12 Facts About Norvell Austin

Norvell Austin was born on March 9,1951 and is a retired American professional wrestler.

Norvell Austin is most famous for teaming with Sputnik Monroe in one of the first "mixed races" villainous teams seen in the south.

Norvell Austin was part of the original Midnight Express from 1981 to 1983.

Norvell would dye a blond streak in his hair to match Monroe's and even hinted that Austin could be Sputnik Monroe's son.

On October 1,1973, Norvell Austin won his first singles title when he became the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Champion, something which helped cement Norvell Austin as one of the pioneers in breaking down the racial barriers in the south.

In 1975 Norvell Austin teamed up with Rocket Monroe to briefly hold the Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling version of the NWA United States tag team titles.

From 1975 Norvell Austin kept working for NWA Mid-America both the southern part of the territory that was promoted by Nick Gulas and the northern part promoted by Jerry Jarrett that would later split off and become Continental Wrestling Association.

Norvell Austin recruited various partners such as Paul Orndorff, who were successful in capturing the Southeast tag team gold briefly.

The Midnight Express disbanded in late 1983 when Norvell Austin went back to the CWA in Memphis and Dennis Condrey moved on to Mid-South Wrestling.

In Memphis Norvell Austin became a part of Jimmy Hart's stable of wrestlers known as the First Family.

In SECW Norvell Austin was teamed up with fellow African American Brickhouse Brown to form a team called "Soul Patrol".

On January 6,1986, Norvell Austin defeated Street for the title and held on to it until Street with the help of his valet Miss Linda regained the title on February 17,1986.