Valiant Brothers

Last updated

Valiant Brothers
Jimmy, Jerry and John Valiant 1979.png
Left to right: Jimmy, Jerry and Johnny , c. 1979
Tag team
Members Jimmy Valiant [1]
Johnny Valiant [1]
Jerry Valiant [1]
Billed heightsJimmy:
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Johnny:
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Combined
billed weight		492 lb (223 kg) (Jimmy & Johnny)
Billed from New York City
DebutNovember 1973
Disbanded1982
Years active1973–1979

The Valiant Brothers were a professional wrestling tag team of storyline brothers "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant, "Luscious" Johnny Valiant, and "Gentleman" Jerry Valiant. [1] The team wrestled for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation (WWWF/WWF) and the World Wrestling Association (WWA). [1]

Contents

History

Jimmy and Johnny (1973–1978)

World Wrestling Association (1973-1974)

Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant formed a tag team in World Wrestling Association as storyline brothers. They began wrestling together as heels. They debuted as a team on 5 January 1974 when they defeated Dick the Bruiser and Bruno Sammartino to win the WWA World Tag Team Championship. [2] The titles were held up after a match against Bruiser and Sammartino on 25 January. On 7 February, they defeated Bruiser and Sammartino in a rematch to win the titles a second time. [2] Despite being heels, who usually are hated by the crowd, the Valiant Brothers were cheered by the audience during their second reign. Their tenure with WWA ended after they lost the tag titles to Wilbur Snyder and Pepper Gomez on 4 May.

World Wide Wrestling Federation (1974–1975)

Jimmy and Johnny signed with Vincent J. McMahon's World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in May 1974 and debuted there around soon after. Their biggest success as a tag team came when they defeated Tony Garea and Dean Ho to win the WWWF World Tag Team Championship on the 8 May 1974 edition of All Star Wrestling. [3] [4] The Valiants quickly became a dominant heel tag team as they went on to successfully defend their titles for over a year before losing them to Dominic DeNucci and Victor Rivera on 13 May 1975. [5] This made the Valiant Brothers the longest reigning champions of their era with a reign of 370 days. [6] The record was broken fourteen years later by Demolition (Ax and Smash), who reigned as tag team champions for 470 days. [6] After losing the titles, the Valiants battled against the likes of Tony Garea, Dean Ho, Chief Jay Strongbow and Haystacks Calhoun. [7]

National Wrestling Alliance (1976–1978)

In 1976, Jimmy and Johnny left WWWF and joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) where they toured various NWA territories. They debuted in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) in the summer of 1976. On 16 July 1976, they defeated Dean Ho and Ken Mantell to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship. [8] On 10 September, they lost the titles to Porkchop Cash and Tom Jones. They joined San Francisco, California-based NWA San Francisco where they defeated the Royal Kangaroos (Jonathan Boyd and Norman Frederick Charles III) on 4 December 1976. [9] They lost the titles to Pat Patterson and Pepper Gomez on 9 February 1977. Later that same year, they joined Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF). In January 1978, they were awarded the NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship. [10] On 25 January 1978, they lost the titles to Florida natives Mike Graham and Steve Keirn.

Jerry and Johnny (1978–1982)

World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation (1978–1979)

Johnny (right) and Jerry (center) with two New York cabbies Valiant Brothers with cabbies.png
Johnny (right) and Jerry (center) with two New York cabbies

In 1978, the Valiant Brothers returned to WWWF but Jimmy retired and was replaced by "brother" Jerry Valiant. [1] Jerry and Johnny began wrestling in the tag team division while Jimmy became their manager. In March 1979, the promotion was renamed the World Wrestling Federation, dropping 'Wide' from the name. On the 24 March 1979 edition of Championship Wrestling , Jerry and Johnny defeated Larry Zbyzsko and Tony Garea to win the WWF Tag Team Championship. [11] This second version of the Valiant Brothers was also successful, but Jerry could not achieve the popularity which Jimmy had achieved.

On 13 July 1979, they retained the championship in a match against The Jaguar of Colombia [12] and Tito Santana. Jerry and Johnny lost the titles to Ivan Putski and Tito Santana on 22 October. [13] After unsuccessful attempts in winning back the titles from Putski and Santana, the Valiant Brothers broke up in 1980, putting an end to the team.

Later years (1980–1982)

After leaving the WWF in 1979, Jerry and Johnny continued teaming without Jimmy. In 1980 they worked in Japan. Then in 1982, they reunited working in the independent circuit in the States. They disbanded later that year.

Aftermath

Jimmy and Johnny were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 1996 by Owen Hart and "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. [14] All three Valiant Brothers have reunited on the independent circuit during the 2000s. [1]

Jerry died on 10 March 2010 in Indianapolis after a battle with advanced Alzheimer's on set by post-concussion syndrome, while Johnny died on 4 April 2018 after being involved in a pickup truck crash in Ross Township, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, thereby ending any possibility of a reunion. Jimmy wrestled for independent shows unit 2022 at the age of 80.

Championships and accomplishments

Jimmy and Johnny Valiant

Jerry and Johnny Valiant

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedro Morales</span> Puerto Rican professional wrestler (1942–2019)

Pedro Antonio Morales was a Puerto Rican professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances in the United States with Worldwide Wrestling Associates (WWA) and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddie Blassie</span> American professional wrestler and manager (1918-2003)

Frederick Kenneth Blassie was an American professional wrestler and manager, known by the ring name "Classy" Freddie Blassie. Renowned as "The Hollywood Fashion Plate", he was a one-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, and was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994. He is regarded as one of the greatest wrestling heels, or villains, of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruno Sammartino</span> American professional wrestler (1935–2018)

Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was an Italian-American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Sammartino's 2,803-day reign as WWF World Heavyweight Champion is the longest in the championship's history as well as the longest world title reign in WWE history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivan Koloff</span> Canadian professional wrestler

Oreal Donald Perras was a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by the ring name "the Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff, where he was billed from Russia He was the third wrestler to hold the WWWF Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Valentine</span> American professional wrestler (born 1951)

Jonathan Anthony Wisniski is a retired American professional wrestler, better known as Greg "the Hammer" Valentine. He is the son of wrestler Johnny Valentine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tito Santana</span> American professional wrestler

Merced Solis, better known by the ring name Tito Santana, is an American professional wrestler, trainer, and retired school teacher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Fuji</span> American professional wrestler and manager (1934–2016)

Harry Masayoshi Fujiwara was an American professional wrestler, actor and manager, known professionally by his ring name Mr. Fuji. He was famous for often throwing salt in the eyes of fan favorite wrestlers. Notable wrestlers and tag teams managed by him include Don Muraco, Yokozuna and Demolition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivan Putski</span> Polish-American wrestler and bodybuilder

Józef Bednarski is a Polish/American former professional wrestler and bodybuilder, best known by the ring name Ivan Putski. He was given the nicknames the "Polish Hammer" and "Polish Power".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Martel</span> Canadian professional wrestler

Richard Vigneault is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, trainer, and television presenter, better known by his ring name, Rick "The Model" Martel. He is best known for his appearances with the American Wrestling Association, the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling. Championships held by Martel over the course of his career include the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, WCW World Television Championship, and WWF World Tag Team Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Zbyszko</span> American professional wrestler

Lawrence Whistler, better known by the ring name Larry Zbyszko, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, Bruno Sammartino, during the early 1980s as well as his work as a wrestler and color commentator for World Championship Wrestling. Among other accolades, he is a two-time world champion having twice held the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. Zbyszko was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 28, 2015, by Sammartino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackjack Mulligan</span> American professional wrestler and American football player (1942–2016)

Robert Deroy Windham, better known by his ring name Blackjack Mulligan, was an American professional wrestler and American football player. He was the father of wrestlers Barry and Kendall Windham, father-in-law of Mike Rotunda, and the maternal grandfather of Bo Dallas and Bray Wyatt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Valiant</span> American professional wrestler

James Harold Fanning is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Samoans</span> Professional wrestling tag team

The Wild Samoans were the professional wrestling tag team of Afa Anoaʻi and Sika Anoaʻi in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). They held 20 tag team championships around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Missing Link (wrestler)</span> Canadian professional wrestler

Byron James John "Dewey" Robertson was a Canadian professional wrestler, known best by his ring name The Missing Link.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Garea</span> New Zealand professional wrestler

Anthony Gareljich is a New Zealand retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Tony Garea. He is best known for his appearances in the United States with the World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation in the 1970s and 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Parisi (wrestler)</span> Italian professional and amateur wrestler

Antonio Pugliese, better known by his ring name, Tony Parisi, was a Canadian professional wrestler. He won tag team championships in several promotions, including the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). With Louis Cerdan, he held the WWWF World Tag Team Championship from 1975 to 1976. As a singles wrestler, he also won the WWF International Heavyweight Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Graham (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

James Grady Johnson was an American professional wrestler, best known by his ring name, "Crazy" Luke Graham. As Luke Graham, Johnson was part of the Graham family, a stable of wrestlers. All members were billed as kayfabe brothers. He worked extensively for various National Wrestling Alliance territories as well as the World Wide Wrestling Federation, where he was a three-time tag-team champion and the inaugural WWWF World Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Valiant</span> American professional wrestler and manager

John L. Sullivan was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by his ring name, Johnny Valiant. He competed in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), which became the World Wrestling Federation during his time with the promotion. He won the World Tag Team Championship two times. The first run was with his first and most famous storyline brother Jimmy Valiant over Tony Garea and Dean Ho on May 8, 1974; his second title run was with his second storyline brother Jerry Valiant over Tony Garea and Larry Zbyszko on March 6, 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Hill (wrestler)</span> Canadian professional wrestler (1941–2010)

John Steele Hill was a Canadian professional wrestler best known under the ring names Guy Mitchell, The Stomper and "Gentleman" Jerry Valiant. During his career, he held the top singles titles in Australia and Vancouver, and competed in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) where he won the WWWF World Tag Team Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Professor Tanaka</span> American professional wrestler and actor

Charles J. Kalani Jr. was an American professional wrestler, professional boxer, martial artist and actor. He was known by the ring names Professor Toru Tanaka, or simply Professor Tanaka. He was best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation from 1967 to 1978, and was a 3-time Tag Team Championship and one-time International Tag Team Champion. In 2019, he was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a Legacy Member.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Valiant Brothers Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 "W.W.A. World Tag Team Title (Indiana)". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  3. ↑ "WWWF Show Results 1974". The History of WWE. Retrieved 7 September 2008. Jimmy & Johnny Valiant defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Dean Ho & Tony Garea to win the titles
  4. 1 2 3 "World Tag Team Championship official title history". WWE. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
  5. ↑ "WWWF Show Results 1975". The History of WWE.com. Retrieved 7 September 2008. Victor Rivera & Dominic DeNucci defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Jimmy & Johnny Valiant to win the titles
  6. 1 2 "WWE World Tag Team Championship". Complete WWE. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
  7. ↑ "WWWF Show Results 1975". The History of WWE. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  8. 1 2 "NWA Georgia Tag Team Title History". Solie's Title Histories. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
  9. 1 2 "N.W.A. World Tag Team Title (San Francisco)". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
  10. 1 2 "N.W.A. United States Tag Team Title (Florida)". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
  11. ↑ "WWF Show Results 1979". The History of WWE. Retrieved 28 April 2015. Johnny & Jerry Valiant (w/ Capt. Lou Albano & Jimmy Valiant) defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Larry Zbyzsko & Tony Garea to win the titles at 10:54 when Johnny pinned Zbyzsko after Jerry and Zbyzsko collided and Jimmy pulled Jerry to the floor, allowing Johnny to take his place in the ring.
  12. ↑ "La Leyenda Viva de la Lucha Libre". El Jaguar de Colombia. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  13. ↑ "WWF Show Results 1979". The History of WWE. Retrieved 28 April 2015. Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Johnny & Jerry Valiant at 13:39 to win the titles when Santana pinned Johnny, the illegal man, with a crossbody after the champions collided in the ring, with Jerry being knocked to the floor.
  14. ↑ "Valiant Brothers' Bio". WWE. Archived from the original on 31 March 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2008. Johnny & Jimmy Valiant were rewarded with the highest honor: induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996. Fittingly, they were inducted by British Bulldog & Owen Hart, who were the reigning World Tag Team Champions at the time
  15. ↑ "World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 7 September 2008.

Further reading

The Valiant Brothers' history is covered in a chapter dedicated to the team in the book The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams:

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.