Rock N’ Roll Express
Inducted by TripleR (R. Simmons)
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“It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll”– AC/DC
When I got my first taste of the NWA as a wrestling fan growing up in Baltimore, one of the very first teams to hit my TV screen was the Rock n Roll Express, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson. I was amazed at the insanity that flowed through the crowd, as Ricky and Robert were mobbed by the multitude of fans in attendance, both men and women. The Rock n Roll Express were truly living the life of legends; the epitome of the genre they were representing. They were rock and roll gods, and on their way to become wrestling legends.
Originally paired together by Jerry “The King” Lawler, Ricky and Robert’s teamwork, charisma, and ability to connect with the fans was apparent right from the start. Within two years of their formation they made their way to the NWA and Jim Crockett Promotions, where they quickly became two of the hottest stars in the promotion. They feuded with the likes of the Russians, Ivan Koloff and Krusher Kruschev and The Four Horsemen, but their most legendary rivalry was against Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express. During their initial run in JCP, Ricky and Robert became two of the top stars in the promotion, often drawing more than the top singles stars like Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair.
The first time I saw them live was at a house show in the Baltimore Arena, where they headlined the show against Cornette’s duo. It was a match that saw Jim Cornette hung above the ring in a cage so he did not interfere. It was a match that was run many times throughout the course of their rivalry, but seeing these two teams live truly was an experience. Baltimore was a hotbed of wrestling in the mid 80’s, and house shows would frequently sell out, but a main event headlined by Ricky and Robert was a guaranteed banger of a show. I saw firsthand how popular this team was, as they captivated the fans with every move and counter-move.
Legacy
Here’s the thing, The Rock n Roll Express, despite their popularity, never seemed to be the favorites to win a match. Whether up against the treachery of the Horsemen, or the interference of Jim Cornette, or even in their later years with WCW against the likes of the Freebirds or Doom, Ricky and Robert were always the team in peril. It was this however that drove the fans to their side, rallying behind the often undersized team, bringing them back from the edge of defeat to a climatic comeback. Their finisher was their patented double dropkick, and you knew when they were able to land that move that the end was near and victory was soon to follow.
Over the years there were numerous team that tried to duplicate the success of Ricky and Robert with similar gimmicks. The AWA created the Midnight Rockers, who most people know as just The Rockers in the WWF, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty. There was also the Rock and Roll RPM’s and the Rock and Roll Rebels. Often imitated, but never quite duplicated, The Rock n Roll Express remain the standard bearer of the gimmick. The two men literally wrestled all over the world in every organization imaginable, always bringing a crowd with them. Let’s just take a look at some of the accolades that Ricky and Robert achieved over the years.
Career Accomplishments
- 6 time NWA World Tag Team Champions (2 with JCP, 4 with NWA)
- 3 time Mid South Tag Team Champions
- PWI Tag Team of the Year- 1986
- PWI Ranked #4 Tag Team of the best 100 Tag Teams
- WWE Hall of Fame
- Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame
- Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
The Rock n Roll Express are truly legendary, and their legend continues to this day as they both still wrestle on and off to this day. In 2019 they appeared in the current incarnation of the NWA, competing in the Crockett Cup and later that year won the current version of the NWA Tag Team Championship.
Today, I am truly honored to induct Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, the Rock n Roll Express, into the LOP, Wrestling Headlines Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
In the words of the legendary Neil Young, “Hey hey, my my, Rock and Roll will never die!”
Lords of Pain.net/Wrestling Headlines.com welcomes
the Rock N’ Roll Express into the Hall of Fame class of 2024.
Related Links: Ricky Morton Says The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express and The Midnight Express Made History With Their Tag Team Feud
The Undertaker Names His Mount Rushmore Of Pro Wrestling Tag-Teams
