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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