Real Name: James Williams Need to Know Facts: Born on September 25, 1952 in Tampa, Florida, Jimmy Garvin, in only a little over a year, became one of World Class’ most successful wrestling heels. He possessed such an abundance of natural charisma that his antics are still fondly recalled today, some twenty-plus years after his stint with World Class ended. Jimmy Garvin began his wrestling career in 1972 as Beau James. He soon took the name "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin and wrestled along his two "brothers", Terry and future NWA World Champion Ronnie (who is actually Jimmy’s stepfather), whom he briefly managed starting in 1969.
Ever the heel, Garvin initially would not allow WCCW cameras to film his matches. He wore white cloth gloves, boot covers and a sparkling bowtie, all of which Sunshine would carefully remove prior to the start of his matches.
The most memorable aspect of the wild feud between Garvin and David Von Erich occurred when David beat Jimmy in a match that stipulated that the loser would become the victor’s personal valet for the day. Alas, Garvin and his dutiful valet Sunshine spent the day (in a segment hosted by WCCW announcer Bill Mercer) at Von Erich's ranch digging fence posts, bathing dogs, cleaning horse stalls and bailing hay. Following his feud with David Von Erich, Garvin next moved on to feud with Chris Adams and, in a highly memorable angle, replaced Sunshine with his wife Patti, who took on the name Precious. Sunshine, who was now aligned with Adams, feuded with Precious while Garvin and "The Gentleman" traded the American Title until July 1984, when Garvin left for the American Wrestling Association (AWA).
After losing the titles to Scott Hall and Curt Hennig in 1986, Garvin went to work for Jim Crockett Promotions (NWA). He was in the middle of a feud with Magnum T.A. when Magnum was involved in the automobile accident that would end his career. In 1987, Jimmy's "brother" Ronnie feuded with Jim Cornette and his Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and new member Stan Lane). During a match with the MX, Cornette threw a fireball in Ronnie's face and Jimmy came to Ronnie’s rescue, becoming an instant fan favorite. Garvin would go on to feud with NWA World Champion Ric Flair and “Taskmaster” Kevin Sullivan. Garvin would return to NWA action in June 1989 as Jimmy "Jam" Garvin, becoming the newest member of the Fabulous Freebirds with Michael Hayes. Due to backstage politics, Garvin’s NWA return did not last long, although he and Hayes did capture the World Tag Team titles. Leaving WCW in 1993, Jimmy returned to Dallas, wrestling briefly with the Global Wrestling Federation where he reformed the Freebirds with Hayes and Terry Gordy. Garvin and Gordy would win the GWF tag team titles in 1994; however, Garvin would retire to become an airline pilot when the GWF folded in September of that year.
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"Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin
Garvin toured the Mid-Southern and Florida territories from 1978 until 1983. It was during his stint in Florida Championship Wrestling that Garvin first met up with David Von Erich in 1981. David was able to convince Jimmy that Dallas-Fort Worth was a potential hotbed for professional wrestling, and in spring 1983, Garvin joined World Class. Jimmy's original plan was to bring along his wife Patti as his valet. However, Patti was pregnant with the couple’s daughter when Garvin started in WCCW, so taking Patti’s place was Valerie French -- better known to fans as Sunshine -- who actually was Garvin’s first cousin.
Getting his World Class career off to a quick start, Garvin became embroiled in a feud with the promotion's most beloved hero, David Von Erich, over the prestigious Texas Heavyweight Championship. The two gladiators electrified WCCW arenas for most of 1983. Garvin also teamed often with the Fabulous Freebirds in their feud with the Von Erichs.
In the AWA, Garvin formed a tag team with "Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal, and the dastardly duo soon captured the AWA World Tag Team Titles from the mighty Road Warriors with the help of Garvin’s old allies, the Fabulous Freebirds.