“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, who formed one-half of professional wrestling’s legendary Midnight Express tag team, died Wednesday, his sister said. He was 62.
Eaton’s sister, Debbie Eaton Lewis, announced his death in a Facebook post on Thursday. A cause of death is not yet known, but he was reportedly hospitalized in Nashville, Tennessee, in late July after suffering a fall, People reported.
“I never wanted to have to post this, but my little brother, ‘Beautiful’ Bobby Eaton, passed away last night,” Lewis wrote on Facebook. “When I find out all the details I will post them. Bobby was the kindest, loving person you would ever meet. I loved him so much and going to miss him.”
Eaton, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, debuted as a pro wrestler in 1976. He was noted as a tag team wrestler, joining fellow Alabama native Dennis Condrey and then Stan Lane to form the Midnight Express, AL.com reported. The team was managed by Jim Cornette.
Eaton and Condrey began teaming together in the Mid-South Wrestling promotion in 1983, Sports Illustrated reported. They also performed in World Championship Wrestling before joining Jim Crockett Promotions in 1985. The Midnight Express won tag team titles in all three wrestling promotions. Eaton also performed in the Alabama-based Continental Wrestling Association and Smoky Mountain Wrestling, according to AL.com.
Eaton was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame as part of the Midnight Express in 2019.
So Sad And Sorry To Hear About My Close Friend And One Of The All Time Greats, Bobby Eaton! Beautiful Bobby And The Midnight Express Were One Of The Greatest Tag Teams In The History Of The Business! Rest In Peace! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/DWTKeeL7wz
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 5, 2021
The Midnight Express was noted for its feud as heels against longtime rivals Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, who formed the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, Sports Illustrated reported.
As a member of Paul Heyman’s Dangerous Alliance in WCW, Eaton won the promotion’s tag team championship with Arn Anderson in 1992, the magazine reported.
WWE is saddened to learn that Bobby Eaton passed away at the age of 62.
— WWE (@WWE) August 5, 2021
WWE extends its condolences to Eaton’s family, friends and fans. https://t.co/LErmNJPew0
Eaton’s “impact and legacy will always be remembered,” the National Wrestling Alliance tweeted. “We send our love to his friends and family.”
Wrestler Thomas Laughlin, better known as Tommy Dreamer, told NBC News on Thursday that he was “gutted” after hearing about Eaton’s death.
So saddened by the loss of our beloved Beautiful Bobby Eaton. Not only was he a one of a kind wrestling talent but a truely generous and gentle soul. Prayers for his family. We will miss you Bobby and thanks for always having extra clean towels and stuff for all the boys 😊🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/6iR128mM1r
— Lex Luger (@GenuineLexLuger) August 5, 2021
“He was one of the best, but what a better person he was,” Laughlin said. “Once you met him, you realized he was a greater human being than the image you had as a professional wrestler.”
Just woke up to the horrible news of Beautiful Bobby Eaton passing
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) August 5, 2021
If you saw him in the ring you knew how great he was
If you met him in person you knew he was even greater
I will miss my friend very much#MidnightExpress pic.twitter.com/L4jzL92jPd
After joining WWE, Eaton worked with Koko B. Ware and “Lord” Steven Regal, according to AL.com.
My heart goes out to the family, friends, and fans of Bobby Eaton. One of a kind talent whose skill in the ring made it look so real.
— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) August 5, 2021
Eaton’s wife Donna -- the daughter of pro wrestler Bill Dundee -- died in June, People reported. The couple had three children, according to NBC News.
A message from AA on the passing of his dear friend Bobby Eaton pic.twitter.com/S4PFVt5RIc
— Arn Anderson (@TheArnShow) August 5, 2021
RIP Beautiful Bobby Eaton pic.twitter.com/TMfMp4wvHY
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) August 5, 2021
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton - part of the legendary Midnight Express tag team. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/s7nxx3LIXh
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) August 5, 2021
During the summer tapings at Universal Studios, Bobby Eaton always made sure to bring his kids for summer vacation. That led to sweet moments like this. #RIPBobbyEaton pic.twitter.com/HhsRPOVtt2
— WCW Deep Cuts (@DeepCutsWCW) August 5, 2021
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