Greg Valentine - How Johnny Valentine Was in Real Life
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มิ.ย. 2021
- Greg "The Hammer" Valentine discusses his father Johnny Valentine and the plane crash that ended his championship career. Streaming now 📺 TitleMatchNetwork.com
Hear Greg Valentine open up about the wreck that changed pro wrestling forever. On October 4th, 1975, wrestlers Johnny Valentine, Ric Flair, Bob Bruggers, Tim Woods and promoter David Crockett were involved in a horrible plane crash.
Valentine would never wrestle again and Flair left with a broken back.
Greg reveals that it was Wahoo McDaniel who actually pulled Johnny Valentine from the wreckage.
Hammer also talks about the other tragic plane crash earlier that year that killed wrestler Bobby Shane. Buddy Colt, Austin Idol and ‘Playboy’ Gary Hart were all on board that flight as well. Colt would retire as a result of his injuries.
If you want to watch some go-to Johnny Valentine matches, Greg recommends the 1969 classic from the Sam Houston Coliseum in Texas vs Wild Bull Curry. We talk in length about the legacy of Johnny Valentine and how far he went to make his matches look real.
Watch More Valentine Shoot Interviews
• Greg Valentine - What ...
Produced by Title Match Network this past weekend in Las Vegas. Enjoy our brand new exclusive shoot interview from Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. - บันเทิง
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LIKE if you're enjoying our new series w/ the Hammer 🔨
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Streaming Now 📺TitleMatchNetwork.com
You should link the matches Hammers talking about!
I was one half of infamous Chain Gang in Dallas out killer Brooks NAWA. Greg came and shook hands with everyone.we all took less pay just to have Greg there.class act then and class act now.Killer and ice man king parsion took me Mugg class can't be bought.oh....im 66 now and have same hair.lol.
go back to old school wrestling I love this video
These shoots made me gain loads of respect for the Hammer. Genuine, and respectful at all times. Doesn't bury anybody, and seems to enjoy answering questions about the business, and his career. I wish you a happy and healthy remainder of your life. 👌💥
You would think he’s a Vegas dousche looking at him (which means your judgementa) however he’s actually a really upstanding man. And I don’t say “MAN” lightly these days. Most guys my age or younger 40 or less are pussies assholes or dicks. Now you can be close to a pussy and still be a dick however the asshole and pussy are more closely related. Now a dick can take an asshole or pussy. A pussy can’t beat an ass and ass sometimes can beat pussy however a dick is a dick. The valentines are real old school men. Should be more like them
The Hammer is one the most genuine guys I've ever heard. No arrogance, and truly appreciative of the business.
Saw The "Hammer" 4 times and was in Glens Falls for the Garvin retirement angle as a 12 year old with my dad. His chops echoed the arena. His match was better than Hogan's that night. Until he turned 50 I never saw a bad Valentine match. But he was working kids and near dead guys by then. What a talent. Top 30 all time.
I love these historical interviews. Shoots are all fine and good for background, but The Hammer talking about his father and the men Johnny Valentine wrestled with are essential for anyone who wants to appreciate professional wrestling.
I remember watching Johnny Valentine and Wahoo McDaniel wrestle. When I was a kid. They would wrestle for 1,000 silver dollars. On TV. The matches were great. Mid Atlantic wrestling.
I watched religiously every Saturday morning. I was 10-14 in those years,. Also had parents drop me off(!) at County Hall. Loved Super D, then Valentine and Anderson's. Blackjack Mulligan good, too.
Johnny V in latter career, maybe 50 then. Didn't seem like he was 50 then.
I saw the Johnny Valentine/Bull Curry match. Real, old school wrestling.
Johnny Valentine was one of the greatest of all time!!!!!!!! Johnny's WAS REAL!!!! Should have been NWA World Champion.
I had a really rough time growing up and wrestling was my one escape. Greg "The Hammer" has no idea how much he meant to me as a kid
Hammer has no ego, that’s why his interviews are so great!!
The Hammer’s interviews are always amazing.
I have really been enjoying these clips with the Hammer. Great stuff he is such a great dude to listen to.
Love Greg. Solid worker. No flips and flops and twirls in the ring. He was all business smash mouth brawling.
One of my favorite things about Greg "The Hammer" was, he would slug it out with someone & be out on his feet.... he'd just stand there, & slowly fall right on his face.... or he'd get pushed down after being out on his feet... always fell right on his face.... Greg was the man.... GREAT SHOWMAN! He'd get so red faced too..... love that guy!
And now that I hear him talking, what a cool ass dude...... Thanks Greg!
The Hammer is quickly becoming my favorite wrestler. Not just because of his accomplishments in the ring but also because I'm getting to see what kind of man he is outside the ring. Never has anything bad to say about anyone. He's just a good person and so genuine. You don't see many people like that in this business past or present. Much respect to this legend 🙏 👏
Gotta love The Hammer, we need more like him.❤👍💪😀😀😀😀
Mine too at the time I was not a big fan but he has gained my respect ,the same with Paul Orndorf . I saw interviews where he showed his true self when he was being honored .
Another example of a heel being a class act.
Some of the nicest people I ever met in my nearly 20 years in wrestling were Jimmy Golden, Sherri Martel and Adrian Street. All notorious heels, and all just as nice as they could be.
@@BrutishYetDelightful Jimmy and Adrian could work heel or face,but you’re right all 3 were nice people
Yeah it's seems they play act the badness outta themselves! Lol. Hammer is a cool guy. Remember his big old fat fists he would threaten everyone with! Lol
I've always been a fan of the hammer, but these interviews really make me appreciate his career. So glad you guys did this!
I love the interviews with Greg and am so glad to hear him speak about his Dad. I was about 11 years old and Johnny Valentine was my favorite wrestler of all time! I remember he came to WWWF for about 2 years. He won the tag title with Antonio Puglesi who was being billed as Bruno's cousin. (us kids believed that then) Then they had a big breaking up and Johnny turned heel!!! But he always stayed my favorite. Before turning heel I remember his big feud with Dr. Bill Miller. My friends and I were too young to get into Madison Sq Garden (had to be 14) but Johnny appeared several times at Sunny Side Gardens in Queens. We kids went every month to their Saturday Matinee wrestling show. I think it sat 2000 people. It was small. Johnny appeared there 3 times that I remember in the main event against Dr Bill Miller. I'd always get there an hour before they opened when Johnny was there because I wanted to watch for him. Saw him 2 blocks away as he was walking to the arena and run over and talk with him on his way in. He was always very kind signed for me, asked my name, and I asked if he was going to win. lol I remember he said that Miller was tough but he was going to do his best to beat him. Once outside the arena other fans there came over and he shook hands and signed for everyone. A class act. He and Miller wrestled to a draw the first time so next months show was a rematch. When I saw him for that show I was so surprised that he remembered my name!!!! That match Miller pinned him but had his foot on the rope for leverage and as is usual the referee didn't see it. So, next month ANOTHER rematch. Johnny won that 3rd match and this time was standing outside when we were leaving. It turns out 3 other wrestlers on the card came by in a car and was picking him up.All the kids had their hands inside the windows patting them on the back and shaking hands and we walked with the car as it taxied to a red light. Johnny gripped my hand firmly and leaned closer to the window and said (and I'm paraphrasing) Bob, please be careful of the cars dont get hurt. I saw Johnny one more time after that as I snuck into the Garden with my grandfather. lol and as always I was still thrilled. I had never heard about him being in a plane crash till I found your interview on youtube. That had to be a terrifying experience. Thanks so much for these interviews and I hope you have more to post with Greg.
I love watching the Greg Valentine interviews. I have learned so much about wrestling. I've watches wrestling since the 70's. I just remember him as a heal. He is a really nice educated man who was just playing a part. He played damn well and he made it look real. Thank you Greg Valentine.
Can see Greg talk from heart about his dad. He did good job of just being honest & non bias. Very good interview. 👍
Saw the Johnny V and Bull Curry match for the first time last week . Total Classic!
God Bless the 🔨's father. The Hammer tells his stories with tremendous detail and subtle emotion.
The Hammer Hall of Famer.
This guy was an AWESOME AWESOME wrestler and seems like an awesome person too, love his interviews
Nothing But. Respect for Greg an Johnny Classy Tough Men
I think Johnny would most proud of the son he raised, who was an excellent Wrestler, and even better Gentlemen.
Well said about your dad Hammer!
These Hammer interviews,are easily my favorite. Good story teller and seems like a genuinely good guy who loved the business.
You can tell the hammer loves his dad
I love listening to the hammer tell stories
I had the immense pleasure of meeting Johnny Valentine when I was around 12. This was in 82 and he lived in our subdivision. Willowood in Houston. One of my friends told us that a professional Wrestler lived in our neighborhood, and of course we called him a liar. Sure enough,he took us to a house on the first street in the neighborhood,which was close to an elementary school. My brother knocked on the door and a dark haired woman opened the door. My brother told her that we were fans of her husband, and boy let me tell you!
She invited us in and Mr Valentine was sitting in a wheelchair watching tv. That man regaled us in his stories of fighting in the squared circle.
I was just talking to my brother about it last Christmas, and we were still as excited as if it happened yesterday. He played it all the way to the end for us. We stayed about an hour or so. We got to hold his trophies and see his pictures! What an amazing time! He said Wahoo was his toughest opponent.
Very good story. A class act, to spend a little time with a couple of young fans like that.
John Clair exactly!
I will never forget it. By far my best encounter with a celebrity.
I wish the new generation would big up and pay respect to these guys not just the 2000s guys. Its a shame
I always liked The Hammer. I only met him a few times but he was always very kind to me.
Are you like 70? I bet you guys had a blast in the 80s
Met him (Greg) backstage at an Indy show in Texarkana. Super nice guy.
I remember as a kid watching Johnny Valentine. I remember the time he attacked Johnny Powers in a match in the Cleveland arena. He gave him a horrible beating breaking his chin and nose. Blood pouring out of Powers. The promoter and announcers were threatening they were going to suspend Valentine for life Finally they called the police into the ring and carried Powers out of the ring on a stretcher. They showed him in the hospital. Now how real any of it was I do t know but it made for great tv.
I am 61 years old,. This reminds me growing up on Saturday mornings, watching Mid Atlantic wrestling with my brother and grandfather. A very great era of wrestling. Also this footage is excellent quality. Johnny Valentine and Terry Funk could really sell the punches. I would love to see footage of Johnny vs Wahoo McDaniel. Talk about two of the hardest hitters during that time .😢
So did my brother and I. It was great being a kid back then, we used to make championship belts from cardboard and put tin foil on them to make it look shiny. Now kids can just go buy them from the store. Jumping off the back of the couch with a hammer drop.. yeah we went nuts after watching wrestling.
I stopped watching this interview & looked up the match between your dad & the Bull. 1969, WOW I can definitely see he's your dad, what a good match.
Greg is such an honor to listen to. Along with his Dad they were two of the top 5 performers never to hold the top World Heavyweight Title. Does anyone know if he’s ever talked about if he kept all his robes and whom made them ??
Have they done any Dark Side of the Ring episodes on those plane crashes from '75? If not, it would be interesting with guys like Austin Idol still around.
Nope, but they definitely should. I've been waiting for that episode and an episode on Magnum TA for a while.
Gotta love Greg and Johnny. They were so believable in the ring. Tough as nails.
I watched your Dad wrestle in Cleveland, Ohio back in the early 70's against Johnny Powers. Those were brutal matches.
I think Ric Flair was in that crash, too. He said that afterwards, everyone wanted to fly with him because they all figured “What are the odds of being in two plane crashes?”
I'll never forget reading about that in the Charleston paper the morning after. I was crushed when I heard about Johnny V.
Johnny and Greg The Hammer Valentine are both great.
I remember hating the hammer as a kid. It just shows you how good he really was. He seems to be one of the nicest people in real life. Long live the hammer!!!
I would love to see Jonny Valentine vs Fritz Von Erich.
I remember those matches when I was a kid, they had a great rivalry back in the day.
My dad took us to the Sam Houston coliseum frequently on Friday nights to watch wrestling with Paul Boesch. I remember many matches with Johnny Valentine. I quite possibly saw Johnny Valentine vs Wahoo McDaniel & Bull Curry in person.
The 'Hammer' what a class act 🔨🙂
I was a kid when Johnny and Wahoo would come to Richmond. Those matches always were the main event and always had us on our feet. It may not have been "real" but it sure looked it!
Man the Wahoo chops and JV sledgehammers across the chest were REAL!! JV made Wrestling REAL when he was in the ring.
Totally agree 👍
What a great interview!!! I will always remember watching Johnny Valentine as a kid. He made it real.
I saw Johnny many times at Cobo Arena in Detroit. His classic matches with Bob Ellis, Bobo Brazil, Bull Curry, Igor and The Sheik were outstanding. The psychology, the storytelling, and stiff shots put Valentine head and shoulders above most other guys from that era. There was just something more believable about him that made you think he could kick anyone's ass. BTW that's my foto up there.
Greg was the best! I loved his style.
I grew up on the Mill Hill (Springs Cotton Mill )in Lancaster South Carolina in the 60s.My best friends Mother and big Sister would take us to PARK CENTER in Charlotte on Monday nights to watch wrestling. Johnny Valentine was one of my favorites. As a kid he just seemed tougher than most wrestlers to me.
The Hammer is a good story teller. Thanks for sharing
Johnny Valentine was my favorite Wrestler
Always been a fan of The Hammer.
Greg looks a lot like his dad. Johnny had the same hair but kept his short!
These vids r making me a Valentine fan. Tough honest dude.
GREG is a great guy. I regret in working for The Phil's Spectrum for so many years and took pictures with every wrestler but never got one with Greg which I regret.
Wow! That photo of JV and Andre is very cool.
When I was about 5, we lived in the same small brick apartments as Johnny Valentine. We knew who he was, of course, but all I remember about him was that he rode a very throaty motorcycle! This would have been around 1960, so it must have been an American bike! Greg Valentine was a few years older than us younger kids, but he occasionally played with us. The apartment buildings had caged storage spaces in the basement for each apartment...it was our jail when playing cowboys. He wouldn't remember me from Adam, but might remember those apartments!
I’ve watched the match of Valentine/Curry.
Greg is pure Gold! Love his interviews!
Greg Valentine is the last of the Mohicans! Make Sure when your at a Wrestling Convention you go over and get his Autograph.
I have watched this multiple times ! I love this story.
Laid back guy 51 now but i remember his matches to remember it damn he could the best hell thank you Greg for those matçhes
Greg definitely ❤ loves his Dad.
really enjoying these!
Love hearing Greg tell stories
Good stuff indeed Valentines are legends in wrestling I grew up watching the Hammer I remember his chain matchs with Roddy Piper and The Hammer was great in tag team matchs With Ric Flair and witb Brutus and I liked Rythm and Blues too but i never thought the hammer would be so mellow off camersa hes fantastic I watch all his stuff.
Greg.. I was a child of pro wrestling, in the early 70's...And I met Bobby Shane, on two diffent occasions...after he had wrestled, on the card. in Houston, Texas! He would would walk around the arena, with a drink in his hand! He was very cordial, and a true nice guy! I have his signiture!
Saw JV alot in Houston where I grew up. One night at the same Houston coliseum, Valentine beat Tara Tanaka retaining the Texas title. It was 1971. I would go to the back of the coliseum where the wrestlers came out after the show and try to get autographs. Valentine came out that night after everyone was gone and looked around for what was his ride. He was my favorite wrestler. He gave me an autograph and said I don't see my ride..I said I can give you one. He said that's great. So I ran and got my pickup and gave him a ride to a place about 15 minutes away. That was my best night of going to Houston wrestling . Every time I saw him again I thought how cool was that night and tell everyone I gave him a ride once.
I just look Johnny Valentine up, he was a hell of a wrestler, if it wasn't for that plane crash he would have made a hell of splash in the early 1980's when wrestling really took off.
Good clip of the interview
I saw Mr. Valentine vs Chief Wahoo and Flair Vs Paul Jones as a child. I was hooked from that moment on! WRAL studio and spot shows!
Wow when I live in North Carolina in the NWA johnny Valentine was the toughest guy that I ever seen RIP
At a Southwest Championship Wrestling event I got to approach Johnny Valentine to ask him the name of a move I saw a wrestler perform. He stopped, and answered the question. He was a gentleman the entire time. I got to watch Greg wrestle Killer Tim Brooks, with Johnny handcuffed to Rip Hawk at the announcer's table. It was a great match. I'll never forget those events.
Loved how Gregg worked but when I saw JV vs Buddy Rogers-that was a great series
love GREG "THE HAMMER " VALENTINE SEEMS WELL ROUNDED AND GROUNDED.
My Gawd I love these interviews
As a kid I loved Strongbow. I vividly remember hating The Hammer. He did it right.
Love Greg’s insight into the business .
Just found the 1969 match Johnny valentine and wild bill curry match. Thank you Mr Greg sir appreciate your time. I’ll be watching your dad’s matches. Your stuff is great too. Loved your match with JYD at wrestle-mania 1
I dont know if there's any video but his matches with Jose Lothario were absolute classics too. Too of the best wrestlers in history. They had some violent battles.
I'm putting the belt on Greg in WWE 2K19 after watching these interviews. Top guy.
I remember Johnny wrestling in the Georgia territory. His manager was Dandy Jack.
great video ty
4:30 Johnny Valentine was my mom's favorite wrestler.
Another great Hammer vid.
I saw Johnny fight a couple of times in the late sixties. He was tough.
Along with the Great Malenko they were a great heel tag team in the mid to late 60’s in CWF
Love The Hammer's interviews. Very nice guy
i used to watch your dad wrestle at northside coliseum in fort worth my hometown, his match with wahoo the bloodiest i ever seen, i seen bull curry too ,probaly wrestling your dad. its to long ago for me to remember. but they all were great.
johnny valentine was special,loved the match where he tag teamed with bruno sammartino
Fore sure a class act. We love you Greg
I saw a hammer v Hogan match in 84 was a great match. Tony atlas talked about how tough Johnny was in the ring.
I met him a few years back and drove him around as a favor to a friend of mine. We had some nice conversations although I may have gotten on his nerves a bit asking too many questions. I remembered seeing him as a Fargo Brother when I was little. When I told him a story about my cousin putting me into a Boston Crab when we were kids and feeling like my spine would snap, he found that rather amusing. I recall he also said he knew Waldo Von Erich back in the day and thought he was a really good wrestler.
1975 saw wahoo vs Johnnie valentine these two guys beat the hell out of each other they both should have been NWA world champion. These men gave a lot to wrestling. Remember the plane crash in Wilmington NC like yesterday. They first thought ric flair would never walk again
Just some info for those that didn't read it....in Gary Hart's book he says that him, Mike McCord (Austin Idol), Bobby Shane and Buddy Colt were flying from Miami to Tampa. I can't remember if Buddy was flying into McDill AFB in Tampa or getting instructions from them. But he was looking to fly into Sarasota (south of Tampa) because he saw bad weather ahead, but was told that he could fly into McDill AFB because the weather was okay. The weather wasn't okay and they crashed and later all of them (Bobby Shane's family since Shane was killed) successfully sued.
i saw your father johnny valentine in st. louis kiel auditorium and wrestling at the chase many times... big fan of dad, vs bruiser, dory and terry funk, lou thesz, pat o'connor buddy rogers, . big bill miller texas death match, . john paul henning... . i saw you and you dad tag match... i saw you beat the bruiser.. luv the valentine family... lots of memory's
I always liked how Greg would take a bump and make it look like he was falling flat on his face. No other wrestler did that.
Greg the Hammer Valentine! Great person would love to meet ya one day! Dont make em like they use to! Dad would have been super proud!
It's amazing how this guy was my most hated wrestler as a kid, how can such a nice guy be a heel?
I was thinking the same thing . He was a great heel.
I play this online web based wrestling game called Journey of Wrestling. There is a scenario in it where I can start at the beginning of the WWWF. I had Johnny Valentine and Tony Parisi in it at startup, the tag team was called Parisian Valentine. Does Greg recall that team and Tony Parisi? In my game I started in 1964 and now in 1970 and Johnny is feuding with Bruno who lost the belt just like IRL to Ivan Koloff. Johnny won the US tag team belts and was a transitional US heavyweight champ between Bob Brazil and Pedro Morales...the latter is his biggest rival. He also won a feud of the year award with Argentina Apollo. That year he was the#8 wrestler in the world. I cannot WAIT for Greg to come into my game...Chief Jay Strongbow better beware
Loved Wahoo growing up 🙏🙏