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Bobby Fulton announced the passing of his long-time friend and tag team partner Thomas R. Couch, professionally known as Tommy Rogers this afternoon via Facebook, writing:
"I was wanting to wait until all of the family has been notified. My wrestling tag team partner Tommy Rogers passed away this morning in Hawaii. I am totally devastated by this loss. Words can't even describe it. Tommy blessed me with an opportunity to be a part of one of the great tag teams of professional wrestling. He was one of the best athletes in the profession. My prayers are for Sheila and the rest of the Couch family. Not only was he a partner he was like a brother we travelled many miles and many different places. I know in fact with his belief in Jesus which he shared with me many times recently and I know he has heaven as his home, because the Bible teaches us to be absent of the body is to be present with The Lord."
Rogers was only 54. I don't know details on Rogers' passing beyond Fulton's announcement as of this writing.
Rogers, alongside Fulton as The Fantastics, was one of the top rivals to Jim Cornette's Midnight Express, feuding with them most famously for the NWA United States Tag Team championship in Jim Crockett Promotions as well as several other territories. At one point, the teams had one of the best feuds anywhere, and I highly suggest checking out their match at the first Clash of Champions if you've never seen the incredible chemistry they had.
The team was originally put together in Memphis and also had runs in World Class, The UWF (including an awesome feud with The Sheepherders) and All Japan Pro Wrestling. Rogers also worked Portland and a number of other territories.
In recent years, Rogers, who late in his career had a short run in the original ECW as a singles star, had been living in Hawaii.
Rogers had been retired from the business but made occasional appearances at legends conventions, usually alongside Fulton.
I intend to have more on Rogers' career as soon as I can, but for now, I can say this. He was a hell of a nice guy every time I met him and was a great performer who was always underrated.
On behalf of everyone at PWInsider.com, I'd like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Tommy Rogers.
A number of those involved in the pro wrestling world have taken to Twitter to express their condolences as well:
Saddened to hear of the passing of Tommy Rogers. I got to work with him in ECW and even traveled with him briefly. A real good dude #RIP
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) June 1, 2015
I first met Tommy Rogers early 80s in Atlanta. Made my last tour of Japan with him & Bobby along with Jimmy. The world keeps gettin smaller
— Tom Prichard (@drtomprichard) June 1, 2015
God Bless Tommy Rogers, passed away a few hours ago. Rest in peace my friend.
— Kevin Von Erich (@KevinVonErich) June 1, 2015
Would like to pass my prayers & condolences to the family & friends of Tommy Rogers of the great tag team of The Fantastics. Gr8 worker. RIP
— TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) June 1, 2015
So sad to hear of the passing of Tommy Rogers. So much talent. #RIPTommyRogers
— Bob Ryder (@brydertna) June 1, 2015
Sorry to hear of the sudden death of Tommy Rogers of Fantastics tag team fame. Really a nice guy, an underrated talent on superb team. RIP
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) June 1, 2015
R.I.P Tommy Rogers. He was always a good dude and could work his ass off.
— Luke Hawx (@LukeHawx504) June 1, 2015
RIP Tommy Rogers. Very underrated man in our industry. The Fantastics were exactly what they claimed to be. Sad news.
— Bull Dempsey (@BullDempseyWWE) June 1, 2015
Saddened to hear the news of Fabulous Tommy Rogers passing. #riptommyrogers
— Bill DeMott (@BillDeMott) June 1, 2015
RIP Tommy Rogers... :(
— Brad Cain aka Lodi (@lodi1brad) June 1, 2015
Saddend to hear Fantastics Tommy Rogers passed away. He was my friend in All Japan to ECW & spoke to him 2 months ago. Great wrestler.
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) June 1, 2015Sad to say Rest In Peace Tommy Rogers of the Fantastics. Huge fan of the wrestler and man. He was great with younger ECW guys. A true gem!
— Brian Heffron (@BlueMeanieBWO) June 1, 2015RIP Tommy Rogers. A really talented guy.
— Gregory Shane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) June 1, 2015
Sorry to hear of the passing of #TommyRogers. I was a big fan in the late 80s & even interviewed him for my college paper. #RIPTommyRogers
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) June 1, 2015RIP Tommy Rogers, to me, a true pioneer of tag-team wrestling.
— Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels) June 1, 2015RIP Tommy Rogers. #TheFantastics #ProWrestling
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) June 1, 2015RIP TOMMY ROGERS OF THE FANTASTICS.. GLAD I LOCKED UP WITH HIM pic.twitter.com/pz1w2lGgSc
— Ace Steel (@acesofsteel) June 1, 2015Sorry to hear about the passing of my friend #tommyrogers pray for his family pic.twitter.com/yqTisEw7tQ
— School of Morton (@RealRickyMorton) June 1, 2015saddening news of passing of Tommy Rogers.. tough news that really has me choked up, he was benchmark in tag team wrestling #RIPTommyRogers
— Scotty Riggs (@realscottyriggs) June 1, 2015The last picture I have w/ Fantastic Tommy Rogers Mania New Orleans w/ Bobby Fulton Bill Dundee Bobby… https://t.co/YjwzXal5Gs
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) June 1, 2015Hearing of the passing of Tommy Rogers. My 2 fondest memories were Him tinting the ECW Ring Truck windows and infamous shoot with Roadkill
— Daniel Morrison (@Sugarmask) June 1, 2015Sorry to hear about the passing of Tommy Rogers. Had a chance to meet him in #WCW. Always a great guy. Loved the #Fantastics #RIPTommyRogers
— Shark Boy (@SharkBoyNet) June 1, 2015My heart's heavy hearing of the passing of Tommy Rogers. I will always be thankful for our friendship and ur guidance pic.twitter.com/QQdtDLLxvi
— Cassidy Riley (@cassidyriley) June 1, 2015RIP Tommy Rogers. @TheJimCornette The Midnight Express vs The Fantastics – (NWA Worldwide – 4.26.88) http://t.co/ThIGvO078v
— Scott Dawson (@ScottDawsonWWE) June 1, 2015#RIP #TommyRogers 1/2 of The Fantastics Tag-Team w/ his partner @TheBobbyFulton Seriously sad to hear of his passing. #prowrestling
— Bobby Blaze Smedley (@bobbyblaze744) June 1, 2015The National Wreslting Alliance would like to send our condolences to Tommy's Family and Friends. Tommy Rogers... http://t.co/RetZTutAxi
— NWA Wrestling (@NWAWrestling) June 1, 2015RIP Tommy Rogers. Thank you for your great contributions to the craft of tag team wrestling.
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) June 1, 2015Rest In Peace, "Fantastic" Tommy Rogers.
May 14, 1961 - June 1st, 2015 http://t.co/nToiUPYrz6
— WildKat Sports (@WildKatSports) June 1, 2015
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