Jimmy and Johnny (1973–1978) World Wrestling Association (1973-1974) Jimmy Valiant and
Johnny Valiant formed a
tag team in
World Wrestling Association as
storyline brothers. They began wrestling together as
heels. They debuted as a team on 5 January 1974 when they defeated
Dick the Bruiser and
Bruno Sammartino to win the
WWA World Tag Team Championship. The titles were held up after a match against Bruiser and Sammartino on 25 January. On 7 February, they defeated Bruiser and Sammartino in a rematch to win the titles a second time. The Valiants quickly became a dominant
heel tag team as they went on to successfully defend their titles for over a year before losing them to
Dominic DeNucci and
Victor Rivera on 13 May 1975. This made the Valiant Brothers the longest reigning champions of their era with a reign of
370 days. The record was broken fourteen years later by
Demolition (
Ax and
Smash), who reigned as tag team champions for 470 days.
National Wrestling Alliance (1976–1978) In 1976, Jimmy and Johnny left WWWF and joined the
National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) where they toured various NWA territories. They debuted in
Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) in the summer of 1976. On 16 July 1976, they defeated
Dean Ho and Ken Mantell to win the
NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship. On 10 September, they lost the titles to Porkchop Cash and Tom Jones. They joined San Francisco, California-based
NWA San Francisco where they defeated the
Royal Kangaroos (
Jonathan Boyd and
Norman Frederick Charles III) on 4 December 1976. They lost the titles to
Pat Patterson and Pepper Gomez on 9 February 1977. Later that same year, they joined
Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF). In January 1978, they were awarded the
NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship. On 25 January 1978, they lost the titles to Florida natives
Mike Graham and
Steve Keirn.
Jerry and Johnny (1978–1982) World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation (1978–1979) In 1978, the Valiant Brothers returned to WWWF but Jimmy retired and was replaced by "brother"
Jerry Valiant. This second version of the Valiant Brothers was also successful, but Jerry could not achieve the popularity which Jimmy had achieved. On 13 July 1979, they retained the championship in a match against The Jaguar of Colombia and Tito Santana. Jerry and Johnny lost the titles to
Ivan Putski and
Tito Santana on 22 October. After unsuccessful attempts in winning back the titles from Putski and Santana, the Valiant Brothers broke up in 1980, putting an end to the team.
Later years (1980–1982) After leaving the WWF in 1979, Jerry and Johnny continued teaming without Jimmy. In 1980 they worked in Japan. Then in 1982, they reunited working in the independent circuit in the States. They disbanded later that year.
Aftermath Jimmy and Johnny were inducted into the
WWE Hall of Fame class of 1996 by
Owen Hart and "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. All three Valiant Brothers have reunited on the
independent circuit during the 2000s. Jerry died on 10 March 2010 in Indianapolis after a battle with advanced Alzheimer's on set by post-concussion syndrome, while Johnny died on 4 April 2018 after being involved in a pickup truck crash in Ross Township, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, thereby ending any possibility of a reunion. Jimmy wrestled for independent shows unit 2022 at the age of 80. ==Championships and accomplishments==