On a recent edition of the “Stories With Brisco & Bradshaw” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda recalled forming the U.S. Express with former tag team partner Barry Windham, signing with WWE, and more.
The U.S. Express were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at last night’s Class of 2024 induction ceremony. Windham was previously inducted once before as a member of The Four Horsemen.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On forming The U.S. Express with Barry Windham: “Dusty [Rhodes] called and said, ‘We need a young babyface in Florida.’ So the Crocketts sent me down there and that’s where I teamed up with Barry. Barry was great. I learned a lot from Barry. As young as he was, he was pretty experienced. Dusty would go about five minutes and we’d go about 45 minutes every night in Tampa.”
On how they landed in WWE: “What happened is Dusty left Florida and went up to the Carolinas, but we got up there, we moved everybody up there and we weren’t making any money. So George Scott was the booker for the WWE at the time, so I guess [Blackjack] Mulligan talked to George Scott and we went from making 400 bucks a week to making five grand a week. So you can’t really blame somebody for going there. When Barry and I first went there, we were like this young, raring to go tag team, and knock on wood, it got over. It was exciting and that’s basically how it worked out. We went there and had an opportunity and we took it and ended up being in the first WrestleMania and stuff like that, which was another great learning experience.”
The U.S. Express, consisting of Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham, were recently inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at the Class of 2024 induction ceremony. In a recent podcast interview, Rotunda shared some insights into the formation of the tag team, their journey to WWE, and their experiences in the wrestling industry.
Rotunda revealed that the U.S. Express was formed when Dusty Rhodes, a prominent figure in the wrestling world, approached him and expressed the need for a young babyface (a heroic character) in Florida. As a result, Rotunda was sent to Florida by the Crocketts, where he teamed up with Windham. Rotunda spoke highly of Windham, stating that he learned a lot from him despite his young age. They would wrestle for about 45 minutes every night in Tampa, honing their skills and gaining valuable experience.
The duo’s fortunes changed when Dusty Rhodes left Florida and moved to the Carolinas. Rotunda and Windham followed suit, but they found themselves struggling financially. It was then that Blackjack Mulligan, a fellow wrestler, approached George Scott, the booker for WWE at the time, and negotiated a deal that significantly increased their earnings. Their weekly income jumped from $400 to $5,000, making it an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Upon joining WWE, Rotunda and Windham were young and eager to make an impact. Their enthusiasm paid off as they quickly gained popularity and became a successful tag team. They were fortunate enough to be part of the first-ever WrestleMania, which was a groundbreaking event in professional wrestling history. This experience further enriched their knowledge and understanding of the industry.
The U.S. Express’ induction into the WWE Hall of Fame is a testament to their contributions and achievements in the wrestling world. Their journey from Florida to WWE showcases the determination and talent that propelled them to success. Rotunda’s recollections provide fans with a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of the wrestling industry and the opportunities that can arise for aspiring wrestlers.
The podcast interview with Mike Rotunda offers a fascinating look into the early days of the U.S. Express, their transition to WWE, and the impact they made in the wrestling world. As fans celebrate their induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, it serves as a reminder of their significant contributions to the sport and their lasting legacy.