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Larry Zbyszko

Larry Zbyszko

Nickname: The Living Legend; The New Living Legend; The Cruncher; Wrestling's Living Legend

Height: 5' 11"

Weight: 245 lbs.

From: Pittsburgh, PA

Birthday: Dec 5th

Pro Debut: September 1, 1972

Aliases: Larry Whistler

Feds Worked For: MSW, UWF, AWA, NWA, NWA-TNA, Ring of Honor, TNA, WCW, WWF, WWWF, ACPW, All Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), All Star Wrestling (Canada), AWA Superstars of Wrestling, AWA World-1 South (GA), Belleview Pro Wrestling (FL), Boynton Pro Wrestling, Central States Wrestling (IA/KS/MO), Championship Wrestling Federation (PA), Championship Wrestling from Florida (FL), Championship Wrestling from Georgia (GA), Championship Wrestling USA (OR), CyberSpace Wrestling Federation (NJ), Deaf Wrestlefest (PA), Far North Wrestling (PA), Georgia Championship Wrestling (GA), Georgia Pro Wrestling (GA), High Voltage Wrestling (IL), I Believe In Wrestling (FL), International Wrestling (Canada), International Wrestling Cartel (PA), International Wrestling Federation (NY/OH/PA/WV), Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (PA), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), National Wrestling Federation (NJ/NY/OH/PA), National Wrestling Superstars (NJ), New Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), Northwest Wrestling Promotions (Canada), NWA Charlotte (NC), NWA East (PA), NWA Hollywood (CA), NWA Midwest (IL/KS/MO), NWA New Jersey (NJ), NWA Wisconsin (WI), NWA Wrestle Birmingham (AL), Orlando Pro Wrestling (FL), Pacific Northwest Wrestling (OR/WA), Packerland Pro Wrestling (WI), Pittsburgh Professional Wrestling (PA), Powerhouse Wrestling (MA), Pro Wrestling eXpress (PA), Pro Wrestling Superstars (FL), Pro Wrestling Syndicate (NJ), Pro Wrestling USA, Professional Wrestling Federation (FL), Southern Championship Wrestling Florida (FL), Southern Independent Wrestling Federation (KY), Super Pro Wrestling (PA), TNT Pro Wrestling (VA), Trans World Wrestling Federation (MD), Tri-States Wrestling Alliance (PA), Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling (FL/GA/TN), Universal Wrestling Federation (CA/FL/ND/NV/NY/SC), USA Championship Wrestling (TN), Windy City Pro Wrestling (IL), WWA, World Wide Wrestling Alliance (PA)

Finisher: Shoulder Breaker; LarryLand Dreamer (Guillotine Choke)

Signature Moves: Abdominal Stretch, Body Slam, Front Dropkick, Inverted Atomic Drop, Reverse Chinlock, Schoolboy, Spike Brainbuster, Spin Kick, Sunset Flip, Swinging Neckbreaker, Shot to the head with nunchucks

 

Career Highlights: -AOM Champion
-AWA America Champion
-AWA World Champion (2x)
-AWA SoW Champion (2x)
-AWA SoW 6-Man Tag Team Champion (w/ Chasyn Rance & Seth Springer)
-NWA (Hollywood) Beat the Champ Television Champion
-NWA National Champion (3x)
-NWA Western States Heritage Champion
-SCW Florida Tag Team Champion (2x; both w/ Mister Saint Laurent)
-USACW North American Champion
-WCW World Tag Team Champion (w/ Arn Anderson)
-WCW World Television Champion
-WWWF World Tag Team Champion (w/ Tony Garea)

Affiliates: Tony Garea, Paul E. Dangeroussly, Arn Anderson, Rick Rude, Steve Austin, Bobby Eaton, Madusa, Paul Orndorff, Terry Funk, Mister Saint Laurent, Chasyn Rance, Kenny King, SoCal Val, Jeff Jarrett, A-1, Abyss, Alex Shelley, Andy Douglas, Chase Stevens, Bobby Roode, Chris Candido, Chris Harris, James Storm, Eric Young, Gail Kim, Jackie Gayda, James Mitchell, Kip James, Monty Brown, Mr. Daggert, Petey Williams, Rhino, Scott D'Amore, Scott Steiner, A. J. Styles, Tim Zbyszko, Baby Doll, Gary Hart, Haystacks Calhoun, Go the Ninja, Eddie Gilbert, Curt Hennig

Notable Feuds: Bruno Sammartino, Bugsy McGraw, Abdullah the Butcher, Billy Graham, Mr. Wrestling II, Nick Bockwinkel, Eric Bischoff, Raven, Mikel Scicluna, Stan Stasiak, Nick Bockwinkel, Johnny Rodz, John L. Sullivan/Johnny Valiant, Jerry Valiant, Jimmy Valiant, Barry Windham, Mr. Fuji, Dustin Rhodes, Toru Tanaka, Butcher Vachon, Rob Rechsteiner/Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner, Lumberjack Pierre, Lumberjack Eric/Super Destroyer/Scott Irwin, Jerry Blackwell/Crusher Blackwell, Curt Hennig, Greg Gagne, Tommy Rich, Spiros Arion, Sting, Jack Evans/Mr. X, Larry Sharpe, Michael Hayes, Strong Kobayashi, Doug Gilbert, Killer Kowalski, Victor Rivera, Baron Von Raschke, Stan Lane, Ronnie Garvin, Pat Patterson, Tony Garea, Frank Monroe/Moose Monroe, Jimmy Garvin, Dusty Rhodes, José Estrada, Ivan Putski, Joe Tomayo/Joe Soto/Rocky Tomayo, Kendall Windham, Bobby Eaton, Bob Backlund, Bruno Sammartino Jr./David Sammartino, Scott Hall, Road Warrior Hawk, Road Warrior Animal

Other Facts: -Former Son-in-law of pro wrestler Verne Gagne
-Former Brother-in-law of pro wrestler Greg Gagne and pro wrestling ring announcer Kathy Gagne
-Father of pro wrestler Ripper Zbyszko, who he trained for pro wrestling
-Wrestled in high school. His record during his senior year was 15-1-1
-His 1980 match against Bruno Sammartino was the main event on the first card to draw over $500,000 in the United States. Ironicallly, Vince McMahon, Sr. was dead set against the feud as he didn't think Zbyszko could draw as a top heel. The feud ended up being the most lucrative that McMahon ever promoted.
-Trained David Sammartino for pro wrestling
-Former member of The Dangerous Alliance
-Former member of The Old Age Outlaws
-Former member of Planet Jarrett
-Former member of Team Vision
-Former color commentator for WCW broadcasts
-Former Director of Authority for NWA-TNA
-Voted Rookie of the Year by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1974
-Voted Match of the Year (vs. Bruno Sammartino) by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1980
-Voted Most Hated Wrestler of the Year by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1980
-Voted Tag Team of the Year (w/ Arn Anderson) by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1991
-Won Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Feud of the Year (vs. Bruno Sammartino) in 1980
-Won Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Most Improved Wrestler in 1980
-Won Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Best Heel in 1980
-Appeared in an episode of of the TV show "Learning the Ropes" in 1988
-His autobiography "Adventures in Larryland!" was released in 2008
-Ranked #38 in the 1991 PWI 500
-Ranked #50 in the 1992 PWI 500
-Ranked #81 in the 1994 PWI 500
-Ranked #492 in the 2008 PWI 500
-Ranked #492 in the 2009 PWI 500
-Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015
-Co-owner of Florida based Orlando Pro Wrestling

Supplemental Information

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Complete Calendar

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Spotlight in History

  • 1953 Mike Clancy def. Karl Von Poppenheim for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1968 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1969 Jerry Miller & Jim Osborne def. Danny Little Bear & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 1973 Blackjack Mulligan def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 1986 Kerry Von Erich & Lance Von Erich & Steve Simpson def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 1986 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Lance Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 1987 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 2003 Ichiban [1st]/Rocco Valentino def. El Sufamilico for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2013 Tim Rockwell def. Daemon Storm for the UWE United States Champion

Week of Sun 04-28 to Sat: 05-04

  • 04-28 1954 Red Berry def. Whitey Whittler for the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 04-28 1976 Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch def. Buck Robley & Bob Slaughter for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 04-28 1980 Kevin Von Erich def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-28 1989 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. Beauty & The Beast (Terrance M. Garvin & The Beast [2nd]) for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champion
  • 04-28 2000 Heather Savage def. Jenna Love for the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 04-28 2002 Summer Rain became the OCW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 04-28 2007 Eric Rose def. Jersey Devil for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-28 2007 Joe Herell became the UWF06 Violent Division Champion
  • 04-28 2017 Brandon Groom def. Sam Stackhouse for the BPPW Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-28 2018 Dusty Gold def. Wesley Crane for the UWE United States Champion
  • 04-29 2006 AWOL def. Michael York for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-29 2006 Natural Born Sinners (Appolyon & El Lotus) def. Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-29 2006 Rexx Reed def. Carnage for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 04-29 2006 Carnage def. Rexx Reed for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 04-29 2007 Aaron Neil def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-29 2007 Brad Michaels def. Ryan Davidson for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-29 2007 Bad Boy & Outlaw became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 04-29 2011 The Unknown & Johnny USA def. Michael H & Mr. Big for the NCW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-29 2011 Mr. Big became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-29 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Prophet for the BYEW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-29 2012 Rage Logan became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-29 2012 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Damon Windsor) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 04-29 2017 Aaron Anders became the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 04-30 1954 Frenchy Roy became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-30 1955 Ricki Starr became the TSW Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-30 2004 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the TPW Hardcore Champion
  • 04-30 2011 Ryan Reed def. Rolling Thunder for the UWE United States Champion
  • 04-30 2011 Ray Martinez def. Ryan Reed for the UWE United States Champion
  • 04-30 2016 Ray Martinez became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-30 2022 Clayton Bloodstone def. Ky-Ote for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Champion
  • 04-30 2023 El Gallardo/El Vaquero def. Cappuccino Jones for the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 04-30 2023 Heavyweight Grappling (Dan Webber & Morrison) def. Subject To Death (Cade Fite & Leo Fox) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-01 1981 Super Destroyer def. Jim Garvin for the MSW Louisiana Champion
  • 05-01 2016 Skylar Slice def. Nikki Knight for the MSWA Ladies Champion
  • 05-01 2021 Fuel def. Derek James for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-02 1964 Mike Clancy & Al Lovelock def. Karol Krauser & Stan Pulaski for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-02 1969 Johnny Valentine def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-02 1977 Stan Hansen def. Dick Murdoch for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-02 1984 Krusher Khrushchev became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-02 1984 The Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) def. The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-02 2009 Ozzy Hendrix def. Shank for the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 05-02 2015 Gail Kim became the IWR Diamonds Champion
  • 05-02 2015 Kareem Sadat became the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-02 2021 Drake Gallows def. Blade [2nd] for the AIWF National Champion
  • 05-03 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-03 1985 Ted DiBiase & Steve Williams def. The Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-03 2003 El Sufamilico def. Ichiban [1st] for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-03 2008 Damon Windsor def. Havoc for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-03 2008 Miss Sheila def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-03 2014 Sam Stackhouse def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Champion
  • 05-04 1953 Mike Clancy def. Karl Von Poppenheim for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-04 1968 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-04 1969 Jerry Miller & Jim Osborne def. Danny Little Bear & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-04 1973 Blackjack Mulligan def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-04 1986 Kerry Von Erich & Lance Von Erich & Steve Simpson def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-04 1986 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Lance Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-04 1987 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 05-04 2003 Ichiban [1st]/Rocco Valentino def. El Sufamilico for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-04 2013 Tim Rockwell def. Daemon Storm for the UWE United States Champion
05-04
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  • El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th Today!
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  • Bill Watts May 5th
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  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
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