Johnny Valiant dead – Former WWF wrestler killed after being hit by a pick-up truck
Valiant, whose real name is Tommy Sullivan was 71-years-old
FORMER WWF wrestler "Luscious" Johnny Valiant has been hit and killed by a truck, according to reports.
Valiant, whose real name is Tommy Sullivan was 71-years-old.
He was inducted into the wrestling Hall Of Fame in 1996.
Reports suggest he was mowed down by a pick-up truck in Ross Township, Pennsylvania, US.
Police said he ran across the busy road and was hit by the truck on a stetch of road that was not a crossing, according to .
Ross Township Det. Brian Kohlepp said: "We do have witnesses. There was other traffic at the time, so we were able to speak with people who actually witnessed the accident."
The stretch of road has been shut while cops investigate.
Johnny twice won the WWF Tag Team championship alongside his stage-brother Jimmy Valiant, first in 1974 and then again in 1979.
After his career in the ring, he went on to manage some of the greats of the sport, including Hulk Hogan in the early 1980s and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.
Johnny V was known to do commentary for the sport.
He left WWF, now known as WWE, for good in 1988, just before Wrestlemania IV.
In his post-sport years, Johnny was an acotr and comedian who appeared in the Sopranos and Law & Order.
He was struck and killed on McKnight Road, in his home town in Pennsylvania, at 5am local time this morning.
WWE wrestlers paid tribute to the athlete.
Luke Gallows, 34, Tweeted: "R.I.P Luscious Johnny Valiant....Always kind to me and very helpful early in my career."
WWE ref, Jimmy Korderas posted: "He was always kind to me. Thanks for the laughs JV."
Brian Heffron, aka WWE's The Blue Meanie, wrote: "He was so talented, so witty and vastly under rated. Rest In Peace Johnny.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.