| Chief Big Heart | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Birth name | Richard Gilbert Vest Sr.[1] |
| Born | 5 March 1927 Pawhuska, Oklahoma, U.S.[1] |
| Died | 22 April 1993 (aged 66)[1] Palm Springs, California[1] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Chief Big Heart Chief Dick Vest Chief Vest Hank Vest |
| Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Billed weight | 242 lb (110 kg)[2] |
| Billed from | Pawhuska, Oklahoma |
| Debut | 1951 |
| Retired | 1975 |
Richard Gilbert Vest Sr. (March 5, 1927 – April 22, 1993[1][3]) was an American professional wrestler best known by the ring name Chief Big Heart. A popular TV wrestling star of the 1950s,[3] Vest won championships in numerous National Wrestling Alliance territories between 1956 and 1963. His famous "bow and arrow" submission hold was a feared finishing maneuver in professional wrestling.[4] Vest's battles with Dr. Jerry Graham in Georgia Championship Wrestling were among the promotion's biggest drawing cards of the era and regarded as one of the bloodiest feuds in pro wrestling history.[5] He was also well-known for his work in tag teams with fellow Native American wrestlers, especially Chief Little Eagle[6] and Kit Fox,[7] winning tag team titles in the NWA's Dallas, Georgia, and Tri-State territories. He also worked with a number of other tag team partners, including Johnny Weaver, Abe Jacobs, Red McIntyre, and Haystacks Calhoun.
In his 24-year career, Vest wrestled for extended periods of time for various wrestling promotions: the American Wrestling Alliance, Capitol Wrestling Corporation, Championship Wrestling From Florida, International Wrestling Association, Jim Crockett Promotions, Kola Kwariani Booking Office, Maple Leaf Wrestling, Stampede Wrestling, St. Louis Wrestling Club, Western States Sports and Worldwide Wrestling Associates. He also made touring appearances overseas for Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance and Stadiums Limited.
- ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference
DesertSunwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia: Updated & Expanded. DK. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-7566-9159-2.
- ^ a b Grasso, John (2014). Historical Dictionary of Wrestling. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 61. ISBN 978-0810879263.
- ^ "Native American Superstars: photos". WWE.com. World Wrestling Entertainment.
Chief Big Heart's bow and arrow submission was feared.
- ^ Oliver, Greg; Johnson, Steven (2010). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. Toronto: ECW Press. ISBN 978-1554902842.
- ^ "Native American Superstars: photos". WWE.com. World Wrestling Entertainment.
Chief Little Eagle formed a popular tag team with Chief Big Heart.
- ^ Lawson, Russell M., ed. (2013). "American Indian Athletes: Individual Contribution in the Face of Challenges". Encyclopedia of American Indian Issues Today. Vol. 2. ABC-CLIO. p. 413.