Bobby Eaton dead aged 62: WWE legend Ric Flair leads tributes to late Midnight Express star

The Nature Boy praised the late legend (Photo: Getty/WWE)

Ric Flair has paid a heartfelt tribute to Bobby Eaton and hailed the Midnight Express star as ‘one of the all time greats’.

The WWE Hall of Famer has offered a touching message remembering the late tag team wrestling pioneer, who died this week aged 62.

He tweeted: ‘So 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!’

The tragic news was revealed in the early hours of Tuesday morning, as Bobby’s sister Deborah Eaton wrote on Facebook: ‘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 am going to miss him, please say a prayer for my [niece] Taryn. She found him. And she just lost her Mom a little over a Month ago.’

Now, many of his friends and the wrestlers he continues to inspire have flooded social media with kind words after waking up hear of his passing.

WWE official Adam Pearce said: ‘Woke up to the horrible news that Bobby Eaton has passed. Such a master of our craft; I’m in awe of you as much today as I was as a kid.

‘As an even better man, I’m honored to have made your acquaintance along the way. My heart goes out to all he touched. Rest well, sir. (sic)’

And Matt Hardy, who famously made history in the tag team ranks with his brother Jeff, added: ‘Just 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. #RIPBobbyEaton’

Referee Charles Robinson commented: ‘So sad this morning to hear of the passing of Beautiful Bobby Eaton. He was a wonderful person and I am so lucky I had a chance to know him and work with him. He was certainly one of the good guys I have met in this business. #RIPBobbyEaton’

And former WWE tag team the Bollywood Boys tweeted: ‘It is all subjective but the “Bobby Eaton kind of wrestling” is the kind of wrestling we will always love. A master of his craft.

‘Never had the chance of meeting you and we always wished we did. Thank you for the ever green matches. #RIPBobbyEaton’

More: US TV news

Bobby first started his career in 1976 for NWA Mid-America before joining Mid South Wrestling in 1983, where he became part of the Midnight Express with Dennis Condrey and their manager Jim Cornette.

There, he was part of an iconic feud with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson).

Eaton and Condrey would join Jim Crocket Promotions, the precursor for World Championship Wrestling, in 1985 and Condrey would be replaced by Stan Lane in the Midnight Express two years later.

He continued to wrestle on the independent scene until his in-ring retirement in 2015.

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