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I/V:
"Luscious" Johnny Valiant, Stand-up Comedian,
Pro Wrestling Champion: 10th June 2003
GT:
What's your background?
JV:
A dreamer, risk taker and comic performer all my life!
GT:
How did you get your break in wrestling?
JV:
I was an overnight success (30 years)
GT:
How did you get your break in entertainment?
JV:
It hasn't yet occurred.
GT:
What motivates you?
JV:
The lack of a 9-5 job.
GT:
Do you like to be called a wrestler, wrestling manager,
entertainer, or does it depend on who is asking?
JV:
The last one will do. If not, human being will be
OK.
GT:
What are your most memorable experiences from life
on the road, including both wrestling and the entertainment
circuit?
JV:
Being myself, real or not.
GT:
What's a couple of little known facts about Greg Valentine?
JV:
Little known, little said.
GT:
Beefcake?
JV:
Even less
GT:
Jimmy Hart?
JV:
Still less. How much would you really want to know?
GT:
Who have been your biggest supporters over the years?
JV:
A pair of arch supports and suspenders. Not always
in that order. The fans no less.
GT:
What's the best and worst turn Vince McMahon ever
did for you?
JV:
He said, "Hi Tom, I'm Vince." August 1963
in Military school. That started it all.
GT:
What's a good WWE wrestling gag or joke?
JV:
Too many to mention. Wrestling conventions.
GT:
What was it that made you so good at tag team matches?
JV:
I was always more comfortable in a crowd.
GT:
What's the biggest crowds you have performed in front
of- wrestling, as a manager, and stand-up?
JV:
The A train at 42 Street and Broadway - Friday rush
hour.
GT:
What's the most danger you have been in?
JV:
Nothing compared to this.
GT:
Are you still in touch with any of the WWE'ers?
JV:
We no longer touch. We just nod to each other.
GT:
What does the WWE need to do to bring the fans back,
or are they already doing many of the things?
JV:
Turn off TV and get your schoolwork done.
GT:
Got a funny Hogan, Flair, Albano or Piper story for
us?
JV:
Not really. Enough has been said.
GT:
What TV and media appearances have you made?
JV:
Sopranos, Law & Order, WBAI-FM Radio NYC. Now
this.
GT:
How many people remember the real Johnny V? (the great
worker and master manager)?
JV:
Ask my ex-wife. Neither actually. Just plain old Johnny.
GT:
Does wrestling need more managers of your style…the
style that got the Dream Team real heat?
JV:
No. Torrie Wilson stole my gimmick.
GT:
What do you know about Australia?
JV:
Beautiful women. Great beer. Glad I'm not queer.
GT:
What else would you like to share with our wrestling
and media savvy audience?
JV:
My opportunity to have a life.
GT:
Can I post your bio?
JV:
Yes my darling. Whatever you say, honey.
GT:
Thanks for this Johnny and Evan.
JV:
You're welcome, cheerio.
GT:
It means a heck of a lot to me. Wait 'till I tell
my mates and girlfriend.
JV:
You're lucky you have a girlfriend. My mates abandoned
ship. My girl, too! Now what?
GT:
Have a top day, and JV and WT&N will be on my
lips. I'll tell em.
JV:
I'm pleased that you're pleased. If this makes you
happy, seek therapy.
...end.
Editors
note: What a guy! Thanks Johnny V, and thanks to Evan
Ginzberg, from Wrestling Now and Then, for helping
organise the interview, and the hard to find photo
of Johnny V.
I/V:
"Luscious" Johnny Valiant, Stand-up Comedian,
Pro Wrestling Champion, by Brett Schwan of www.wrestlingclothesline.com
BS:
What made you decide to become a professional wrestler?
JV:
Damn if I know. Lack of good Math scores.
BS:
Of all the promoters and promotions you have worked
for which did you like the most and why?
JV:
Those whose checks cleared.
BS:
You and your brothers were infamous tag teams. Which
of your opponents were your favorite to work against?
JV:
Henning/LeDuc - Gagne/Andre - Bruiser/Crusher.
BS:
Of all you positions you have held in wrestling from
wrestler to manager, commentator, which did you enjoy
the most and why?
JV:
Ring crew. 1967. I didn't know any better.
BS:
Do you watch wrestling today? If so, what do you think
of the current wrestling that is out there?
JV:
Totally spectacular. I could never do it.
BS:
What do you feel was the defining moment or most memorable
moment in your wrestling career?
JV:
When I answered question #5.
BS:
When you are not wrestling you act, do stand up, and
numerous activities. How did you decide to get into
stand up? Are there any more shows fans can find you
in?
JV:
Been doing stand up all my life - except when I sit
down. "Maid in Manhattan." NY Based TV shows.
BS:
What is your favorite thing about the sport of professional
wrestling?
JV:
It's fans. What else? And Tony Vellano (Pro
Wrestling Hall of Fame).
BS:
Who were some of the people you looked up to or helped
you in your early days in wrestling?
JV:
Andre the Giant - 7'4".
BS:
Where do you see yourself in five years?
JV:
Being 61 years old. Married and happy to be. I'm tired
of the single life (tag team is better). At least
someone to come home to. But then again, who's going
home?
...end.
Links:
www.johnnyvaliant.net
Johnny Valiant official website
www.wrestlingthenandnow.com
Wrestling
Then & Now
www.walkertown.com
Walkertown
www.wrestlingclothesline.com
Wrestling
Clothesline
www.pwhf.org
Pro
Wrestling Hall of Fame
Wrestling
Legends (Greg Tingle's) Wrestling Legends
Article:
Wrestling with his past: Johnny Valiant Tells All,
By Kenny Herzog
Media
Man Australia: Entertainment News
Media
Man Australia interviews Revered Bob Levy
The
Comedy Channel
Wrestling
Managers (Greg Tingle's tribute website)
Theater
For The New City
UCB
Theater (where Johnny often performs)
New
York Press
PRESS
RELEASE- AN EVENING WITH JOHNNY VALIANT
Back
by popular demand! New stage set! New material added!
Location:
The Theater for the New City
155
1st Ave. (at 10th St.)
East
Village, NY
212-254-1109
www.theaterforthenewcity.net
Dates:
Every Saturday night at 10:30PM starting 11/15
Contact:
evan_ginzburg@yahoo.com
Johnny
Valiant available for interviews through Evan Ginzburg
As a two-time World Wide Wrestling Federation tag
team champion, Johnny Valiant sold out huge arenas
worldwide and has many a story to tell. And as an
actor, stand-up, and improv artist, he's worked with
the best that show business has to offer.
In
"An Evening With Johnny Valiant" the WWF
Hall of Famer tells his life story and what a story
it is. From appearing in the WWF's Wrestlemania before
93,000 people to a recurring role on The Sopranos,
Johnny has seen and done it all.
Fans
of professional wrestling as well as great comedy
and theater won't want to miss "An Evening With
Johnny Valiant" at The Theater for the New City
beginning Saturday Nov. 15 and continuing each and
every Saturday. Tickets are only $10.
The
media's raved about Johnny Valiant. The WWE was there
to cover his funny and poignant show for Raw Magazine.
So don't miss "An Evening With Johnny Valiant"
when he returns to the prestigious Theater for the
New City in Manhattan's East Village. Directed by
Gary Wagner. There will be video highlights, a Q&A,
meet and greet and autograph signing after each show.
Advance tickets available at: www.theaterforthenewcity.net
Please
note these special events:
Saturday
Nov. 22- Johnny Valiant Birthday Celebration
Saturday
Nov. 29- WWF Tag Champion/Wrestling legend Nikolai
Volkoff & manager Nikita Breznikov will be appearing
with Johnny Valiant.
"Stuns
like a side piledriver"
(The
Village Voice)
"He
is funny, prowling the stage and using his graying,
240-pound frame as a comic prop. It's as if Spalding
Gray had, at least for a few minutes, entered the
body of Jonathan Winters."
(Microsoft's Slate)
"The
one-man show serves as a confessional of sorts, an
exorcism of the demons one accumulates on the sleeper-hold
circuit."
(Time
Out New York)
"Johnny
Valiant adds excitement to anything he performs in...he
brings so much...he is awesome."
(Billy
Merritt of Piledriver-- Upright Citizens Brigade Troop)
"Funny
Heartwarming, and very, very interesting. You had
to be there. I did not see anyone leave the place
for even one of those 55 minutes. Riveting- glad I
was there."
(Gary
Heiderich WTFO Hotline)
"The
people loved Johnny. Congratulations on a memorable
evening."
(Nick
Oddo Documentary Filmmaker)
"Johnny
Valiant is hilarious and entertaining."
(Nelson
Torres WTF TV NYC)
For
more on Johnny Valiant check out: www.wrestlingthenandnow.com
and
www.johnnyvaliant.net
This
Month in Wrestling- Then & Now # 152:
An
extensive interview with legend Dutch Savage
3
comical interviews with Johnny Valiant
Abby
the Butcher
Kansas
City Memories
Heel
Managers Tribute
Interviews
with Indie stars Kid USA and Johnny Diamond
Original
artwork from DC/Marvel comics artist Rodney Ramos
&
much, much more
$5
to Evan Ginzburg at PO Box 640471 Oakland Gdns Station
Flushing, NY 11364
Just
out! WT&N #153- Road Warrior Hawk Tribute $2.50
Rare clips/original artwork/multiple articles on the
Road Warriors
For
details on WT&N 2003 Autographed Dr. Death Don
Arnold 84 page mag ($15) and 60 page magazine 1980s
Clips Spectacular ($10) and other great wrestling
merchandise visit www.wrestlingthenandnow.com
www.wrestlingthenandnow.com
and www.johnnyvaliant.net
willing to trade links with any sites!
For
info on all the latest indy shows check out www.wrestlingthenandow.com
FREE listings for all indie promoters worldwide.
Advertising
Available in Wrestling- Then & Now and on www.wrestlingthenandnow.com
Inquire about rates.
Listen
to Evan Ginzburg on WBAI-FM's Light Show 99.5 FM NYC
Weds. 2-3PM 50,000 Watt/200,000 listeners. Heard worldwide
live on Net at wbaifree.org and wbai.org Arts &
pro wrestling.
Johnny
Valiant and Ms. Nicole Bass available for bookings
through Evan Ginzburg at: evan_ginzburg@yahoo.com
Read
an extensive interview today with Johnny Valiant at
www.longislandpress.com
Check under "Arts"
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