JOHNNY VALIANT: A LIFE WORTH REMEMBERING

By Peter Vuono

    Tommy Sullivan wanted to be a pro wrestler from an early age. Fortunately, young Tom grew up in the North Hills section of Pennsylvania where the legendary Bruno Sammartino resided. Bruno was very approachable and young Tom asked Bruno about how one could get into the business. Bruno took him under his wing and put Tom in touch with military veteran Eddie Farhat(The Sheik) of Detroit. Sullivan became a roadie and was later trained to wrestle by Al Costello of the Fabulous Kangaroos.
   Tom changed his name to John L. Sullivan and wrestled from 1969-1973 as a "Face" in the WWWF. I saw him wrestle in the Roseland Ballroom  in Taunton MA during this time and Wrestling Revue Magazine had made him"Rookie of the Year".
   After departing from the WWWF,Sullivan joined the AWA and serendipitously met up with Jim Fanning who was better known as Jimmy Valiant. Shortly there after, the Valiant Brothers were born and returned to the WWWF where they twice won the world tag-team championships and during one tenure, for over a year.
   Sullivan, who was now known as Johnny Valiant was funny, quick witted and a great worker. He made a lateral change and became a manager of Hulk Hogan, Brutus Beefcake, Dino Bravo and Greg Valentine. When his services as a manager had reached it's peak, he worked as "enhancement talent" until his release from the WWF in 1988.
  He would then work as an independent and it was shortly thereafter that I met him when he worked for Walter Kowalski. . He came into the locker room immediately striking up a conversation as to how he craved his beloved "Parodi" cigars. He asked me about Rocky Marciano and how close we were from Rocky's homestead. He mentioned that he read a great deal about Rocky's life and was very interested in the undefeated champ. He posed for many a picture and made it clear that it was a pleasure to do so. Everyone else in the ;locker room got the same red carpet treatment from the former two time world champ.
  Then,on April 4, 2018, Johnny tried to cross a major highway on foot at 5:30 AM  back in his native North Hills. He was struck by a truck and died upon arrival to the hospital.
  Just three days later, my wife and I were listening to Dr. Charles Stanley's sermon to his congregation at Atlanta Baptist. Dr. Stanley posed a question to them where he asked,"What will you be remembered for?". When he said this, I thought of Johnny. I didn't lament his passing because of the fame, the titles or the money. I thought of him because of the way he treated me.
  Dr. Stanley's message was answered; we will be remembered for  not material things, or titles or power or money  but for our kindness toward others.This is why I felt so sad about Johnny's passing and this is why Johnny Valiant's life is certainly one worth remembering.


"Three things in human life are important; the first is to be kind, the second is to be kind and the third is to be kind"- Mother Teresa