Dennis Condrey, a founding member of the Midnight Express, died at age 74. Booker T spoke about Condrey’s impact on tag team wrestling on his Hall of Fame podcast, calling him a big influence on his own career.
Booker T remembers Condrey
On his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T said he did not know Dennis Condrey well personally but studied his work closely. Booker said that seeing Condrey and Bobby Eaton wrestle helped shape his view of tag team wrestling when he and his brother were starting out.
Booker said, ‘Beautiful Bobby and Loverboy Dennis and the Midnight Express going against the Rock N’ Roll Express, they were the bible, the blueprint for professional tag team wrestling.’ He added that he and his brother watched those matches over and over as they learned their craft.
How the Midnight Express shaped tag teams
Booker explained that the Midnight Express made tag team wrestling feel real and exciting to him at a young age. He said the team, along with the Rock N’ Roll Express and the Minnesota Wrecking Crew, gave him a model to follow.
He noted that his own tag team work would not have been the same without watching Condrey and Bobby Eaton. ‘When I was a youngster watching the game, as far as tag team wrestling, my brother would not have been really, really honed in as far as tag team wrestling if it wasn’t for Dennis and Bobby,’ he said.
Condrey’s legacy in wrestling
Condrey was a founding and long-time member of the Midnight Express. Many fans and wrestlers call the group a pioneer in tag team wrestling. Booker called the Midnight Express ‘perhaps our favorite tag team of all time’ and praised the way they helped bring the style to life.
Booker offered his condolences to Condrey’s family and to fans who admired his work. His comments underline how influential Condrey was to later generations of wrestlers who learned from watching his matches.
Final thoughts
Booker T’s tribute highlights the lasting mark Dennis Condrey left on tag team wrestling. Even those who did not know him personally felt his influence through the matches he helped create. Fans and wrestlers alike remember Condrey for his role in shaping tag team storytelling and for the classic rivalries that defined an era.
Quote source: Hall of Fame podcast.
