Joe Jr. died in 2016 at the age of 48. the educational, cultural and historical needs of our After several years of traveling to various promotions and gaining experience, he first made his mark in the business while competing in the southern portion of the country, namely, Alabama and Tennessee. Ironic, because Strongbow didnt have a drop of Native American DNA in his blood. Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Kamala: August 25, 1984 Although his Native American persona was fictional, as a role model for people of all races, there were none better and The Chief proudly wrestled his entire career as a beloved fan favorite. It was in the WWF that Greg Valentine rose to his greatest fame, defeating Tito Santana for the Intercontinental title in September of 1984, kayfabe injuring Santanas leg with the figure-four. Its likely that the stress contributed to the health problems that would start to set the Chief Jay Strongbow death story into motion more than 20 years before he died. Strongbow settled the score in front of a sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden, beating Captain Lou Albano convincingly. Contact Room Rental, via phone, not email, Call Strongbow also engaged in a noteworthy series with The Big Cat Ernie Ladd in the WWWF, a feud that carried over to the NWAs Georgia Championship Wrestling a few years later. They defeated the team of Baron Mikel Scicluna and King Curtis Iaukea. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy! 2 babyface, Chief Jay Strongbow, where he broke Strongbow's leg. coach Carmen LoRe who resides in Nutley and was a member of the original While a lot of fans look back fondly on the career of Chief Jay Strongbow, it is fair to say that his gimmick is definitely a relic of the era. Why a Nationality: United States. His first WWWF Tag title came on May 22, 1972 when he teamed with Sonny King to defeat Baron Mikel Scicluna & "King" Curtis Iukea at New York's Madison Square Garden. Andre The Giant was the first inductee following his tragic death in 1993, but the first official class came in 1994, of which Strongbow was a part. Facebook What are you waiting for? It was alleged that Strongbow had previously jumped Albano in the locker room, breaking his arm. "Of course, my wife says Im too nice.". Chief Jay Strongbow ( July 9, 1970 - November 16, 1987) Joe Scarpa ( September 17, 1957 - June 23, 1970) Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) Weight 247 lbs (112 kg) Born October 4, 1928 Died April 3, 2012 (aged 83) Birth Place Nutley, New Jersey Billed From Pawhuska, Oklahoma Career History Roles Producer ( October 21, 1986 - December 31, 1994) Im going to lead the match, and I just dont work that way.". His best accomplishments are in WWWF where he was a 4-time World Tag-Team Champion. Shortly thereafter, the WWE awarded Santana a new belt, the iconic Intercontinental design still in use by the WWE today. Scarpa was a standout in the Georgia and Florida territories of the National Wrestling Alliance throughout the 1950s and 1960s, winning several championships and becoming a fan favorite. Eventually, Greg Valentine would be brought back, but he was moved down the card, even though he still had entertaining feuds with Don Muraco and Ron Garvin. Piper won that match non-title since it wasnt officially sanctioned by the NWAbut Valentine got his heat back by beating Piper down afterward and leaving him laying in the ring. The Greg Valentine vs Chief Jay Strongbow feud, which started with Strongbow writhing in agony with a broken leg at ringside while the matches went on as scheduled with the heels taunting him. "He knew what to do and when to do it, and he was incredibly tough, so I learned just by being around him the Dungeon was different. "Vigilante" who wrestled his first match on April 13, 2013, in his The two wrestled all over the WWF circuit, including an "Indian Strap match" at Madison Square Garden on July 30, 1979. And, like all great wrestlers, past and present, he never allowed his ego to get the best of him. now. He wore the Gulf Coast Heavyweight title in 1960, the NWA World Tag Team championship (Mid-America version) with Lester Welch twice in 1961 and the Southern Tag title (with Lee Fields) in 1963. Bad Fads Museum Mini Bio (1) "Chief" Jay Strongbow was arguably the most famous, beloved Native American wrestler of all time, and a consistent box office draw. Scarpa's wrestling career began in 1947, under his real name. 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. [1] He was trained by legendary second generation Native American wrestler Chief Don Eagle. Back then, many pro wrestlers adopted ethnic personas. On this weeks Stick To Wrestling podcast we continue our Summer Series as we take a look at the Summer of 1979 in the WWF as John McAdam and Sean Goodwin are joined by fellow old school WWF fanatic Randy Barrier. And at this time, the title was a coveted item. But if the Bulldogs wanted to work spots, they would get with [Brutus] to do it, because I wasnt going to. hometown of Nutley and who later went on to win his first title on April Even if fans didn't have the pleasure of seeing him wrestle, they can come to appreciate his immense accomplishments. In 1970, Scarpa began working for Vincent J. McMahons World Wide Wrestling Federation, where his popularity with fans exploded. championship title from. He was also admitted to the New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011, but it seems he was not well enough to attend that event. Related: 10 Things Fans Should Know About Butch Reed. Copyright & He also had a program with Greg's dad, when he was Joltin' Joe. Actor: Spectrum Wrestling. He was buried in Griffin, Georgia. Luke Joseph Scarpa (October 4, 1928 April 3, 2012) was an American professional wrestler who was best known by the ring name Chief Jay Strongbow. He was inducted into Official [9] The team won the title in a three-team tournament, defeating The Executioners and Nikolai Volkoff and Tor Kamata. Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network. Then, on December 7, 1976 Strongbow regained the tag team championship, this time with partner Billy White Wolf, defeating Nicolai Volkoff & Tor Kamata in the finals of a tournament for the vacant WWWF Tag Team title. Give us sixty minutes and well give you a wicked good podcast. Our 77th Year 50 Years of Nutley Wrestling guest speakers included "First, I thought Brutus was very good. Arion was now a heel, and pinned Strongbow in eastern arenas as he went on to challenge champion Bruno Sammartino. hometown of Nutley and who later went on to win his first title on April News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Wrestling Legend Chief Jay Strongbow Dead at 83. photo: wwe.com. It seems clear that the Chief Strongbow gimmick was a flashy idea to bring more attention to Scarpa, but it doesn't seem like it was one that was all that necessary. Museum Store Perhaps the greatest Native American to lace up a pair of boots, Chief Jay was one of sports-entertainment's most influential and popular grapplers for almost 40 years. Strongbow was actually teaming with High Chief Peter Maivia when the two men started getting into it. Arion turned on Strongbow, destroying his headdress on Philadelphia television after he had tied Strongbow in the ropes, and rubbed the feathers in his face. 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. Next: 10 Things We Miss About Classic NWA Wrestling. October 4, 1932, brought lots of memorabilia; Reprinted from Nutley Neighbors, May 2017; Best Version Media Then he feuded with Baron Von Raschke in Georgia. In 1975, he began feuding with Spiros Arion. Although he was billed for the majority of his career as being a native of Pawhuska, Oklahoma., Chief Jay Strongbow was actually born Luke Joseph Scarpa on October 4, 1928 in Nutley, New Jersey, The Italian-American made his professional debut in 1947, wrestling as Joe Scarpa, a variation of his real name. Get the occasional email with the latest wrestling tributes and memorials, Search by ring name, real name, cause of death, organization, time period (2000s, etc) or specific year, WWE Hall of Famer Ravishing Rick Rude was an amazing individual in and out of the ring. PWSTees.com Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee! 12, 2014; Corrected June Wrestling legend Chief Jay Strongbow, whose real name was Joseph Scarpa, died on Tuesday at the age of 83, according to ProWrestling.net. Hawaiian who wore a derby and took on a Japanese persona (Mr. One highlight was a presentation by Sal Scarpa, the brother of the late He didnt care for a lot of the ga-ga that the WWE was putting on TV at the time. Lou Albanos rule breaking team quickly regained the title, though, on July 13, 1982. Strongbow would win more championships in the future, but a challenge for that title is his biggest claim to mainstream fame outside of his WWE Tag Team Championship wins. Chief Jay Stongbow - The Microscope - Pro Wrestling Only Listen to any guy who grew up in the 1970s watching WWWF TV and one of the first names they'll come out with is Chief Jay Strongbow, and usually they love him. Chief Jay Strongbow was inducted into the World Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame. As Chief Jay Strongbow, Scarpa wore a feathered headdress, smeared on Many of today's wrestling fans may not know much about Strongbow, but he had a hand in the development of many legendary wrestlers and did many things in the ring that are still being done today. I never got to work a program with him, but we had some house show matches, and he was terrific to work with. From that point forward, it was back to singles wrestling for Jay. "I was pretty snug," Valentine said. Chief Jay Strongbow: Bio When Chief Jay Strongbow went on the warpath, no one was safe; not his opponent, not the referee, nor anyone else unfortunate enough to get in his way. Apparently, the former professional wrestler fell sometime at the end of 2011 and had to be hospitalized. In retirement, Strongbow became a WWF road agent and worked in the company's front office. Sal Scarpa, brother of Joe AKA Chief Jay Strongbow, who Nutley wrestling coach Mike DiPiano, and former Nutley Contact NHS via email "His legs were so thick that I couldnt get the figure-four on him, so I kind of scissored his leg and fell backward, and that worked.". Welch was actually from Pawhuska, Oklahoma. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! Soon, he found the moniker that stuck: Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. He first began using the gimmick for the WWWF in the early '70s, and would continue with it for the rest of his career. From that point forward, it was back to singles wrestling for Chief Jay. Join NHS Now Chief Jay Strongbow was born on October 4, 1928 in Philadelphia, United States (92 years old). Be it as a performer or as part of the management team, Strongbow made many sacrifices, and selflessly gave himself to the "sport." He eventually challenged WWWF champion Bob Backlund in Madison Square Garden, going to a one-hour draw. In 1982, Strongbow formed a tag team with his on-screen brother, Jules Strongbow. Wrestling mania seized Nutley. But Lou Albano, McCord's manager, interfered by smashing a cast on the Chief's forehead. Just a tremendous babyface.". (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). When Luke Scarpa stepped into the wrestling ring, everyone noticed. Chief Jay Strongbow. Scarpa fell at his home in late 2011 and was hospitalized. His Tomahawk Chop was a weapon to be feared and led to many victories, as did his Sleeper hold and several variations of the suplex. Strongbow could also brawl with the best of them, especially once his fiery temper had been ignited. Truly, "Chief" Jay Strongbow was a consummate wrestlerStrongbow began his career in the mid-1960s, and worked primarily for Vince McMahon Sr. and the World Wide Wrestling Federation. When things seemed to settle, Maivia came up behind Strongbow and clubbed him on the back of the head before walking off back to the dressing room leaving Strongbow to be assaulted by the Yukon Lumberjacks. On the table this week: Pat Patterson wins the North American title, and then wins the Intercontinental Title. Before Scarpa even became Strongbow he had carved out an incredible career for himself. (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function(){viAPItag.display("vi_937032466")}). Follow/Like Us on to change. war paint, and toted a tomahawk. Webmaster Although winning titles was never the primary goal for Strongbow, especially during his latter years in the ring, a wrestler as popular as Jay Strongbow couldnt help but pick up a fair share of championship gold. The Valiant Brothers main evented Madison Square Garden in 1974 and 1975, then finally returned in 1979but things just werent the same. 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. Following his retirement, he lived in a farm in Georgia. "club" wrestling team at Nutley High School (1961) the first varsity did a Nutley guy named Luke Scarpa come to wrestle professionally as While it didn't translate into all that many championships at that point, he was still considered one of the greatest stars of that decade. McCord was disqualified, but Strongbow was cut wide open by Albano's blows. What went wrong? [13] Strongbow was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame class of 1994 by Gorilla Monsoon. Although he was billed for the majority of his career as being a native of Pawhuska, Oklahoma., "Chief" Jay Strongbow was actually born Luke Joseph Scarpa on October 4, 1928 in . With High Chief Peter Maivia when the two men started getting into it the score in front of sold! 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chief jay strongbow broken leg