Throughout the 1980s, there were scores of amazing tag teams around, yet two seemed to dominate more than others. The Road Warriors and the Midnight Express would mix it up a bit in the NWA, each holding multiple titles over their time. They were quite different, the Road Warriors were known for their unique look and a terrific pair of brawlers who became legends in the business. The Midnights were more technical but still stellar, aided by Jim Cornette to be stars themselves.
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The Warriors and the Midnights have added to their fame as the Warriors lasted long into the 1990s. They often come up in discussions of who was the best tag team in history as the Warriors changed the wrestling game while the Midnights had a great style themselves. Fans can debate who was better, as these are the reasons why the Road Warriors and the Midnight Express can each lay claim to being the best tag team of the 1980s and still entertain fans today.
10 MIDNIGHT EXPRESS: Some Terrific Feuds
The Road Warriors could have some good feuds now and then, but for every good one like the Four Horsemen, there was a slog like the Power of Pain or Varsity Club. The Midnights could get a great feud going with just about any team. Obviously, their years-long battle with the Rock 'n' Roll Express is key, but they also had a stellar war with the Fantastics and the Four Horsemen.
There was a good feud with the Warriors while they also faced the “Original” Midnight Express in a top battle better than what the Warriors could do. The Road Warriors could be good in feuds, but the Midnight Express was simply better.
9 ROAD WARRIORS: They Were In Historic Matches
While the Midnight Express may have been better in the ring, the Road Warriors can boast of being in some amazing matches in wrestling history. That included facing the Midnights in a Scaffold match at Starrcade ‘86, as well as things like a Barbed Wire match against the Powers of Pain.
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The biggest was the Warriors taking part in the first-ever WarGames, where they fit in perfectly. Even Ellering took part, with this historic battle being one of many to solidify the Warriors’ legacy.
8 MIDNIGHT EXPRESS: They Were Innovative
While the Road Warriors could be notable with stuff like their ‘Doomsday Device” finisher, the Midnight Express could be more innovative. Cornette was the one who came up with their “slapjack” finisher and other moves like the trope beating down one-half of a face tag team before his partner made the hot tag.
They also had some great double-team moves copied by scores of teams since. So many tag teams owe some moves to the Midnights to show their legacy.
7 ROAD WARRIORS: The Awesome Look
In 1983, no one had seen anything like the Road Warriors in wrestling. Two beefy guys in leather with spiked shoulder pads, shaven heads, and bizarre makeup always drew attention. They backed it up with their smashmouth-style crushing guys easily.
Throw in Paul Ellering with his newspaper directing them, and it was no wonder they were instant stars. Amid the cookie-cutter tag teams of the time, the Road Warriors’ look is what made them one of the most imitated teams in wrestling history.
6 MIDNIGHT EXPRESS: Jim Cornette
Paul Ellering was a good manager for the Road Warriors, especially in real life. But Jim Cornette was a key to the Midnight Express’ success. Few could shine on the mic like Cornette did to put the Express over and rile fans up.
He also aided in the ring with his trusty tennis racket and took some lumps as he went. Cornette alone made the Midnight Express a top team and his presence ringside was guaranteed to draw folks into their battles.
5 ROAD WARRIORS: Dominated Multiple Places
The Midnight Express got a good start in Mid-South before making Jim Crockett/WCW their home. The Road Warriors showed an amazing ability to dominate in just about any place they went to. They started in Georgia before a long run as AWA Tag Team Champions. They then traveled for a long run in NWA/WCW themselves while also having some terrific tours of Japan.
Anywhere the Road Warriors went, they drew crowds and made money leading to their eventual WWE appearance in the 1990s. The Midnights were good but didn’t have widespread fame.
4 MIDNIGHT EXPRESS: Better Matches
No one would ever accuse the Road Warriors of being good wrestlers. They were terrific in a brawl, but it was always clear when a more technical team outmatched them. The Midnights were just that team as the original Condrey-Eaton pairing was great with some good teamwork.
The Eaton-Lane pairing was even better, with Lane using some martial arts moves and capable of fantastic matches with just about any team around. The Road Warriors were a great spectacle, but when it came to true tag team wrestling, the Midnight Express were aces.
3 ROAD WARRIORS: Better Promos
While Jim Cornette is a terrific guy, Dennis Condrey, Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane weren’t exactly skilled on the mic. Meanwhile, the Road Warriors gave some of the best promos of their time.
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Animal would growl out threats against whoever the Warriors were going against before giving it to Hawk, who’d ramble out some wild stuff. Paul Ellering brought it home with some intelligent discourse that was still dangerous. A Road Warriors promo was always a delight as they were probably the best team on the mic in their time.
2 MIDNIGHT EXPRESS: Better As Champions
As good as the Road Warriors were as champions, they could be rough losing to ad hoc teams like Jimmy Garvin and Steve Regal or the Varsity Club. The Midnights were not only in for longer reigns as champions, but when they did lose the belts, it was to top-level teams like the Rock 'n' Roll Express, the Fantastics, or, yes, the Warriors.
They also faced far better talent and were great as the heels cheating their way to keep the belts. While the Road Warriors were dominant, the Express seemed better at holding titles against the best around.
1 ROAD WARRIORS: Changed The Game
It wasn’t just their look that had the Road Warriors changing things up. Hawk and Animal were presented in the beginning as monsters who would jump guys before the bell for a brutal beat-down. They no-sold anything that was dished out and could legit beat guys up.
The face paint and leather aided, but it was their presentation, in-your-face and unapologetic, that was so different for the time. The Midnight Express was a good classic team, but the Road Warriors were on a level that paved the way for scores of top teams to follow.
