Andre the Giant, Chief Jay Strongbow, and Wrestling’s Unfinished Tag Team Dream
When fans picked up the October 1977 issue of Inside Wrestling, they were greeted with a feature that stood out even in the magazine’s long history of storytelling. The article explored a challenge that seemed almost impossible: Andre the Giant’s attempt to conquer the world of tag team wrestling. For a man who had already built his reputation as one of the most dominant forces in professional wrestling, this article dug into the one arena where Andre had repeatedly struggled — finding success alongside a partner. The story unfolded with Chief Jay Strongbow as the unlikely ally, and it captured the imagination of wrestling fans across the country.
For readers of Inside Wrestling, this wasn’t just another article. It was a window into the human side of one of wrestling’s most legendary figures. Andre the Giant may have been the “eighth wonder of the world,” but in this feature, he was presented as vulnerable, searching, and perhaps even haunted by the possibility that there was one frontier he could not conquer.
By 1977, Andre the Giant was already a global attraction. Standing at 7’4” and weighing over 500 pounds, Andre was billed as an unstoppable force in singles matches. Crowds packed arenas just to see him step over the ropes. Yet the Inside Wrestling feature emphasized that tag team wrestling was the one place he had not been able to impose his dominance.
The story laid out Andre’s history of failed attempts to fit into the rhythm of tag matches. Wrestling in a team required more than power — it required trust, timing, and the ability to rely on a partner. Andre, often a loner in the ring, had struggled to adapt. Most grapplers hesitated at the thought of being his tag team partner, intimidated not just by his size but by the burden of measuring up to him.
Enter Chief Jay Strongbow. A respected veteran, Strongbow was seen as one of the few men who could complement Andre’s immense presence. The article made it clear, however, that this partnership was not without its own problems. Strongbow himself was weary, facing the physical and emotional toll of years in the ring. He had doubts about whether he could carry the responsibility of standing alongside Andre, and whether pursuing tag team glory was worth the sacrifice.
This dynamic reflected larger truths about wrestling in the 1970s. The sport was in a period of transition, with territorial promotions still thriving but national storylines beginning to take shape. Fans wanted larger-than-life characters, but they also wanted to see those characters face challenges that made them relatable. Andre’s struggle with tag team wrestling provided just that — a reminder that even the mightiest wrestler had limits.
One of the reasons this article stands out is the way Inside Wrestling blended dramatic storytelling with powerful photography. The pages show Andre dominating opponents with his sheer size, hoisting wrestlers high above his head and crushing them in holds. At the same time, the captions and narrative highlight his uncertainty in tag matches, creating a layered picture of both strength and vulnerability.
The photos also captured the atmosphere of the era. In one image, Nikolai Volkoff is shown overwhelmed, facing both Andre and Strongbow. The caption reminds readers that “Volkoff never had a chance,” underscoring the sheer intimidation factor of the duo. Another striking image shows Andre lifting an opponent in a moment of pure dominance, embodying the raw spectacle that made him a box office draw.
Unlike kayfabe-breaking publications of later years, Inside Wrestling stayed firmly in-character, presenting the struggles of Andre and Strongbow as real battles. This was the magazine’s hallmark: weaving narrative and photography into stories that fans could believe in. By presenting the team as both a source of hope and a cause for doubt, the article engaged readers emotionally. Fans weren’t just watching — they were invited to feel invested in the outcome of Andre’s tag team experiment.
The October 1977 article left readers with several powerful takeaways:
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Andre meticulously studied over 50 wrestlers before selecting Strongbow as his tag team partner, underscoring how seriously he took the challenge.
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Strongbow, though respected, carried doubts about whether he could withstand the pressure of teaming with a giant.
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Tag team wrestling was portrayed as Andre’s “unfinished business” — the one domain he had yet to conquer.
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Fans erupted in cheers when Andre and Strongbow finally joined forces, but the article warned it might be too soon to celebrate.
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Photos reinforced the drama, contrasting Andre’s physical dominance with the uncertainty surrounding his teamwork.
Together, these elements created one of the most memorable features in Inside Wrestling of the late 1970s.
Today, the October 1977 issue of Inside Wrestling is more than a magazine — it is an artifact of wrestling history. For collectors, it offers a snapshot of Andre the Giant before his mainstream fame exploded in the 1980s with the WWF’s national expansion. It also preserves the image of Chief Jay Strongbow, a stalwart of the era whose partnership with Andre remains a fascinating “what if” in wrestling lore.
Why is this issue so collectible?
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Historical timing: It captures Andre the Giant in a transitional moment, wrestling not as a global pop icon but as a competitor with something still to prove.
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Photography: Bill Apter’s photos showcase the raw spectacle of the matches, images that remain iconic to this day.
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Cultural resonance: Fans who grew up in the 1970s remember this storyline vividly, making the issue a powerful piece of nostalgia.
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Enduring demand: Wrestling magazines from this era, especially those featuring Andre the Giant, are highly sought after by collectors, history buffs, and families honoring past generations of wrestling fandom.
Owning this magazine is like holding a piece of 1970s arena history in your hands — the cheers, the doubts, and the drama all preserved in print.
For wrestling fans today, where storylines and matches are instantly available online, it’s easy to forget that magazines like Inside Wrestling were once the lifeline of the sport. They carried stories across state lines, connected fans to their heroes, and added layers of drama that television alone could not provide.
The October 1977 issue is a perfect example. By focusing on Andre’s struggles in tag team wrestling, it gave fans a new way to connect with a man often seen as invincible. It reminded readers that wrestling was about more than power moves and victories — it was about the human challenges, the doubts, and the partnerships that defined careers.
If you’re a fan of Andre the Giant, Chief Jay Strongbow, or the golden age of wrestling magazines, the October 1977 issue of Inside Wrestling is a must-have. It represents the unique blend of journalism, photography, and storytelling that made wrestling magazines such a crucial part of fan culture.
👉 Browse the full collection of original Inside Wrestling magazines here:
Original Inside Wrestling Collection
Whether you’re a longtime collector, a historian of wrestling’s territorial era, or someone honoring the memory of family who once cheered for Andre in packed arenas, this magazine offers something truly special.
The October 1977 issue of Inside Wrestling remains significant because it spotlighted a rare vulnerability in Andre the Giant’s legendary career. Through its dramatic photos and storytelling, it captured the excitement and uncertainty of his partnership with Chief Jay Strongbow. Today, it stands as both a piece of wrestling history and a collectible artifact, reminding us of a time when wrestling magazines shaped how fans understood the sport.
Holding this issue is like stepping back into the arena crowds of 1977, hearing the roar as Andre and Strongbow entered the ring together, and feeling the anticipation of whether they could truly conquer tag team wrestling.
For anyone who values wrestling’s past, vintage magazines like this are not just reading material — they are living history.