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Fabulous Freebirds to Enter WWE Hall of Fame ? Finally

Fabulous Freebirds to Enter WWE Hall of Fame ? Finally

Posted: Feb 29th 2016 By: James Montgomery

During their hard-charging heyday, the Fabulous Freebirds never waited for anything. From their legendary rivalries inside the ring to their equally legendary reputations out of it, Michael "P.S." Hayes, Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy and Buddy "Jack" Roberts (so named because of his affinity for Jack Daniel's) did what they wanted, when they wanted, shaking up the pro wrestling world and forever changing the concept of what a tag team could be.

So you can probably guess how they felt watching other teams earn enshrinement in the WWE Hall of Fame before they did. But on Monday, the Freebirds' wait finally ended, as they were announced as inductees in the 2016 HOF class. And as lone surviving original member Hayes jokes, it's about time.

"Well, I don't know what the rush was," he laughs. "Every year around this time, I'd be on pins and needles, hoping we'd get in, because our career speaks for itself. We put asses in seats?and I think you could take a poll of anybody who ever paid their hard-earned money to come see us, and they'd say they got more than their money's worth. And that was huge to us, because we were wrestling fans too."

The Freebirds began in earnest when the flashy Hayes teamed with tough-guy Gordy in the late Seventies, and though they were both young, they had big ideas on how to change the business ? mainly by importing the high-voltage energy of rock & roll into still-staid world of professional wrestling.

"Terry and I were just brash, smart-ass, let's-go-do-it teenagers, riding up and down the road listening to [Lynyrd] Skynyrd," Hayes says. "I'd notice when I went to wrestling matches or rock concerts, I would see the same people at both. There was a crossover there, but the people that were in charge of wrestling at the time, they didn't see it. They weren't chasing the young customer ? they weren't chasing me.

"I always wanted to be an entertainer, and Terry always wanted to be a wrestler, so the Freebirds were a way of doing both. We thought, 'Wouldn't it be cool to come out to music?'" he continues. "It took a lot of convincing, but finally, Jerry Jarrett bought in, and so we debuted it in 1979 at the Mid-South Coliseum. The custodian was in charge of dropping the needle on the last song on the Skynyrd album. I was like, 'Man, we're going to come out to 'Gimme Three Steps' or something.' But it worked out, 'Free Bird' hit, and the whole audience was in awe."

With their theme song set, and the veteran Roberts added to the roster soon after, the Fabulous Freebirds began a legendary run through wrestling's Southern territories, feuding with the biggest tag teams of the day and winning several titles ? victories that necessitated the creation of the so-called "Freebird Rule," which allowed any two of the three members to defend the belts on any given night (a stipulation still being used by current WWE Tag Team Champions the New Day). They quickly became the wrestling equivalent of a rock & roll band, and they developed the appetites to match.

"Back then, the one thing you would hear over and over again was 'Live your gimmick.' Well, we were kind of living that gimmick anyway ? we were a rock & roll band in and out of the ring," Hayes says. "I remember one time, my niece took me and Buddy out to some bar in a college town in Pennsylvania, and as soon as we walked in, the whole place went nuts. I felt there could be some trouble, so I said 'Buddy, I'm going to hit you with this chair.' So I hit him right upside the head, he didn't sell it, and we sat down, ordered drinks and no one messed with us. Because, like, if that's how we started the night, who knew how we were going to end it?"

They'd take the rock & roll image even further when Hayes recorded an original entrance theme ? "Badstreet USA" ? and shot an accompanying music video. They'd also make their way to the Texas-based World Class Championship Wrestling, where they'd engage in a legendary feud with the promotion's very own rock stars, the homegrown Von Erich family, which set attendance records, spawned wild six-man tag matches and put the Freebirds firmly on the map.

"We were in literal riots. And if you got your ass kicked, but you made it back to the dressing room, that was a win. That's how heavy it was. I think God was entertaining himself, because it was made in heaven," Hayes says. "I've been blessed to have worked with many big stars and over babyfaces ? Tommy Rich, Ted DiBiase, Junkyard Dog ? I don't know if I've ever seen anyone more over than the Von Erichs were in Texas. They needed a rival, and they got us. And people just ate it up."

So in a sense, it's fitting that the Freebirds ? Hayes, Gordy, Roberts and Jimmy Garvin, who joined the group in the Eighties ? will join a class that includes Sting and the Godfather at the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, set for April 2 (the night before WrestleMania 32) in Dallas. Sure, it may have taken a while, but Hayes can't think of a better place to celebrate all he and his mates accomplished inside the ring, and reflect on a legacy that not only revolutionized tag-team wrestling, but helped usher in the sports entertainment era, too.

And don't worry, Hayes promises the Freebirds' induction will be worth the wait.

"I've never been a person who is at a loss for words, so I'm pretty sure I'll have some things to say," he laughs. "They may not let me curse, but I want to pay homage to Terry and Buddy and the group, so I'm going to tell as many stories as they'll let me get away with. Believe me, I've got plenty of them."

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19

  • 09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
  • 09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jean-Claude def. Eddie LeVaughn for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Manico def. Billie the Kiid for the NAW Indigenous Land Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jeb Bingham def. Jastin Taylor for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
  • 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
  • 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
  • 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
  • 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
  • 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
  • 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
09-13
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