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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

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1970 Boris Malenko def. Mil Mascaras for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 1979 Mark Lewin became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Jimmy Garvin for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 2007 Lonnie Valdez & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 2013 The P.I.N.K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) def. Bobby Burns & Sam Stackhouse (substituting for Psycho Sawyer) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2013 B-Arthur became the SRPW Womens Champion
  • 2013 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Mercenary for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 2014 Striker def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 2019 Skylar Slice def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Champion

Week of Sun 05-12 to Sat: 05-18

  • 05-12 2002 Rocco Valentino became the OCW Oklahoma Television Champion
  • 05-12 2012 The New Era [2nd] (Richie Adams & Goldeneye) def. The Dramatic Athletes (Jake McCoy & X-Cal) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-12 2012 Venus became the IZW Queens Champion
  • 05-12 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Bobby Starr for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-12 2013 Impact, Inc. (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Shawn Sanders & Tyson Jaymes for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Garrett Murphy became the NAW Lightweight Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Big Smooth def. Dusty Gold for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Brayden def. Kareem Sadat for the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Gavin Dixon def. Mikey [2nd] for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-12 2023 Ronnie Morton def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-13 1979 Wahoo McDaniel def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-13 1984 Magnum T. A. def. Mr. Wrestling II for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-13 2006 Justin Lee def. Gary Gram for the NWA-U X Division Champion
  • 05-13 2012 Les Mayne became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-13 2016 Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse def. Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-13 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
  • 05-13 2017 Garrett Murphy def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Champion
  • 05-13 2023 Lunchador def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
  • 05-13 2023 Rush Freeman became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-13 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. Dark Forces (San La Muerte & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
  • 05-14 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-14 1975 Danny Miller def. Skandor Akbar for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-14 2004 Butch Dalton def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-14 2004 Devon Monroe def. Mitch Carter for the TPW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-14 2005 John O'Malley became the IZW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-14 2005 Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-15 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Dory Funk for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-15 1962 Bull Curry def. Jack Dalton [1st] for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-15 2010 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Bobby Star) def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-15 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-15 2015 Charlie Haas def. Jerome Daniels for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-15 2021 Killbane def. The Canadian Red Devil for the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-16 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Akbar Army (Jerry Brown & Ron McFarlane) for the TSW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-16 1983 Chris Adams def. Terry Gordy for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-16 2009 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-16 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Team Bull (Aaron Neil & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-16 2015 Clint Cassidy def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-16 2015 Brett Stopp def. Fuel for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-16 2015 Anarchy [2nd] def. Brett Stopp for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-17 1965 Bull Curry def. Karl Kox for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-17 1986 Bruiser Brody def. Rick Rude for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-17 1987 The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) def. Rick Steiner & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Champions
  • 05-17 1996 The Bad Boyz (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) for the WWEmp Tag Team Champions
  • 05-17 2008 El Super Colibri def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-17 2008 Michael York def. Brett Taylor for the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-17 2008 Michael York became the SECW Eastern Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-17 2009 Kevin Morgan became the AWFUL Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-17 2014 The Sexy Camachos (Angel Camacho & Roberto Camacho & Vinnie Camacho) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-17 2024 Gorilla Militia became the TexPro Texas Champion
  • 05-18 1970 Boris Malenko def. Mil Mascaras for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 1979 Mark Lewin became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-18 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Jimmy Garvin for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 2007 Lonnie Valdez & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-18 2013 The P.I.N.K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) def. Bobby Burns & Sam Stackhouse (substituting for Psycho Sawyer) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-18 2013 B-Arthur became the SRPW Womens Champion
  • 05-18 2013 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Mercenary for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 2014 Striker def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 05-18 2019 Skylar Slice def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Champion
05-18
  • J. R. Wind May 18th Today!
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  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th Today!
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th Today!
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th Today!
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  • Matt Riviera May 18th Today!
  • Dick Slater May 19th
  • Andre the Giant May 19th
  • Bateman May 19th
  • Will Chambers May 19th
  • Buzz Markley May 19th
  • Mongol May 19th
  • Dale Veasey May 20th
  • Chuey Martinez May 21st
  • Ivan Kalmikoff May 21st
  • Babyface D'Amanti May 23rd
  • Donna Christanello May 23rd
  • Slash May 23rd
  • Santana Jackson May 23rd
  • Shane Rawls May 24th
  • Gemini [2nd] May 24th
  • Ricky Romero May 24th
  • Lucas May 24th
  • Dominique Lereaux May 25th
  • Quarky Storm May 25th
  • Dark Journey May 25th
  • Michael York May 25th
  • Guy Atticus May 25th
  • Reggie Lincoln May 26th
  • Tank Bryson May 26th
  • Michael Duplanti May 26th
  • Justin Adams May 26th
  • Crucifer May 27th
  • Kelly Kiniski May 27th
  • Jim Thorpe May 28th
  • Edge Stone May 28th
  • Kamala May 28th
  • Maria Star May 28th
  • Dean Lambert May 28th
  • Psycho Mike May 29th
  • Max McGuirk May 29th
  • Samu May 29th
  • Jimmy Kane May 29th
  • Boss Hardzog May 30th
  • Jesse Storm May 30th
  • Jake Roberts May 30th
  • Mascara Purpura May 31st
  • Fuel May 31st

More Look Back In History

Most Active Members

  • Striker
  • Michael York
  • The Mayne Event
  • cphs_sweethearts
  • Talon

Oklafan Quiz

In which of the following Oklahoma wrestling feds has Dexter Hardaway NOT won at least one title?

  

  

  

  

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Current Champions

Native American Wrestling

Texas Outlaws

Tag Team Champions
Texas Outlaws

 
  • Heavyweight Champion: J. R. Orullian