Gilberto Meléndez (December 2, 1933 - June 15, 2016) was a Puerto Rican professional wrestler better known under the ring name Gypsy Joe. He was one of those legendary performers who were part of the beginnings through the early stages of the territory-era of wrestling. While attaining much of his United States success in the Tennessee area, Meléndez also gained a following in Japan.
Although he never found success in major American promotions, Gypsy Joe is known for his longevity in the wrestling business, which spanned seven decades, as well as his innate toughness as a hardcore brawler. According to legend, he was the first wrestler ever to jump successfully off a steel cage onto an opponent.
In 2007, WWE Magazine named Gypsy Joe the world's oldest wrestler at the age of 73. Joe wrestled his last match at the Gypsy Joe retirement show on January 7, 2011.
On June 15, 2016, he died from complications following an extended illness.
Here is a look at the life and career of this wrestling icon.
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Early Career
Meléndez began his wrestling career in 1951 at age 18. During a lengthy tenure in his native Puerto Rico, he went under various monikers and learned the ropes with the likes of Pedro Morales and Carlos Colón Sr.
Debut in the United States
Meléndez made his United States debut at Sunnyside Garden Arena in Sunnyside, Queens, New York City in 1963. Primarily using the name Gypsy Joe by this point, he mainly worked for Nick Gulas and later Jerry Jarrett in the Southeastern region, particularly Mid-Southern Wrestling.
During his Gulas run, he was often teamed with heels like Tojo Yamamoto, with whom he formed the No Pain Train, and The Cuban Assassin. He also joined forces with Frank Martinez to be collectively known as the Blue Infernos. The masked duo would attain tag team championships on numerous occasions.
Rise to Local Stardom
By the 1970s, Gypsy Joe was a local star of Chattanooga, Tennessee, regularly performing at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium on Saturdays and appearing on local WDEF-TV. However, with the rise of national promotions like the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling in the 1980s, the local industry that Joe had developed a career in began to dwindle. He would not be among those fortunate enough to find success in the major US promotions.
John Michaels' career now was short but legendary for the Tennessee area. Start out in All-star Wrestling he started out in the tag team division in the tag team know as Wolf's Against Us. As they where a 6 time tag team champs before the team split ways. John started his singles career in a long war with The Iron Man Chris Kerns. After 6 long Months he defeated Chris to become the ASW World Heavyweight Champion. He held the title for over 2 years before giving up the title due to injury. He returned to fight the icon Gypsy Joe in his last match as student was honored to fight his mentor and friend.
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The company closed its doors in summer of 2009 as John as the ASW World Heavyweight Champion , Asw Tv Champion And Nwa Southern Heavyweight Champion. As one chapter closed his career in the new was just getting started. His feud with Ecw legend Jerry Lynn was the most memorable Feud in the company's history. He was A 10 time Nwa Southern Heavyweight Champion And A 6 Time Nwa Xplosion Champion.
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Exploration of the Japanese Wrestling Scene
Joe eventually made his way overseas into the Japanese wrestling scene, to work for All Japan Pro Wrestling where his highly physical brawling style akin to The Sheik and Abdullah the Butcher was met with success. Bloody encounters with the likes of Mr. Pogo and a penchant for taunting his opponents to attack him with weapons earned Joe a strong reputation in the death match scene and helped solidify his cult following in the region.
Later Career and Notoriety
In April 2003, a 69-year-old Joe faced New Jack in an infamous hardcore match before a small crowd. Due to Joe's no-selling throughout the match and headbutting New Jack hard on the nose, New Jack legitimately attacked Joe with a chain, a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire, and several other weapons.
During this period, although mainly working in his home state of Tennessee, the haggard Gypsy Joe maintained his reputation as a resilient veteran with indie appearances throughout the US. On July 30, 2005, he was enlisted as the special guest referee for CZW Tournament of Death IV held in New Castle, Delaware. The tournament featured various performers that credit Joe for pioneering the in-ring style they now emulate.
Championships and Accomplishments
Gypsy Joe achieved several tag team championships during his career:
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- NWA Central States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Mr. Debra S.
- NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship (7 times) - with Leroy Rochester (1), Dutch Mantel (1), Buzz Tyler (1), Tojo Yamamoto (3), and Tom Renesto, Jr.
- NWA Southern Tag Team Title (Georgia)
Here's a breakdown of his NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship reigns:
| Partner | Number of Reigns |
|---|---|
| Leroy Rochester | 1 |
| Dutch Mantel | 1 |
| Buzz Tyler | 1 |
| Tojo Yamamoto | 3 |
| Tom Renesto, Jr. | 1 |
Later life
In August 2013, reports surfaced that, after a five-year struggle with gout, Meléndez had his right foot amputated. It was elaborated that the veteran wrestler had also been struggling with rickets and that his entire leg may need amputation.
