gold star for USAHOF

Larry Zbyszko

Larry Zbyszko

It is hard to determine just whether Larry Zbyszko was best known for his feud with Bruno Sammartino, his loud arrogance or his hatred for Vince McMahon.

The Larry Zbyszko heel turn against his former mentor (Sammartino) could be the template on how to turn heel properly.  Anointing himself the “New Living Legend”, Zbyszko headlined Shea Stadium with Sammartino in a steel cage match that became the defining moment of his career.  Zbyszko parlayed this into a heel persona that was more loud and obnoxious than anyone else.  He remained a major heel for the duration of his career; and usually one of the better ones on the card.  Zbyszko has developed a severe hatred for Vince McMahon, and likely this will keep him out of the Hall.  If his hatred is really that strong, “Larryland” will never want to go there anyway.

 


The Bullet Points:

Other Aliases:
Lawrence Whistler (Real Name)

Billed From:
Pittsburgh, PA

Key Championships Held:
AWA America’s Heavyweight
AWA World Heavyweight (2)
NWA National Heavyweight (Georgia) (2)
NWA Western States Heritage
WCW Television
WCW World Tag Team w/Arn Anderson
WWF World Tag Team w/Tony Garea

Why He Will Get In:
He should for that brilliant heel turn alone.

Why He Won’t Get In:
With what Zbyszko has said, can anyone blame Vince for not inducting him?

Five Greatest Matches/Moments: (In Chronological Order)
1.  Faced Bruno Sammartino in “teacher vs pupil” match and turned heel on Sammartino (1/22/80)
2.  Headlined Shea Stadium in a Steel Cage Loss to Bruno Sammartino (8/9/80)
3.  Lost a Texas Death Match to Nick Bockwinkle (4/28/86)
4.  Won the AWA World Heavyweight Title in a Battle Royal (2/7/89)
5.  Beat Steven Regal for the WCW Television Title in a comeback as a face (5/2/94)

Should Larry Zbyszko be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 50%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 40%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 10%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

The Bullet Points

Should Larry Zbyszko be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 50%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 40%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 10%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
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