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.