Episode 626: Remembering Dennis Condrey
3Digest
The podcast begins with the somber announcement of Dennis Connery's passing, a founding member of The Midnight Express. The hosts then delve into wrestling news, including Tony Khan's bid for WWE and critiques of AEW Dynamite's booking, particularly focusing on matches involving Will Ospreay, Darby Allin, and Swerve Strickland. They also discuss Dave Meltzer's star ratings for AEW Revolution, debating the merits of high ratings for certain matches. A significant portion of the podcast is dedicated to a heartfelt tribute to Dennis Connery, recounting his career, his partnership with Bobby Eaton, his time in various wrestling territories, and his lasting legacy. The discussion touches upon his early days, his success with The Midnight Express, his departure from promotions, and his life after wrestling. The hosts also mention a GoFundMe for Connery's wife and encourage support for his family. Advertisements for Pocket Hose and Sundies for Dogs are also featured.
Outlines
Introduction and Announcement of Dennis Connery's Passing
The podcast opens with the news of Dennis Connery's death, a founding member of The Midnight Express. The first half of the show was recorded before this news, and the second half will focus on memories of Connery.
Personal Anecdotes and Wrestling Business Musings
Jim expresses his uncertainty about the wrestling business and shares a humorous personal story about accidentally inhaling mouthwash.
Louisville Cardinals Basketball Victory
Jim shares the positive news of the University of Louisville Cardinals winning their first NCAA tournament game after a long drought.
Listener Gratitude and Personal Tragedy
Jim reads an email from a listener named Benny, who expresses gratitude for a cameo that provided comfort after the passing of his son, Sam.
The Young Bucks' Drawing Power Debate
The discussion examines the claim that The Young Bucks are the greatest tag team of all time, analyzing their ticket sales for headlining events.
Greg Gilliland's Departure from Sinclair and Tony Khan's WWE Bid
Jim and Brian discuss Greg Gilliland's exit from Sinclair's Ring of Honor and reveal Tony Khan's $6 billion bid to buy WWE.
AEW Dynamite Review - March 18th and Will Ospreay's Match
The hosts critique the March 18th episode of AEW Dynamite, deeming it poorly booked. They specifically criticize Will Ospreay's return match, its booking, and his loss.
Darby Allin vs. Gabe Kidd Coffin Match Critique
The chaotic and poorly executed coffin match between Darby Allin and Gabe Kidd is dissected, noting the lack of crowd reaction.
Dog Food Discussion and Sundies for Dogs Introduction
The hosts discuss dog food quality and introduce Sundies for Dogs, a veterinarian-founded brand offering air-dried real food.
Swerve Strickland's Promo and AEW Booking Criticisms
The discussion focuses on Swerve Strickland's promo on AEW Dynamite, criticizing its presentation and the booking decision to focus on EVP status.
AEW Match Critiques: Mark Davis, Marina Shafir, and Mina Mellon
Brief critiques of the Mark Davis vs. Hongru Fu match and a No Holds Barred match between Marina Shafir and Mina Mellon, highlighting botches and poor quality.
AEW Main Event Aftermath, Edge/Christian's Return, and FTR's Title Loss
The aftermath of the main event, the return of Edge and Christian, and FTR's quick loss of the tag titles are discussed, with criticism of the booking and lack of clear storylines.
Shifting Alignments and AEW's Booking Logic Issues
The hosts question the confusing and shifting alignments in AEW, discussing the logic behind current storylines and character motivations.
Post-Pay-Per-View AEW Dynamite Review and Star Ratings Introduction
The hosts express disappointment with the latest AEW Dynamite episode, calling it a "big miss" after a pay-per-view, and transition to discussing star ratings.
Dave Meltzer's Star Ratings for AEW Revolution - Pre-Show and Tag Titles
Dave Meltzer's assessment of AEW Revolution is discussed, starting with pre-show ratings and the five-and-a-half-star rating for the FTR vs. Young Bucks tag title match.
Moxley vs. Takeshita and High Star Ratings Controversy
The John Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita match receives a five-star rating, sparking debate about rating criteria and the hosts' criticism of the match and booking.
AEW Women's Tag Titles, Swerve vs. King, and Women's Title Ratings
Ratings for the AEW Women's Tag Team Championship match (two stars) and Swerve Strickland vs. Brody King (four and a quarter stars) are discussed, followed by the Women's Championship match rating (three and a quarter stars).
AEW Trios Tag Team Title Match and Andrade vs. Bandido Ratings
The Trios Tag Team Championship match receives a four-and-three-quarter-star rating, and the Andrade vs. Bandido match is rated five stars.
MJF vs. Hangman Adam Page Main Event Rating and Dennis Cóndor's Passing
The main event rating for MJF vs. Hangman Adam Page (four and three-quarter stars) is discussed, followed by the news of Dennis Cóndor's passing due to an accident.
Dennis Cóndor's Accident and Career Retrospective
Details of Dennis Cóndor's fatal accident, including his broken neck and spinal cord injuries, are shared, along with a retrospective of his extensive wrestling career.
GoFundMe for Dennis Cóndor's Wife and Legacy Discussion
The hosts discuss the GoFundMe for Dennis Cóndor's wife, Teresa, and emphasize his legacy as a top heel tag team wrestler.
Dennis Cóndor's Post-Wrestling Life and Financial Struggles
The discussion shifts to Dennis Cóndor's life after wrestling, including his horse stable business and financial difficulties.
Dennis Cóndor's Seamless Wrestling Style and Mentorship
The hosts further analyze Dennis Cóndor's seamless wrestling style and his role as a mentor, referencing comments from Paul Heyman.
Early Career of Dennis Cóndor in Southern Territories
The hosts trace Dennis Cóndor's early career, from amateur wrestling to his entry into the business in the 1970s, focusing on his time in Southern territories.
Dennis Cóndor's Territory Hopping and Partnership with Phil Hickerson
The discussion covers Dennis Cóndor's developmental matches and his frequent movement between territories due to his success with Phil Hickerson.
Dennis Cóndor's Georgia Championship and Stan Lane Partnership
Dennis Cóndor's brief reign as Georgia Heavyweight Champion and his partnership with Stan Lane are mentioned.
Dennis Cóndor and David Schultz Tag Team and Nova Scotia Incident
The hosts discuss Dennis Cóndor's tag team with David Schultz and a dangerous riot incident in Nova Scotia.
Continental Wrestling and the Origin of The Midnight Express
The conversation moves to Continental Wrestling and the formation of The Midnight Express with Randy Rose and Norville Austin.
The Midnight Express's Memphis Runs and Bill Watts's Influence
The hosts recall The Midnight Express's successful runs in Memphis and the impact of Bill Watts's booking.
Dennis Cóndor's Leadership in Mid-South and Bobby Eaton's Career
The hosts discuss Dennis Cóndor's leadership within The Midnight Express in Mid-South and Bobby Eaton's career trajectory.
Decision to Move to Mid-South and Texas Detour
The hosts recount the decision-making process that led Dennis Cóndor and Bobby Eaton to Mid-South, including a detour through Texas.
Unhappiness in Dallas and a Low Payoff Incident
The hosts detail Dennis Cóndor's dissatisfaction in Dallas due to poor booking and a meager $63 payoff.
Realization of No Program with Von Erichs and Abysmal Booking in Dallas
The hosts discuss the realization that they wouldn't be booked with the Von Erichs and the generally poor booking in Dallas.
Held-Up Belts and Lack of Creative Direction in Dallas
The hosts criticize the booking in Dallas, including prolonged holding of titles and repetitive matches, indicating a lack of creative direction.
Early Days with Jim Crockett Promotions
The speaker discusses the initial setup of Jim Crockett Promotions absorbing the Georgia territory and early tours.
Creative Decisions and Early Teases with Rock 'n' Roll Express
Dusty Rhodes' strategy to keep the Midnight Express and Rock 'n' Roll Express apart initially, and the debut of the Rock 'n' Roll Express are explained.
Working with Legends and Early Crowd Reactions
The speaker recounts working with Handsome Jimmy Valiant and Superstar Billy Graham, and the surprising crowd reaction to a mid-card match.
The Rise of The Midnight Express in Crockett Promotions
The speaker details the success of The Midnight Express in Crockett Promotions, including multiple sellouts of the Charlotte Coliseum.
Working Styles and Favorite Opponents
The speaker discusses the working styles of various wrestlers and their preferences for opponents, highlighting Dusty Rhodes' ability to elevate matches.
Dennis Cornette's Exceptional In-Ring Prowess
The speaker elaborates on Dennis Cornette's exceptional in-ring skills, focusing on his ability to make moves look impactful and safe.
The Art of Calling Matches and Heel's Role
The speaker explains the process of calling matches, emphasizing the heel's role in dictating pace and storytelling, and how The Midnight Express executed this.
Dealing with Real-Life Heat and Incidents
The speaker recounts instances of real-life altercations and confrontations, highlighting Dennis Cornette's involvement.
The "Baby Doll" Incident and Safety Measures
The speaker discusses the "baby doll" incident and Dennis Cornette's awareness of potential threats and safety precautions.
The Midnight Express Name Origin and Early Dealings
The speaker explains how the name "Midnight Express" originated and Dennis Cornette's role as spokesperson in early dealings with Bill Watts.
1986: A Pivotal Year for Crockett Promotions
The speaker reflects on 1986 as a significant year for Crockett Promotions, highlighting major angles and growing success.
The WWF Offer and Dennis Cornette's Reaction
The speaker details Ernie Ladd's offer for The Midnight Express to meet with Vince McMahon and Dennis Cornette's reaction to the potential WWF opportunity.
Scaffold Matches and Their Financial Impact
The speaker discusses the decision to incorporate more scaffold matches, Dennis Cornette's reaction, and their financial success despite the risks.
The Cosmic Fireball Promo and Departure
The speaker recalls Dennis Cornette's memorable "cosmic fireball" promo and his subsequent departure from the company.
Dennis Cornette's Unexplained Absence and Search for Replacement
The speaker recounts the mysterious disappearance of Dennis Cornette and the subsequent search for a replacement, causing uncertainty and worry.
Dennis Cornette's Return and AWA Run
The speaker discusses Dennis Cornette's resurfacing in the AWA with Randy Rose and Paul E. Dangerously, and initial thoughts on this "original" Midnight Express.
Reunited Midnight Express and Overcoming Creative Challenges
The speaker explains how the reunion of The Midnight Express with Dennis Cornette provided a much-needed boost and a chance to overcome creative challenges.
Dennis Cornette's Final Departure and Subsequent Creative Changes
The speaker details Dennis Cornette's final departure and the subsequent creative shifts within the company, impacting The Midnight Express storyline.
Post-Continental Career and Training Wrestlers
The speaker discusses Dennis Cornette's career after Continental, including his time in Colorado training wrestlers with Dick Murdoch.
Meeting Theresa and Settling Down in Colorado
The speaker shares how Dennis Cornette met his wife, Theresa, in Colorado and their long-lasting relationship.
Reunions and Renewed Appreciation for Dennis Cornette
The speaker reflects on various reunions and fan events that brought The Midnight Express back together, leading to a greater appreciation for Dennis Cornette's contributions.
Conventions and the End of an Era
The speaker discusses attending conventions and fan gatherings, noting the positive reception Dennis Cornette received.
Remembering Dennis Cornette's Influential Legacy
The speaker emphasizes Dennis Cornette's influential legacy in professional wrestling and encourages support for his family.
Keywords
Dennis Connery
Founding member of The Midnight Express wrestling tag team. His passing was announced at the beginning of the podcast, prompting a special segment dedicated to his memory.
The Midnight Express
A legendary professional wrestling tag team, most famously featuring Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton. They were known for their heel work, innovative tag team maneuvers, and numerous championship reigns across various territories.
AEW Dynamite
A weekly professional wrestling television program produced by All Elite Wrestling. It features matches, storylines, and character development within the AEW promotion.
Dave Meltzer
A prominent professional wrestling journalist and historian, best known for his "Wrestling Observer Newsletter." He is influential in rating wrestling matches on a star system.
Star Ratings
A system used by wrestling journalists, most notably Dave Meltzer, to evaluate and rank professional wrestling matches based on their quality, storytelling, and in-ring performance.
Dennis Cóndor
A legendary professional wrestler, best known as one half of the heel tag team The Midnight Express. He had a long and impactful career, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, known for his smooth in-ring style and contributions to tag team wrestling.
Jim Crockett Promotions
A professional wrestling promotion that operated from 1985 to 1988, known for its expansion into various territories and its eventual purchase by Ted Turner.
WWF (World Wrestling Federation)
Now known as WWE, this is a major professional wrestling promotion founded by Vince McMahon Sr. and later expanded by Vince McMahon Jr., known for its global reach and entertainment-focused approach.
AWA (American Wrestling Association)
A professional wrestling promotion founded by Verne Gagne, which was a prominent territory in the Midwest during the 1960s through the 1980s.
Continental Wrestling Association
A professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee, which had a significant impact on the wrestling landscape in the Southern United States.
Q&A
What was the initial announcement made at the start of the podcast?
The podcast began with the sad news of the passing of Dennis Connery, a founding member of The Midnight Express wrestling tag team.
What positive news did Jim share regarding college basketball?
Jim shared the exciting news that the University of Louisville Cardinals had won their first NCAA tournament game in many years, signaling a potential return to their former glory.
What personal story did Jim share from a listener's email?
Jim read an email from a listener named Benny, who thanked him for a cameo that brought comfort after the passing of his young son, Sam.
What controversial claim about the Young Bucks was discussed?
The podcast debated the claim that The Young Bucks are the greatest tag team of all time, analyzing their actual ticket sales and drawing power for major events.
What significant business move by Tony Khan was revealed?
It was disclosed that Tony Khan submitted a $6 billion bid to purchase WWE during its sale process, although his bid was not among the final ones considered.
What was the main criticism of the AEW Dynamite episode discussed?
The episode was heavily criticized for poor booking, a dead crowd, and nonsensical segments, particularly the matches involving Will Ospreay and Darby Allin.
How was Will Ospreay's return match on AEW Dynamite perceived?
The match was seen as a major booking error. Ospreay, returning from injury, was put in a lengthy, overly competitive match against a lesser-known opponent on free TV with no prior advertisement, and ultimately lost.
What is Sundies for Dogs and why is it recommended?
Sundies for Dogs is a brand of fresh dog food created by a veterinarian and a mother. It's recommended because it uses air-dried real food with human-grade ingredients, maximizing a dog's quality of life without the typical hassle of fresh food preparation.
How did Dennis Cóndor pass away, and what was his wrestling legacy?
Dennis Cóndor passed away after an accident at home where he fell, breaking his neck and severely damaging his spinal cord. His legacy is that of a legendary heel tag team wrestler, particularly as part of The Midnight Express, known for his seamless in-ring style and significant contributions to the business.
What was the initial strategy for introducing The Midnight Express and Rock 'n' Roll Express in Jim Crockett Promotions?
Dusty Rhodes initially aimed to keep the two popular tag teams separated to allow each to establish themselves independently before engaging in a feud.
Show Notes
This week on the Experience, Jim pays tribute to Midnight Express founding member Dennis Condrey! Also, Jim reviews AEW Dynamite, and talks about Dave Meltzer's AEW Revolution star ratings, Tony Khan trying to buy WWE, The Young Bucks as drawing cards, Greg the office boy, and much more!
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