"CHIEF" JAY STRONGBOW (1929-2012)

waterproof · April 2012

His chops was legendary (where did you think Ric Flair got it from) a great brawler who carried matches and was the best wrestling bareknuckle champ there is. He was a huge draw and never got his just due in the business, he should held multiple championship but you all know the game. And ? wwe for making him a road agent after he retired from the business. But let's celebrate the passing of a great legend who was truly a PROFESSIONAL.

A CLASSIC MATCH BETWEEN TWO HALL OF FAME WRESTLERS and one of the best wrestlers of all times Professor Tanaka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXZY1q5kSJk&feature=related

Birth Name
Joe Scarpa

Height
6' 6" (1.98 m)

Mini Biography

"Chief" Jay Strongbow was arguably the most famous, beloved Native American wrestler of all time, and a consistent box office draw. As both a main event and mid-card performer, Strongbow was one of the most reliable, professional wrestlers of his, or any, day. 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. Be it as a performer or as part of the management team, Strongbow made many sacrifices, and selflessly gave himself to the "sport." As a role model - for people of all races - there was none better, and "The Chief" proudly wrestled his entire career as a beloved fan favorite. And like all of the greatest champions in pro wrestling, he never allowed his ego to get the best of him. Strongbow understood how the wrestling business works, and was never above "doing the job" in order to help "the team." Truly, "Chief" Jay Strongbow was a consummate wrestler...

Strongbow began his career in the mid-1960s, and worked primarily for Vince McMahon Sr. and the World Wide Wrestling Federation. However, "The Chief" did venture outside the parameters of the WWWF on occasion, and was (for a time) a high-profile figure on TBS's NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling, the predecessor of WCW Saturday Night. At 6`2 and weighing 260, Strongbow was a formidable opponent for anyone who faced him in the ring. His Tomahawk Chop was a weapon to be feared, and led to many victories of the course of his 20 years in the ring. "The Chief" was also well-schooled in the science of "rasslin" and had a solid repertoire of moves, such as the Indian Deathlock (a punishing submission move) and several variations of the suplex. Strongbow could also brawl with the best of them, especially once his fiery temper had been ignited. If the Chief started his War Dance, the tens of thousands of fans in attendance knew the end was near, because no one could (or, perhaps more appropriately, was allowed to) stop him once Strongbow began circling his opponent with his "ancient tribal dance."

Winning titles was never the primary goal for Strongbow, especially during his latter years in the ring. Still, a wrestler as popular as Jay Strongbow couldn't help but pick up a fair share of championships. The most notable being the WW(W)F World Tag Team championship, which he won on 4 separate occasions. 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. But Strongbow & Sonny would only hold the belts for a short time, as they were defeated by the powerful duo of Prof. Tanaka & Mr. Fuji on June 27, 1972. Then, on December 7, 1976 Strongbow regained his tag team campionship, this time with partner Billy White Wolf. Together, they defeated Nicolai Volkoff & Tor Kamata in the finals of a tournament for the then-vacant WWWF Tag Team championship. The Native American duo of Strongbow & White Wolf held the title for over 8 months before being forced to vacate the championship when White Wolf's neck was "broken" by Ken Patera's devastating finisher, the Swinging Neckbreaker. After seeking revenge on Patera for the loss of his partner, Strongbow then went on to face the WWWF World Heavyweight champion "Superstar" Billy Graham in a top-drawing feud. Strongbow also engaged in a notable feud with "The Big Cat" Ernie Ladd in the WWWF, a feud that carried over to the NWA's Georgia Championship Wrestling a few years later. 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. Lou Albano's rulebreaking team quickly regained the title, though, on July 13, 1982. But The Strongbows were not to be denied, and they regrouped, again defeating Fuji & Saito on October 26, 1982. This time, the Native American duo held on to the title belts, and defended them against the WWF's best teams. Finally, after nearly half a year as champions, The Strongbows were defeated by another Lou Albano-led team...this time the impressive and dangerous Wild Samoans.

After losing the title, The Strongbows remained a top WWF tag team, until Jules left the promotion. From that point forward, it was back to singles wrestling for Jay. Still one of the most popular wrestlers in the WWF, in the eyes of the fans, Strongbow was now the "elder statesman" for WWF wrestlers, having been with the promotion for so long. 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. But with the creation of Titan Sports, and the transfer of the WWF from Vince Sr. to Vince Jr., Strongbow decided to pursue new challenges in the wrestling business. "Chief" Jay quietly faded away, while Joe Scarpa settled into his new life as a WWF "suit."

Throughout his long, prestigious career, Strongbow feuded with some of the biggest names in the wrestling business; Billy Graham, Ken Patera, George Steele, Ernie Ladd, the Wild Samoans, Larry Zbyszko, Ivan Koloff, Harley Race, Mr. Fuji, and many, many others. 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. A man of both character and talent, the Ring Chronicle is proud to induct this important figure from wrestling history into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Mini Biography By: Steve Slagle

Spouse

Geri Marshall

(19 November 2000 - present)

Laura Dingby

(20 March 1972 - 4 March 1997) (divorced) 3 children

Sandra Peters

(10 September 1952 - 16 October 1962) (divorced) 2 children

waterproof · April 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDx54kXmmK4

Joseph Luke Scarpa (born October 4, 1928)[2] is a former professional wrestler who was best known by the ring name Chief Jay Strongbow. Scarpa portrayed a Native American wrestler, who wore a traditional headdress to the ring and would "go on the warpath" when the fans started cheering him against an opponent

National Wrestling Alliance (1947–1970)

Strongbow's career started in 1947, using his given name Joe Scarpa.[2] 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.[2]

World Wide Wrestling Federation (1970–1977)

By 1970, he was working for Vincent J. McMahon's World Wide Wrestling Federation and was now known as Chief Jay Strongbow.[1] He feuded with the likes of "The Golden Greek" Spiros Arion, "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant, and "Superstar" Billy Graham nearly winning the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship. A memorable match against "Iron" Mike McCord featured Strongbow applying his sleeper hold. But Lou Albano, "Iron" Mike McCord's manager, interfered by smashing a cast on the Chief's forehead. It was alleged that Strongbow had previously jumped Albano in the locker room breaking his arm. McCord was disqualified, but Strongbow was cut wide open by Albano's blows. Strongbow settled the score in front of a sold out Madison Square Garden, beating Captain Lou Albano convincingly.

Strongbow picked up a win at Madison Square Garden in the summer of 1970, shortly after he entered the WWWF, pinning top contender Crusher Verdue, who was managed by Lou Albano.

In 1975, he began feuding with Spiros Arion. Arion, a popular and seemingly unbeatable babyface returned to the WWWF after an absence, and teamed with Strongbow. Arion turned on Strongbow, destroying his headdress on Philadelphia TV after he had tied Strongbow in the ropes, and rubbed the feathers in his face. Arion was now a heel, and pinned Strongbow in eastern arenas as he went on to challenge champion Bruno Sammartino.

Strongbow won his first WWWF World Tag Team Championship on May 22, 1972 with partner Sonny King.[3] They defeated the team of Baron Mikel Scicluna and King Curtis Iaukea.[3] Strongbow and King held the title for a month before losing it to the team of Mr. Fuji and Professor Toru Tanaka on June 27.[3]

Four and a half years later, on December 7, 1976, Strongbow won his second WWWF World Tag Team Championship, this time with partner Billy White Wolf.[3] The team won the title in a three-team tournament, defeating The Executioners and Nikolai Volkoff and Tor Kamata.[3] Their reign was cut short in August 1977 when the belts were vacated due to White Wolf suffering a neck injury at the hands of Ken Patera's Swinging Full Nelson.[1]

Big Time Wrestling (1977)

Strongbow also competed for The Sheik's Big Time Wrestling promotion in Detroit. He had a memorable feud with "Bulldog" Don Kent, which culminated in a "shark cage match" in 1977. Strongbow and Kent fought inside of a small shark cage, with the first man to escape being declared the winner. With an assist from fellow fan favorite Mark Lewin, Strongbow was able to escape the shark cage victorious.

World Wrestling Federation (1979–1983)

In 1979, he feuded with Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, who broke Strongbow's leg. The two wrestled all over the WWF circuit, including an "Indian Strap match" in Madison Square Garden on July 30, 1979.[1]

In 1982, Strongbow formed a tag team with his on-screen brother, Jules Strongbow.[1] On June 28, the Strongbows won the tag title from the team of Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito in New York City's Madison Square Garden.[3] During the match, special guest referee Ivan Putski counted the winning fall, but did not see Fuji's foot draped over the bottom rope. On the July 13 edition of Championship Wrestling, the Strongbows lost the title back to Fuji and Saito,[1] but on the October 26 edition of Championship Wrestling, the Strongbows defeated Fuji and Saito for their second WWF Tag Team Championship reign as a team.[3] On the March 8, 1983 edition of Championship Wrestling, the Strongbows lost the title to the Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika).[1] After failing in regaining the belts, the Strongbows disbanded.[citation needed]
Retirement (1985–1994)

Strongbow retired in 1985, but would still step back into the ring from time to time, most notably for a legends battle royal in East Rutherford, New Jersey in 1987. In retirement, Strongbow became a WWF road agent and worked in the company's front office.[1] He also participated in a 1994 storyline in which he mentored Tatanka, in his feud with Irwin R. Schyster. Chief Jay Strongbow was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame by Gorilla Monsoon in 1994.[citation needed] Strongbow also made a brief appearance on the November 17, 2008 edition of Monday Night Raw when Stephanie McMahon introduced him to the audience in Atlanta.

waterproof · April 2012

yo yall must of forgot that Mr. Fugi was a dope ass wrestler and had his lil yokes on

Chief Jay Strongbow & Jules Strongbow VS Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito 06.28.1982 MSG