Chief Jay Strongbow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chief Jay Strongbow |
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Strongbow in 1973
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| Birth name | Luke Joseph Scarpa |
| Born | October 4, 1928 Nutley, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | April 3, 2012 (aged 83) Griffin, Georgia, U.S. |
| Children | 2, including Mark Young |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Chief Jay Strongbow Joe Scarpa |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Billed weight | 247 lb (112 kg) |
| Billed from | Pawhuska, Oklahoma |
| Trained by | Chief Don Eagle |
| Debut | 1947 |
| Retired | November 16, 1987 |
Luke Joseph Scarpa (born October 4, 1928 – died April 3, 2012) was a famous American professional wrestler. He was best known by his ring name, Chief Jay Strongbow. He played a character who was a Native American wrestler. He would wear a special headdress to the ring. When fans cheered for him, he would pretend to "go on the warpath" against his opponent. In real life, Luke Scarpa was Italian-American. He created this character to be unique and memorable in the wrestling world. He achieved great success in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he won the World Tag Team Championship four times.
The Story of Chief Jay Strongbow
Early Wrestling Days
Luke Scarpa started his wrestling journey in 1947. He used his real name at first. He learned wrestling from Chief Don Eagle, who was also a Native American wrestler. Scarpa became very popular in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) during the 1950s and 1960s. He won many championships in places like Georgia and Florida. He was a fan favorite wherever he went. For example, he won the NWA Southern Tag Team titles in Georgia in 1965. He also became the first NWA National Television Champion. By 1970, he had already won 12 tag team and 6 singles championships.
Becoming Chief Jay Strongbow in WWWF
In 1970, Luke Scarpa joined the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). This is where he became the famous Chief Jay Strongbow. His character was a Native American warrior. He wore a traditional headdress and used wrestling moves that fit his character.
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Exciting Matches and Rivalries
Chief Jay Strongbow had many exciting rivalries. He faced wrestlers like Spiros Arion and Superstar Billy Graham. He even came close to winning the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship. One memorable match was against "Iron Mike" McCord. Strongbow used his special sleeper hold. McCord's manager, Lou Albano, interfered in the match. Strongbow later got his revenge against Captain Lou Albano in a big match at Madison Square Garden.
In 1975, Strongbow had a big feud with Spiros Arion. Arion, who was once a fan favorite, turned against Strongbow. He even damaged Strongbow's headdress on television. This made Arion a "heel" (a bad guy in wrestling). Strongbow then faced Arion in many matches.
Tag Team Champion Success
Chief Jay Strongbow also had great success in tag team wrestling. On May 22, 1972, he won his first WWWF World Tag Team Championship. His partner was Sonny King. They defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna and King Curtis Iaukea. They held the title for about a month.
He won the tag team championship again on December 7, 1976. This time his partner was Billy White Wolf. They won a special tournament. Their championship reign ended when White Wolf got a neck injury. In 1978, Strongbow had a disagreement with his tag team partner, 'High Chief' Peter Maivia. Maivia left Strongbow during a match, which led to a rivalry between them.
In 1979, Strongbow had a big rivalry with Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. Valentine caused Strongbow to suffer a leg injury in their storyline. They had many matches, including an "Indian Strap match" at Madison Square Garden. This type of match meant they were tied together by a strap.
Adventures in Other Promotions
Chief Jay Strongbow also wrestled in other promotions. In 1976, he competed in Big Time Wrestling in Detroit. He had a memorable match against "Bulldog" Don Kent. This was a "shark cage match" where they fought inside a cage. The first person to escape won. Strongbow won with help from another wrestler, Mark Lewin.
After leaving the WWF for a short time, Strongbow wrestled in Georgia and Mid-Atlantic. He won the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship in Puerto Rico in 1980.
More Tag Team Glory in WWF
In 1982, Chief Jay Strongbow returned to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He formed a tag team with his on-screen brother, Jules Strongbow. They were known as The Strongbows. On June 28, they won the WWF Tag Team Championship. They defeated Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito in New York City. They lost the titles but won them back later that year. The Strongbows held the titles for a second time before losing them to The Wild Samoans in 1983. After this, the team eventually broke up.
Life After the Ring
Chief Jay Strongbow officially retired from full-time wrestling in 1986. However, he still made special appearances sometimes. He even participated in a "legends battle royal" in 1987. After retiring from wrestling matches, Strongbow worked behind the scenes for the WWF. He was a "road agent," which meant he helped organize events and guide wrestlers.
In 1994, he was part of a storyline where he mentored Tatanka. Tatanka was a real Native American wrestler. Chief Jay Strongbow was honored for his amazing career. He was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994. His last appearance in WWE was in 2008. He was introduced to the audience during an episode of Monday Night Raw.
Chief Jay Strongbow's Personal Life
While his wrestling character was said to be from Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Luke Scarpa was actually from Nutley, New Jersey. He attended Nutley High School. He had two children, a son named Joe Jr. and a daughter named Connie Pacheco. His son, Joe Jr., also became a professional wrestler in the 1980s and early 1990s. After he retired, Luke Scarpa lived on a farm in Georgia.
His Legacy
Luke Scarpa passed away on April 3, 2012, at the age of 83. He had been hospitalized after a fall at his home in late 2011. He was buried in Griffin, Georgia. Chief Jay Strongbow left a lasting mark on professional wrestling.
Championships and Awards
Chief Jay Strongbow achieved many titles and honors throughout his career:
- Georgia Championship Wrestling
- NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Georgia version) (1 time) - with Chief Little Eagle
- NWA National Television Championship (1 time)
- Jim Crockett Promotions
- NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (2 times) - with Don Curtis
- 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
- 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
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- Most Washed Up Wrestler (1983)
See also
In Spanish: Joe Scarpa para niños
 | William L. Dawson |
 | W. E. B. Du Bois |
 | Harry Belafonte |
