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CHIEF JAY STRONGBOW



Chief Jay Strongbow – Born Luke Joseph Scarpa
Born: October 4, 1928 in Nutley, New Jersey
Died: April 3, 2012 in Griffin, Georgia

Chief Jay Strongbow was a true spectacle to see in his Native American gimmick. Wearing a war bonnet to the ring and “warpath” nature in the ring.

National Wrestling Alliance (1947 to 1970)
Strongbow started his wrestling career in 1947, becoming a standout star in the Georgia and Florida territories of the National Wrestling Alliance throughout the 1950s and 1960s. During his time in the NWA, he won several championships and becoming a fan favourite, and wrestled under his real name, Joe Scarpa.

World Wide Wrestling Federation (1970 to 1979)
In 1970, Chief Jay Strongbow started his career with the WWWF and started using his trademark native American gimmick with traditional headdress and native themed wrestling moves. During this time, his main rivals were “The Golden Greek” Spiros Arion, “Handsome Jimmy” Vallant and Superstar Billy Graham.

It was alleged Strongbow jumped Lou Albano and broke his arm in the locker room. This led to Albano smashing Strongbow in the forehead during a match with “Iron Mike” McCord. Strongbow settled the score with Albano in the summer of 1970 at a sold-out show in Madison Square Garden.

In 1972, well teaming with Sonny King, Strongbow won his first WWWF World Tag Championship by defeating Baron Mikel Scicluna and King Curtis Iaukea. Strongbow and King would not hold the titles for long, as they would lose to Mr. Fuji and “Professor” Toru Tanaka.

Strongbow with start teaming up with a returning Spiros Arion to the WWWF. In 1975, with Strongbow tied up in the ropes, Arion turned on Strongbow by destroying the famous headdress Strongbow wore and rubbed the features in his face. Arion defeated Strongbow in several matches and lead to Arion challenging Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Title.

Strongbow won his second WWWF World Tag Team Championship on December 7, 1976 with partner Billy White Wolf. They won the title in a three-team tournament between the teams of The Executioners and Nikolai Volkoff and Tor Kamata. In August 1977, Strongbow and White Wolf vacated the titles because White Wolf suffered a neck injury by receiving a Swinging Full Nelson at the hands of Ken Patera.

In 1979, Strongbow suffered a broken leg at the hands of Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Leading to the two wrestlers feuding and wrestling all over the WWF circuit. One of their matches was an Indian Strap match at Madison Square Garden on July 30, 1979.

NWA Detroit / Big Time Wrestling (1976)
In a memorable feud with “Bulldog” Don Kent, the two had a “shark cage match” in 1976, Strongbow won by being able to escape the shark cage first with an assist by babyface wrestler, Mark Lewin.

NWA Georgia / Mid-Atlantic and Other Territories (1980 to 1981)
After his run with the WWWF/WWF, Strongbow went to work for Georgia Championship Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. During this time, his feuds included Don Kent and Baron Von Raschke. On October 11, 1980, Strongbow won the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship by defeating Luke Graham in Puerto Rico. The title was later dropped to Danny Condrey on December 20. In 1981, Strongbow feuded with Kevin Sullivan when he wrestled for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.

Return to WWF (1982 to 1986)
When Strongbow returned to WWF, he formed a tag team partnership with his on-screen brother Jules Strongbow. During their time as a tag team, they won the Tag Team Championship belts twice. The first time was on June 28 at Madison Square Garden against Mr. Fuji and Mr. Salto; but the Special Guest referee, Ivan Putski, did not see Fuji’s foot draped over the bottom rope when he was counting the winning fall. Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito won the belts back on July 13 on an episode of Championship Wrestling. The second time the Strongbows won the tag team belts was on October 26 on an episode of Championship Wrestling by defeating Fuji and Saito for a second time. The Strongbows disbanded after losing the tag team belts to the Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) on March 8, 1983.

Retirement (1986 to 1994, 2008)
In 1986, Strongbow retired from the squared circle, becoming a road agent, and worked in the front office of the WWF. He wrestled a handful of times during this retirement including a legends battle royal in 1987. In 1994, he was part of a storyline with Tatanka in a mentorship role. Also, in 1994, Gorilla Monsoon inducted Strongbow into the WWF Hall of Fame. He made his final WWE appearance on Monday Night Raw in 1998, in front of the Atlanta faith.

Personal Life
Strongbow has two children, a daughter and a son. His son, Joe Jr. wrestled in the 1980s and early 1990s in WWF, WCW, and AJPW and died in 2016 at the age of 48.

Death
On April 3, 2012 at the age of 83. Strongbow had fall at his home and was hospitalized, where he never recovered.

Championships and Accomplishments

    Championship Wrestling from Florida
        NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) (2 times)
        NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
        NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (3 times) - with Jose Lothario
        NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (1 time) - with Don Curtis

    Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling
        NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
        NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Gulf Coast version) (2 times) - with Lee Fields

    NWA Mid-America
        NWA Mid-America World Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Lester Welch (2) and Alex Perez (1)
        NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Championship (Alabama version) (1 time)

    Mid-South Sports
        NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
        NWA Macon Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with El Mongol
        NWA World Tag Team Championship (Georgia version) (1 time) - with Don Curtis

    New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
        Class of 2011

    Pro Wrestling Illustrated
        PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (1973)
        PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1979)
        PWI ranked him # 214 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.

    Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
        (Class of 2009)

    World Wrestling Council
        WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

    World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation
        WWWF / WWF Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Sonny King (1), Billy White Wolf (1), and Jules Strongbow (2)
        WWF Hall of Fame (Class of 1994)

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter
        Most Washed Up Wrestler (1983)


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