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Corey Graves and Jackie Redmond send us to a video package for The U.S. Express - Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda. The package briefly talked about their later singles careers, as well.
Inducting The U.S. Express - Taylor (Bo Dallas) and Mika Rotunda
Mika talks about how it’s an honor to take part in the night. Taylor says that Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt) should be there as well. Even though he’s not there, “he’s here.”
They are there to honor a tag team that exemplifies teamwork. It’s their honor to induct The U.S. Express…or Uncle Barry and dad. They had a great style and dominated the tag team division. It’s not about the matches and the titles, though, it’s about the wrestlers they inspired.
They are not just focusing on their accomplishments, but the impact that they had. On behalf of everyone, “thank you for the memories.” Their induction is a testament to their enduring legacy.
The U.S. Express - Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda
Barry and Mike come out in matching black tuxedos and a red bow tie. Mike thanks Mika and Taylor. He thanks everyone in the WWE Universe. He says that Philadelphia is a full circle city for him. He competed at halftime at an Eagles game at 8 years old and now he’s getting inducted into the Hall of Fame in the same city.
He talks about how Barry grew up in the business and how he is the opposite. He says that if it wasn’t for Syracuse University and Tom Coughlin, who recruited him, he wouldn’t have met The Destroyer. The Destroyer spoke at a wrestling banquet and asked Mike if he’d be interested in professional wrestling. He went to Europe with The Destroyer and then went to the Carolinas. Dusty teamed him and Barry up first.
After that, Barry says that Mike met his sister and they became brother-in-laws. Mike talks about WrestleMania 1 and how it was an exciting time. They were young and crazy. Mike jokes that they should have gotten hazard pay while working with The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. Mike can’t believe how big WrestleMania has gotten - it’s amazing.
Mike closes by saying that he wishes his son, Windham Rotunda, could be there. He then leads the crowd in raising their phone lights up while Bray Wyatt’s theme music plays.
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