The Rock and Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson)

Wrestling fans that were not exposed to promotions outside the WWE may only remember the Rock and Roll Express as a lower card tag team in brief runs in the late 90’s.  Those however who saw Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson in the NWA during the 80’s saw their version of the Rock and Wrestling connection and one of the most copied tag teams of all time.

The concept of the pretty boy baby faces was nothing new, but the tandem of Morton and Gibson captured the imaginations with their speed, Rock and Roll attitude and their in ring performances.  At the heart of their matches was the “face on peril” where the skilled worker Ricky Morton would take a pounding in the bulk of the match to make a hot tag to the slightly larger Gibson.  It was a formula that they perfected and for a while they rivaled even the Road Warriors as the most popular tag team in wrestling.  The list of teams that copied their style and look is a long one and even though their WWE runs were weak, the memories of their NWA days might be enough to grant an induction.

 

Should The Rock and Roll Express be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 98.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0.9%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0.7%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

The Bullet Points

  • Other Aliases: Ruben Cain (Robert Gibson’s Real Name)
  • Billed From: U.S.A. (Memphis, TN)
  • Key Championships Held: AWA Southern Tag Team
    CWA Tag Team
    CWA World Tag Team
    Mid South Tag Team (3)
    NWA World Tag Team (4)
    SMW Tag Team (10)
    USWA Tag Team (3)
  • Why they will get in: They were one of the most copied teams of their day.
  • Why they won't get in: Their WWE run was dismal at best.
  • Five Greatest Matches/Moments: 1.  Retained the Mid South Tag Title against the Midnight Express at the Superdome (11/22/84)
    2.  Beat Ivan Koloff and Nikita Koloff for the NWA World Tag Title at Starrcade in a Steel Cage (11/28/85)
    3.  Successfully defended the NWA World Tag Title against the Andersons at Starrcade (11/27/86)
    4.  Defeated the Midnight Express again in a Scaffold Match at Starrcade (11/26/87)
    5.  Again defeated the Midnights on another brilliant PPV match (2/25/90)

Should The Rock and Roll Express be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 98.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0.9%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0.7%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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