John Theodore Wisniski[3] (September 22, 1928 – April 24, 2001), better known by his ring name Johnny Valentine, was an American professional wrestler with a career spanning almost three decades.

He held numerous regional titles, including the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship.

He had long running rivalries with Bobo Brazil, Pat O'Connor, Buddy Rogers, Antonio Rocca, Lou Thesz, Harley Race, The Sheik, Wahoo McDaniel, Fritz von Erich, Bruno Sammartino, Johnny Powers, Antonio Inoki, Jack Brisco, and Jerry Brisco.

[2] In order to make the matches as believable as possible, Valentine insisted the men he faced in the ring hit him as hard as possible.

On January 1, 1950, Buddy Rogers defeated Valentine in the finals of a United States title tournament.

They were beaten for the title belts the following April, but Valentine took on a new partner, Buddy Rogers, to regain the championship by defeating The Fabulous Kangaroos on November 19, 1960.

Rogers and Barend then defeated the real team of Valentine & Ellis 2 pins to 1 in a main event at Madison Square Garden.

He defeated Baron von Raschke before withdrawing from the tournament due to focus his efforts on the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

After Harley Race won the tournament and the title belt, Valentine defeated him to win the championship on January 19, 1973.

Valentine was unable to compete due to heart problems, however, so Gene Kiniski took his place and won the belt from Funk.

[6][7] In October 1972, Valentine defeated Jacques Rougeau for the International Heavyweight Championship, but was stripped of the title in January 1973, after he no-showed the rematch.

[2] In the National Wrestling Federation, Valentine defeated Johnny Powers for the NWF North American Heavyweight Championship on September 1, 1972.

[2] In the Japan Wrestling Association, Valentine won the International Tag Team title on February 22, 1973, and then the NWA United National Championship on March 2.

[2] Back in the National Wrestling Federation, in August 1973, Valentine beat Jacques Rougeau, Sr. to win the North American Heavyweight Championship.

Valentine lost the title to Wahoo McDaniel shortly before winning the United States Heavyweight Championship from Harley Race in Greensboro, North Carolina on July 4, 1975.

Following John's death, Sharon planned to write a book titled A Never Ending Love Story of a Wrestler and His Wife about their life together.

He was also known for making his demands clear to employers and not backing down,[11] and many stories continue to circulate about practical jokes, or ribs, that he played on his fellow wrestlers.

[5][12] On October 4, 1975, Valentine was in a private airplane[13] (a twin-engined Cessna 310[14]) with Ric Flair, David Crockett, Bob Bruggers, and Tim Woods.

[9] As a result, Lou Thesz's wife convinced the Cauliflower Alley Club to help contribute to Wisniski's medical bills.