John's Icons of Wrestling: Rock 'N Roll Express Quiz

Answer: Jerry Lawler

Jerry "The King" Lawler was the head booker for Continental Wrestling Association Championship Wrestling. At the time, Jerry was looking to put together a team to rival the popularity of The Fabulous Ones. He put both men together and booked them with the gimmick of glam rockers. Ricky and Robert would capture the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles on two separate occasions.

Continental Wrestling Association was affiliated with both the AWA and NWA. Jerry would defeat Kerry Von Erich in a highly controversial match to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. Jerry would report in interviews years later that Kerry was on a chemical substance at the time of their bout. Jerry had to carry Kerry during the bout just to make it look believable. An unfortunate casualty of Vince McMahon's strategy to monopolize the wrestling business. The promotion closed after their final show on December 6, 1989

Answer: The Midnight Express

This in my opinion is the greatest wrestling rivalry of all time. The Rock 'N Roll Express were so over during this point in their career. By over I mean the fans absolutely adored them. In contrast, The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton, and Dennis Condrey with Jim Cornette were top heels. The two teams would trade the titles back and forth on two separate occasions.

Answer: They pushed Jim Cornette's face in a cake.

Jim had brought champagne and cake for his team to celebrate their title victory. Jim who was at ringside with his team and Jim Ross were boasting about their victory. He gave Bobby and Dennis horns and confetti to throw out to the audience. While the two men were on the other side of the ring, Ricky and Robert ran to ringside. They then smashed Jim's face into the celebratory cake. The two men took off after humiliating Jim.

This was such a funny segment. The reaction on Jim Cornette's face after the cake smashing was priceless. "Cowboy" Bill Watts who did not hide his disdain for Cornette would play the clip several times and laugh at Cornette's embarrassment.

Answer: Ivan Koloff and Krusher Krushchev

Robert and Ricky had debuted in the NWA more specifically Jim Crockett Promotions where they won their first NWA World Tag Team Titles from The Russians. The Russians were made up of Ivan and Nikita Koloff and the third man, Krusher Kruschev. They held the titles until October of 1985. The Russians had regained the belts. The Rock "N Roll Express would regain the titles at Starrcade '85.

Ivan and Nikita were kayfabe Uncle and Nephew. Krusher Kruschev was an American who portrayed a Russian sympathizer. The Russians were matched only in raw power and strength by the likes of The Road Warriors. They would easily overpower Ricky and Robert in their bouts. The team of Ricky and Robert would rely on their quickness to defeat Ivan and Krusher the second time.

Answer: Major contender's bouts for a title were rarely televised.

In the 1980s, major titles rarely if ever changed hands on a televised show unless it was a Pay Per View. Also, it was rare to see two major competitors compete on a televised bout. Most bouts were between the stars and preliminary wrestlers. This was a weekly televised taping that occurred in February of 1986.

The Midnight Express had followed Ricky and Robert to the NWA to resume their feud. Bobby and Dennis along with manager, Jim Cornette would quickly defeat Rick and Robert for their only reign as NWA Tag Team Champions.

Answer: AWA

Unhappy with their use in NWA, the two decided to venture to Verne Gagne's territory. They quickly started a program with The Midnight Rockers for the AWA World Tag Team Championship. Their time in the AWA was very brief as they returned to NWA in 1990.

The titles were held up on February 15, 1988, due to a double pinfall. Ricky Morton had Shawn Michaels in a pinning position and the referee counted a three count. On the other side of the ring, Marty Jannetty had Robert Gibson pinned and got a three-count from the other referee. Eddie Marlin of the AWA declared the titles held up until the two teams had a rematch." The Midnight Rockers" won the rematch and defended the titles until March 19, 1988.

Answer: True

This is one of the craziest things I have ever heard but given Ricky's reputation as a jokester, I can honestly say it is true. During several interviews with Jim Cornette and Ricky himself, they confirmed Ricky would use this tactic.

Ricky would need to communicate with his opponent to kick out after the two count. So he would strategically place his finger on his opponent's butt. This was confirmed to mainly happen with jobbers or enhancement talent. Wrestlers would often signal one another non-verbally of what their next move was going to be.

Answer: Robert tore his ACL.

Ricky and Robert were in a current program with NWA World Tag Team Champions, Doom. Doom was made up of Butch Reed and Ron Simmons along with manager, Teddy Long. Butch Reed had jumped off the second rope and caused the injury to Robert.

Robert would be out of action for the rest of 1990 and part of 1991 while he recovered from the surgery. Robert would return to action during the second half of 1992.

Answer: Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane attacked them on their way to the ring.

Tully and Arn had gone to the ring first as is tradition having the challenger arrive after the champions. Robert and Ricky were making their way to the ring when they were ambushed by longtime rivals, The Midnight Express. Bobby and Stan would work the two men over and injured Ricky's arm. Robert would start the match alone but was easy pickings for The Horseman. Arn and Tully would capture the title from Robert and Ricky easily that evening.

Answer: Jim Cornette

The two men were a part of the class of 2017. After being in the business for four decades, it seemed appropriate that Jim Cornette was their inductor. Jim would fondly speak about the two men and their battles with his team. It was very clear with his passionate and genuine speech they were all long-time friends.

Ricky and Robert would both give thank you speeches to the fans and their families. They would also state that they hoped The Midnight Express would be future inductees. Ricky joked that now that they were part of the WWE Hall of Fame, they could increase their booking fees.

The two men are still actively wrestling as of 2022. They continue to make independent appearances. In 2019, they had a stint in AEW. The sky is the limit for these two icons of wrestling.