Chief Jay Eagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chief Jay Eagle |
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Chief Jay Eagle in 2020
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| Birth name | Jerry Thomas Bragg |
| Born | August 18, 1953 Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Professional wrestling career | |
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| Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (110 kg) |
| Billed from | Spartanburg, South Carolina |
| Trained by |
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| Debut | 1975 |
Jerry Thomas Bragg (born August 18, 1953), known in the wrestling world as Chief Jay Eagle, is an American former professional wrestler, promoter, and businessman. He has wrestled for many different companies, including those connected to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and independent groups. Chief Jay Eagle also promoted his own wrestling shows, like Southern Championship Wrestling (SCW), National Championship Wrestling (NCW), and Big Time Wrestling (BTW). He used to own American Pro Wrestling, which has been putting on events since 1997.
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Chief Jay Eagle's Wrestling Journey
Starting His Career (1975-1983)
Jerry Bragg began his wrestling journey in 1975. He was trained by Wahoo McDaniel, who was a friend of his father. George South also helped train him.
In one of his first matches, Jerry was fighting a tag team called The Bandits. His parents were watching in the crowd for the very first time. Jerry was supposed to lose the match and take a beating. His mom, Betty Bragg, thought he was in real danger! She jumped into the ring to try and protect him. Jerry said this was a funny, but a bit embarrassing, story that he and his mom remembered for years.
Wrestling for Different Companies
Jerry wrestled for six weeks as Denny Wolfe for Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW). He was a "jobber," which means his role was to lose matches to make other wrestlers look strong. This experience helped him decide that working for smaller wrestling companies was a better fit for him.
Promoting Wrestling Shows
Chief Jay Eagle was also a wrestling promoter. This means he organized and ran wrestling events. He was the promoter for:
- Southern Championship Wrestling (SCW) from 1983 to 1990.
- National Championship Wrestling (NCW) from 1990 to 1993.
- Big Time Wrestling (BTW) from 1993 to 1998.
He even wrestled in some of these shows! For example, on September 22, 1990, he teamed with David Isley for South Atlantic Pro Wrestling (SAPW) but they lost to The Nasty Boys.
Notable Matches
Chief Jay Eagle wrestled for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1993, where he defeated Helmut Hessler.
For Big Time Wrestling (BTW) on November 4, 1995, he was in a special "blindfold battle royal" match. This is where wrestlers wear blindfolds! He also had a singles match later that night and won.
He worked for Pro Wrestling Federation (PWF) between 1994 and 1995. He had many tag team matches, sometimes teaming with his trainer Wahoo McDaniel.
In 1994, for Southern Championship Wrestling, he won an "Indian strap match" against Mad Dog. In this type of match, both wrestlers are tied together by a strap!
Between 1996 and 1997, Jerry wrestled for American Championship Wrestling (ACW). He even became the ACW United States Champion! He wrestled against famous names like Wolverine and High Voltage.
He also wrestled for National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Wildside between 1999 and 2000.
In 2005, he defeated Greg "The Hammer" Valentine in a strap match for Exodus Wrestling Alliance (EWA). Later that year, he participated in a special event called "The War Dance Never Dies" which honored his trainer, Wahoo McDaniel.
He also wrestled in a benefit show for Hurricane Katrina in 2005, teaming up with EZ Money. Many wrestling promotions and wrestlers came together for this good cause.
American Pro Wrestling (1997–2020)
Chief Jay Eagle owned and promoted his own company called American Pro Wrestling (APW), which he started in 1997. He also owns the American Coliseum in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where many of his APW events take place. He wrestled often for his own promotion.
He is also known for training new wrestlers, including DeAndre Jackson.
Teaching Wrestling History
Every three years, Jerry Bragg trains 30 students from Wofford College for a special class. It's called "January Smackdown: A Cultural History of Professional Wrestling." Wofford College even gave him the title "Doctor of Pro Wrestling"!
Still Wrestling! (2022)
As of 2022, Chief Jay Eagle was still wrestling for Tarheel Championship Wrestling in North Carolina, even at 69 years old!
Chief Jay Eagle's Life Outside the Ring
Jerry Bragg graduated from Boiling Springs High School in 1972. Before becoming a full-time wrestler, he worked as a roofer.
Jerry is married to Rhonda Bragg, and they have four children. His wife, Rhonda, even tried being a wrestling "valet" (a manager) and an announcer for a short time. His son Jeremy followed in his footsteps and became a professional wrestler known as E.Z. Money. His youngest son, Dustin Bragg, also wrestled as Dusty Money. His daughter Amanda Martin helped him by working at the counter for APW shows.
Sadly, his oldest daughter, Brandy Bragg, passed away when she was 22 years old.
Jerry Bragg owns a gym and a roofing company called Bragg Roofing.
Throughout his long wrestling career, Jerry had several injuries, but he always kept wrestling. Even after doctors advised him to stop wrestling due to back issues, he continued to compete regularly!
Championships and Accomplishments
- American Championship Wrestling
- ACW United States Champion (1 time)
