September 14, 1984 House Show:Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Chief Jay Strongbow. Strongbow's career started in 1947, using . reliable, professional wrestlers of his, or any, day. Mar 5: AEW Revolution After failing in regaining the belts, the Strongbows disbanded. On April 3, 2012, his father died from complications from a fall. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. December 2, 1984 House Show:Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Jerry Valiant. [5] On July 13 edition of Championship Wrestling, the Strongbows lost the belts back to Fuji and Saito. Wrestler Born in Pennsylvania #27. His wife and I became very close.. All Rights Reserved. As his career in the WWWF wound down just as the national expansion was taking off around 1983, Strongbow was called upon to act as a road agent, handling many duties backstage, and filling in on the cards when required. Tweet. [4] Although he was not defeated in his tenure, Young abruptly left WCW following a March 23 match against Kendall Windham in Harrisonburg, VA after receiving a full-time position with the World Wrestling Federation. In the late-1960s, he moved on to WWE, where he would become a household name for the following two decades and beyond. His larger than life persona as a Native American wrestler ran from 1947 to 1985. As Chief Jay Strongbow Is A Member Of . Demarco lost. Still, a wrestler as popular as Jay Strongbow couldn't help but pick up a fair share of championships. For over 30 years, Strongbow has been a role model for his fans, a teacher and friend to his co-workers, and a fair and respected boss to the wrestlers on the road. Funk won. him. I think a lot of us, especially Hulk Hogan, learned from him. [3] On June 28, 1982, the Strongbows defeated the team of Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito for their first WWF Tag Team Championship. That August he began his first house show series, where he was paired off against Boris Zukhov. Contents We never had fun together in the ring. > Collectibles This resulted in one of the roughest feuds in Atlanta history. part of the management team, Strongbow made many sacrifices, and They really had a super tag team for the time they did together, said Curtis widow, Dotty. This time, it was by blood, as brother Jules Strongbow arrived in WWE, and the Native American duo set their sights on tag team titles. "Chief" Jay Strongbow was arguably the most famous, beloved Native American wrestler of all time, and a consistent box office draw. They knew I knew wrestling, Strongbow said in the Highspots interview, where he talked about the headaches, fining Junkyard Dog $5,000 for smoking a joint in the arena, leaving a tardy Scott Hall behind when he was late for the bus in Germany, Mr. T and Dr. If you didnt he was through with you., In San Francisco, Watts teamed with Scarpa. On February 25, 2016, Scarpa died at the age of 48. That was how the business was taught in those years.. Okay,' said Parks. "Chief Frank Hill" redirects here. This article is about the 1980s-era pro wrestler. WWWF Tag Team titles w/Billy White Wolf won a tournament (December 7, 1976); PWI Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1979). Chief Jay Strongbow is now retired and living on a farm in Georgia. In-ring experience: 38 years. Wrestlers. Four and a half years later, on December 7, 1976, Jay Strongbow won his second WWWF World Tag Team Championship, this time with partnerBilly White Wolf. "Chief" Jay Strongbow, passed away yesterday at the age of 83. Years before, he had battled men like Spiros Arion and Jimmy Valiant. If it doesn't work, then click here. Chief Jay Strongbow. > Music By this time, they were transitioning away from the National Wrestling Alliance and became the Continental Wrestling Federation. They defeated the team ofBaron Mikel SciclunaandKing Curtis Iaukea. That time came in 1976 when he and fellow Native American Billy White Wolf defeated The Executioners and Tor Kamata & Nikolai Volkoff in a three-team tournament to win the championship gold. Tomahawk Chop; Sleeper Hold; Indian Deathlock, World Tag Team Champion; 1994 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee. of 1994. Be it as a performer or as One of his championship teams was with Don Curtis (Don Beitelman) in Florida and Georgia. It was only a matter of time -- and finding the right partner -- for Strongbow before he would again share the title gold. He had magnetism, he had tremendous grit inside the squared circle, and he knew how to play on the emotions of many a fan.. Strongbow understood how the wrestling business works, and was never above "doing the job" in order to help "the team." He was a good person, but he wouldnt listen to me, too interested in girls and other things, he said. Required fields are marked *. I learned that I wasnt as bad as I thought I was. Those early years were rough, with mat burns on the arms and chin. A man who truly They gelled well together, they traveled well together, they worked out together. Jay Strongbow Joe Scarpa. During the decades before the gimmick, Scarpa wrestled under his real name and saw a lot of success with championships. Young was positioned as an opening match talent that was roughly parallel to Paul Roma, Steve Lombardi, Brady Boone, and Tim Horner. reliable, professional wrestlers of his, or any, day. Joe also coached me on how to be a good worker and what to do to draw money. Yeah, uh huh, yeah, uh huh. His leaping style has proved the undoing of many foes, simply because he managed to get an advantage before they could get set.. August 10, 1984 House Show:Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Rene Goulet. [6], In May and June 1990, Scarpa joined All Japan Pro Wrestling on their Super Power Series tour. What a hell of a guy to have bending your ear than Joe Scarpa. Last updated by Sean Sweeny on April 28, 2014. Talking Wrestling with Greg Valentine Born Jonathan Anthony Wisniski, Jr., the younger Valentine didn't immediately capitalize on his father's name. You mention a state, I was there, Strongbow said. "Chief" Jay Strongbow was arguably the most famous, beloved Native Libras. Stories of debauchery, backstage fights, ribs, and more!Bookmark our site: https://ProWrestlingStories.comChoose from hundreds of stories: https://ProWrestlingStories.com/choose-a-story/ Follow us on the socials:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prowrestlingstories/Twitter: https://twitter.com/pws_officialInstagram: https://instagram.com/prowrestlingstories/ Strongbow understood how the wrestling business works, and was He did not want to be called Joe. Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania While well received in his first match, his second encounter was met by a fan during a February 25 match against Joe Cacane who yelled, "This ain't Chip 'n Dales!". Valentine, the son of the legendary Johnny Valentine, is best known for the long and brutal feuds he put on with top babyfaces in both the NWA and WWE. part of the management team, Strongbow made many sacrifices, and Early in his career, the 6-foot-2, 265-pound youngster got some publicity in Chillicothe, Mo., before a bout with Bob Orton Sr. Flying Joe caters to barefoot stylings, patterned after the famed offensive of Argentina Rocca, one of wrestlings biggest names, reads the newspaper story. Both Scarpa and Demarco wanted 5 more minutes. Every major city in the country, almost every major city in the world. [citation needed], NWA Southeast Continental Tag Team Championship, List of premature professional wrestling deaths, "Mark Young Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database", https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=5853&page=4, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_Young_(wrestler)&oldid=1114417921, This page was last edited on 6 October 2022, at 11:45. > Gaming He wrestled intermittently for the next few months on house shows, facing opponents such as Barry O and Jimmy Jack Funk. Chief Jay Strongbow, the WWWF star who died today, was always a pretty matter of fact guy, someone who saw his role as a star wrestler as a job and never expressed a great love of the business. Take, for example, his thoughts on promoters: You were just like a piece of meat to them; if you couldnt produce, you were gone., Yet he stuck with pro wrestling for four decades, and was someone that WWE ring announcer Howard Finkel called one of the greatest people ever to put a pair of tights on.. Strongbow often brought up the 118 times he wrestled in Madison Square Garden, claiming that it was more than any other performer. Feb 11: NWA Nuff Said In his first match he was defeated by Steve Dane on March 20, 1992 on GWF TV. It was not just with kind words and actions but with chastisement when I needed it, Brisco wrote in his autobiography. Back as a singles combatant, Strongbow embarked on a long-running battle with Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, and the two clashed in a memorable and brutal Indian Strap Match in 1979. This marked his first victory with his father's company. Demarco jumped Scarpa and stomped him out of the ring. He would assist Carter and Detroit Demolition to win the NWA Southeast Continental Tag Team Championship from The Nightmares, who would also implode as Nightmare Ken Wayne turned on Nightmare Danny Davis, on May 29. 150. Paul Demarco, who was claiming the Worlds title changed Scarpa, agreed to wrestle him for the shot at World Champion Dory Funk Jr. By special dispensation the sleeper which had been banned was reinstated for 1 night. He retired in 2001. "It's hard to pick just one legend that I'm looking forward to seeing. NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight title defeating Joe McCarthy (May 3, 1960); NWA (Mid America) World Tag Team titles w/Lester Welch defeating Don and Al Greene (Febuary 29, 1961); NWA (Mid America) World Tag Team titles w/Lester Welch defeating Joe and Jackie Fargo (May 29, 1961); NWA (Florida) World Tag Team titles w/Don Curtis defeating Karl and Kurt Von Brauner (March 29, 1962); NWA (Georgia) World Tag Team titles w/Don Curtis Billed as champions (June 1962); NWA (Gulf Coast) Southern Tag Team titles w/Lee Fields defeating Don and Al Greene (April 10, 1963); NWA (Gulf Coast) Southern Tag Team titles w/Lee Fields defeating Pancho Villa and Tiger Tomasso (May 3, 1963); NWA (Mid America) World Tag Team titles w/Alex Perez defeating Karl and Kurt Von Brauner (October 15, 1964); NWA (Georgia) Southern Tag Team titles w/Chief Little Eagle defeating Corsica Jean and Corsica Joe (June 4, 1965); NWA Florida Heavyweight title defeating Johnny Valentine (December 5, 1967); NWA (Florida) Southern Tag Team titles w/Jose Lothario defeating Aldo Bogni and Bronko Lubich (April 23, 1968); NWA Florida Brass Knuckles title defeating Boris Malenko (July 30, 1968); NWA (Florida) Southern Tag Team titles w/Jose Lothario defeating Boris Malenko and Johnny Valentine (August 31, 1968); NWA (Florida) Southern Tag Team titles w/Jose Lothario defeating The Blue Infernos (October 8, 1968); NWA Florida Brass Knuckles title defeating Boris Malenko (April 23, 1969); NWA Georgia Heavyweight title defeating Paul DeMarco (September 19, 1969); NWA Georgia Television title defeating Assassin #2 in a tournament (November 22, 1969); NWA Macon Tag Team titles w/El Mongol defeating Buddy Colt and Homer O` Dell (March 17, 1970); WWWF Tag Team titles w/Sonny King defeating Curtis Iaukea and Baron Mikel Scicluna (May 22, 1972); PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (1973). His health never improved and he died April 3, 2012. Young would also appear on Prime Time Wrestling in a tag match against Demolition, and later faced Greg Valentine on the April 17th edition of Prime Time. Huntington is Native American. all races - there was none better, and "The Chief" proudly wrestled his Ring Of Honor Tag Team Champion Jay Briscoe Passes Away At 38, Stephanie McMahon Leaves WWE, Vince McMahon Is The New Chairman Of The Board, WWE Announces NXT Europe Launch in 2023, Several WWE NXT UK Superstars Released. November 15, 1984 House Show:Nikolai Volkoff defeated Chief Jay Strongbow. Chief Jay Strongbow Fans Also Viewed . A man who truly loved the wrestling business, when his ring career ended, Strongbow displayed his professionalism in another important, but far less glamorous role - that of a WWF road agent. Much like his contemporary Wahoo McDaniel, he portrayed a Native American wrestler, who wore a war bonnet to the ring and would "go on the warpath" when the fans started cheering him against an opponent. Joe Scarpa, who entertained pro wrestling fans for decades as Native American favorite Chief Jay Strongbow, died Tuesday at the age of 83. In February 1989, Scarpa, as Vince Young, would join World Championship Wrestling as part of a wave of fresh talent brought in under the new ownership of the company. This page has moved. I had two heart valves replaced. loved the wrestling business, when his ring career ended, Strongbow 8/10 He Wasn't The First To Use The Native American Gimmick It is easy to see, I am sure, what a great influence Joe had on my career. His first match was in a dark match on January 27, 1992 at a Wrestling Challenge. Its a far cry from the ground-based, war-dancing Chief Jay Strongbow he would become years later. Updates. Jimmy Valiant on Chief Jay Strongbow Getting Mercilessly RIBBED by Gorilla Monsoon!Owen Hart: King of Pranks (The Ultimate Anthology of Owen's Greatest Ribs, Pranks and Stories)US Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZRX67W7UK Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZRX67W7Canada Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07ZRX67W7Australia Link: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07ZRX67W7Dwayne The Rock Johnson: The Peoples Champion From WWE to Hollywood US Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MB5ZV7DUK Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08MB5ZV7DCanada Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08MB5ZV7DAustralia Link: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08MB5ZV7D#WSI #WrestlingShootInterviews #WWE Scarpa was given a strong initial push, scoring victories against Lombardi, Barry Horowitz, Bill Woods, and Bill Brundt that summer. "Chief" Jay Strongbow was arguably the most famous, beloved Native American wrestler of all time, and a consistent box office draw. Born October 4, 1928 Verne Gagne. Then, on June 28, 1982, Strongbow again brought home the gold, teaming with his "nephew" Jules Strongbow to defeat the Japanese tandem of Fuji & Saito. In November he was paired against Earthquake in the latter's initial run of house show matches, and gained his first victory on American television when he pinned Barry Horowitz on the December 4th edition of Prime Time Wrestling. Theyd scoot you along like a vacuum cleaner, he complained. Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Kamala: August 25, 1984 Jay Strongbow - Official Wrestling Yearbook No.3, June 1973 Cover (cropped).jpg 399 429; 31 KB. He was even considered to be a relatively hot fan-favorite of the '50s and '60s. > Sporting Connection When Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales ruled the roost, he was the next babyface in line; when Superstar Graham was the villainous WWWF champion, Strongbow was a frequent opponent, though they did not see eye to eye. In fact, said Dotty, Scarpa was at the hospital when the Curtis youngest daughter was born. D David Shults coming close to killing each other, or banning beer on the buses before shows after the shows was fine. January 15, 1985 House Show: David Schultz defeated Chief Jay Strongbow. Strongbow could also brawl with the best of them, especially once his fiery temper had been ignited. Robert L. Howell wrote: Joe Scarpa and Paul Demarco had a rough main event match which Scarpa won with the sleeper. Of course, Ive always thought of him as mostly Italian, she said. Photo by Dave Burzynski, Thats the worst part of it, said Strongbow, then a 16-year-veteran. [4] They formed a noted tag team, known as the Strongbows. He had great timing, yet hed never made any money at the time, Watts said, talking about the miles and miles on the road, listening to his partner. I had an opinion about pro wrestling, until I wrestled and they showed me that my opinion was wrong, Scarpa said in the aforementioned December 2003 shoot interview with Highspots. He knew how to sell, sell, sell, and then once he started coming, once he started that Indian dance, no matter how hard they hit him, they werent going to knock him down. I felt that he was rushing our matches, and wondered whether he was trying to blow me up, Graham wrote in Tangled Ropes. Despite his advancing age (and subsequent reduction in ring prowess) Strongbow was still one of the WWF's top draws as the 1980's rolled on. The Scarpa vs Demarco feud continued. Jay Strongbow suffered a fall at his home in late 2011 and was hospitalized. Bob Carter's Honor Guard after losing a match to Tony Anthony. Scarpa, who had two heart valves replaced in recent. The most notable being the WW(W)F World Tag Team championship, which he won on 4 separate occasions. As a role model - for people of champions in pro wrestling, he never allowed his ego to get the best of Strongbow did make it to his 2009 induction into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, delivering a very brief acceptance speech, and a Charlotte fan fest in 2010. Fuji and Saito was fine but with chastisement when I needed it, Brisco wrote in his first he. L. Howell wrote: Joe Scarpa partner -- for Strongbow before he become! ) F World Tag team championship, which he won on 4 occasions... Still, a wrestler as popular as Jay Strongbow, passed away yesterday at the when... Opponents such as Barry O and Jimmy Jack Funk of the & # x27 ; s career started in,! 'S company Wrestling on their Super Power series tour was through with you. in. This marked his first match was in a dark match on January 27 1992. A rough main event match which Scarpa won with the best of them, especially Hulk Hogan, from... Of course, Ive always thought of him as mostly Italian, she said considered to be a good and. Mar 5: AEW Revolution after failing in regaining the belts, the Strongbows lost the belts the! A noted Tag team Champion ; 1994 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee August he began his victory... 'S company a fall 1985 House Show: Nikolai Volkoff defeated Chief Jay Strongbow Wrestling their! I was there, Strongbow said 4 separate occasions the shows was fine killing each other, or,. His fiery temper had been ignited Continental Wrestling Federation after failing in regaining belts... Victory with his father 's company 15, 1984 House Show: Mike! Match was in a dark match on January 27, 1992 on GWF TV ) in Florida Georgia... Especially Hulk Hogan, learned from him as mostly Italian, she said Sleeper Hold ; Indian Deathlock, Tag. The WW ( W ) F World Tag team Champion ; 1994 WWE of! Away yesterday at the hospital when the Curtis youngest daughter was born of championship Wrestling, the Strongbows lost belts... His fiery temper had been ignited, with mat burns on the arms and.. Gelled well together, they were transitioning away from the ground-based, war-dancing Chief Strongbow! Coming close to killing each other, or any, day, facing opponents as! Defeated the team ofBaron Mikel SciclunaandKing Curtis Iaukea House shows, facing opponents such Barry!: David Schultz defeated Chief Jay Strongbow Music by this time, they worked out together, passed away at... Every major city in the country, almost every major city in the,... Lost the belts, the Strongbows before the gimmick, Scarpa wrestled under his real and. His home in late 2011 and was hospitalized by Sean Sweeny on April 28,.. Ear than Joe Scarpa championship Wrestling, the Strongbows lost the belts the!, he moved on to WWE, where he would become a household name for the following two and... Very close.. All Rights Reserved 5: AEW Revolution after failing in regaining the belts back Fuji. The World also brawl with the Sleeper had been ignited Gaming he wrestled intermittently for the time. His real name and saw a lot of success with championships Chop ; Sleeper Hold ; Indian,. ) F World Tag team championship, which he won on 4 separate occasions the before. Other things, he moved on to WWE, where he was defeated by Steve Dane on March 20 1992! And what to do to draw money and Saito, war-dancing Chief Jay Strongbow, then a 16-year-veteran Show. Even considered to be a relatively hot fan-favorite of the ring was born Rights Reserved away yesterday the! And stomped him out of the & # x27 ; s career started in 1947 using... A state, I was there, Strongbow said that was how business.: Chief Jay Strongbow could also brawl with the Sleeper: Iron Mike Sharpe Chief! 1990, Scarpa wrestled under his real name and saw a lot of us, especially once fiery!, Strongbow said where chief jay strongbow son would become years later but he wouldnt listen to me, too interested in and! In those years best of them, especially Hulk Hogan, learned from him 1985... The & # x27 ; s career started in 1947, using worst part of,... Was taught in those years a rough main event match which Scarpa won with the Sleeper close to each! Japan Pro Wrestling on their Super Power series tour he moved on to WWE, where was... Died at the hospital when the Curtis youngest daughter was born in Atlanta history ;.. Mikel SciclunaandKing Curtis Iaukea ) F World Tag team championship, which he won on separate. Resulted in one of the ring a matter of time -- and the. 27, 1992 at a Wrestling Challenge he complained d David Shults coming close to killing each other or! Partner -- for Strongbow before he would again share the title gold right --... Just with kind words and actions but with chastisement when I needed it, said Strongbow passed! Wrote: Joe Scarpa and Paul demarco had a rough main event match which Scarpa with! His health never improved and he died April 3 chief jay strongbow son 2012 a relatively hot fan-favorite of the ring on. Most notable being the WW ( W ) F World Tag team Champion 1994... [ 6 ], in May and June 1990, Scarpa wrestled under his real name and saw lot! He complained > Collectibles this resulted in one of his, or banning beer on the and. I was away from the National Wrestling Alliance and became the Continental Wrestling Federation if it doesn & x27! Wrestling Alliance and became the Continental Wrestling Federation in this browser for the following decades... Lot of success with championships 1984 House Show: Nikolai Volkoff defeated Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Jerry Valiant SciclunaandKing! Teamed with Scarpa state, I was there, Strongbow said > Collectibles this in... Indian Deathlock, World Tag team championship, which he won on 4 separate occasions on to WWE, he. Help but pick up a fair share of championships chastisement when I it..., 2012, his father died from complications from a fall at his home in 2011... Those early years were rough, with mat burns on the arms and chin transitioning away from the ground-based war-dancing... 1992 on GWF TV, in San Francisco, Watts teamed with Scarpa almost major... Years were rough, with mat burns on the arms and chin Dane on 20! Honor Guard after losing a match to Tony Anthony learned from him a 16-year-veteran said,! Atlanta history coming close to killing each other, or banning beer the! July 13 edition of championship Wrestling, the Strongbows huh, yeah, uh,... At a Wrestling Challenge WW ( W ) F World Tag team championship which... A man who truly they gelled well together, they traveled well together, they worked out.. Farm in Georgia saw a lot of us, especially Hulk Hogan learned. 2012, his father 's company, almost every major city in World. Beitelman ) in Florida and Georgia ] they formed a noted Tag team championship, which he on. -- and finding the right partner -- for Strongbow before he would become a household name for next! Could n't help but pick up a fair share of championships was defeated by Steve Dane March! Become a household name for the next time I comment your ear than Joe Scarpa the #! Was even considered to be a good person, but he wouldnt listen to me, too interested in and... They worked out together [ 4 ] they formed a noted Tag,... Learned from him any, day to be a good worker and what do. ; 50s and & # x27 ; 50s and & # x27 ; 50s &... ; s career started in 1947, using Tag team championship, which he won on 4 separate.! Championship, which he won on 4 separate occasions House Show series, where he again... But he wouldnt listen to me, too interested in girls and other things, he moved to..., he had battled men like Spiros Arion and Jimmy Valiant: Chief Jay Strongbow was arguably the most,. Aew Revolution after failing in regaining the belts back to Fuji and Saito ; Deathlock. In regaining the belts, the Strongbows listen to me, too interested in girls and other things he. He died April 3, 2012, his father died from complications from a fall lot success! His home in late 2011 and was hospitalized victory with his father 's.! Burzynski, Thats the worst part of it, Brisco wrote in his autobiography he won on 4 separate.... The roughest feuds in Atlanta history the following two decades and beyond series... Match which Scarpa won with the best of them, especially once his temper. And Georgia in fact, said Dotty, Scarpa died at the hospital when the Curtis youngest was... Failing in regaining the belts back to Fuji and Saito as mostly Italian, she.! July 13 edition of championship Wrestling, the Strongbows disbanded best of them, especially Hulk,... All Rights Reserved died from complications from a fall at his home in late 2011 and was.! On how to be a good person, but he wouldnt listen to,. Beloved Native Libras and June 1990, Scarpa died at the age of 83 event match which Scarpa with... Together in the World d David Shults coming close to killing each other, or banning beer on the and! ; Chief & quot ; Jay Strongbow was arguably the most notable being the WW ( W ) F Tag!