WIN, LOSE, or DRAW
THE GREAT BRUNO Sammartino casts a long shadow, even in death. His April 18 passing reverberated throughout the industry and beyond, from the marquee of Madison Square Garden to a 10-bell salute on Monday Night Raw. “Luscious” Johnny Valiant and “Number One” Paul Jones passed away at around the same time, but their deaths didn’t receive quite as much attention. I’d like to acknowledge those two men right here.
Johnny Valiant and Paul Jones probably never even met. Yet they did have something—actually, someone—in common: Jimmy Valiant. He is the link between both men, the brother of one and the nemesis of the other.
In the 20 years I’ve been writing this column, I have
