JIMMY VALIANT TALKS ABOUT WWE HALL OF FAME –
- 02/20/2006 (12:30:21 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
New Book, Museum and much more…..
Show: Wrestling EpicenterGuest "Boogie-Woogie Man" "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant
Date: February 16, 2006
Your Hosts: James Walsh, Brendon Brooks, Ben Benya, & Francine
This week, we bring you a show a little bit too hot for even the Blaze... We bring you the single most offensive show we've ever done... And, somehow, that makes it a fun one to listen to!
Between the accidental swearing of a caller (Patrick Kelley from the Weekend Warriors show) to the Michael Cole going absolutely crazy audio clip to the start of the Tylene Buck XXX interview that will air on the 3 Count Wrestling show at www.WrestlingEpicenter.com ... Whew, it's a hot one!
And, having a WWE Hall of Famer who is not only a true wrestling legend but a true nice and good man in Jimmy Valiant, is just the icing on the cake to what is a fun show!
Don't miss it!
Go to http://www.WrestlingEpicenter.com to listen to this show.
"The Boy From New York City" leads us into the interview with the "Boogie Woogie Man," himself, "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant. Immediately, Jimmy goes into how he started wrestling in 1964 and his last match was in 2004 and any topic is open.
Walsh brings up Jimmy's book "Woo, Mercy Daddy! Welcome to my world." Jimmy V explains that he started his interviews with "Woo, Mercy Daddy! 'The Boogie Woogie Man' feels good, baby!" The book is 566 pages which, Jimmy says, could be considered a double book, considering some of the recent releases. The book itself was co-written with his wife, Angel, and is in his own words.
Benya asks the next question: "Where can people pick up this book?" Jimmy is only selling the book at his Wrestling Camp and Hall of Fame Museum in Shawsville, VA, at book signings and on the internet at www.jimmyvaliant.com (which he plugs a lot!).
Next subject is the WWE Hall of Fame: Jimmy was flattered and very honored when invited to join in 1997. He explains that a year earlier, he was flown into Baltimore to watch Gorilla Monsoon and Chief Jay Strongbow get inducted.
Jimmy brings up his Hall of Fame museum, which Walsh asks a question about. Valiant plugs his website, then explains that it's only open on Sunday, regardless of any holidays it falls on for four hours (12-4 PM).
Walsh asks the secret to Valiant's longevity in the business. After plugging his book, Valiant goes into how he started in the 60s, when someone had to get you into the close knit business. He also goes into a little on how he abused his body and how his wife saved him, the virtues of being a businessman and giving 100% in the ring, so the promoters could trust him.
Ricky Morton is next up, as Walsh brings up the differences between "northern" and "southern" wrestling and relating to the fans. Jimmy says "they're basically all the same." He then goes into working for the WWWF for Vince McMahon Sr and other major territories. He finishes off with "wrestling fans are wrestling fans," another plug for his book and calling Hogan, Flair and Steamboat "kids."
In 40 years of wrestling, Jimmy has seen many changes in the industry: "It seems like the wrestling business changes every 10 years."
"In the 60s, we did so much more wrestling... The name outside on the marquee says 'Wrestling,' so that's what we did."
"In the 70s, they started doing more elaborate stuff." He then goes into how springing off the ropes for a forearm would bring people out of their seats and a story about Harley Race holding Jack Briscoe in a suplex for 60 seconds.
"In the 80s, they started getting bigger and coming off the top ropes." He puts over the Barbarian's flying headbutt and "Beautiful" Bobby [Eaton].
"Then in the 90s, they started getting bigger and more agile. You know, they're monsters now."
Valiant mentions his wrestling camp again, and how he teaches the "old" and "new schools" of wrestling and his wife's cooking.
Walsh brings up Hogan and JBL quote of "The kids today are learning the moves, but they're not learning wrestling." Jimmy agrees with that, saying that at his camp "They're gonna learn the wrestling and the moves." He then goes into how selling moves is important.
Jimmy has done alot of reunion shows with Evan Ginsburg. Two weeks earlier, he did a show with Captain Lou and "Luscious" Johnny. Jimmy then mentions his deal with Jakks Pacific for a Legends figure, including a potential 3-pack with Albano and the Valiant Brothers. Valiant gives us another plug for his book and website in the process!
In the 70's, Jimmy was replaced with Jerry Valiant and, later, Bobby Valiant. Jimmy explains that he was the original "Valiant," a name Fritz Von Erich gave him in 1969. After joining up with Vince Sr. in New York, he was teamed, in 1973-4, with "Luscious" Johnny. Then, in '78, the "Valiant Bros." did a series of tapes with Vince Sr., but Jimmy contracted Hepatitis (both types) and almost died. Vince Sr. needed a replacement and brought in Guy Mitchell (The Stomper) as "Gentleman" Jerry Valiant. Once Jimmy recovered, they did 6-man tags (before the Freebirds)!
Benya comes in with "'Beautiful' Bobby Valiant" (Bobby Heenan), and their bad blood. Jimmy clarifies that Heenan was never a "Valiant," although Bobby did manage the Valiants once.
Was Jimmy in Vietnam? No. However, he talks about an angle Jim Crockett did about Jimmy being down on his luck and something called "Boogie Jam '84." They mention how Jimmy was a vet.
Then next subject is Jimmy's match at WrestleReunion with Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka and Jimmy's feelings toward these "giant fan fests." "They feel good, I talk about them in my book 'Woo, Mercy Daddy." He also "Hates to disappoint the fans" concerning fans wanting autographs, and talks about how he goes out of his way to meet them.
Walsh's next question, "Have you wrestled your last match?" "Yes, yes. All done." He mentions the date, December 25, 2004, and a commemorative plaque on the wall at his camp and HOF museum about his first match, May 5, 1964. Valiant goes into how that plaque was made 5 years earlier and how it motivated him to make it to that date. He then goes into his match at WrestleReunion, where the promoters kept raising the price until he broke down and agreed to do it!
Word Associations:
Paul Jones: "I just seen him at that Florida deal." He also goes into how they meet at the Cauliflower Alley Club event every year in Las Vegas.
Rick Rude: "One of the best bodies. Tremendous arm wrestler." Valiant then goes into how Rude had a groin injury and Valiant had to encourage him to heal and come back.
The Barbarian: "A big, strong man... Toughest cat I ever met and I love him."
Manny Fernandez: "What a great athlete. What a great performer."
The Legion of Doom: "I was there when both of them started." He then says that he "had to talk to them kids!" He then goes into how he would often wrestle "Precious" Paul Ellering in Mid-South.
Ole and Arn Anderson: Valiant talks about the Gene and Ole Anderson team of the "Minnesota Wrecking Crew."
Walsh makes the mistake of repeating "Raging Bull" Manny Fernandez before going into...
Rick Martel: "Super, good looking cat. Like a movie star."
Angel: "She's my sweetheart, she saved my life." After a while, he plugs his book, camp and museum
Vince McMahon Sr.: "If he tell you something, it would happen."
Vince McMahon Jr.: "When I worked for his father, he was still commentating." He then puts over Vince's taking over the company and all the money he made.
Final plug for everything, including Jimmy getting into character!
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