Larry Zbysko

Larry Zbysko (born Lawrence Whistler on December 5, 1954 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) was a professional wrestler.

Career

WWWF & early days

Larry Zbysko started wrestling in 1972 after being trained by the legendary Bruno Sammartino. He debuted as a fan favorite and wrestled in Canada, Georgia, Florida, All Japan Pro Wrestling and the WWWF. He feuded with Bugsy McGraw, Abdullah the Butcher and Superstar Billy Graham.

In the late 1970's, Zbysko formed a tag team with Tony Garea and they won the WWWF World Tag Team Titles. In 1979, Zbysko became a heel when he attacked his trainer Bruno Sammartino starting a legendary feud. The feud ended at "Showdown At Shea" on August 9, 1980 when Sammartino defeated Zbysko in a cage.

NWA & AWA

Zbysko left WWWF and feuded with Bruno's son, David, in the independents. He soon arrived in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions where he feuded with Paul Orndorff and Tim Woods. He paid Killer Tim Brooks $25,000 in 1983 to win the National Title from Orndorff for him but it was stripped after the purchase.

In 1984, Zbysko went to the AWA where he won the AWA America's Title and had a long feud with Sgt. Slaughter. He really riled up the fans by climbing out of the ring if the action got too hot for him and walking around for minutes at a time. In 1987, he helped Curt Hennig beat Nick Bockwinkel for the AWA World Title when he handed a roll of coins to Hennig to hit Bockwinkel with. He also had a feud with troubleshooting referee, Scott LeDoux, at this time.

In 1987, Zbysko went back to Jim Crockett Promotions and acquired the services of Baby Doll as his valet. He began a feud with Barry Windham and won Windham's Western States Heritage Title. He soon lost Baby Doll but gained a new manager in Gary Hart who teamed him with Al Perez. They feuded with Kendall Windham and Dusty Rhodes.

In 1989, Zbysko went back to the AWA, where he won the AWA World Title by winning a battle royal (he pinned the last man, Tom Zenk) for the title. He feuded with Nikita Koloff briefly and then started a feud with Mr. Saito, to whom he lost his title.

He regained the title two months later and had feuds with The Trooper and Tommy Jammer before the AWA folded in early 1991.

WCW

Zbysko went back to Jim Crockett Promotions, which had just become WCW. He teamed with Terrence Taylor as a potential recruit for the York Foundation, but did not join. He formed a tag team with Arn Anderson called "The Enforcers", and won the WCW World Tag Team Titles. They feuded with Barry Windham and Dustin Rhodes and broke Windham's hand in his car door. Windham was replaced by Ricky Steamboat at Clash of Champions 17 on November 19, 1991 and they lost the titles to Steamboat and Rhodes.

In December, he and Anderson joined Paul E. Dangerously's Dangerous Alliance with Rick Rude, "Stunning" Steve Austin, Bobby Eaton and Madusa. They feuded with Ricky Steamboat, Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, Nikita Koloff, WCW Champ Ron Simmons and Sting. On May 7, 1992, at Wrestlewar, the Dangerous Alliance lost the War Games to Sting's team because Zbysko accidentally hit Eaton in the arm with the turnbuckle that he had dismantled. Eaton had to submit due to the pain. Zbysko was fired for this and had a brief feud with Austin before retiring to be a commentator for WCW.

WCW Commentator

During his commentating days, he was paired with Dusty Rhodes and Chris Cruise on WCW's Main Event on Saturday mornings. They were a hilarious trio but unfortunately, the show did not get many viewers.

In 1994, Lord Steven Regal started harassing Zbysko and he came back to the ring to win the WCW Television Title from him. He lost it back one month later.

In December 1994, the AWA was revived as AWA Superstars and Dale Gagne, the new owner, tried to get Zbysko to be the Champion since he never lost it, but he declined.

In 1996, Zbysko joined the WCW Monday Nitro broadcast team, where he bickered with Eric Bischoff. In 1997, he was challenged by the nWo's Scott Hall. He ignored the challenge and stayed in the broadcast booth except for an occasional special referee appearance against Hall and the nWo.

On December 28, 1997, Zbysko came back for a match against Eric Bischoff for control of WCW Monday Nitro with Bret Hart as special referee. Hart made sure that the nWo did not interfere and Zbysko won the match so that WCW could control Monday Nitro again. He finally had a match against Hall at Souled Out on January 24, 1998, but Dusty Rhodes turned on him and joined the nWo.

Zbysko went back to commentating until 1999, when he had a retirement match with Curt Hennig, and lost. He returned as a member of the "Old Age Outlaws" with Terry Funk, Arn Anderson and Paul Orndorff to feud with the revived nWo. He went back to commentating after that angle died, and wrestled a few shows for Dusty Rhodes' Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling after WCW was purchased. In 2002, he had a small feud with Chris Harris in USA Pro.

Zbysko is now an official for Total Nonstop Action.

Profile

• Height: 5'11"
• Weight: 248 lbs.
• Birthday: December 5, 1954
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Trainer: Bruno Sammartino
• Other Gimmicks: "The Cruncher" Larry Zbysko, "The Living Legend" Larry Zbysko
• Managers: Baby Doll, Paul E. Dangerously, Gary Hart, Eddie Gilbert

Trivia

• Zbysko is an excellent golfer, and often competes in tournaments in the United States.
• Zbysko was once married to Verne Gagne's daughter.
• Zbysko dated Nitro Girl A.C. Jazz in 1998.
• Zbysko is a licensed pilot.
• Zbysko is a black belt in Judo.

Championships/Accomplishments

World Wide Wrestling Federation

• 1-Time WWWF World Tag Team Champion (with Tony Garea)

American Wrestling Association

• 2-Time AWA World Heavyweight Champion
• 1-Time AWA America's Heavyweight Champion

World Championship Wrestling

• 1-Time WCW World Tag Team Champion (with Arn Anderson)
• 1-Time WCW World Television Champion

National Wrestling Alliance

• 2-Time NWA National Heavyweight Champion
• 1-Time NWA Western States Heritage Champion
• 1-Time NWA Beat the Champ Television Champion

Other Titles

• 1-Time USA Pro North American Heavyweight Champion

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 105 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
• Zbysko has won PWI Awards over the years. He won Rookie of the Year in 1974, Most Hated Wrestler in 1980 and Tag Team of the Year in 1991 with Arn Anderson. He was also part of the 1980 Match of the Year (vs. Bruno Sammartino).