I would argue that Greg Valentine actually had quite a bit of personality in the late 70s/early 80s but man he just turned into a stoic bore once Hulkamania kicked off and he became WWF only. I don't think you can watch his MACW work or matches with Backlund and say he didn't have some character and swag, but ultimately he was about as much of a clone of his father as a second generation guy could possibly be, but with less charisma and that style really fell off nearly completely by the mid 80s. Once charisma became the most important thing in wrestling, at least in the company he was working for, he stood out like a sore thumb for his lack of it.
Why was Greg The Hammer Valentine ever a thing?
- Thread starter Dusty Bake Activate
- Start date
I would argue that Greg Valentine actually had quite a bit of personality in the late 70s/early 80s but man he just turned into a stoic bore once Hulkamania kicked off and he became WWF only. I don't think you can watch his MACW work or matches with Backlund and say he didn't have some character and swag, but ultimately he was about as much of a clone of his father as a second generation guy could possibly be, but with less charisma and that style really fell off nearly completely by the mid 80s. Once charisma became the most important thing in wrestling, at least in the company he was working for, he stood out like a sore thumb for his lack of it.
Dusty Bake Activate
Fukk your corny debates
His dad being respected makes sense because I feel like Vince kept him longer than a bunch of similar earlier-era wrestlers who he let go or buried sooner.
I’m just looking at these old PPVs from the very first ones up until 92 and he has a spot in every one. And they tried to give him some life with the corny Rhythm N Blues gimmick with Honky Tonk Man.
He even left for UWF for a year and Vince let him right back. Then he went to WCW and got decent midcard spots for a year. Then Vince let him back again for 2 years. Then he went to WCW again for 3 years.
His dad’s connections must’ve been deep.
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Dusty Bake Activate
Fukk your corny debates
Valentine got consistent WWF and WCW work for a decade after Patera was done in WWF though.
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_genocidecutter_
All Star
Dude had the dad bod.
Jmare007
pico pal q lee
Not sure what y'all talking about, Valentine vs Tito Santana is one of the best WWF feuds of the 80's 
He also was consistently booked work with Backlund, with the 79' draw as the more iconic of their matches. He was more than a solid hand so he sure as hell deserved a spot in a WWE HOF. His early Dream Team stuff ain't bad either.
His biggest mistake was not going to Crockett in the late 80's when he had the chance, he would've probably gotten more props with a couple of years of actually showcasing his talents.
I also agree with @stro (for once), his Garvin and Wahoo feuds in Mid Atlantic were a very good sample for how good he could be.
He has a really fun match with Fujunami in 79' in Japan and even a fun little match with Owen Hart in 89'.
Look, was Valentine a can't miss performer most of the times? No. But he was solid in the ring and when he wanted he could have some awesome fukking matches. He's far from the least charismatic, or laziest guys, specially for that Era.
I think it's more about mid to late WWF's style and presentation than anything else. Patera was still pretty damn great in the early 80's, his matches with Backlund are dope for the most part.
All these guys would've looked better in JCP instead of WWF, but considering all the money they were making I can't fault them for going (and staying) for the bag.
He also was consistently booked work with Backlund, with the 79' draw as the more iconic of their matches. He was more than a solid hand so he sure as hell deserved a spot in a WWE HOF. His early Dream Team stuff ain't bad either. His biggest mistake was not going to Crockett in the late 80's when he had the chance, he would've probably gotten more props with a couple of years of actually showcasing his talents.
I also agree with @stro (for once), his Garvin and Wahoo feuds in Mid Atlantic were a very good sample for how good he could be.
He has a really fun match with Fujunami in 79' in Japan and even a fun little match with Owen Hart in 89'.
Look, was Valentine a can't miss performer most of the times? No. But he was solid in the ring and when he wanted he could have some awesome fukking matches. He's far from the least charismatic, or laziest guys, specially for that Era.
I think it's more about mid to late WWF's style and presentation than anything else. Patera was still pretty damn great in the early 80's, his matches with Backlund are dope for the most part.
All these guys would've looked better in JCP instead of WWF, but considering all the money they were making I can't fault them for going (and staying) for the bag.
@4:20
If I ever want to take a nap I'll put on a Greg Valentine match.
Amare's Right Hook
Southeast World Champion
Yes, with the leg lock gimmick and everything.
NYChase718
Veteran
And the lunch lady face.
He looks like michael jacksons baby mama
Beautiful Bobby Eatin
SWEEEEEEEEEETNESS!
I dont think his in ring prowess was really in question here vs his overall look and lack of over the top personality in the hulkamania era. Tbh i liked him in ring throughout. He even got a fun little brawl out of Garvin for that Submission match at a Royal Rumble.Not sure what y'all talking about, Valentine vs Tito Santana is one of the best WWF feuds of the 80's
His biggest mistake was not going to Crockett in the late 80's when he had the chance, he would've probably gotten more props with a couple of years of actually showcasing his talents.
I also agree with @stro (for once), his Garvin and Wahoo feuds in Mid Atlantic were a very good sample for how good he could be.
He has a really fun match with Fujunami in 79' in Japan and even a fun little match with Owen Hart in 89'.
Look, was Valentine a can't miss performer most of the times? No. But he was solid in the ring and when he wanted he could have some awesome fukking matches. He's far from the least charismatic, or laziest guys, specially for that Era.
I think it's more about mid to late WWF's style and presentation than anything else. Patera was still pretty damn great in the early 80's, his matches with Backlund are dope for the most part.
All these guys would've looked better in JCP instead of WWF, but considering all the money they were making I can't fault them for going (and staying) for the bag.
Ill say this though. You got me ready to go watch some old Tito matches
Beautiful Bobby Eatin
SWEEEEEEEEEETNESS!
The fukkery involving why he went to prison in the first place takes a warm place in my heart.