Author: Today in Pro Wrestling History: On January 21, 1985, at the Hartford Civic Center, a significant moment unfolded in WWF history.
The US Express, composed of Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo, captured the WWF World Tag Team Championship from the North-South Connection.
Windham and Rotundo’s Epic Win
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The US Express, with its combination of youthful charm, technical prowess in the ring, and a patriotic persona, quickly became fan favorites. During their tenure, they would go on to have two reigns as WWF Tag Team Champions.
A Memorable Theme Song: An interesting side note to their success was the theme song “Real American,” written and recorded by Rick Derringer.
Originally, the team used Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” as their theme song. However, while collaborating with the WWF, Rick Derringer composed a new anthem for them titled “Real American.”
This song would be the entrance music for the US Express and was acknowledged as such on the first Wrestling Album. However, after the dissolution of Windham and Rotundo as a team, the song was famously adopted by Hulk Hogan.
“Real American” became an integral part of Hogan’s persona, as iconic as his legendary t-shirt-tearing entrance.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ0wRbfJcAs
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"Evan Ginzburg’s stories are a love letter to wrestling, filled with heart, humor, and history. A must-read for any true fan." — Keith Elliot Greenberg
Wrestling Rings, Blackboards, and Movie Sets is the latest book from Pro Wrestling Stories Senior Editor Evan Ginzburg. 100 unforgettable stories—from sharing a flight on 9/11 with a WWE Hall of Famer to untold moments in wrestling history. A page-turner for fans of the ring and beyond. Grab your copy today! For signed editions, click here.
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