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WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Valiant Set For Final Match at Age 83

Posted: Feb 27th 2026 By: Felix Upton - RingsideNews.com

WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Valiant is preparing to step into the ring one final time.

The legendary “Boogie Woogie Man” will have his retirement match on April 25, 2026, competing for the NAWA promotion in Lancaster, South Carolina at Buford High School. The event has fittingly been named Boogie’s Last Dance, marking the end of a wrestling career that has spanned more than six decades.

Valiant, now 83 years old, first broke into the business in 1964 after being trained by Verne Gagne. He quickly rose to prominence and became a major star across multiple territories. One of his earliest runs of national significance came in the WWWF, where he competed as part of The Valiant Brothers, establishing himself as a charismatic and unpredictable personality.

His career also included memorable rivalries, particularly in Memphis, where he battled Jerry Lawler in heated territory main events. Valiant later became a key figure in Jim Crockett Promotions, most notably during his feud with Paul Jones, which helped cement his legacy in the Mid-Atlantic region. Even decades later, Valiant remained active on independent wrestling shows throughout the southern United States, continuing to entertain fans long after many of his peers had retired.

Valiant previously had what was billed as his retirement match in January 2005 at WrestleReunion 1, where he teamed with Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka. However, his passion for wrestling brought him back to the ring in 2006, and he continued competing sporadically for years afterward. His most recent match took place in 2023.

Outside the ring, Valiant has also contributed to the next generation of wrestling talent. He continues to operate a training center in West Virginia, which has helped develop notable wrestlers, including AEW star Hangman Adam Page.

This upcoming match will mark the true end of Jimmy Valiant’s historic in-ring career, closing the chapter on one of wrestling’s most enduring performers. Few wrestlers have remained active across as many eras as Valiant, making his final match a significant moment for fans and the wrestling industry alike.