Rotunda and Windham (real life brothers-in-law as Rotunda was married to Windham's sister Stephanie) had teamed off and on in the Florida territories before both were signed by the WWF in 1984. Once they joined the WWF they were given a patriotic gimmick along with the Bruce Springsteen song "Born in the U.S.A." as their entrance music. "Captain" Lou Albano also became their manager.[1] During this time Mike Rotunda would often be referred to as "Mike Rotundo" by WWF commentators.
The U.S. Express became two-time Tag Team Champions when they regained the titles from Volkoff and the Sheik on June 17, 1985 in Poughkeepsie, New York on an episode of WWF Championship Wrestling.[3] Their second reign would also last about two months before they lost the belts to The Dream Team (Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Brutus Beefcake) at The Spectrum in Philadelphia after Beefcake rubbed Lucious Johnny V's lit cigar in Windham's eyes, blinding him and getting the pin.[3] The team broke up near the end of 1985 when Barry Windham left the WWF to return to Florida. They had their last match together under the WWF banner exactly one year to the day after they made their debut.[4]
Initially, Rick Derringer, who was working with the WWF at the time, wrote the track "Real American" for the team. When Windham left the WWF and the team split, the music was passed on to WWF ChampionHulk Hogan, with the song going on to still be associated with Hogan.[1]
Japan and various promotions (1986)
In January 1986 they went to Japan to work for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Participated at the AWA'sWrestleRock 86 in April 1986. The team was not billed as the U.S. Express since the name was owned by the WWF. The brothers-in-law reunited to defeat the Fabulous Ones (Stan Lane and Steve Keirn)[5] while Rotunda was on a brief break from the WWF between January and May 1986. They returned to Florida on May 6 as they defeated Lex Luger and Ron Bass by disqualification.
The American Express (1986–1987)
Only days after Barry Windham left the WWF, Mike Rotunda was linked up with Dan Spivey[6] and they became the American Express. Some referred to them as the U.S. Express II since the patriotic gimmick of the original U.S. Express was recycled with Spivey taking Barry Windham's place.[1]
After the conclusion of their feud with the Dream Team, Mike Rotunda briefly left the WWF. After his subsequent return, the team reunited, feuding with The Moondogs,[7]The Hart Foundation[8] and The Islanders whom the team faced in their last match together on February 9, 1987.[9] After Mike Rotunda left the WWF, Dan Spivey was repackaged as "Golden Boy" Dan Spivey before he left the WWF as well.
Rotunda went to wrestle for World Championship Wrestling. In 1991, he returned to the WWF as Irwin R. Schyster, with his gimmick being a ruthless accountant. He left WWF in August 1995 and returned to WCW as VK Wallstreet and Michael Wallstreet. He left WCW in 2000 and wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Windham as well wrestled for World Championship Wrestling becoming a member of The Four Horsemen. In 1989 he returned to WWF as the "Widow Maker" which as short lived. He returned to WCW in 1990 and retired in 1994. In 1996 he came out of retirement and returned to the WWF as the "Stalker" a wild game hunter gimmick with camouflage on his face. He later formed a tag team with Bradshaw as the New Blackjacks. In 1998 he left WWF and returned to WCW. This time he teamed with his brother Kendall Windham with the West Texas Rednecks. He left WCW in 1999 and went to All Japan Pro Wrestling.
On the March 10, 2008 episode of WWE RAW, U.S. Express made an appearance in a rematch from WrestleMania I against Volkoff & The Iron Sheik.[10] Before the match could begin, they were interrupted by diva Jillian Hall. She offered to sing "Born in the USA" for them before being given an airplane spin by Rotunda.
^ abcGreg Oliver and Steve Johnson (2005). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams. ECW Press. ISBN978-1-5502-2683-6.
^Graham Cawthon. "WWF Ring Results 1984". Archived from the original on December 4, 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2007. (October 30, 1984) Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda defeated Mohammed Saad & Bobby Bass when Windham pinned Saad with a bulldog at 2:48
^ abcdRoyal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN0-9698161-5-4.
^Graham Cawthon. "WWF Ring Results 1985". TheHistoryofWWE.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2007. (October 30, 1985) Included Barry Windham, Mike Rotunda
^Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1986". Retrieved April 16, 2007. (November 1, 1985) Mike Rotunda, Dan Spivey, & Capt. Lou Albano vs. Johnny V & WWF Tag Team Champions Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake
^Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1986". Retrieved April 16, 2007. (June 14, 1986) Mike Rotunda & Dan Spivey defeated the Moondogs at 11:37 when Rotunda pinned Rex following an airplane spin
^Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1986". Retrieved April 16, 2007. (July 11, 1986) Mike Rotunda & Dan Spivey defeated Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart when Spivey pinned Bret
^Graham Cawthon. "WWF Ring Results 1987". TheHistoryofWWE.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2007. Mike Rotunda & Danny Spivey fought the Islanders to a double disqualification
