WWE Hall of Famer "Luscious" Johnny Valiant has reportedly passed away at the age of 71 after being hit by a truck as he crossed the road in an area that was not a crosswalk, according to WWE.
Valiant, whose real name is Thomas M. Sullivan, reportedly died at a hospital after he was transported there following the tragic accident. According to WPXI, Ross Township detective Brian Kohlhepp told reporters, "The driver of the truck stayed here on the scene. There's no indication that this was anything other than a terrible accident at this point, but we're still investigating."
According to WWE, Valiant began his sports-entertainment career in 1969, setting up rings, refereeing and competing. By 1974, “Luscious” Johnny and “Handsome” Jimmy, aka The Valiant Brothers, won the World Tag Team Championships and held them for more than one year. A few years later, according to WWE, “The Luscious One” became a manager of tag team champions himself in the AWA, before returning to the WWE in 1985 where he led the Dream Team of Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Brutus Beefcakse to the World Tag Team Championship.
Valiant was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996.