Wrestling Legend Jimmy Valiant Plots A May 1 Comeback From His Shawsville Home

The crowd jumped to their feet as The Manhattan Transfer’s “Boy From New York City” blared over the loud speakers. A curtain was thrown back and a bearded man clad in striped black spandex danced his way down the aisle and around the floor, slapping fans’ hands along the way. He climbed into the ring, flailing his arms and legs about to the music, and hurled his bandana to a group of screaming women in the sea of wrestling fans. Jimmy “The Boogie Woogie Man” Valiant motioned for the crowd to start chanting as the bell rang and he locked up with his opponent for the night, the “Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff.

Valiant, now retired and living in the hills of Shawsville, Va., is set to return to the ring this May and offer fans a reprise of his famous, patented entry to the ring. But Valiant won’t be the only one to lace up the boots one more time: his tag partner will be none other than his former rival, the “Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff.

“I asked Ivan, I said ‘Ivan, brother, I’m thinking about putting my boots on one more time. Man, it’d be great if you’d come along with me and do it.’ He said, ‘Man I’m game,’” Valiant, excited at the prospect of another match, explained recently.

The match will mark a historic milestone for both Valiant and Koloff. The two will have wrestled in six decades, an accomplishment that can be claimed by only a handful of professional wrestlers.

Jimmy Valiant began his pro wrestling career in 1964. Since then, Valiant has won numerous championship belts, wrestled in more than 10,000 matches and gained induction into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 1996.

Throughout his career, Valiant was known by many monikers, the most prominent two being “Handsome” and the even more famous “Boogie Woogie Man.” As a part of his “Boogie Woogie Man” character, Valiant would dance his way to the ring in his striped tights, kissing fans and officials along the way.

After wrestling for more than 40 years, Valiant decided that it was time to hang up the boots in 2001. To keep himself focused and motivated, Valiant installed a plaque at his home with his retirement date. For almost the next three years, Valiant would pass the sign and consider his departure. Valiant finally wrestled his last match on Christmas day of 2004 in Greenville, S.C.

“I retired on time and my own will. I planned it,” said Valiant. “I chose the day. I chose the place. That last year was my farewell tour.”

But it hasn’t been a quiet retirement for Valiant. Since then, Valiant has had almost as many successes as he did in his wrestling career. In 2006, Valiant released his own autobiography titled “Woo… Mercy Daddy!”, a 566-page book that looks at his life and career as a pro wrestler. He has traveled the world promoting the book, making appearances at wrestling conferences and independent shows.

Perhaps Valiant’s most notable post-retirement accomplishment has been running Boogie’s Wrestling Camp at his home in Shawsville. The Camp, which opened in 1992, is a place where newcomers and pros alike come to hone their wrestling skills under the guidance of Valiant and his handpicked trainers. Every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., wrestlers and trainees circle around Valiant’s ring and take part in numerous drills, exercises and practice matches. “My dream came true, and now I want their dreams to come true,” explained Valiant.

Each year, Valiant takes a group of young men and women under his wing and into his heart as they progress through their year of training.

“He’s always been a great father figure to me,” confessed Rick Kelly, a trainer and graduate from Boogie’s Wrestling Camp. “I know I could always talk to Boogie about whatever.”

“There couldn’t be an actual better instructor in the ring or out of the ring,” said Mike Williams, another graduate of Boogie’s Wrestling Camp.

On May 1 at Shawsville Middle School, Boogie’s Wrestling Camp will hold their tenth annual “Springtime Bash” fundraiser wrestling show for the school. The event is scheduled to contain six huge main-events, including an over-the-top battle royal and Valiant and Koloff’s return match. Tickets are $10, and children under 5 get in free. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the show will start promptly at 8:00 p.m.

“We’re both going to lace up them boots and get in there one more time,” said Valiant. “It’s something special to us.”