“Wildman” Jack Armstrong has passed away at the age of 79. The longtime professional wrestler’s death was announced by his close friend Laura Creavalle, who had recently traveled to Los Angeles to be by his side as his health declined.
Creavalle shared the sad news on Facebook, calling Armstrong her best friend and remembering how much he helped her when she was a struggling bodybuilder. She revealed that Armstrong even bought her first posing suit and gave her a place to live when she was broke and homeless.
“As to my post a few days ago. I m sorry to announce that I loosed my best friend Wild Man Jack Armstrong today. He was a great wrestler and and even better friend the stories are 2 many to share but he bought my first posing suit in LA and I lived with him for many years when I was a beginner struggling bodybuilder. Broke and homeless.”
Just days before announcing his death, Creavalle revealed that she had returned to Los Angeles for the first time in 19 years specifically to spend time with Armstrong. She said his health was failing and that she wanted to be there to help him.
Creavalle also revealed that Armstrong had undergone the amputation of one of his legs and was on dialysis. Despite everything he was dealing with, she said he hadn’t lost his sense of humor and that she was hoping he would make it to his 80th birthday.
“I m in LA after 19 yrs to b with my best friend Jack Armstrong , used to b a professional wrestle, his best friend was Rocky , the Rock ‘s father , they used to share rooms together when they were on the road. He has known the Rock since he was a baby. His health is failing so I have decide to come out hear to help . They had to remove one of his legs n he is on dialysis, but his sense of humour still stays. He is 79. I m hoping he makes it to 80. I m glad just to be here by his side”
Armstrong had a wrestling career that stretched more than three decades, beginning in 1963. He worked under several different names over the years, including Lenny Solomon, Super Scorpion, Ali Ben Khan, Black Jack, Red Rhodes and Sailor Jack.
He also spent time with the WWWF and later returned during the WWF era, stepping into the ring with names including Ricky Steamboat, Bret Hart, Jesse Ventura, Mil Máscaras and Tony Atlas. Armstrong also worked extensively throughout the territories and made appearances in Japan.
Later in his career, Armstrong became part of Herb Abrams’ Universal Wrestling Federation. He even teamed with Cactus Jack, better known today as Mick Foley, to defeat David Sammartino and Jay Strongbow Jr. during a UWF television taping in 1990.
Armstrong’s final documented match came at UWF Blackjack Brawl in September 1994, where he defeated Mando Guerrero to become the inaugural UWF Junior Heavyweight Champion. The promotion never held another event, leaving Armstrong as the only wrestler to ever hold the championship.
Creavalle’s final memories also showed that Armstrong’s wrestling connections went well beyond the matches on his record. According to her, he was close friends and road roommates with Rocky Johnson and had known The Rock since he was a baby, leaving behind ties to several generations of the wrestling business.
Our thoughts are with Jack Armstrong’s family, friends and everyone who knew him during this difficult time.
What are some of your favorite memories or matches from “Wildman” Jack Armstrong’s long wrestling career? Let us know in the comments below.
