Johnny Valentine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Johnny Valentine (born John Theodore Wisniski, September 22, 1928 – April 24, 2001) was a professional wrestler with a career spanning almost three decades, ending due to an aircraft accident in 1975 (which Ric Flair was also in) which left him crippled. He is the father of Greg Valentine.
He was approximately 6' 4" tall and weighed 255 pounds, with bleach blonde hair and striking good looks. He was a notorious wrestling villain, reviled by loving fans everywhere.
Wisniski became a professional wrestler in 1947. He held numerous world champion and regional titles, including the NWA United States Championship and the World Heavyweight title. He had long running rivalries with Bobo Brazil, Pat O'Connor, Antonio Rocca, Lou Thesz, Harley Race, The Sheik, Wahoo McDaniel, Bruno Sammartino, Johnny Powers, Antonio Inoki and Jack & Jerry Brisco.
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- American Wrestling Alliance
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- AWA United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- International Wrestling Association (Chicago)
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- IWA International Heavyweight Championship (Chicago version)(1 time)
- IWA International Heavyweight Championship (Montreal version)(1 time)
- National Wrestling Alliance
- National
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- NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Calgary version) (2 times)
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Killer Karl Krupp
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version) (5 times) – with Bulldog Brower (1), The Beast (1), Jim Hady (1), and Whipper Billy Watson (2)
- NWA International Television Championship (1 time)
- NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time)
- NWA United National Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit version) (3 times)
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version) (7 times)
- NWA United States Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Buddy Rogers (1), Bob Ellis (1), and Eddie Graham (1)
- NWA United States Television Championship (3 times)
- Regional
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- NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Florida Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Boris Malenko
- NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ripper Collins
- NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rip Rogers
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Minneapolis version) (1 time) – with Chet Wallick
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- NWF Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWF North American Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
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- PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year award in 1973.
- PWI Editor's Award (awarded posthumously) in 2001
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- Member of Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame
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- WCCW American Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- WCCW American Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Wahoo McDaniel (2), Thunderbolt Patterson (1), and Tex McKenzie (1)
- WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)
- WCCW Texas Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
- 8WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Tony Parisi
