of all-time. If you wanted ot say they were best ever in the U.S., I would not argue. If you want to say they were not one of the ten best ever, I would argue. They were so innovative with their moves, but they were two excellent and completely different stye wrestlers with one of the three greatest managers of all-time at this peak. They had the ability to have good matches with everyone, and with teams like The Rock & Roll Express and Fantastics, had the best tag team matches of that era and some of the best ever in the U.S.
— We have a story on the high rating for Wednesday’s show up on the site in our premium story lists.
— There is a giant story in television that we touched on Friday. Essentially, new data has shown that more people are watching television than streaming, contradicting data from the past year. Changing of methodologies for ratings has led to a lot of weirdness dating back to September when wrestling and UFC numbers fell badly for reasons unclear since that was not the case for other sports.
While other programming did drop, there was no real pattern of what did and didn’t including on the same stations and time slots. Then at the end of January, there was the adjustment to where wrestling total viewer numbers are back to what they were previously, and in the case of AEW, actually ahead, but 18-49 numbers are still far lower.
This latest change in calibrations would not have affected individual ratings of pro wrestling shows, but TV in general was undercounted by about 15 percent. The Wall Street Journal on Thursday noted this. The new figures weren ‘t released on 3/17 but there were complaints from streaming platforms, as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Roku, where overall viewers dropped significantly under the new method.
Then Neilsen did not release the numbers at all, And the word is they won’t release this new info until the fall. This has then led to those in the linear television business to say they are losing credibility by holding back info that shows television is far more watched than believed. However, streaming is expected to continue gaining and television decreasing, just that the figures that showed streaming ahead in the past are believed to now be inaccurate.
— For stuff that will impact wrestling, we are told Nielsen’s next adjustment is likely for April and we are told this will also be a major change. How wrestling is affected by this won’t be known until a few weeks after the change.
— One person who knows and understands Nielsen better than anyone I know, and who knows people at Nielsen, said those at Nielsen realized streaming numbers were too high and there are shifts in algorithms being done. Nielsen used the term methodological innovation but the person said that was a euphemism for the actual term of “we f***ed up.”
— Collision is on tonight at 11 p.m. or later after the NCAA basektball game on TNT
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Lio Rush
Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong vs. Lee Johnson & Jay Lethal
Megan Bayne & Lena Cross vs. ?
Mistico & Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey vs. Josh Alexander & Konosuke Takeshita & El Clon for the trios titles. This is the match where Alexander injured his knee.
— Chris Jericho guest stars on the highly rated CBS show Tracker tonight at 9 p.m. Jericho plays a lead villain on the show.
— In Friday’s update, we mentioned the UBS Arena would be the site of TNA Slammiversary according to Carlos Silva. A Silva interview saying that came out on Friday but by the end of the day it was noted that things had changed and that was no longer in the plans.
— Bandido does have a visa issue and is missing some non-AEW appearances. President Trump in January granted a number of sports leagues exemptions from needing visas for its performers to come into the country. AEW, UFC and WWE were all on the list, so that would seem to mean he would be okay to work in AEW.
We do know even if there is an issue, that athletes and entertainers can perform in Canada without visas and with TV’s in Edmonton and Winnieg and the PPV in Vancouver, if they wanted him on those shows he would be able to do there.
— In a crazy thing noted to us, after the UFC show last night in London at the O2 Arena, not one reporter asked Dana White about Ronda Rousey. White was asked a few days ago about Nate Diaz, and said that Diaz was offered a ton of money to fight on the 5/16 Rousey vs. Carano show and White said he should take it.
I odn’t know if Joe Rogan is reliable on this or not, but he said he heard the number was $10 million for one fight. White said that after the fight they are still open to using Diaz.
— White was asked about Jon Jones claiming UFC offered him $15 million to face Alex Pereiera on the White House show and White said that while people in the company may have negotiated with Jones, that he was never going to allow Jones on the show. It is so weird with White constantly saying he wouldn’t be on the show and all the negotiations that did take place for it to happen.
— Yesterday’s main event was a No. 1 contender for the featherweight title fight between unbeatens Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, which Evloev won 48-46, 48-46 and there was a 47-47 score. However, media scores were that 71 percent had it a draw and 29 percent had Murphy winning and none scored it for Evloev.
Fan scores on MMA Decision had 44 percent had it as a draw, 26 percent for Evloev and 24 percent had Murphy. Ben Cartildge had Evloev winning one, three and five, four as even (due to a foul point) and Murp0hy winning round two. Derek Clearly had it the same. Clement Werner had Murphy winning one and two and Evloev taking three and five.
— Sareee’s 15th anniversary show took place today in Yokohama with Saree & Takumi Iroha over Chihiro Hashimoto & Syuuri plus Natsupoi ver 90 star Kaoru Ito.
— Alexxis Falcon beat Alex Windsor today to win the British women’s title inRevPro. Falcon beat Mercedes Mone and Windsor on successive days.
— Penn State not only won the team title at the NCAA tournament that took place Thursday through Saturday in Cleveland, but set the all-time record for most tournament points, and had four national champions. Even more notable is that a major feud has stated with Penn State, headed by Cael Sanderson, and Oklahoma State, headed by David Taylor.
Younger stars were not born during the Sanderson heyday and have no connection to his career,but do know of Taylor as the best U.S. wrestler from a few years back. Three Oklahoma State freshmen, Sergio Vega, Landon Robiedeau and Jax Forrest all won titles. Vega and Forrest both went undefeated. Vega was never taken down all season.
Forrest’s story is crazy. He was a high school senior in the fall semester, but graduated early and enrolled in Oklahoma State in January. He joined the team during the season and won the NCAA title.
— Sanderson would not mention Oklahoma State when talking about winning the title but how bad things are happening, noting a high schooler was pulled out of his senior year to be in the tournament and was unhappy about how his wrestlers were being actively recruited to leave.
He also noted that Taylor did not mention Penn State once during the tournament while other coaches congratulated them on winning the national title and setting the record.
— The flag football games that involved Tom Brady and Logan Paul took place yesterday in Los Angeles. Originally, it was to be in Riyadh. Brady, after catching a pass over Paul, threw the bell in Paul’s chest which got a lot of attention.
The Los Angeles Times outright speculated all of this is a build for WrestleMania, saying that coordinated promotional stunts by Brady, Paul and Rob Gronkowski are designed to boost viewership and social media engagement to both the game and Mania, and called it all fake.
— We don’t have more details, but on Friday in Lakeland, FL, in a match with Lexis King & Stacks Lorenzo & Charlie Dempsey & Uriah Connors vs. Elio LaFleur & Tavion Heights & Eli Knight & Kale Dixon there were two injuries. King was rocked in the match.
Reports live were that people thought he suffered a concussion but that diagnosis has not been confirmed. But the match continued. LeFleur then suffered an arm injury, they did the “X” and the match was stopped suddenly.
— Also in NXT, former UFC and Rizin fighter Ulka Sasaki, on loan from NOAH, debuted in the ring on both NXT shows.
— SmackDown numbers for Friday outside the U.S. on Netflix were way down for whatever reason, but the show was No. 1 for the day in Canada, Mexico and New Zealand.
— The first ever meeting of Konosuke Takeshita vs. celebrity wrestler Kaisei Takechi will be a main match on 8/11 for a DDT show at Sumo Hall. Takeshita wrestled on today’s show agrainst Kazuki Hirata.
He won in seven seconds. Hirata wanted a rematch and Taeshita won in ten seconds. Takeshita ripped Hirata, saying this was so bad that we’ll probably only get a tiny photo in Weekly Pro Wrestling and said that I wouldn’t even rate a match so bad.
Anyway, to make it fair, they did a third match where Hirata would only need a two count pin to get the pin and Takeshita would need a 20 count pin to win. Takeshita won that match via submission.
— Regarding weekend Google searches, the flag football game involving Logan Paul and Tom Brady where they shot an angle was No. 24 with 100,000 searaches. The UFC show yesterday had 82,000 searches. The NCAA wrestling tournament had 28,000. Logan Paul had 10,000 Dennis Condrey had 5,000 and John Cena had 2,000.
— Ivy Nile will be competing in a bodybuilding contest in seven weeks.
— Masato Tanaka vs. Mark Davis, Bandido vs. Galeno de l Mal, Latigo & Toxin vs. Danny Black & Joe Lando vs. Ben K & Hyo vs Starboy Charlie & Star Man, Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Anderws vs . Lee Johnson & Blake Chrsitian, Headbangers vs. Rhino & Heath Miller (Slater) are on the 4/16 Mark Hitchcock Super Show in Las Vegas.
— Kirk White’s Big Time Wrestling from Friday night in Newark, CA in a show that sold out well in advance:
Jheri Giggalo b Hunter
Vinnie Massaro b Marcus Lewis
Los Sauavicotos b Cajun Catch Revival
QT Marshall b Alan Angels
Aarn Solo b Alpha Zo
Vert Vixen b Sara Leon (said to be excellent, standing ovation)
Viva Van b Siren Veil
Andrade b Bad Dude Tito (said to bde excellent as well) (thanks to Jim Davis)
— Wayne Bloom/Beau Beverly turns 68 today. Eddie Dennis turn s40. Beat Priestley turns 30. Hisashi Shinma was born on this day in 1935. Villano V was born on this day in 1962. Joe Blanchard was 83 when he died on this day 14 years ago Captain Ed George, the son of The Sheik, was 76 when he died on this day five years ago. Bill Mercer was 99 when he died one year ago today (thanks to Tony Richards)
— Ricky Morton will be teaching this week at the Performance Center.
— House of Glory from last night in Suffolk County:
Angel Jacquez over JJP, Jodi Aura, Rahemem Royal, Tiny Giant, Papadon and KB Prime Indi Hartwell b Deonna Purrazzo Daron Richardson b Jey Silva to keep the cruiserweight title The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) b Midas Black & Jay Lion Sammy Guevara b Amazing Red Mina Shirakawa b women’s champion Shotzi in a non-title match Dijak b Charles Mason-DQ so Mason Retained the HOG title
They run 4/16 in as Vegas (thanks to Samuel Rosenthal)
— Jason Kincaid said that his final match for Innovate Wrestling will be 4/11 in Kingsport, TN at NetPro Studios.
WWE NXT wrestler Brooks Jensen has paid tribute to the recently passed away Dennis Condrey.
A founding member of the Midnight Express tag team, Condrey, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026.
AEW World tag team champion Dax Harwood made a social media announcement about Condrey’s passing before launching a GoFundMe to help cover the financial expenses of his funeral service.
Shortly after, the wrestling industry came together to pay their respect to the late wrestling veteran. Several WWE stars, including William Regal, Nick Aldis, and Adam Pearce, paid their tributes. Several other notable entities in the industry also paid their homage. Shortly after, WWE NXT wrestler Brooks Jensen also joined the list.
Sharing an Instagram story, Jensen first uploaded an old image of a young Condrey before revealing his wrist tape from one of NXT’s recent live shows. Jensen’s white wrist tape had the name Dennis Condrey mentioned in black, making it easily visible.
It’s Saturday’s Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.
This week, we remember one of the founding and longest tenured members of the legendary Midnight Express as “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey passed away Friday night at the age of 74.
We’ll talk about his career and the GoFundMe set up by Dax Harwood for funeral expenses.
On WWE SmackDown Friday night, Randy Orton tried to get booed but couldn’t. What does that mean for WrestleMania?
Plus, new champs in CMLL, WWE and The New Japan Cup and more. Check it out.
“I didn’t see any American Wrestling until nearly 2 years after I was already a Wrestler as it wasn’t shown in the UK. The first US Wrestling I saw was the NWA and on that tape were The Midnight Express comprising of my later tag partner Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey. I only met Dennis a few times but was always in awe of his and the Midnight’s ability. My deepest condolences to Dennis’s family and friends. Rest well.”
“RIP the great Dennis Condrey: When I think of this business as a craft, Dennis Condrey is as good as any craftsmen professional wrestling ever had. For me, pro wrestling is at its best when it’s a combination of technical skill, perfect timing and rugged, believable aggression; Dennis Condrey embodied that combination flawlessly. I can (and do) watch classic Midnight Express matches over and over again, and appreciate something I didn’t notice before every time I watch it. Nuances, details, absolute commitment to making the opponent with selling.
“A PHD in Pro Wrestling is available for free by watching this man work. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to meet and spend some time with Dennis Condrey and the other members of the Midnights at various times over the years and let them know their contributions are deeply appreciated. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and teammates today. We bid farewell to a genuine master. My friend Dax Harwood has set up a GoFundMe to allow people to contribute to funeral costs and to support Dennis’ wife Theresa: Any contribution is greatly appreciated: Fundraiser by David Harwood : In Memory of Dennis Condrey”
“AEW and the wrestling world are mourning the passing of Loverboy Dennis Condrey, one half of the legendary Midnight Express. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and fans during this difficult time.”
“So sorry to hear about the death of Dennis Condrey. Condrey & Bobby Eaton were the best American tag team of their era and high on the list of greatest tag teams that ever lived. I can’t speak highly enough of them, and just how complete of pro wrestlers both were, execution, drama, comedy, heel psychology, making the babyfaces look strong and the element of Jim Cornette’s interviews that made them legit big draws in multiple places. While people will talk about the Midnight Express with Eaton, he had a great tag team with Phil Hickerson, and strong team with Randy Rose, Norvell Austin, David Schultz and really he was one of the best tag team wrestlers of all-time. Wishing the best to his family and friends.”
“It’s hard to even find the words right now… because losing my dear friend Dennis Condrey feels like losing a piece of my own life. Dennis wasn’t just someone I shared a ring with. He was part of an era, a brother in this wild journey…”
“and a man who helped shape what professional wrestling meant to so many people. We traveled the roads, lived the highs and lows, and created memories that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my days.”
“People saw the competitor, the toughness, the presence… but I got to know the man behind it all. A man with heart, with grit, and with a love for this business that never faded. Those are the things I’ll miss the most.”
“The conversations, the laughs, and just knowing he was still out there. The wrestling world lost someone truly special… but I lost a friend I’ll never forget. Rest easy, Dennis. Thank you for the memories, the miles, and the moments. You’ll always have a place in my heart.”
“𝙍𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙈𝘽𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝘿𝙀𝙉𝙉𝙄𝙎 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝘿𝙍𝙀𝙔 The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened to note the passing of “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey, one of the most accomplished tag team wrestlers in history. A founding member of the legendary Midnight Express, Condrey’s most well-known partner was “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton. Managed by Jim Cornette, Condrey and Eaton captured tag gold across the U.S. South and reigned as NWA World Tag Team Champions for seven months in 1986. The Midnights’ feud with The Rock ‘n Roll Express defined a generation and propelled tag wrestling into the main event. As one of the most profitable rivalries of the 1980s the teams headlined countless live events. Condrey and Eaton followed with an intense series against The Road Warriors, culminating in an infamous scaffold match at Starcade ‘86: The Night of the Skywalkers. Soon after, as The Original Midnight Express, Paul E. Dangerously led “Loverboy” Dennis and partner “Ravishing” Randy Rose to the AWA World Tag Team Titles. The trio then jumped to NWA to begin a heated contest with Condrey’s former manager Cornette with Eaton and his new partner “Sweet” Stan Lane. During a career spanning 1973-2011, Condrey won more than 50 pro wrestling championships. A true legend in the sport, his legacy will continue for generations to come. The National Wrestling Alliance extends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and fans of Dennis Condrey. RIP “Loverboy” Dennis.”
“Rest in piece dennis condrey. He entertained me as the midbight express w/ norvell austin & randy rose when i watched South eastern. Loved the midnight express vs midnight express match from starrcade 88. Thanks for the menories & entertaining me, still to this day.”
“I am reflecting on Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton during our time with JCP. 2 of the best in the wrestling business. Dennis has joined Bobby again in eternity.”
“Godspeed, Dennis Condrey. Tag Team Wrestling is an art form in our industry. Its timing, pace, and psychology a beautifully woven mosaic on canvas. And throughout my years, I don’t know that I’ve seen anyone any better at wielding that Tag Team brushstroke than “Loverboy” Dennis. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time around him; only chance meetings on occasion. But people I care about care for him deeply, and that speaks volumes to me. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and countless colleagues, who like me may feel as though a cornerpiece in the puzzle that is Tag Team Wrestling is now lost to time. Rest well, sir. And thank you.”
As of this writing, $14,073 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign to assist the Condrey family with bills and funeral expenses.
Top donors listed include Chris Jericho, Matt Jackson, Cody Rhodes, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Brian Last, Nick Aldis, Steven New, Thomas Billington, and referee Shawn Bennett, among others. A link to the GoFundMe is here.
Dennis Condrey, a founding member of the Midnight Express tag team, has passed away.
Dax Harwood made the announcement on social media that Condrey had passed away at the age of 74. He has started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral services. PWInsider reported his death shortly thereafter, revealing he had passed away on Friday evening.
“If Dennis Condrey and the Midnight Express ever brought any amount of joy to your life, and you’re able to help, please do. If not, it’s absolutely ok!,” Harwood wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Please send all your thoughts and prayers to Theresa Condrey in her time of need. God speed, “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey.”
The origins of the Midnight Express date back to 1980 when ‘Loverboy’ Dennis formed the stable with ‘Ravashing’ Randy Rose and Norvell Austin. A few years later in 1983 the group was dissolved when Condrey jumped to Mid-South Wrestling, where he formed a new version of the Midnight Express with ‘Beautiful’ Bobby Eaton and Jim Cornette, who served as their manager. This version of the team continued in Mid-South, WCCW, and eventually Jim Crockett Promotions.
In 1987, Condrey left Crockett and later reunited with Rose in the AWA. That version of the team later resurfaced in the new World Championship Wrestling promotion the following year, bringing in Paul E. Dangerously (Paul Heyman) as their manager to feud with Cornette, Eaton, and ‘Sweet’ Stan Lane. Amid changes in ownership and a booking upheaval, the feud ended abruptly with Condrey leaving WCW in early 1989.
Condrey would continue wrestling on the independent scene through 2011. In 2023, AEW brought in Condrey and was given a tribute by FTR and CM Punk.
