Jun 1st 2024 07:01pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Bios

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

Polling Booth

Why didn't you vote in the Oklafan Year End Polls?

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

You must be logged in to cast votes

Upcoming Events

Complete Calendar

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1953 Billy Raborn def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 1979 Jose Lothario & El Halcon def. The Spoiler & Mark Lewin for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 1981 Mike George def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 2003 Jef Tiger became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 2008 Bad Boy became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 2012 Tim Rockwell def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. The Birds of Prey (Phoenix & Falcon) for the IZW Tag Team Champions

Week of Sun 05-26 to Sat: 06-01

  • 05-26 1989 Eric Embry def. Super Zodiac for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2007 Matt Garza def. Mitch W. Carter for the IZW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 MVP def. Jack Swagger for the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 Alex Royal def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 1970 Luke Brown & Danny Hodge def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-27 1977 Jimmy Snuka def. El Gran Goliath for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 2003 Chris Matthews became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 2017 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the IWR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 1964 Louie Tillet def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-28 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 1973 Dennis Stamp & Dewey Robertson def. Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 1974 Red Bastien def. The Great Mephisto for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Dale Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 Tommy D def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 Angel Williams became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 The Forsaken (Faith & Halo) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 2016 Kareem Sadat def. Buster Cherry for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-28 2019 Elias def. R-Truth for the WWE 24/7 Champion
  • 05-28 2019 R-Truth def. Elias for the WWE 24/7 Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Tego def. Adrian Vega for the EPW Internet Television Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Tyler Watts def. Sweet Cakes for the EPW International Champion
  • 05-28 2022 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Entitled (Justin Grey & Father Padge) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-28 2022 Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Change (Drake Gallows & Muerte Silencio) for the AIWF Tag Team Champions
  • 05-28 2022 Maddox Jones became the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Logan Knight def. Striker for the EPW All-American Champion
  • 05-29 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-29 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & & Dale Valentine) def. Luke Brown & Danny Hodge for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-29 1972 Blackjack Mulligan def. Blackjack Lanza for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-29 1978 Paul Orndorff def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Josh Evans & Buddha def. Born Again Sunday (Kam & Koz) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-29 2010 Bobby Starr def. David Kyzer for the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Shane Sanchez became the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Rick Russo def. Shane Sanchez for the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 05-29 2021 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-29 2022 Striker def. Maddox Jones for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 1955 Ali Bey def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 1970 Killer Kowalski def. The Spoiler for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-30 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. The Assassin & Angel [1st] for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-30 1983 The Mongol def. King Parsons for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-30 1986 Terry Gordy became the UWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2008 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-30 2015 Aaron Neil def. Jordan Jacobs for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. The Jet-Jitsu Dojo (J. J. Hefley & Jimmy Lorenzo) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Maddox Jones became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Warren Powers & Karnage def. Giganto for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Warren Powers for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 El Greengo Loco def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Elijah Sparks def. El Greengo Loco for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Bobby Joe Bristow def. Elijah Sparks for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Bobby Joe Bristow for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Giganto def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-31 1954 Tor Yamato def. Rocco Perez for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 1968 Grizzly Smith def. Spoiler #1 for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 1971 Tom Jones & Billy Red Lyons def. The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-31 1981 The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) def. Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-31 2003 Anthony Jackson def. Rocco Valentino for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Slam Shady became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Brent Albright became the NWA-OK Universal Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Xavior def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 3rd Rail def. Damon Windsor for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Lady Venom def. Dominique LaReaux for the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 05-31 2014 Cody Burns def. Sam Stackouse for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2014 Matt Majestic def. MHM, Inc. (Ray Martinez, Alabastair Hunt & K. P. Moore) for the SRPW United States Champion
  • 05-31 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. The Sexy Camachos (Vinnie Camacho & Roberto Camacho) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-31 2014 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-31 2024 Sgt. Slice def. Miranda Gordy for the CPW Women’s Champion
  • 05-31 2024 The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) def. The Canadian Rez Devils (The Canadian Red Devil & Koko) for the CPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-31 2024 Nathan Estrada def. Merc for the CPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2024 Merc def. Nathan Estrada for the CPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 1953 Billy Raborn def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-01 1979 Jose Lothario & El Halcon def. The Spoiler & Mark Lewin for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-01 1981 Mike George def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 06-01 2003 Jef Tiger became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2008 Bad Boy became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 06-01 2012 Tim Rockwell def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. The Birds of Prey (Phoenix & Falcon) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
06-01
  • Bobby Burns Jun 1st Today!
  • James Storm Jun 1st Today!
  • Ross Von Erich Jun 1st Today!
  • Anna Jackson Jun 1st Today!
  • Violet Payne Jun 1st Today!
  • Brandon Groom Jun 2nd
  • Tornado Gomez Jun 2nd
  • A. J. Styles Jun 2nd
  • Killista Jun 2nd
  • Leo Voss Jun 2nd
  • Thomas Knight Jun 3rd
  • Jeff Exotic Jun 3rd
  • Duke Clemons Jun 4th
  • Tarzan Baxter Jun 4th
  • Danny Miller Jun 5th
  • Igor Putski Jun 5th
  • Shawn Shields Jun 5th
  • Mitch Onyx Jun 6th
  • Larry Booker Jun 6th
  • O. D. B. Jun 6th
  • Travis 12 Gage Jun 6th
  • Tony Rocco Jun 6th
  • Rip Hawk Jun 6th
  • Rick Sweetan Jun 6th
  • That Handsome Devil Jun 6th
  • Mick Foley Jun 7th
  • Steve Hartley Jun 7th
  • Gideon Vane Jun 7th
  • Morgan Levay Jun 7th
  • Eddie Sullivan Jun 7th
  • Stevie Caballero Jun 7th
  • Rick Vyper Jun 8th
  • Michele Leone Jun 8th
  • Mustafa Bin Akbar Jun 8th
  • Dutch Savage Jun 9th
  • Mark Wilson Jun 9th
  • Jamie Jun 9th
  • Jim Barnett Jun 9th
  • Dick Listener Jun 9th
  • Jeff Wolfenbarger Jun 9th
  • Dick Dunn Jun 10th
  • Largus RagnaBrok Jun 10th
  • Mathmagician Jun 11th
  • Magnum T. A. Jun 11th
  • King Parsons Jun 11th
  • J. D. Richards Jun 11th
  • Baby Blimp Jun 12th
  • Deuce Rodriguez Jun 12th
  • Steven Dane Jun 12th
  • Lady Sensacion Jun 12th
  • Zac Royal Jun 12th
  • Rolling Thunder Jun 12th
  • D'Licious Jun 12th
  • Stan Pulaski Jun 12th
  • Geronimo Jun 13th
  • Dustin Heritage Jun 13th
  • Chandler Hopkins Jun 13th
  • Bill Ash Jun 13th
  • Neo Genesis Jun 13th
  • Mikey D Jun 13th
  • John Pfanz Jun 13th
  • Buzz Sawyer Jun 14th

More Look Back In History