Age, Biography and Wiki

Gypsy Joe (Gilberto Meléndez) was born on 2 December, 1933 in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler. Discover Gypsy Joe's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 82 years old?

Popular As Gilberto Meléndez
Occupation N/A
Age 82 years old
Zodiac Sign Sagittarius
Born 2 December 1933
Birthday 2 December
Birthplace Orocovis, Puerto Rico
Date of death 15 June, 2016
Died Place Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 2 December. He is a member of famous professional with the age 82 years old group.

Gypsy Joe Height, Weight & Measurements

At 82 years old, Gypsy Joe height not available right now. We will update Gypsy Joe's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight 224 lb
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Gypsy Joe Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Gypsy Joe worth at the age of 82 years old? Gypsy Joe’s income source is mostly from being a successful professional. He is from United States. We have estimated Gypsy Joe's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income professional

Gypsy Joe Social Network

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Timeline

1933

Gilberto Meléndez (December 2, 1933 – June 15, 2016) was a Puerto Rican professional wrestler better known under the ring name Gypsy Joe.

While attaining much of his United States success in the Tennessee area, Meléndez also gained a following in Japan.

His career lasted six decades, and his highly physical brawling style and tough reputation made him an early pioneer of the hardcore wrestling scene.

1951

Meléndez began his wrestling career in 1951 at age 18.

1953

He also has a first-born daughter by the name of Debralee Suzette Meléndez, born in New York, on November 4, 1953, and known as Debra S. Anello (her married name), and a daughter and son by another union: Jeannette Melendez and Gilberto Melendez Jr..

1963

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. Meléndez made his United States debut at Sunnyside Garden in Long Island, New York 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.

1970

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.

His career wasn't limited to the South, however, winning championships around the country as well as in Canada's Stampede Wrestling.

1980

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.

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.

Despite his aging body, Joe remained active in Japan throughout the '80s and '90s where he also refereed and mentored upcoming stars of the hardcore style.

2000

After many taxing years in the ring, an elderly Gypsy Joe returned to the United States in the 2000s where he performed on the independent circuit primarily in the Southeast.

2001

In 2001, he attended the International Wrestling Association's Juicio Final event held in his native Puerto Rico, where he received the recognition of the promotion.

2003

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.

With audience members angrily shouting racial slurs at Jack, the match ended in a chaotic no-contest and became a widely circulated viral video.

New Jack was then arrested and charged with assault with a weapon.

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.

2005

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.

2007

In 2007, WWE Magazine named Gypsy Joe the world's oldest wrestler at the age of 73.

2010

On February 13, 2010, he appeared in the corner of Eddie Kingston and Necro Butcher as Butcher's mentor for their No Rules tag team match at the Ring of Honor 8th Anniversary Show in New York City.

2011

Joe wrestled his last match at the Gypsy Joe retirement show on January 7, 2011.

Held in Tullahoma, Tennessee by the Southern Wrestling Federation, the bout marked an end to a career which began 60 years prior.

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.

Joe's extensive career in Japan and participation in death matches solidified this fierce reputation, and his highly physical in-ring approach helped popularize the hardcore style.

2013

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.

2015

Gypsy Joe was inducted into the Tennessee Wrestling Hall of Fame on November 7, 2015, by Mick Foley at Money Mark Productions' event "A Night with Foley" at the Nashville Fairgrounds.

Meléndez was born in Orocovis, Puerto Rico and then moved to Tullahoma, Tennessee where he gained much of his US career success.

2016

He died on June 15, 2016, from complications following an extended illness.

He was buried at Maury Memorial Gardens in Columbia, Tennessee.

He was survived by a daughter named Jenee Beal and a nephew, Dan Wilson, who also served as his manager.