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In a somber announcement early Saturday morning, AEW star Dax Harwood revealed the passing of Dennis Condrey, a revered figure in the world of tag team wrestling and a key member of the legendary Midnight Express. Condrey was 74 years old.
Starting his wrestling career in 1973, Condrey quickly made a name for himself by founding the Midnight Express alongside Randy Rose and Norvell Austin. This group later evolved into its most famous incarnation in Mid-South Wrestling, with Bobby Eaton joining the team and Jim Cornette taking on managerial duties.
Condrey’s wrestling journey saw him reunite with Rose, this time under the management of WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman in the AWA. This team continued to make waves, entering into memorable rivalries, including a notable feud with Eaton and Stan Lane in WCW.
Throughout his prolific career, Condrey achieved more than four dozen tag team championship reigns across several prominent wrestling organizations. His tenure included stints with World Class Championship Wrestling, the NWA, and Jim Crockett Promotions, solidifying his status as a tag team legend.
Condrey, who had more than four dozen reigns as a tag team champion in his career, wrestled for numerous promotions, including World Class Championship Wrestling, the NWA and Jim Crockett Promotions during his career.
“When I think of this business as a craft, Dennis Condrey is as good as any craftsmen professional wrestling ever had,” WWE’s Nick Aldis wrote on X. “For me, pro wrestling is at it’s 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.”
Condrey had his final match in 2011 to end a long run on the independent circuit that included clashes against the legendary Rock n’ Roll Express of Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson. Condrey last appeared on television during a segment in AEW, where Harwood, tag partner Cash Wheeler and CM Punk paid tribute to him.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help his wife, Theresa, and Condrey’s family with funeral costs
“Dennis Condrey is one half of the greatest tag team of all time, The Midnight Express,” Harwood wrote on the GoFundMe page. “For years, they brought excitement and entertainment to millions of people. However, as great as he was in the ring, it doesn’t hold a candle to the human being he was.”