Greg Valentine - What The Sheik Was Like to Live With

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine discusses his early days training to wrestle and living with the Original Sheik. Streaming now 📺 TitleMatchNetwork.com
Hear how the legendary Greg Valentine first met the Sheik, legendary villain and promoter in Detroit (Big Time Wrestling). Sheik is also the uncle of ECW legend Sabu.
Watch More Valentine Shoot Interviews
• Greg Valentine - What ...
Fifteen years before entering the WWF for Vince McMahon, Valentine wrestled all over the country for the Sheik. In those days, Bobo Brazil, one of the first successful African-American wrestlers to break down the color barrier in pro wrestling, would pick up Valentine to carpool.
Bobo Brazil and the 600+ lbs Haystacks Calhoun, would be all be regular guests in the car. Also, in addition to the Sheik, Valentine learned a lot from the West Texas Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes & Murdoch).
Produced by Title Match Network this past weekend in Las Vegas. Enjoy our brand new exclusive shoot interview from Greg "The Hammer" Valentine.

[@TitleMatchWrestling]

Watch More Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (May 2021) Full Playlist 📲 bit.ly/3fMmvW8 Streaming Now 📺TitleMatchNetwork.com

[@BRANDON-FJB]

Something tells me Greg is living his best life. He looks fantastic, BIG fan

[@therealianco51]

Leave Hammer alone bruh!!!!

[@ricolewis2949]

He ain’t going back and forth with you hittas 🤟🏿✊🏿

[@konnanelbarbaro]

​@@ricolewis2949"hittas" huh? Hmmm.. ok.

[@M1tjakaramazov]

Valentine sounds like the kind of guy who genuinely has a lot of bad stuff he could say about people, but he chooses not to. The kind of nice guy you definitely wanna keep nice...

[@memorialled_zeppelin-warew1346]

He's looking a whole lot better than he was for a while. And he's a decent guy to fans Doesn't seem bothered by much in the world.

[@michaelcorkery7108]

I met Greg twice. I had my picture taken with him. He was one of the most hated heels, but friendly to me.

[@memorialled_zeppelin-warew1346]

He's ways been really good to fans. I never liked him until I met the guy and he changed my mind. Always really good to talk to.

[@wesfrye5833]

You're a class act, Mr. Valentine

[@djpuplex]

He's a absolute gem like having the night off.

[@apostasiaelegcho5612]

Agree 💯%.

[@bunbee2023]

1000%….Greg is a class act through and through! 👍🏾

[@dwade6322]

This man needs a PODCAST.

[@TheSportsfan35]

@ D Wade, Exactly right, if Don Muraco can have a podcast, why can't Hammer have 1?

[@bahamadon7950]

Call it, “Wahoo’s Leg”

[@memorialled_zeppelin-warew1346]

@@TheSportsfan35 .... Don Muraco has a podcast . Lol... Oh hell. Now I got to go look this up.

[@dave-rf2vn]

Classic stories wirh the hammer 🔨 he has to be one of the best story tellers of all time

[@larslan1975]

Love this Hammer series!!!

[@mikeintampa250]

No one seems to have the depth of experience that Greg does, and it comes out when he tells his stories. He is awesome!

[@philipciantar4824]

I am 59 years old. I was a major wrestling fan in the 70's, thru the early 90's. Greg Valentine was certainly someone I or anyone could admire and respect. Back in the day, he definitely got down and dirty and sacrificed his body for "the show". But I have to say, after watching many of these Title Match Wrestling interview spots with the Hammer, he has a wonderful and respectful and insightful way of telling us about his stories. Absolutely fascinating. I am not sure how involved he is in wrestling today. I do not watch it any more. But Mr. Valentine could only be an asset as a personality of some capacity for any show.

[@johnhoosier240]

Wrestling today really sucks. No real class like dorey funk jr, Danny Hodges, Greg Valentine, Igor& Ivan Putski, Stan Hansen, The Briscoes, Dale Lewis.Really miss the good stuff.

[@SAnd-pd1ou]

​@@johnhoosier240and Piper😢

[@JerichoMile4]

The Sheik was a wildman in the ring ! Abdullah The Butcher in the same class !! Greg Valentine should write a book about professional wrestling !!!

[@markdaigle4030]

I'd buy it.

[@georgesouthwick7000]

Probably no wrestler was more unlike his ring persona than the Sheik. A really nice guy, who helped not just Greg Valentine, but other young wrestlers get started in the business.

[@benng4376]

I love The Hammer. He and Tito were my first IC champions. Great memories of a magical era.

[@JA_WILL]

BoBo Brazil -- Remember him when I was a kid in the 1970's. Bobo was a main-eventer so he was making top dollar so it was nice for him to look out for the young guy making no money at the time. It builds character when you don't start out without top Dollar unlike todays crowd who get paid on potential.

[@chickey333]

Same here... watched Bobo and the Sheik wrestle all the time in the 60's on black and white TV and I believe it was Saturday mornings sponsored by some Olds dealer. Bobo was everyone's favorite guy.

[@csnide6702]

@@chickey333 Huge rivalry Sheik vs Bobo .... great matches....

[@theswampfox9584]

Bobo was the best of his day here in Michigan!

[@jeffroegner1499]

@@theswampfox9584 you ain't lyin. One coco butt for you. 😁😁

[@jessfrankel5212]

Valentine never seems to have a bad word about anyone. Interesting stories from the old days.

[@josephforest7605]

The late Shane Gibson , a Buffalo N.Y. radio d j ,wrestled Greg for charity, years ago and said Greg is a great guy .

[@tysontomko]

Except sting lol

[@rogerrose2361]

@@tysontomko he will not job to sting lol.

[@HoustonIsImmortal]

The Hammer looking slick in his blazer with that fat gold link around his neck!! ✨💪🏻🔨

[@princeekeson12]

Is that a Cuban link chain? 🧐

[@HoustonIsImmortal]

@@princeekeson12 ABSOLUTELY. I would expect nothing less from the Master of the Figure-Four Leglock! 🔨🔨🔨

[@hanajinks1044]

Does "slick" mean douchey where you come from?

[@Bushmaster10MM]

@@hanajinks1044 Listen, this cat is ol'Skool ! This is a good look for a guy who's looking to be smooth, and in his late 60's.

[@hanajinks1044]

@@Bushmaster10MM I can't agree..

[@420jamamaw]

The hammer has some of the best looking worked punches in the biz

[@brucesturton8521]

I remember watching his first match on TV from stampede wrestling ,he wrestled Angelo Mosca..within a year he was co holder of the north American tag team champion. In Buffalo NY.

[@Mike-xe1pn]

Man....What a ton of awesome Detroit nostalgia going on in this interview

[@BruceMusto]

My tv wrestling growing up was Johnny Powers, Dominick Denucci, Bobo Brazil, Dick the Bulldog Brower, the Fargo Brothers, Ernie the "Big Cat" Ladd, Haystacks Calhoun. It was great.

[@thelonegerman2314]

I Don't Remember Any of these Wrestler's , Growing up in NY Watching then WWWF wrestling Vince Macmhon , The Olny ones I remember from the 1970s was Greg Valentine , Dusty Rhodes Would Make Special Appearance I. The wwf , Murdoch, in the 1980s, Superstar Billy Graham, Bob Backlund, this Was Years before Hulkamenia

[@skinnyman1434]

Could listen to his stories all day. I grew up watching his father wrestle at the Ampitheater, with Prince Pullins, the BlackJacks, Dick the Bruiser, Wilbur Snyder, Pat O'Connor, etc. Our Grandmama loved her some Bobo Brazil, I can hear her now " Give him the Coconut Butt Bobo" while she waved that black and white program back and forth. The Ampitheater had these metal partitions in back of the seats, when we wanted our heroes to make a comeback rally everybody in the Ampitheater would kick them hard as we could.....what a sound. I wonder if Greg remembers.

[@tjl4041]

I have gotten hooked on listening to Greg Valentine.

[@xanderharris1104]

Seen 2 shows at the ampitheater. Miss that place.

[@BruceMusto]

Yours is a great story also. Grandmama rocks!!!

[@tjl4041]

First time I ever heard of Greg Valentine was when cut a promo on TV indicating Salisbury, MD had the ugliest women he had ever seen. If I remembered right, WWF had to issue an apology because Greg insulted the ugliest women he ever saw. He drew heat because the Civic Center sold out and that was the first WWF event I attended.

[@suzanneflowers2230]

You've got family memories worth more than gold.

[@troylowe814]

Growing up watching Bobo Brazil in Indiana, you could tell he was the real deal, every bit the "good guy" in and out of the ring. Glad to see that confirmed by Valentine. Someone should make a biopic of Bobo, he was a trailblazer.

[@Ken-uo7iw]

A Bobo story. The WWWF put on a show at the Alexandria, VA roller rink. My dad knew the folks who owned it. The asked him if he could give a wrestler a ride to union station. I sat in the front seat facing the backseat so I could talk with Bobo. He was very nice to this 10 year old kid.

[@billycox2040]

Greg is 5🌟 doing his interviews.

[@johnsmith-lk9jh]

Greg Valentine needs to have his own podcast...he is a vault of knowledge of the business!

[@Dan-xq9qe]

Met him once in Guelph Ontario.....awesome person

[@gregzeigler3850]

Greg isn't lying. Ohio was big on wrestling. I remember as a boy(I'm 60 now) watching Bobo Brazil fighting the Sheik. Also remember Bobo Brazil fighting Wild Bull Curry. I saw Andre the Giant and Rick Flair, Hank the money man James. It was a good time to be a kid, with all that "magic" going on.

[@kenterminateddq5311]

I wish Valentine went to ECW when Sabu was there. That would be an intriguing match.

[@aaronking7326]

The ONE And ONLY Hammer ....

[@bigglilwayne7050]

Not to be confused with Van Hammer lol

[@carriewindham5853]

@@bigglilwayne7050 Let's not forget Beauregard 'The Icelandic Hammer' Wainwright(Yeah, I made that up.).

[@tbeaul1]

❤The 🔨

[@thelonegerman2314]

I Don't Remember Any of these Wrestler's , Growing up in NY Watching then WWWF wrestling Vince Macmhon , The Olny ones I remember from the 1970s was Greg Valentine , Dusty Rhodes Would Make Special Appearance I. The wwf , Murdoch, in the 1980s, Superstar Billy Graham, Bob Backlund, this Was Years before Hulkamenia

[@fixpacifica]

I loved watching Bobo Brazil vs Sheik matches when I was a kid growing up in Ohio. The Sheik was terrifying, and Bobo was everyone's hero.

[@danielsweet858]

In the early 60's WCPO Ch 9 in Cincinnati broadcast Big Time Wrestling & Shock Theater with occasional crossovers. One night The Sheik went on a rampage destroying the set & 'broke' The Bargain City Kid's arm.🙃👍 Good times. Wrestling and horror movies!

[@lickitysplitt]

Greg Valentine and Don Morocco were my two favorite wrestlers in the 80s. Great sellers. You never felt cheated watching those two perform.

[@scottbaron121]

Morocco was a fantastic heel, in the Valentine mold.

[@montauk6]

One of the greatest feuds forever lost in time: The Sheik and Johnny Valentine

[@johnhoosier240]

Remember being about 10 yrs old when I first saw GV. Always one of the best.

[@markpasquale487]

I love hearing these stories from the legends

[@robertblaney5033]

If you wrestled the Sheik, you were going to bleed before the night was over. You might even get a little fire in your face. I’m 65 years old & the sheik terrified me as a kid. 😁

[@robh.5595]

Damn right! I grew up near Detroit, so I saw The Sheik and Abdullah The Butcher often...both scared us as kids, and both guaranteed there'd be blood!

[@ericnichols6811]

The Hammer 🔨tremendous story teller. The attention to detail is awesome.

[@danpizzi5857]

Just awesome content with the Hammer. Can’t get enough. Great interviewer.

[@RavishingBeyond]

Sheik was the most underrated curled toe boot performer in wrestling history.

[@chrischar9428]

Not many could stab with a pencil

[@fixpacifica]

@@chrischar9428 I used to think it was a big metal spike.

[@johnhoosier240]

Similar to Scandar Akbar

[@chrischar9428]

@@johnhoosier240 not even close. Best as I saw akbar wrestled

[@rogerwagnon3176]

I'm turning 67 and I remember watching the Shiek wrestle Bobo at the Sandusky (Ohio) National Guard Armory. The show also featured the Outlaws (Murdoch and Dusty), The fabulous Kangaroos, Ben Justice, the Stomper, Mighty Igor and others. The Shiek was scary

[@pranaykhalkho1698]

Greg Valentine looking great. I love seeing these wrestlers taking care of them selves after the pro life. They deserve it.

[@davidholdren1358]

I'm Toledo born, raised and still live here, and I didn't know most of this, especially Greg, Dick and Dusty living here for a while!

[@KayFabe87]

Sabu told a great story to Sean Oliver during a KayFabe commentaries interview about BoBo Brazil staying at the Sheik's house while they were feuding. And even in the house they strictly adhered to kayfabe. The Sheik ate his meal in one room while Brazil ate his in another room. That is dedication to the craft.

[@aubreyhouston5555]

I really enjoy listening to the stories he tells....❤😊

[@gdownz1044]

God Bless the hammer 🔨 I can totally relate to the sandwiches story.. I think Greg should write a book about the old days of wrestling cause as an older guy I'm really loving these stories and he's only touching the surface. Again as he says "The Good Old Days" 👍

[@oldcountryboy]

I could listenI To the hammer All day and never get tired It's cool to hear the other side Of wrestling

[@Rogue615]

I always like when these wrestlers keep there same long hair over the years from there wrestling days when they get older. Greg seems like a really nice and cool guy Id enjoy talking and spending time with him.

[@reilneid6436]

Any dislikes don't know REAL professional wrestling. Both all-time legend's. RIP Sheik.

[@motownXJdad9565]

i remember watching a ll those guys on Big Time Wrestling here in detroit as a kid

[@gtaylor1564]

I'm from toledo ohio and I remember seeing them guys coming out of the pool hall I always wanted to set down and have a beer 🍺 with them but I wasn't old enough to get into the pool hall

[@wakeupamericaandresist2413]

I have always respected , he is a mans man, always put the work in ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@mrbillyb1966]

I love the hammer is so candid and so cool

[@chosento2988]

Straight up! The shin guard was the very First gimmick I remember ever seeing and thinking the figure 4 with that thing reversed was HELL ON EARTH💪😎👍

[@nealfeldpausch715]

The house he is talking about is located in Williamston Mi. It is now an events facility. Infamous in the area for Wedding receptions. Beautiful property.

[@govtfunded]

Wheatfield! Actually attended a wedding there recently lol!

[@cmushocker]

I grew up in Williamston, my parents still live there. My dad went to school with the Farhat’s son and they were good friends. They used to clean pools together. He told me some stories over the years about being in the house n such. Saw the wrestling ring outside behind the house. Wrestlers were always coming and going. A lot of guys trained there, Sabu and RVD were among the last. Crazy to think that a small hicktown like Williamston had such a big professional wrestling scene!

[@noahwiggins2452]

I could listen to Mr. Valentine all day! What a wealth of history and information!

[@zachmartin1458]

Bobo had the most underrated promo of all time. When it was time to get real, he'd tilt his head, squinch those eyes, get that constipated look on his face, voice raise just slightly, hold up the African Soupbone...you just knew somebody was going to get hurt.

[@gregoryleggett9773]

As a young black kid growing up in Indianapolis, I can only remember three black wrestlers that Bruiser would bring in. They were Sailor Art Thomas, Ernie Ladd, and Bobo Brazil.

[@mulehead126]

These interview clips are great! I always liked The Hammer!

[@debbieclark7031]

I love hearing Greg tell his interesting stories so much.

[@tonypastor705]

I loved seeing his dad, Johnny wrestle.

[@Brando-Lee3725]

Man , these are some great vids ! I been watching all of them them , thank you ! Some of the first matches i seen were the Dream Team ! But i bought ALL the 80s wrestling mags and he was always involved in some bloody wars ! Then i rented a VHS that had the dog collar match with Piper ! I watched it a million times as a kid ! His dad was a tough SOB too !

[@patrickobrien4642]

Happy to hear Hammer bring up my hometown, Toledo!

[@lexbeltran1354]

Forget about the Iron Shiek, Sheik Adnan Al Kaissie, etc. There was only one Sheik, Ed Farhat

[@motownXJdad9565]

Big Time wrestling!!!!

[@JackieAprileJr]

Fack that! Iron Shiek breaka da back, fuck d ass, make dem humble...old country way

[@stevenp9209]

both were crazy sounds like

[@Bushmaster10MM]

@@JackieAprileJr "HE WILL HHHHOMBLE YOU"

[@apostasiaelegcho5612]

All three were great.

[@boba2172]

This man is very good at telling the strory

[@grawakendream8980]

Greg’s hair has the longevity of a Lou Thesz. Whose hair actually had the longevity of a Lex Luger

[@brianjansen3103]

Scientists follow him around with scissors & a baggie to study his hair looking for a new material to design aerospace technology

[@grawakendream8980]

@@brianjansen3103 LOL

[@pranaykhalkho1698]

@@brianjansen3103 bro lol

[@devmag52]

@@brianjansen3103 😂

[@AlA-ok5jh]

haystack calhoun wrestled sometimes in the vancouver bc . he was an exciting wrestler. one taped match I seen on tv was Don leo jonathan & haystack calhoun vs don jardine & dutch savage. Very rough match...jardine & savage used the thumb to the throat jabs.... Greg Valentine is looking good.

[@joeschmo5021]

Gary Hart has a video on here about Don Jardine stories. You need to check it out. DJ was a real badass.

[@AlA-ok5jh]

Yes heard the same. DJ a real bad ass. Temper or whatever. Will check it out. Thanks.

[@davidfulton179]

In both versions of the WWA, Bobo Brazil held the top "World Title" belt on multiple occasions. These were not small, insignificant territories, and Bobo was NOT Bearcat Wright. I think if anyone has a claim to being the first Black world champion, it should go to Bobo. Also, he was the US champion in many, many territories. Including a half-dozen times for Capital Wrestling. Historically, (I'm talking Pioneer Days) the US Championship was THE title you wanted. I mean, it means squat now, and was pretty marginal even in the 70s and 80s, but wow! Bobo did it all. I just wish he was better known to the general public.

[@jcneverquits]

I when I hear Sheik, I instantly remember Sabu!

[@BBBYpsi]

Satbu is his nephew

[@chrispatty2025]

Awesome video!

[@user-rc2ce4cc4j]

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine could has been a great world heavyweight wrestling champion during the golden era. I wonder, why the major wrestling companies, he worked for, did not make him the top guy. Just imagine; WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT WRESTLING CHAMPION...GREG "THE HAMMER" VALENTINE. Peace.

[@valetudo1974]

The first time I saw Greg Valentine wrestle was against Tito Santana for the WWF Intercontinental title and boy were they both had great physical matches.

[@robertcarter9266]

Bubba Brazil was one of my first all-time favorites back in the day next Myers wrestling in Columbus also Chief whiteout a few others but it was interesting

[@jctorontojctoronto]

Look for the original sheiks book. Red means Green. Terrific. Saw Sheik wrestle numerous times inc brampton arena outside toronto in 74 vs billy red lyons..was ringside w high school buds and overheard sheik telling lyons in a corner clench 'im dropping it' that was the stabbing object. So lyons could turn the tables on farhat...a monday night 15 minute double dq bloodfest. Plus, --a favorite sheik promo of mine..taped about same time.hamilton ontario forum arena..sheik trapped between two hockey nets raging and ranting as mgr. abdullah farouk threatened the upcoming opponent. So good.

[@FranBushardt]

Great Stories!!

[@lasagne23]

Bobo Brazil, a real legend

[@poppiarlin5612]

Great stories.

[@jimscarnivorekitchen4731]

Long live the Hammer!!

[@stevewonsowicz8707]

Big fan love your stories

[@mikekinsela7210]

2:12 I lived near dayton ohio in the 70s and 80s and it really was the place to be if you loved Pro wraslin. They always had shows in Tipp City Springfield Dayton ( Hara arena) cincy columbus and we would go all the time. Seen bobo Haystacks porky pig Ect Ect . Pampero Firpo was one of my favorites back in those days.

[@xTheGr81x]

This is great stuff! Last time I saw The Hammer wrestle was Survivor Series at Boston Garden.

[@thelonegerman2314]

I Don't Remember Any of these Wrestler's , Growing up in NY Watching then WWWF wrestling Vince Macmhon , The Olny ones I remember from the 1970s was Greg Valentine , Dusty Rhodes Would Make Special Appearance I. The wwf , Murdoch, in the 1980s, Superstar Billy Graham, Bob Backlund, this Was Years before Hulkamenia

[@Surferjo]

great stories ty

[@edwardfarnsworth5915]

There aren't many shoot interviews about the Ohio territory. There's a library of interviews about wrestling in The Southeastern US. Any peek behind the curtain about wrestling in my home state is pretty rare.

[@thrax_843]

Greg “the hammer” is a wundafuh luvah😂

[@jeffroegner1499]

Didn't know haystacks partnered with groucho....very cool. 😜🤪

[@kayodephillips5435]

Mr Valentine is a class at I stay right here in Dayton Ohio born and raised they probably wrestle out there hara arena

[@dondemmeljr1765]

LOL! Were tha sandwiches Babyface bologna or Hammer ham hustled? Got worked and educated early! 🤣💯👌

[@kingmiller1982]

🔨 is the Man!!

[@billday6744]

The shiek wrestled here in Northern Ohio in the early to mid 70s on the studio matches he scared me just watching .

[@benphelan8992]

This man needs to do an autobiography. 👊🏻

[@Bigelite094]

Wow was that Haystack Calhoun with Groucho Marx?

[@DoubleJackpot]

Loved watching him in Houston, does he have an email? this guy is genuine and awesome

[@someparts]

Great stuff. Haven't heard much about Bobo.

[@thelonegerman2314]

I Don't Remember Any of these Wrestler's , Growing up in NY Watching then WWWF wrestling Vince Macmhon , The Olny ones I remember from the 1970s was Greg Valentine , Dusty Rhodes Would Make Special Appearance I. The wwf , Murdoch, in the 1980s, Superstar Billy Graham, Bob Backlund, this Was Years before Hulkamenia

[@jimmiesmith5811]

I remember bobo here in chicago the good old days of the amphitheatre

[@maximuscheese4789]

Movie Idea based on Greg the Hammer Valentine, Title " Last Man Standing."

[@mikeyfn-a6684]

Man that hair..the man looks great for his age 😳

[@paulseaton4783]

Big Fan of the Hammer

[@MA_808]

google ''The Sheik' Was a WWII Army Veteran Who Revolutionized Pro Wrestling'

[@Davepool-hs7vr]

Baby Face Nelson 😂

[@triumpthat]

Wow Toledo who knew

[@big3ye378]

Man he is one cool customer. Come a long way since Babyface Nelson

[@calvinfreeman4590]

Greg Valentine best powerbomb in the business.

[@Millwall77]

Powerbomb? You must mean piledriver.

[@Bushmaster10MM]

@@Millwall77 Definitely not a Powerbomb guy !

[@simplethings474]

What was the sheik gonna show me? How to use a pencil ? 😆🤣😂😹😆🤣

[@ronaldshank7589]

Ya can't work out by the swimming pool, out in the hot sun...sounds like he's throwing a little shade towards the Then-WWF. Vince McMahon and company were well known for having planning sessions at Vince's Mansion.

[@TheRydog61]

Detroit Big Time Wrestling

[@danielsaxton7211]

Cool