Not only was Bob Armstrong a great wrestler and the head of a great wrestling family and a great person in general, but he was special to me in several different parts of my life, specifically in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, where he made the company. Pro beachballs at pro wrestling shows, pro dives if someone catches, anti bullies, olives, and pineapples on pizza. Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. This morning our Mother, Vida Gail James, the Matriarch of the. Worked in finance before realizing pro wrestling journalism made much less sense. | Terms of Use| Privacy Policy. (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). He has a pure loving kind heart personality. But his best asset was that he could talk people into the building. On March 29, 2000 Steve made his last TV appearance for the promotion as he lost to Hugh Morrus on Saturday Night. He included the same message as his brother. Resend Activation Email. document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "© " + html; Every wrestler is from Marietta, but Armstrong may have been one of the first. Longtime Southeastern Wrestling commentator Charlie Platt was the emcee for the evening, and people who loved Bob Armstrong the man and the wrestler were able to gather and pay homage to a man who helped define Southern wrestling from the 1960s through the 1980s. Everyone here at CAC is deeply saddened to hear that wrestling Legend and WWE Hall of Famer "Bullet" Bob Armstrong has passed away at the age of 80. No matter where he showed up, Bob Armstrong always seemed to be perfect for the time and the place. Armstrong and his beloved wife, Gail, raised four sons Brad, Scott, Steve and Brian. The sons of Bob Armstrong, Scott and Brian, announced on August 27th, 2020, that the Bullet Pep, if you knew him had passed after fighting bone cancer for the better part of a year. Synnm. He dubbed his signature move the Georgia Jawbreaker. My son called Bob and let him know that it wasnt good. This browser does not support getting your location. Our sincerest condolences to his family and friends during this most difficult time. James" in TNA. He served in the U.S.. And they were perfect talents for wrestling in the South because they knew exactly how to do it. WWE legend 'Bullet' Bob Armstrong is suffering from bone cancer in several parts of his body but is refusing treatment at the age of 80. Bob Armstrong stopped competing on a full-time basis in 1988, but his career was far from over. Search above to list available cemeteries. Armstrong Family Suffers Huge Loss As Matriarch Vida Gail James Passes Away, When WWE Found Out About Sonya Devilles Arrest, Vince McMahons Alleged Return to WWE Creative Deemed Inaccurate, Creative Force Behind Bray Wyatts WrestleMania Promo On WWE RAW, WWE Talent Are Not Unhappy About WrestleMania 39 Card, Omos Was Not WWEs Original Backup Plan For Brock Lesnars WrestleMania 39 Match, Stone Cold Steve Austin Says No to WrestleMania 39 Match with Brock Lesnar. What are your favorite memories of "Bullet" Bob Armstrong? Thats a testament of dedication and appreciation to a guy who never said no to helping anyone out., I was honored to attend the celebration of life for maybe my best friend ever in wrestling, Bob Armstrong, Ron Fuller posted on Facebook. This account has been disabled. "Bullet" Bob Armstrong Highlight Video. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Georgia Jaw Jacker Jim Durango Super A Roles: Singles Wrestler Booker Promoter Trainer On-Air Official He looked the part. Armstrong suffered severe injuries in a mid-80s weightlifting accident that nearly cut his wrestling career short. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. On April 27, at a television taping in Bismarck, ND they faced the NWO for the first time and defeated Vincent and Stevie Ray. No cause of death was mentioned. Cornette scoffs at critics who point to Armstrongs long runs mainly on the Southern circuit. All rights reserved. Physical like their father, the boys would all . Include gps location with grave photos where possible. What are your favorite memories of Bullet Bob Armstrong? Bob Armstrong continued working in the territories into the 1980s, feuding with some of the biggest stars in wrestling including Rowdy Roddy Piper,Ted DiBiase, and Ric Flair. We have very sad news to report as Vida Gail James, matriarch of their family has passed away. On April 25, 1995, he returned to work for WCW and wrestled Craig Pittman at a WCW Saturday Night episode. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Armstrong initially was more than happy to come in, but as a wrestler, Cornette laughs. UFC Fighter Paddy Pimblett Throws His Hat in the Ring to Fight Jake Paul, Former UFC Fighter Gets Slapped by Jake Gyllenhaal in Filming of Road House Remake, Dana White Confirms Francis Ngannou is No Longer Welcome in the UFC, 2023 Ringside News. 0. Explore Steve Armstrong Wiki Age, Height, Biography as Wikipedia, Wife, Family relation. But it was Vida Gail Adams James, as Armstrong often said, that raised a total of five boys, including himself.. A A 9 Road Dogg and Scott Armstrong have announced that their father, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong, has passed away. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Information regarding funeral arrangements will come at a later date. WWE legend 'Bullet' Bob Armstrong has died at the age of 80. He was 80. . While bench pressing a dumbbell weighing upwards of 180lb (82kg) in a gym in Georgia, the bench that Armstrong was lying upon broke, leading to the weight falling on his face. Physical like their father, the boys would all grow up to become. Must be just a coincidence though. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. He has three brothers who also entered the wrestling business: Scott, Brad (who died in 2012) and Brian. Bob Armstrong was diagnosed with prostate cancer and according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he refused treatment as he knew the cancer was terminal. So sorry to hear about the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Bullet Bob Armstrong. Bullet was a known name in the wrestling territories back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. His beloved childhood sweetheart and wife of nearly 60 years, Gail, had passed away only weeks before. Armstrong, whose father "Bullet" Bob Armstrong was a legendary wrestler, still has a connection with the WWE as his brothers, "The Road Dogg" Jesse James and Scott Armstrong, work for the company . Also find out how he got rich at the age of 56. Bob Armstrong: Bio In the ring, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong carved out distinction as a tough, working-class hero who would never back down from a fight. Rest in peace, Pep. And it was him. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. He was truly a one of a kind competitor. He formed a team called the Rat Patrol with Johnny Rich and they feuded with Ron Fullers Stud Stable (Jerry Stubbs and Arn Anderson). Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. After his run with WCW he made a few appearances for the resurrected Continental Championship Wrestling from 2002 to 2005. He eventually discarded the mask after his surgeries were complete, but retained the nickname "Bullet" for the remainder of his career until retiring in 1988. With his large number of social media fans, he often posts many personal photos and videos to interact with his huge fan base on social media platforms. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. He was preceded in death by his son, Brad, and his wife, universally known as Mrs. Gail. The Armstrong Family (real surname James, Armstrong is a ring name) is originally from Georgia, but a couple members, including Bullet, have found home in the Pensacola and Gulf Breeze areas. The run proved to be short, as after only a few TV appearances and some house show victories over Skinner and Terry Taylor, he left the WWF in January 1993. On May 11, 2019, Bullet Bob wrestled his last match, defeating the Assassin at the tender age of 79. Wrestler Bob Armstrong battles on. In the ring, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong carved out distinction as a tough, working-class hero who would never back down from a fight. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Brad Armstrong dead at 51 Posted by Greg Oliver | Nov 1, 2012 Brad Armstrong has died at the age of 51. Really nice guy and was a true credit to the industry. I have seen Bob Armstrong wrestle talents like Harley Race and Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, in an arena that was packed to the gills. He's won multiple awards for reporting and opinion writing, and his sports journalism has garnered several Associated Press Managing Editors Awards. In 1835, Richard Lawrence tried to kill President Jackson at a funeral. High 79F. . As "The Bullet", Armstrong feuded with the Stud Stable in Continental Championship Wrestling. WWE Hall of Famer 'Bullet' Bob Armstrong passed away this week at the age of 80. In his last year with Smoky he was in a feud with Buddy Landel for the SMW Heavyweight Championship. "Bullet" Bob Armstrong was a professional wrestler whose career spanned five decades, from 1960 to his final match in 2009. . As a young man, James served in the United States Marine Corps in the early 1960s and was stationed in Korea. He was still involved in matches at local wrestling shows and was considered one of the oldest to still be active in the wrestling industry. Or, he added, Its a case of mind over matter. Bob had a rare gift. intent upon avenging the harm done to his "daddy". The tough-as-nails grappler, taking the name Bob Armstrong because of his big arms, was the consummate hometown hero whose blue-collar work ethic and traditional Southern values made him one of the top babyfaces on Southeastern wrestling circuits during the territorial era. Thank you for everything. 1Title was awarded to them sometime in 2005 though the records are unclear as to the exact date and which promotion they wrestled in at the time. Bobby Mathews is a contributor for Pro Wrestling Stories as well as a veteran journalist whose byline has appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Birmingham News, The Denver Post, as well as other newspapers around the country. He is seen as one of the most successful Wrestler of all times. Going to be very weird not seeing them out and about when things get back to normal. A pillar of the wrestling business, he could command the attention and respect of every locker room he ever shared. His four sons Brad, Scott, Steve, and Brian all made names for themselves in the wrestling industry and got to honor their father with a WWE Hall of Fame induction back in 2011. The Armstrong Brothers would continue teaming in 1997 and faced The Amazing French Canadians and The Steiner Brothers. Brian James rose to success in the WWF as The Road Dogg Jesse James, Brad Armstrong teamed with his fatherand worked in singles competition, and brothers Steve and Scott had varying degrees of success. A month later on the August 5 edition they fell to Arn Anderson and Ric Flair. He was always more concerned about everybody else. Early wrestling career Armstrong was born Joseph James in Marietta, Ga. in 1939. There was something going on, but we didnt know what. Later that night I was dying. Bullet Bob Armstrong was born October 3, 1939 When he was a child, Bob's father took him to see Gorgeous George wrestle. Reach Mike Mooneyham at bymikemooneyham@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter at @ByMikeMooneyham and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MikeMooneyham. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Gosh how did this happen? Steve entered the career as Wrestler In his early life after completing his formal education.. Born on March 16, 1965, the Wrestler Steve Armstrong is arguably the worlds most influential social media star. They went back to Continental Championship Wrestling (formerly SCW) and feuded with Robert Fuller and Jimmy Golden over the Tag Team Titles. He was low-key hilarious, but he was also respectful and humble, even though by the time I finally got to share a locker room with him, he was a legendary presence in the business. The sons of Bob Armstrong, Scott and Brian, announced on August 27th, 2020, that the Bullet Pep, if you knew him had passed after fighting bone cancer for the better part of a year. PWSTees.com Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee! On the July 28, 1996 edition of WCW Worldwide they fell to Lord Steven Regal and Squire Dave Taylor. Cart; vw t2 electric conversion kit However, at Turning Point on December 11, 2005, the Four Live Kru disintegrated, with Konnan betraying fellow members Kip and B.G. Nothing can stop Thesz.. He was of the generation where you could get over in your home area or in the adjacent territories and you could work a 15- or 20-year career and never have to work in Washington state or California. Feuded for years but will love each other forever, said Tennessee Stud Ron Fuller (Welch). Sadly he was recently widowed after his wife of 60 years had passed away two months ago. This is a clip of a Southeastern Title match from, I think, Christmas Night in 1979 that was played on TV and narrated by Les Thatcher. The mystery opponent was revealed to be "The Masked Bullet", a masked wrestler who imitated Armstrong's mannerisms (although Armstrong himself came to the ringside during the match, proving that he was not the Bullet). pic.twitter.com/vPG4iVyitq Platt said the funeral in Jay, Fla., was well attended despite the pandemic and Labor Day weekend. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Apparently willing to negotiate, Konnan led Armstrong backstage, only for Armstrong to be ambushed and beaten down by Konnan's newly formed stable, the Latin American Xchange (LAX). Thesz came in, he was about 55 years old and I was in my prime and I said, Lou, do you want me to slow down a little bit? That was the biggest mistake I ever made. Bob Armstrong & Kip James: TNA Against All Odds '08 Feb 10th 2008: A.J. His four sons, Joseph Scott, Robert Bradley, Steve and Brian Girard, all became wrestlers. Family members linked to this person will appear here. He wrestled his last match in 2009 at the age of 69. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. James. On August 27, 2020, Bob Armstrong died at the age of 80. "Bullet" Bob Armstrong died in August at age 80 after a career in pro wrestling that earned him induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011 though he had never been a WWE wrestler. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Armstrong required extensive plastic surgery, but like any true professional wrestler, he incorporated the injury into a storyline, donning a mask and claiming an opponent had injured him. pic.twitter.com/vPG4iVyitq "I talked the way people from the South talk, so people believed in me.". Add to your scrapbook. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Please reset your password. [2][1] When he was a child, Joseph James's father took him to see Gorgeous George wrestle. I cant claim to be a great friend of Bobs I was in a locker room with him maybe twenty times, all told. The winning streak was stopped in April on WCW Saturday Night when they were defeated by Disorderly Conduct. So he learned to play piano in Gails house. He was well-rounded in all of it.. WWE is saddened to learn that "Bullet" Bob Armstrong, a WWE Hall of Famer and patriarch of the legendary Armstrong wrestling family, has passed away at age 80. Ive loved the Armstrong family, said Cornette. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Egos the way they were, I heard a couple guys over the years make remarks that he was booking all his boys, says Platt. The news was announced by his two sons - WWE producer Scott Armstrong and former DX member Road Dogg. Menu Your Scrapbook is currently empty. An ex-Marine and firefighter, the charismatic Armstrong was a superhero to an audience that believed in him. Try again later. You go with who you brought to the dance. Armstrong was married to wife Gail and together they had four sons: Brad, Scott, Steve and Brian. There was a problem getting your location. He never big-timed anybody, even a kid who was just learning how to lace up a pair of boots. In August 2002 he worked under The Bullet mask for TNA Wrestling, having a match with Jeff Jarrett. I have seen people come unglued when Pep and Fuller beat Arn Anderson and Jerry Stubbs for the Southeastern tag titles (and in the footage, you can see a 12-year-old me jumping up and down like a crazy person and running back to the dressing room alongside Armstrong and Fuller as they held the title belts high overhead). He came out of retirement and wrestled for Smokey Mountain Wrestling between 1992 and 1995 when the promotion closed its doors down. He worked exactly like you would have expected this guy to work. She just nodded off, said Platt. Youll never tire of him as a face because he was every single man out there. You can find out how much net worth Steve has this year and how he spent his expenses. On the April 13 edition of WCW Worldwide they defeated The Southern Posse. His prime was well before my time, but I always enjoyed seeing him and Mrs. Armstrong at the local wrestling events. From Atlanta to Knoxville, Birmingham to Tampa, Armstrong regaled Southern audiences with his work in the ring and his gift of gab outside of it. Oops, we were unable to send the email. James Melton James was born on October 3, 1939 and enjoyed watching professional wrestling with his father. We were just having a good time listening to him tell all the old music stories, and Im just sitting on the edge of my chair, said Platt, a former disc jockey. Well I came through the other side after seven days on the ventilator. Its hard to cry about Bullet because I looked at him like a Southern version of Lou Thesz, says Cornette. I gave my son my cell phone when I was going to the emergency room. For his part, Armstrong often credited his beloved wife, Gail, as the secret to his success. He could talk like nobody else.. On the December 3, 2005 episode of Impact!, Armstrong returned to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, congratulating the newly formed Four Live Kru on their unity. Bullet was a known name in the wrestling territories back in the 60's, 70's, and 80's. He debuted as a wrestler in 1960, adopting the ring name "Bob Armstrong". One week later, Armstrong tried once more to reform the group, this time approaching Konnan. According to Dave Meltzer: When he [Armstrong] was in his 60s, due to a combination of damage from decades of bumps and heavy lifting, he lost control of the pinky in one of his hands. Gail died just two days later, at the age of 80, on a Sunday morning as the two held hands while watching TV. Browse Movies : Completed : 20th Century Studios : Drama : T - Titanic - 25 Year Anniversary The Princess The Maze Runner Taken 2 The Mountain Between Us The Hate U Give Taken The Darkest Minds Turtles All the Way Down The Greatest Showman During a promo for a no-disqualification bout, Bob looked dead in the camera and said, "Tonight, its anything goes, from your nose to your toes, boys.". Known as Pep to friends, family and old-timers, Armstrong first got hooked on pro wrestling as a youngster when his father took him to a show featuring the flamboyant heel Gorgeous George. God rest the great one!. They won the Tag Team Titles and feuded with The New Breed (Chris Champion and Sean Royal). I also learned the art of cutting a promo from him. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? He was the most complete guy Ive ever seen. He may no longer be with us in body but will never fade away in our minds and souls. He was at the gym doing pullovers when the bench, which wasnt properly bolted down, came apart and broke, bringing down a 185-pound barbell on his face, breaking a number of bones and tearing off part of his nose. A life well lived, Bob Armstrong left a legacy that will live forever. Armstrongs masked identity of The Bullet became an important aspect of his career. You cant make this stuff up.. Armstrongs face was severely damaged, and the resulting scars and plastic surgeries would lead to him wearing a mask as The Bullet to conceal his disfigured features. This man took care of this woman and did everything for her the last two years of her life. He won, he lost, he got beat down and he battled back. Steven James (born March 16, 1965), better known by his ring name Steve Armstrong is a professional wrestler and is the son of Bullet Bob Armstrong. When I saw this and the last three or four minutes of this match, it made me believe wrestling was real again. Armstrong won a number of singles and tag team titles in the territories and earned a title shot against NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jack Brisco, coming up short but looking like a champion nonetheless.