"The Hammer": Greg Valentine Trivia Quiz

Answer: Johnny Valentine

Born John Wisniski Jr, Greg Valentine is the son of John Wisniski Sr. who wrestled from the 1950s to the 1970s as Johnny Valentine. Johnny Valentine was one of the most feared and successful stars of his era but was forced into a premature retirement when he became paralyzed in 1975. For the next twenty plus years his son would carry on the Valentine name with a tremendous career of his own.

Answer: Ric Flair

In 1976 Greg Valentine formed an incredibly talented duo with the future sixteen-time World Heavyweight Champion, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. In December 1976 they were able to defeat the feared duo of Gene and Ole Anderson for the coveted NWA Tag Team Titles.

This was the beginning of a very lengthy and bloody feud between the two teams. The Andersons would regain the titles in May 1977 but Flair and Valentine won them back in October of that year. Valentine and Flair parted ways but Greg would win the NWA Tag Team Titles two more times with Baron Von Raschke and Ray Stevens.

Answer: Chief Jay Strongbow

Immediately upon his arrival in the WWF a heavy emphasis was placed on the punishing effects of Greg Valentine's dreaded "Figure Four Leg Lock". In order to get Valentine over as a sinister heel, he used the move to break the leg of beloved 1960s and 1970s icon Jay Strongbow. After a brief recovery Jay returned and the two faced off in a thrilling series of "Indian Strap Matches".

Answer: The Grand Wizard

Ernie Roth (aka The Grand Wizard) was one of the most hated yet successful managers in the WWF for over a decade. Along with Captain Lou Albano and Fred Blassie the three managed all of the promotions premiere heel talents. Before his untimely death in 1983, The Wizard managed the likes of Ernie Ladd, Bob Duncum, Greg Valentine, Sgt Slaughter and Superstar Billy Graham.

Answer: The United States Title

After a brief reunion and then a violent parting of ways in which Valentine betrayed Flair in a tag team match, a bitter rivalry was started. Flair at the time was the reigning United States Champion, a title which Valentine defeated him for on July 26, 1980. In November 1980, Flair regained the title and Valentine soon departed for a second stint in the WWF.

Answer: "Dog Collar Chain Match"

The Valentine/Piper rivalry began in the spring of 1983 when Valentine briefly lost the United States Title to Piper. In a return match which saw Valentine regain the belt he also severely injured Piper's ear. The resulting injury caused Piper to loose most of the hearing in that ear but also set him on a quest for vengeance.

At "Starrcade" the feud climaxed when Piper, who bled like a pig from his ear, was able to defeat "The Hammer" in a very violent contest.

Answer: Tito Santana

In early 1982 Valentine engaged in a brief feud against then Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales but was unable to lift the belt. Upon his return Valentine was intent on winning some kind of gold and set his sights on The Intercontinental Title now held by the popular Tito Santana.

After injuring Tito's leg Valentine defeated him on September 24, 1984 to win the title at last. For the next ten months Valentine and Santana would engage in a bloody rivalry, one of the best in WWF history, which saw Santana regain the belt in July 1985.

Answer: The Junkyard Dog

The powers that be decided to take a break from the ongoing Valentine/Santana feud and at "Wrestlemania" Valentine defended The Intercontinental Title against the popular Junkyard Dog. Initially Valentine was able to best JYD and win the contest, however, the arrival of his nemesis Tito changed that.

The pesky Santana informed the referee, Dick Kroll, that Valentine had his feet on the middle rope for extra leverage and the bout was promptly restarted. Enraged Valentine was eventually convinced by manager Jimmy Hart to take a count out loss and live to fight another day.

Answer: Rhythm and Blues

In 1990 with his career starting to slow, Valentine dyed his famed blonde locks black and was paired with the obnoxious Honky Tonk Man as the tag team "Rhythm and Blues". The lame gimmick was that of two "Elvis" impersonators, as if one in the company was not enough. Managed by Jimmy Hart the team had a feud against The Bushwhackers and even challenged The Hart Foundation in the fall of 1990 for the WWF Tag Team Titles.

In an October 1990 segment of "Saturday Nights Main Event" Valentine and Honky faced Hulk Hogan and his protege Tugboat.

Answer: Terence Taylor

Almost instantly after making his WCW debut Valentine teamed with Terry Taylor who was known as Terence Taylor at that time to win The United States Tag Team Titles. The victory marked the last major title win of Valentine's storied career in which would be his last major push in a top promotion. In 2004, the WWF paid homage to Greg Valentine with induction into its Hall of Fame.