WWE Legend Returns to the Ring at 83 Years Old
Most people spend their retirement on the golf course, traveling, or spending time with family. But in the wrestling ring? At the remarkable age of 83, WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Valiant is set to make a nostalgic return to the ring for what will be one final match.
When Will Jimmy Valiant Wrestle?
NAWA (North American Wrestling Alliance) Championship Wrestling will host Valiant's retirement match at the Buford High School Gymnasium in Lancaster, South Carolina, according to an announcement posted on social media.
"Yes, this will be my final dance. I've retired before but this is truly my last dance,” Valiant said. “I'm honored to hang up my boots after 62 years of wrestling pro. I had over 15,000 matches and drove 6 million miles on U.S. highways, plus flying, getting to those matches."
Valiant's upcoming match is dubbed "Boogie's Last Dance," a direct reference to his iconic moniker, the "Boogie Woogie Man." Valiant’s opponents haven’t been announced yet.
The 83-year-old also said he wants to “dance down that aisle to my theme song, 'Boy From New York,' one last time,” to conclude his decades-long career.
Michael Elliott, the NAWA promoter, stated the independent organization is "honored" to reach this milestone alongside Valiant, predicting the event will "truly be a historic evening."
When NAWA announced the event on Facebook, several fans shared fond memories of seeing Valiant wrestle for the first time.
One user commented, “First time I saw him wrestle in person was at The Township in 1979. He defeated Johnny Weaver.”
Another user said, “A past from my childhood. Watched him in Columbia, South Carolina, every Tuesday night with my red-headed grandmother Evelyn.”
Someone else shared their excitement for the upcoming event.
“Just got our tickets! Remember watching him every since we were very young. Me and my Brother worked out at Boogie's Wrestling School for Several years. Can't wait. So excited!!! Front row!!!”
Tickets for the event are available here.
Jimmy Valiant’s Legendary Career
James Harold Fanning began his career in 1964 as "Big Jim Vallen." His time in the WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) in the 1970s saw him adopt the persona of "Handsome Jimmy Valiant" and form the influential tag team, The Valiant Brothers, with late fellow WWE Hall of Famer Johnny "Luscious" Valiant. This formidable duo achieved significant success, capturing the WWWF Tag Team Championship once and earning the WWA (World Wrestling Association) Tag Team Championship four times.
He also won the WWA World Heavyweight Championship.
In the 1980s, Valiant competed in professional wrestling for several organizations. He wrestled for Jimmy Crockett Promotions, which was part of the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance), and later for the WCW (World Championship Wrestling). Additionally, his career included wrestling for the USWA (United States Wrestling Association).
During that period, Valiant secured the NWA Television Championship four times, in addition to several other heavyweight championships.
Alongside Johnny Valiant, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 1996 in New York.
Valiant spent many years competing for independent wrestling promotions before initially retiring in January 2005 at the professional wrestling event, WrestleReunion. He came out of retirement later, with his final match taking place in North Carolina in 2012.