Jimmy Garvin

The Weasel Unleashed

Jimmy Garvin was the kind of wrestler who made you wonder how he managed to squeeze his 235-pound frame into those tight ring trunks without bursting a seam. His 5-foot-10-inch frame may not have seemed imposing, but that was before he unleashed his brand of All-American wrestling fury on an unsuspecting opponent.

Born in Tampa, Florida in 1952, Garvin's introduction to the world of professional wrestling came at the tender age of twenty in 1972. It would be another decade before he donned his first pair of trunks as Beau James, a moniker that would serve him well throughout his career.

Garvin's wrestling style was akin to a fine-tuned machine – efficient, effective, and devastatingly so. His arsenal included the Brainbuster, a move that could leave opponents dazed and confused, and the DDT, which was more often than not preceded by a series of rapid-fire punches that left opponents reeling.

As Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin, Jam, or simply The Weasel, this Tampa native left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. His trophy case boasted a veritable smorgasbord of titles, including the AWA World Tag Team Championship, NWA American Heavyweight Championship, NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, and NWA Florida Tag Team Championship.

Garvin's career spanned multiple promotions, including World Wrestling Entertainment, New Japan Pro Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and National Wrestling Alliance. His final match took place in 2000, a fitting conclusion to a life spent bending the rules – or rather, breaking them with reckless abandon.

For those who had the pleasure of witnessing Jimmy Garvin's brand of wrestling chaos firsthand, his memory remains as vivid as the scars left by those Brainbusters and DDTS. The Weasel may have hung up his boots for good, but his legend lives on, a testament to the enduring power of professional wrestling's most unpredictable – and unforgettable – sons.