AWA Tommy'Wildfire'Rich vs 'Handsome'Jimmy Valiant 1988

[ScyberPsylock]

Jimmy Valiant was one of the funniest, charismatic wrestlers that ever stepped foot in the squared circle. I never tire watching him from entrance to finish.  One of the greats from the golden era right there!

[DrJReefer]

If you ever wondered 4 twiglets tied together with a cheap blonde wig looks like...Wonder no more.

[chezmany]

I met Jimmy this week in Vegas, and he's all class.  He is one of the most down to earth, nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. He's 69 years old and still going.

[rockytheyorky]

Is that cactus Jack Manson I see running in there?

[CadillacL]

@rockytheyorky It is indeed.

[MRDXKLIQ101]

funny in 87 rich was a heel with idol nxt yr he back to heel then nwa what the same yr he back to a face ????

[brighat]

1. I love how Jimmy sells Tommy's moves like he's having an epileptic fit.

2. "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant was no more in 1988, he was "Boogie Woogie Man" now.

3. I love how a referee "calls" a no-contest. Both referees got clobbered by the competitors.

Man, I love these Indy organizations from the 80's. They just had that gritty look to them in contrast to today's glossy HD affairs.

[ddrock23]

Lawler admitted in a shoot interview that Valiant at one time was such a big draw for Memphis that him and Jerry Jarrett bought Valiant a house to get him to stay

[merishane]

Jimmy Valiant has a wrestling school in Shawsville Virginia !!!! csc/10 in Lynchburg V.A. (U.S.A.)

[moneyme17]

Not for sure which is better Clean Shaven Jimmy Valiant or ZZ Top Bearded Jimmy Valiant.

[BeckerMaximus]

Neither. Valiant was good worker in the 70's and early 80's, but he became a pure clown after about 84 or 85.

[lockenjr]

@BeckerMaximus if you want a good laugh watch the two sacramento promos from 77 with him and his brother luscious johnny talking smack about andre the giant, pepper gomez and al madril. It is hilarious and

[BeckerMaximus]

@lockenjr  thanks

[nwajoe]

No one sells like Jimmy Valiant, and I think that might be a good thing. His "electrocuted by every move" leg shaking kills me.

[marathonriverrat]

it amazes me valaint had a run like he did in crockett promotions. like OriginalChosenOne said he couldnt wrestle a lick but had a heelluva run in crockett still cant figure that one out.

[marathonriverrat]

DDP was THE manager in the AWA had bad Company the tag team champs for ever. He was the main manager at the time in the AWA.

[AngelofAnguish]

Who could forget the Diamond Doll? I can't and don't want to!

[satchelmcqueenvideo]

got any scott steiner from this time? thanks

[bcgabba1970]

i always thought that tommy rich was better as a face than a heel.

[OriginalChosen1]

"Boogie Woogie" was the ultimate showman! Couldn't wrestle worth a lick, but always managed to work the crowd into an absolute frenzy!

[RevDarkehorse]

I met Jimmy Valiant back in 1989-1990. He is a classy guy. I think if Tommy Rich had gone to the gym on a regular basis, he would have an even more successful career.

[dburse66]

Great to see Scott Steiner and Cactus Jack in to break up the fight as well!

[okrabay]

How many people would attend a AWA show in the late 80's before it died?

[maddogwrestlingfan]

@okrabay At a time the AWA did well (selling out arenas) in the Mid West US. And Canada. They would draw 10000 or better in Chicago, Minniapolis, Then they did the High school spot shows that would draw 2 to 3 thousand. They did very well till WWF/WWE raided talent... Then they stunk up the joint....

[yogaman1919]

a couple of classic bleeders.

[DeathNebula]

DDP in the AWA never knew it...

[mccarlmayhem]

nice clip of the Wildfire's very short awa run