Jimmy Valiant

[Grimmas]

Discuss here.

[JerryvonKramer]

The Valiants in the late 70s team were very much ahead of their time. The Freebirds are getting inducted into the WWE hall of fame, and justly so of course, but there is an argument to say that "without the Valiants there wouldn't be a Freebirds". They were the prototype for that "cool heel" team. They had a lot of pizazz around them in a promotion that actively shyed away from glitz (Vince Sr actually turned down Andy Kaufman don't forget, and he didn't want Hogan making movies).

 

I could have nominated Johnny Valiant because he was more the "Michael Hayes" of the group, but Jimmy was there and part of it and they have some decent matches too. Nothing blow-away, but it's enough to see that the character we see later in JCP is not all Jimmy was capable of.

 

Then, of course, he was one of the most over guys in Crockett and sold many a ticket in places like Richmond, VA. Similar to Putski, he has an incredibly efficient "input vs. crowd reaction" ratio.

 

But, because it is JCP and not WWF, he also had more opportunities to have good or even very good matches. One match in particular stands out for me, a lost gem:

 

Jack & Jerry Brisco vs. Jimmy Valiant & Bob Orton, Jr. (12/6/83)

 

Really great example of how Jimmy could be very very effective if talented workers were there to mask some of his limitations.

 

Anyway, I nominated him because I know he has his fans and I just had this idea of certain people opening up the ballot, seeing him there and slipping him into their back 10.

[JerryvonKramer]

Another standout match for him is vs. Assassin (4/2/84).

 

That's Herecules by the way.

[El McKell]

Anyone who made the mistake of voting for him in this thread: Young Bucks vs Jimmy Valiant - vs - Pro Wrestling Only want to make the case for him in here so you're actually allowed vote for him?

Anyway he was a horrible worker in Crockett, by far the worst pushed guy they had.

 

[HeadCheese]

Jimmy Valient is a fun wrestler from what I have seen but, is not someone I am proabably not considering. For context I have only seen very limited amounts of his work and that is with him as the Boogie Woogie Man stuff.

With wrestlers like Jimmy Valient and Big Daddy, there's light and simple fun wrestling factor (what I call county fair style wrestling). I think if I were to watch him real time everyweek or had to pay to watch his matches I would have less patience for his act but, I think it's fun and comforting.

Here's a match with vs. George South in 2002 that I think is super fun.

 

Him and Ricky Morton have a match with George South and Stan Lane (not sure if Fantastics, Stan Lane or some other Stan Lane) in the rain. I think says good about all four that despite their older age and this could easily feel sad, they kept the crowd and me engaged during this match.

 

Also I stand by Jimmy Valient and Someone vs. Young Bucks would be a super fun match.