Steven Nicolas Romero (June 21, 1955 - September 2, 1985), most famously known as Jay Youngblood, was an American professional wrestler. He made a significant impact in the National Wrestling Alliance's Jim Crockett Promotions, particularly as part of a tag team with Ricky Steamboat.
One of the greatest tag teams in the history of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling was the tandem of Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood.
Ricky Steamboat entered the Mid-Atlantic area in February of 1977, and he soon became an established singles competitor and champion. Youngblood entered the Mid-Atlantic territory in April of 1978 and his rise to stardom was much more stunted that Steamboat’s.
When Jim Crockett Promotions fans tuned into the Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling television show that aired in many markets on July 15, 1978, they were likely excited about a couple of things that were teased in the show’s opening by hosts Bob Caudle and David Crockett.
The second thing that seemed noteworthy on this July 15, 1978 Mid-Atlantic show was a main event caliber bout between Greg Valentine and “Mr. Wrestling” Tim Woods where Greg’s 1000 silver dollars were at stake in the ten-minute time limit match.
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At the bout’s onset, Caudle exclaimed, “Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood, what a fine young team they make. Steamboat, [is] one half of the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions along with his tag team partner Paul Jones who holds those belts.
Crockett then observed, “They’re doing very well together, Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood.”
Jay then went on a run where he showcased some tremendous chops and an outstanding dropkick, and then he brought in Ricky for some fabulous chops of his own.
Caudle said, “Steamboat and Youngblood are working very well together, like they’ve been in a few matches themselves together.
As the short bout neared its conclusion, all four grapplers were in the ring at the same time when the good guys isolated Franke Monte and worked him over while Bill Howard was stuck in the corner, and pinned Monte in the process.
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Crockett exclaimed, “How about that!
Caudle elaborated on the finish, “You could have counted a dozen!
In the next interview segment on the program, Caudle talked with Ricky and Jay gushing, “And here’s a couple of young fellows that just looked fantastic up there, and you two guys worked great together Ricky, Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood.
Bob then brought in Youngblood briefly, “Jay, I tell ya, you guys were fantastic!”
Youngblood answered, “Thank you very much. First of all I’d like to say it’s a pleasure being back here in the Mid-Atlantic area…I’ve been gone for a couple of weeks.
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While this first pairing of Steamboat and Youngblood in July of 1978 didn’t lead to anything at the time that would suggest these two would come to be one of the greatest tag teams in the promotion’s history, this TV match did provide a glimpse into the moves, style and teamwork that would become hallmarks of the tandem that would begin their magical carpet ride together in about another year.
During a wrestling tour of the South Pacific, Youngblood was experiencing abdominal pain and went to the hospital where he was diagnosed with hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Early Career
Romero's father had discouraged him from entering professional wrestling, but despite this, he started wrestling in 1975 in Amarillo under a mask, calling himself "Silver Streak". After this, he moved to Pacific Northwest Wrestling with a Native American gimmick under the name of Jay Youngblood.
Ricky Steamboat and Mark & Jay Youngblood in action Worldwide Sept 17th, 1983
Tag Team Success: The Renegade Warriors
The Renegade Warriors, also known as the Youngblood Brothers, were a professional wrestling tag team composed of brothers Mark (Mark Romero) and Chris Youngblood (Christopher Romero). They performed under the name "The Renegade Warriors" in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), and the World Wrestling Council (WWC) and the name "Tribal Nation" in the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF). Mark and Chris Youngblood began teaming up in 1985, while in World Class Championship Wrestling.
In the spring of 1992, they began going by the team name The Tribal Nation, with Mark now called Nocona and Chris now called Brave Sky. That summer, they began a brutal rivalry with The California Connection (John Tatum and Rod Price) and their manager Gary Hart. The rivalry intensified when Tatum, Price, and Hart cut off Brave Sky's hair.
Championships and Accomplishments
- WWC World Tag Team Championship
- Won on January 6, 1987 (defeated Ron and Chicky Starr)
- Regained on May 10, 1987
- Regained on July 30, 1987
- Regained on September 20, 1987
- Won their fifth title on May 14, 1988 (defeated the Ninja Express)
- Won their sixth title in October
- Won their seventh title in August 1997
- WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship
- Won in December 1987 (defeated The Samoans)
- Regained on April 23, 1988
- Won their third title on March 4, 1989
In November 1987, the Youngbloods went to All Japan Pro Wrestling, to take part in their annual Real World Tag League; they finished sixth with two points, tying with Rusher Kimura and Goro Tsurumi, and The Terminator and Tom Zenk. The brothers wouldn't return until January 1992, and consistently toured with the promotion until July 1997.
The Youngbloods were praised by AJPW mainstay Steve "Dr. Death" Williams.
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