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NWA legend Ricky Morton meets VH-1 Reality TV star Matt Riviera

NWA legend Ricky Morton meets VH-1 Reality TV star Matt Riviera

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 By: CMBurnham

When long-time Philadelphia area fans hear the name Ricky Morton, they are reminded of the glory years of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and Jim Crockett Promotions. When the NWA expanded into the Philadelphia area in 1985, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, known as the "Rock-N-Roll Express," were one of their top acts and they are viewed as one of the best tag team tandems in all of wrestling history. Their feud with the Midnight Express, ("Beautiful" Bobby Eaton, "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey and later "Sweet" Stan Lane) with Jim Cornette is legendary. Morton & Gibson re-defined tag-team wrestling and were part of an era of excellent tag teams that never has and may never again be duplicated.

Morton & Gibson have won tag team championships in every promotion they have appeared in, most notably the NWA World Tag Team Championship on several occasions. While know best for his tag-team exploits, Morton also fared well in many singles competitions and had a memorable feud with "Nature Boy" Ric Flair over the NWA World Heavyweight Title. While never know for his size or power, Morton was known for his heart, desire, and ability to withstand punishment from his opponent to make a victorious comeback. While a little older today, the one thing that has not changed is that heart and desire fueled by the fans. As part of one of the greatest tag-teams of all time and one that others have emulated, Morton is an NWA Legend in the wrestling business.

Morton's opponent at BODYSLAM AUTISM is someone who has been making a big impact in the TWA, "Mr. 5.5" Matt Riviera, VH-1 Reality TV Star of "Megan Wants a Millionaire" fame. Riviera made his TWA debut at the REUNION SHOW on October 24th as he accompanied "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel in his match with "The Beast" Glen Osbourne which saw Osbourne win the TWA Heavyweight Title. Riviera then went on to win in his TWA in-ring debut on Decemeber 5th against Donte Bonner aka CHAD DEITY from the play of the same name.

Riviera has said the best way to make a name for himself is for him to defeat a legend in the business like Ricky Morton. Growing up in Arkansas, Riviera is well aware of the legendary exploits of the Rock n Roll Express in Southern wrestling, where they first gained promenience even before hitting the national scene with Jim Crockett Promotions.

"Mr 5.5" (as in net worth in millions of dollars) said he can't wait for Jan 31st. "I encourage all Philadelphia/NJ area fans to come out to the FLYERS SKATE ZONE to see Ricky Morton one final time, as I promise, Jan 31, 2010, will be the night the music dies...It's Matt Riviera's time to shine!!!

 

Tags: Richy Morton, NWA, Robert Gibson, Rock-N-Roll Express, Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey, Stan Lane, Jim Cornette, Ric Flair, Matt Riviera, Buddy Landel

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Spotlight in History

  • 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion

Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11

  • 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 2024 Tzuki def. Guerrerito for the EDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
05-06
  • Claire Watson May 6th Today!
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Charming Charles May 11th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Sol Yang May 12th
  • Bill Howard May 12th
  • Sensei Jamo May 12th
  • Brock Baker May 12th
  • Pete Maguire May 13th
  • Prince Mahalli May 13th
  • Maggie Rae May 13th
  • Stan Kowalski May 13th
  • Dave Ryda May 13th
  • Lars Manderson May 13th
  • Danny Hodge May 13th
  • Little Boy Blue May 13th
  • Payton Scott May 13th
  • Karl Krupp May 13th
  • Big Van Vader May 14th
  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
  • Scott Irwin May 14th
  • Tommy Rogers May 14th
  • C. M. Burnham May 14th
  • Steve Williams May 14th
  • Robert Fuller May 14th
  • Joe Cuedo May 15th
  • Kevin Von Erich May 15th
  • Koko May 15th
  • Oscar Amazing May 15th
  • Andrew Bridge May 15th
  • Erwin IV May 15th
  • Buddy Roberts May 16th
  • Buddy Knox May 16th
  • Alan Jefferson May 16th
  • Ryan Martin May 16th
  • Ryker James May 16th
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th
  • Wage May 17th
  • Mike Pappas May 17th
  • Kyle Hawk May 17th
  • Dan Maestro May 17th
  • J. B. Pain May 17th
  • Akuma Jones May 18th
  • J. R. Wind May 18th
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th
  • Matt Riviera May 18th
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th
  • Gajo May 18th
  • Andre the Giant May 19th
  • Mongol May 19th
  • Bateman May 19th
  • Buzz Markley May 19th
  • Will Chambers May 19th
  • Dick Slater May 19th

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