WCW, NWA Legend 'Beautiful' Bobby Eaton Dies at Age 62
August 5, 2021
WCW and NWA legend "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton died Wednesday at the age of 62.
Eaton's sister, Debbie Eaton Lewis, posted a message on Facebook about her brother:
"I never wanted to have to post this, but my Little Brother Beautiful Bobby Eaton passed away last night. 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."
The cause of Eaton's death has not been announced.
Ric Flair, Edge, Eric Bischoff and more wrestlers and journalists shared their condolences on Twitter:
Ric Flair® @RicFlairNatrBoySo 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! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 <a href="https://t.co/DWTKeeL7wz">pic.twitter.com/DWTKeeL7wz</a>
Adam (Edge) Copeland @EdgeRatedRIf you’ve studied pro wrestling with any true attention, you’ve studied Bobby Eaton. And understand just how special he was in the ring. Every time I encountered him outside of it, he was an even better person. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPBobbyEaton?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPBobbyEaton</a>
NWA @nwaThe National Wrestling Alliance is Saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary 'Beautiful' Bobby Eaton. <br><br>We send our love to his friends and family. <br><br>His impact & legacy will always be remembered. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NWAFam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NWAFam</a> <a href="https://t.co/8jaqErv2bc">pic.twitter.com/8jaqErv2bc</a>
MATT HARDY @MATTHARDYBRANDJust heard about Bobby Eaton’s passing. Bobby was a pioneer in the ring. He was one of the greatest wrestlers & people of all time. My thoughts are with his family & friends. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPBobbyEaton?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPBobbyEaton</a>
William Regal @RealKingRegalMy deepest condolences to Taryn, Dillon & Dustin and family of Bobby Eaton who has passed <a href="https://t.co/k9x6tbVLZm">https://t.co/k9x6tbVLZm</a> dear friend, partner, travel buddy, teacher, superbly skilled Pro who would make everyone who knew him feel happy inside, love you.x
Samoa Joe @SamoaJoeBobby Eaton is a man with a professional reputation you aspire to build & a personal reputation you hope those you care for have about you. A MASTER of our craft and one of the nicest men I’ve had the pleasure to meet. My condolences to his family, my gratitude for the memories
Mike Mooneyham @ByMikeMooneyhamPro wrestling lost one of its best with the passing of Bobby Eaton at the age of 62 Wednesday night. Truly one of the greatest inside and outside the ring, Bobby loved the business with a passion, and it loved him right back. <a href="https://t.co/AWO6dvE04W">pic.twitter.com/AWO6dvE04W</a>
Eaton began his career as a singles wrestler in NWA Mid-America as a 17-year-old in 1976. He won the NWA Mid-America heavyweight championship for the first time in 1979.
After jumping to Mid-South Wrestling in 1983, Eaton's career hit another level when he was paired with Dennis Condrey to form the Midnight Express. The duo was managed by Jim Cornette.
The feud between the Midnight Express and Rock 'n Roll Express became one of the most famous and iconic tag-team rivalries in the 1980s.
After Turner purchased the broadcast rights to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1988 and launched World Championship Wrestling, Eaton had two stints with the company totaling over 10 years.
Over the course of his four-decade career, Eaton won the NWA Mid-America tag team titles six times and WCW tag team titles three times. He was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of the Midnight Express with Condrey and Randy Rose.
