Jimmy Valiant

James Harold Fanning (born August 6, 1942), better known by his ring name Jimmy Valiant, is an American retired professional wrestler, author, and wrestling instructor renowned as "The Boogie Woogie Man." Over a career spanning nearly six decades from his debut in 1964 until his final match in 2023, Valiant competed in major promotions including the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territories, and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), earning acclaim for his entertaining personas and in-ring charisma. He achieved significant success as a tag team specialist and singles competitor, capturing multiple championships and engaging in high-profile feuds that defined territorial wrestling eras.^[1]^[2]^[3] Born in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and raised in Hammond, Indiana, Fanning graduated from Hammond Tech High School in 1961 and trained as a barber before entering professional wrestling. He debuted on May 5, 1964, in Chicago as "Big Jim Vallens," later portraying the heel character Handsome Jimmy Valiant alongside his kayfabe brother Luscious Johnny Valiant as part of the Valiant Brothers tag team. The duo rose to prominence in the WWWF, where they won the WWWF World Tag Team Championship on May 8, 1974, by defeating Dean Ho and Tony Garea, holding the titles for 370 days. Valiant later transitioned to a babyface role as Gentleman Jimmy and achieved solo success, including winning the Memphis Heavyweight Championship in a 1977 tournament and securing the World Wrestling Association (WWA) World Tag Team Championship four times.^[1]^[2] In the late 1970s and 1980s, Valiant reinvented himself as the flamboyant Boogie Woogie Man in NWA promotions, particularly Jim Crockett Promotions, where he feuded intensely with Paul Jones' Army for nearly five years and drew massive crowds as a top babyface without relying heavily on titles. His entertaining style, marked by dancing entrances and mic work, made him one of wrestling's most underrated showmen, influencing the sport's emphasis on personality-driven storytelling. Valiant was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 as part of the Valiant Brothers, recognizing their contributions to the industry's early tag team division.^[1]^[2]^[1] Following his full-time retirement, Valiant has remained active in wrestling through Boogie's Wrestling Camp, which he founded with his wife Angel on September 6, 1992, in Shawsville, Virginia, training aspiring wrestlers and hosting events. The couple, married since August 6, 1991, continues to appear at independent shows and conventions, preserving Valiant's legacy as a bridge between territorial wrestling and modern entertainment. In 2025, he was inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame, honoring his broader cultural impact beyond the ring.^[1]^[2]^[4]

Early life

Childhood and family background

James Harold Fanning, better known by his ring name Jimmy Valiant, was born on August 6, 1942, in Tullahoma, Tennessee. He was the youngest of five children born to James and Effie Fanning.^[1]^[5] He spent his childhood and teenage years in Hammond, Indiana, near Chicago, where he grew up in a very religious household.^[6] During this time, Fanning developed early interests in street sports, including football, which became a key focus of his youthful pursuits.^[1] Fanning completed his secondary education at Hammond Tech High School, graduating in 1961, before pursuing vocational training at Moler Barber College in Chicago, from which he graduated on June 14, 1962. He also obtained a Registered Physical Therapy license from the State of Illinois.^[1] His upbringing emphasized discipline and community values, shaping his pre-professional athletic ambitions without extensive higher education.^[6]

Football career and transition to wrestling

Valiant's athletic journey began in high school, where he excelled as a running back at Hammond Tech High School and was recognized as a football star.^[1]^[7] After graduation, persistent injuries curtailed his prospects in football. At age 21 in 1964, an opportunity in professional wrestling was offered to him by trainer Boris Volkoff (Frank Zela), providing a new outlet for his physical abilities.^[1] He began training in the Chicago area under Boris Volkoff and Bobby Managoff, marking the end of his football endeavors and the start of his career in professional wrestling. He debuted on May 5, 1964, at St. Andrew’s Gymnasium in Chicago.^[1]

Professional wrestling career

Training and debut

James Harold Fanning, who would become known as Jimmy Valiant, entered professional wrestling in 1964 after a high school football career that provided him with the athletic base needed for the sport's physical demands.^[7] Fanning trained that year in Chicago, Illinois, under veteran wrestlers Boris Volkoff (real name Frank Zela) and Bobby Managoff at a local health club, where he learned essential techniques including basic holds, chain wrestling, and the showmanship required to connect with audiences during matches. The rigorous sessions focused on building endurance and understanding ring psychology to sell moves effectively.^[1]^[2] He made his professional debut on May 5, 1964, at St. Andrew's Gymnasium in Chicago, adopting the ring name Jimmy Valentine—inspired by a desire to evoke a charismatic persona—while teaming with Gary Moldenhauer as a Hollywood-style tag team billed from California. In his first match, they lost to The G-Men (Johnny Gilbert and Billy Goelz) via pinfall.^[1] Following the debut, Fanning was booked in preliminary matches for the World Wide Wrestling Associates (WWA), a National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) affiliate, where he primarily faced jobbers to refine his fundamentals like timing, selling, and basic offense. These early outings helped establish his in-ring reliability while he worked multiple bouts, including TV tapings in Indianapolis during a six-hour session. His initial presentation emphasized a polished, entertaining tag team dynamic rather than a solo tough-guy role.^[1]^[6]

Early career in regional territories

Following his debut in 1964, James Harold Fanning, wrestling under the ring name Big Jim Vallen or Jimmy Valentine, embarked on a journeyman career across several National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)-affiliated regional territories in the Midwest and emerging southern markets. His initial post-debut bookings took him to the World Wrestling Association (WWA) in Indianapolis, where he competed in television tapings and house shows, gaining exposure in front of live audiences and refining his in-ring fundamentals alongside trainer Gary Moldenhauer. This period marked the beginning of his adaptation to the demanding travel schedules typical of territorial wrestling, as he navigated bookings that required frequent drives between Midwestern cities.^[1] By 1965, Valiant expanded into the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and the St. Louis territory promoted by Sam Muchnick, both key NWA pillars known for showcasing established talent alongside rising performers. These runs positioned him as a reliable mid-card competitor, often facing off against journeymen wrestlers in matches that emphasized technical prowess and storytelling. He further broadened his experience in Big Time Wrestling in Detroit under promoter The Sheik, a territory renowned for its hard-hitting style and rowdy environments, which helped solidify his reputation as a versatile performer willing to travel for opportunities.^[1] Venturing southward around 1966, Valiant worked in Leroy McGuirk's NWA promotion in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Fritz Von Erich's Big Time Wrestling in Dallas, Texas, territories that demanded quick adaptation to the hotter climates and vocal southern fanbases accustomed to high-energy, character-driven bouts. In Dallas, he adopted the "Valiant" surname as a nod to his brother Johnny Valiant, who had already gained prominence in the industry, hinting at potential future collaborations while establishing himself primarily as a heel mid-carder. This phase involved a rigorous, travel-intensive schedule spanning multiple states—including Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, and Michigan—where he wrestled in arenas and armories, building endurance and territorial savvy over hundreds of matches by the end of the decade.^[1]

The Valiant Brothers tag team

The Valiant Brothers tag team was officially formed in 1971 in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) under promoter Vince McMahon Sr., pairing Jimmy Valiant with his storyline brother Johnny Valiant, who had previously established a solo career in various territories.^[1] Managed by the colorful Captain Lou Albano, the duo quickly became a dominant heel act, leveraging their size and charisma to draw massive crowds in the Northeast. Albano's bombastic promotion amplified their appeal, positioning them as arrogant showmen who thrived on antagonizing fans and opponents alike.^[8]^[9] Adopting flamboyant personas, Jimmy was billed as the slick "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant, while Johnny portrayed the imposing "Luscious" Johnny Valiant, complete with bleached blond hair and a cocky, larger-than-life attitude that blended tough-guy bravado with rock 'n' roll flair. Their entrances often featured strutting to the ring amid boos, tossing flowers to taunt the audience, and delivering over-the-top promos that mocked their foes and celebrated their self-proclaimed superiority. This rock 'n' roll-inspired gimmick resonated in the 1970s era, making them crowd-pleasing villains who blurred the lines between athleticism and entertainment. Key feuds defined their peak, including high-profile rivalries with popular babyfaces like Chief Jay Strongbow and Gorilla Monsoon, where they defended their status through brutal tag matches that highlighted their teamwork and dirty tactics.^[1]^[2]^[6] The team's success culminated in major championship victories, most notably capturing the WWWF World Tag Team Championship on May 8, 1974, when they defeated Dean Ho and Tony Garea, holding the titles for over a year in one of the longest reigns of the era and solidifying their legacy as one of the decade's top tag teams. These accomplishments, combined with their innovative antics, elevated the Valiant Brothers to icons of 1970s wrestling, influencing future heel duos with their blend of menace and showmanship.^[1]^[8]

Solo career and "Boogie Man" persona

In 1977, following the dissolution of the Valiant Brothers tag team, Jimmy Valiant embarked on a solo career, leveraging the charisma he had developed as part of the duo to establish himself as a singles competitor. He joined Jim Crockett Promotions in the Mid-Atlantic territory, where he quickly adapted his persona to resonate with audiences seeking more entertainment-oriented wrestling. That same year, Valiant introduced his iconic "Boogie Man" gimmick, ditching his clean-shaven "Handsome" image for a rugged, fun-loving character complete with a bandana, overalls, and exaggerated dancing entrances to hype the crowd.^[6] As the "Boogie Woogie Man," Valiant engaged in high-profile feuds that solidified his status as a top babyface in the territory, including intense rivalries with Ric Flair, Paul Orndorff, and Wahoo McDaniel during the late 1970s, as well as a prolonged conflict with Paul Jones and his Army that lasted nearly five years. These matches often highlighted Valiant's brawling style mixed with his showmanship, drawing strong crowd reactions.^[1]^[6] Valiant's popularity peaked between 1980 and 1984, as his "Boogie Man" character became a cultural phenomenon in Mid-Atlantic wrestling, blending humor, toughness, and relatability to connect with working-class fans he affectionately called his "street people." He featured prominently at the inaugural Great American Bash events, where his matches against heels like the Paul Jones Army generated electric atmospheres and memorable moments. Fans amplified his appeal with playful signs like "Itchy Boners," referencing Valiant's crude, everyman humor and turning arenas into raucous parties.^[1] During this era, Valiant expanded beyond Crockett Promotions, appearing in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) to feud with territorial stars and maintain his momentum as a veteran draw. He continued his primary work in NWA promotions through the mid-1980s.^[1]^[6]

Later years and retirement

Following his peak years in the 1980s, Jimmy Valiant adopted a more selective wrestling schedule, focusing on occasional appearances in regional territories and independent promotions while scaling back full-time commitments. In 1990, he captured the unified USWA Heavyweight Championship by defeating Jerry Lawler on February 26 in Memphis, Tennessee, showcasing his continued drawing power in the Southern wrestling scene.^[10] He also made a notable guest appearance for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) at the Halloween Havoc pay-per-view event on October 25, 1992, in Philadelphia, where he defeated Gary Royal in a singles match.^[11] As his in-ring activity diminished in the mid-1990s, Valiant shifted emphasis toward nurturing the next generation of wrestlers by establishing Boogie's Wrestling Camp on September 6, 1992, in Shawsville, Virginia.^[1] The camp, co-run with his wife Angel, provided hands-on training to aspiring performers, drawing on Valiant's decades of experience across territories and emphasizing both technical skills and showmanship.^[12] Through this endeavor, he mentored numerous independent talents, fostering a legacy of education in an industry he had helped shape for over three decades. Valiant maintained sporadic in-ring outings through the 2000s and into the 2010s, primarily on the independent circuit, while occasionally returning for special events. These limited engagements allowed him to stay involved without the rigors of a full schedule, prioritizing enjoyment and fan interaction over intense competition. Intending to retire after nearly 60 years in professional wrestling—spanning a debut in 1964—Valiant wrestled what was announced as his final match on July 31, 2021, at the New River Valley Fair in Dublin, Virginia. At age 79, he teamed with Iron Cross and RT3 to defeat Stan Lee, Sexy Kevina, and Evil Eric in a six-person tag team bout, a farewell that highlighted his contributions to the sport rather than athletic prowess.^[12]^[13] However, Valiant continued to make occasional appearances, including matches in 2022, 2023, 2024 (such as a debut for Beside the Ring Wrestling on August 31), and 2025, while serving as a goodwill ambassador for Boogie's Wrestling Camp and supporting young wrestlers.^[14]

Other media and ventures

Music and entertainment appearances

Jimmy Valiant incorporated music into his wrestling persona, particularly drawing from his "Boogie Man" gimmick to create entertaining extensions beyond the ring. In 1979, he recorded the single "The Ballad of Handsome Jimmy" alongside Jimmy Hart and The Gentrys, which became his signature entrance theme and received airplay on Memphis radio stations.^[15] The track captured his flamboyant character, blending rock and roll elements with wrestling bravado, and was performed live by Valiant at events to hype crowds.^[16] Valiant's live musical outings often occurred during wrestling shows, where he would deliver rock-style performances to engage fans. A notable example was his 1978 rock concert appearance at a Memphis Wrestling event, complete with guitar and high-energy delivery that mirrored his in-ring showmanship.^[17] These performances emphasized his multifaceted entertainer role, fusing music with storytelling from his career. In non-wrestling entertainment, Valiant made cameo acting appearances in films and television. He appeared as himself in the 2018 horror film WrestleMassacre.^[18] He also appeared at events for AEW Dynamite in 2019.^[19] Valiant co-authored the memoir Woo... Mercy Daddy! Welcome to My World: The Jimmy Valiant Story with his wife Angel in 2008, detailing his career and life.^[20] Additionally, a comic book titled Boogie Jam 4Ever: A Jimmy Valiant Comic Book was published in 2016, featuring his persona.^[21] Earlier, his persona inspired commentary on wrestling-themed media, including positive remarks about the 2008 film The Wrestler, though he did not appear in it.

Podcast and commentary work

Following his retirement from active wrestling, Jimmy Valiant shifted focus to media endeavors, leveraging his decades of experience to contribute to wrestling discourse through guest appearances on podcasts. Valiant has been a frequent guest on various wrestling podcasts, sharing anecdotes from his career and insights into the industry's evolution.^[1]

Personal life

Family and relationships

Jimmy Valiant was first married in 1962, shortly after graduating from barber school, in a union that lasted 17 years before ending in divorce.^[1] This marriage produced three daughters.^[7] His second marriage, to a woman known in wrestling circles as "Big Mama," lasted 13 years and resulted in two sons, one of whom briefly pursued a wrestling career under the ring name Handsome Jimmy Valiant.^[7]^[22] In 1991, Valiant married Angel, whom he met at a Walmart autograph signing earlier that year; the couple remains together, with no additional children from this union, and they share six grandchildren.^[1]^[7] Valiant shared a close professional and personal bond with Johnny Valiant (real name John L. Sullivan), his longtime tag team partner despite not being biological brothers; they captured the WWWF World Tag Team Championship in 1974 and were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame together in 1996, cementing a family-like wrestling legacy.^[6] Johnny Valiant passed away in 2018.^[23] Post-retirement, Valiant and his wife Angel established Boogie's Wrestling Camp in Shawsville, Virginia, in 1992, where they support youth aspiring to enter professional wrestling by offering free training sessions every Sunday and maintaining an on-site hall of fame museum to inspire participants.^[1]^[7]

Championships and accomplishments

Professional wrestling championships

Jimmy Valiant achieved significant success as a singles competitor and tag team wrestler, capturing numerous championships throughout his career in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territories and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). His title wins spanned multiple promotions, highlighting his versatility and popularity in the 1960s through the 1980s. These victories often came during high-profile feuds, where Valiant's charismatic style and in-ring prowess helped him defend the belts against top challengers.^[1] In the WWWF, Valiant teamed with Johnny Valiant as the Valiant Brothers to win the WWWF World Tag Team Championship on May 8, 1974, by defeating Tony Garea and Dean Ho. Their 370-day reign established the duo as dominant forces in the tag team division, defending the titles in memorable matches against teams like Chief Jay Strongbow and partners. The partnership emphasized Valiant's early "Handsome Jimmy" persona, blending technical wrestling with showmanship to draw large crowds in the Northeast.^[24]^[25] Valiant also captured the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship in 1970, amid intense rivalries in Championship Wrestling from Florida. Other notable regional victories included the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship multiple times in the late 1970s, including the Memphis version won in a 1977 tournament, and the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship with partner Rufus R. Jones. He additionally held the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship once and the NWA Tennessee Heavyweight Championship early in his career. These reigns, often short but impactful, contributed to his reputation as a workhorse champion who elevated undercard storylines across the NWA's patchwork of promotions. As part of the Valiant Brothers, he won the World Wrestling Association (WWA) World Tag Team Championship four times with Johnny Valiant.^[1]

Hall of Fame inductions and awards

Jimmy Valiant was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 as part of the Valiant Brothers tag team, alongside his storyline brother Johnny Valiant, recognizing their contributions to professional wrestling during the 1970s and 1980s.^[8] Valiant was inducted into the NWA Legends Hall of Heroes in 2016, celebrating his achievements within the National Wrestling Alliance, including several regional championships and his impact on NWA promotions.^[4]^[26] Additionally, Valiant was honored as an "Other honoree" by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 1997 for his outstanding contributions to the entertainment aspect of professional wrestling.