The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express
Jim Cornette is out now to induct The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express tonight. “Well, here we go. I’m Jim Cornette, this is a live microphone and the audio guy is on Xanax.” He thanks Lawler and recalls a story trying to carry Jerry’s bags while breaking into the business. Cornette talks about the growth of MTV in the early 1980’s and Lawler’s subsequent idea to create The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express.
With a LIVE microphone in front of him, @TheJimCornette is READY to a induct @RealRickyMorton and #RobertGibson into the #WWEHOF! pic.twitter.com/F29IDUmETn
— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2017
Cornette talks about The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express being a huge act in Mid South Wrestling and both of the guys having more “sex on the way to the ring than most people have in a year”. He says both guys “cut their teeth on turnbuckles”, having grown-up in the business. He says they knew the mental part of the sport as well as the passion.
Jim talks about the incredible selling that Ricky Morton would do, requesting the fans help. He jokes that he was beat-up by their fans more than he was by the boys. Cornette brings up The Midnight Express being the top villains for The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. He says the two teams were complete opposites but opposites attract and they made magic together.
He talks about both tag teams setting attendance records at venues across the south. Cornette talks about going to Charlotte and main eventing all over again thanks to help from Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes. He brings up The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express being a huge success in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Cornette talks about the Express making the jump to WWE as well. “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express always delivered.” He talks about the team still actively wrestling at an older age and continuing to work with young talent 34 years later. Cornette jokes they should be getting inducted into the Smithsonian instead.
Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, are introduced.
ROCK “N” ROLL LIVES ON! The #RockNRollExpress @RealRickyMorton and #RobertGibson have taken the stage, LIVE on @WWENetwork! #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/BwErYgtx3G
— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2017
Ricky Morton talks about this “S.O.B.” being sold out tonight. Gibson talks about grandkids on the way. He brings up how they are still active on the independent wrestling scene. Morton jokes the rate they ask for just went “through the roof” because of tonight. He talks about the growth of the wrestling industry and how he “stood up for the boys.” Morton thanks Kevin Nash for “keeping them alive” in the business. They thank Flair for helping them and call him the greatest world heavyweight champion of all time.
The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express give a shout out to Michael Hayes and talk about all the battles they had with The Freebirds. Morton gets emotional and calls Gibson the greatest person in the world he’s ever met. They hug. Gibson thanks Morton and they give one last taunt for the audience, who give them a standing ovation.
