There are some people we just can’t forget. They say or do something that makes them standout from everyone else in a way that ensures they’ll live on for eternity. As “Luscious” Johnny Valiant and his over the top shenanigans as he managed various wrestlers like Brutus Beefcake and Hulk Hogan early in their careers. He was one of the greatest heels in professional wrestling history and is in pretty much every wrestling hall of fame around. It’s for these reasons and more that we remember Jimmy Valliant as he passed on this day in wrestling history, April 4, 2018 at the 71 years of age.
WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer “Luscious” Johnny Valiant reportedly passed away this morning at the age of 71. https://t.co/vNfhyVo3Pb
— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2018
Early life and career
Born Thomas Sullivan, he grew up in Pittsburgh close to where wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino lived. The pair would become close friends after Valiant asked Sammartino advice on becoming a professional wrestler. It was only fitting that these two would later meet as managers in the first WrestleMania as Sammartino’s son, David, faced Valiant’s protégé Brutus Beefcake. But more on this later.
Valiant’s career started in the Detroit territory as a referee and part of the ring crew for The Sheik. He began his in-ring training with Kangaroo Al Costello and Valiant soon began working the territories throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
It was during one of his trips to Canada that he met Jimmy Valiant. The two developed a relationship and began working in the World Wrestling Association. Here, Johnny Valiant was officially born as Sullivan adopted the new ring name. They became known as the Valiant brothers and even won the WWA Tag Team Championship from Dick the Bruiser and Bruno Sammartino. This puched the Valiant Brothers’ into the stratosphere popularity-wise.
Both Valiants joined the WWWF (precursor to the WWF, now WWE) in 1974 and quickly established themselves as the dominate tag team there, winning the tag championship and holding it for an entire year.
Their record of 370 days as champions remained the tag team record until Demolition (Ax and Smash) broke it 14 years later. Demolition held it for a then record 470 days.
Manager success
As was given to him, Valiant passed on his knowledge by leading several young wrestlers to prominence in the 1980s. The most famous of which was Hulk Hogan in the AWA (American Wrestling Association). This lasted until Hogan turned face in the early ‘80s.
As Vince McMahon acquired the talent that would be the WWF’s backbone from years from the AWA, Valiant moved back to his old stomping grounds to manage Brutus Beefcake.
As mentioned above, Beefcake and David Sammartino met in the first WrestleMania with old friends Valiant and Sammartino managing opposite corners.
There was a really awesome moment, for myself anyway, when David was knocked out of the ring and onto the concrete floor. At that time, mats weren’t yet used to pad the floor and the area was congested with reporters, photographers, and the like as the ring was the focus, not everything around it like nowadays. Aside from the crowd noise, it resembles the empty arena style currently being employed.
Once David was outside, Valiant picked him up and body slammed him on the cement floor, but because of the tight confines and lack of padding, Valiant’s slam was really more of an aggressive set down as he protected David from a bad impact and possible injury. It’s one of those moment where fans may feel cheated as he didn’t really slam David, but it was cool seeing how they work to protect each other while putting on a show.
Death of a legend
On April 4, 2018, Jimmy Valiant was struck by a car while crossing the street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to reports, it happened at 5:30 AM and was treated as an accident by the police. He reportedly wasn’t using a crosswalk.
He was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital where he was pronounced dead.
On this day in wrestling history, the wrestling world lost a true legend and icon, but “Luscious” Johnny Valiant left plenty of memories and a legacy that’s unrivaled by many. He was one of a kind that made being a heel awesome. Like Bobby “The Brain” Heenan or “Classy” Freddie Blassie, he could insult you as heels should, but you couldn’t help but laugh and enjoy him perform.
He exuded charisma, and he was truly one of the best heels to watch.
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