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{{Infobox Wrestler
|name=Larry Zbyszko
|image=Replace this image male.svg
|names='''Larry Zbyszko'''
|height={{height|ft=5|in=9}}
|weight={{convert|233|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1953|12|5}}
|death_date=
|birth_place=[[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]]
|death_date=
|death_place=
|resides=[[Avalon Park, Florida]]
|billed=[[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]
|trainer=[[Bruno Sammartino]]<br />[[Newton Tattrie]]
|debut=1973
|retired=
}}
'''Lawrence "Larry" Whistler''' (born December 5, 1953) is a [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], better known by his [[ring name]], '''Larry Zbyszko'''. Zbyszko is perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, wrestling legend [[Bruno Sammartino]] during the early 1980s.

Zbyszko's ring name has in the past been misspelled '''Zbysko''' or '''Zybysko'''. The correct spelling of the name, Zbyszko, is derived from the name of Polish wrestler [[Stanislaus Zbyszko]].

==Wrestling career==
===Early career and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (1973–1981)===
Whistler trained under Bruno Sammartino and debuted in 1973 as the [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] "Larry Zbyszko", with his name a tribute to 1920s [[Polish American]] wrestler [[Stanislaus Zbyszko]]. He initially wrestled in the Pittsburgh area, appearing on the local wrestling program [[Studio Wrestling]], before receiving [[List of professional wrestling terms#B|bookings]] in [[Vancouver]]. He spent three years in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wide Wrestling Federation]] before travelling to [[California]] in 1975.  

Zbyszko was one of the attractions in the 1976 Latin America Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight championship, held in [[Guatemala City]], under Jose Azzari promotions. Three days after the end of the tournament ([[Mil Máscaras]] won the title, defeating Jose Azzari in the final), an earthquake destroyed much of that Central American nation.

Zbyszko returned to the WWWF in 1976 and formed a [[tag team]] with [[Anthony Garcia|Tony Garea]], with whom he won the [[World Tag-Team Championship|WWWF World Tag Team Championships]] on November 21, 1978 in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]]. Their reign lasted until March 6, 1979, when they were defeated by the Valiant brothers in Allentown.  

Zbyszko feuded with [[Bugsy McGraw]], [[Abdullah the Butcher]] and [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]] in addition to wrestling [[Wladek Kowalski|Killer Kowalski]] and [[Mikel Scicluna|Baron Mikel Scicluna]]. In 1978 he summarized his mat-based ringwork with the statement, "I just believe in science over brawn".

(contracted; show full)s death match|Texas death match]] at ''[[Rage in a Cage]]'' on April 28, 1986. In the course of the feud, he also vied with Bockwinkel's ally [[Ray Stevens (wrestler)|Ray Stevens]] and [[Boxing|boxer]] [[Scott LeDoux]]. Zybszko lost to LeDoux in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Boxing match|boxing match]] at ''[[WrestleRock '86]]'' on April 20, 1986 and fought him to a double count out at ''[[Battle by the Bay]]'' on June 28, 1986.
  

On May 2, 1987, Zbyszko helped [[Curt Hennig]] defeat [[Nick Bockwinkel]] for the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]] by handing him a roll of [[Dime (U.S. coin)|dimes]] to knock Bockwinkel out with. He was [[Suspension (punishment)|suspended]] "for life" by the AWA as a result of an assault on Bockwinkel during Bockwinkel's rematch with Hennig in July 1987. As Bockwinkel retired shortly after the incident, Zbyszko began claiming to have retired both Bockwinkel and Bruno Sammartino.

(contracted; show full)d dismantled, forcing Eaton to submit as a result of the pain. As a result of his blunder, Zbyszko was fired from the stable by Dangerously, turning him into a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] for the first time since 1980. He briefly feuded with Austin and Eaton before retiring from full time competition to become a [[color commentator]]. As a commentator, Zbyszko began referring to himself simply as "The Living Legend", as many WCW fans were unfamiliar with his feud with Bruno Sammartino.
  

Along with [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]] and Chris Cruise, Zbyszko hosted ''[[WCW Main Event]]'' on Saturday mornings. In 1994, [[Darrin Matthews|Lord Steven Regal]] began harassing Zbyszko, prompting him to return to the ring. On May 2, 1994 in Atlanta, Zbyszko defeated Regal for the [[WCW World Television Championship]]. He held the title until June 23, 1994 when Regal regained the belt in [[Charleston, South Carolina]].  

In 1996, Zbyszko was promoted to the ''[[WCW Monday Nitro]]'' broadcast team, where he announced during the first hour with [[Tony Schiavone]]. In 1997, he was challenged by [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo) member [[Scott Hall]], but opted not to face Hall. Zbyszko remained in the broadcast booth for most of 1997, occasionally refereeing matches involving Hall and the nWo. On December 28, 1997 at ''[[Starrcade (1997)|StarrCade 1997]]'', Zbyszko returned to the ring for a match against Bischoff for control of ''WCW Monday Nitro'' with [[Bret Hart]] acting special referee. Hart ensured that the nWo did not interfere, and Zbyszko won the match, regaining control of Nitro for WCW. He continued to feud with Hall and his [[lackey]], [[Louie Spicolli]], culminating in a match between Zbyszko and Hall at ''[[Souled Out#1998|Souled Out 1998]]'' on January 24, 1998. Zbyszko won the match by disqualification after Dusty Rhodes betrayed him, joining the nWo.  

Zbyszko went back to commentating until 1999, when he faced [[Curt Hennig]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Retirement match|retirement match]] and lost. He returned in January 2000 as a member of the [[Old Age Outlaws]] with [[Terry Funk]], Arn Anderson and [[Paul Orndorff]] to feud with the revived nWo, then returned to commentary in [[February 2000|February]] until WCW was purchased by the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] in March 2001. At Monday Nitro on August 28, 2000 it was revealed that Larry is a long time juggalo.

===Independent circuit (2001–2005)===
After the sale of WCW, Zbyszko wrestled several matches for Dusty Rhodes's [[Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling]] promotion.  

In late 2001, Zbyszko requested that [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] cease referring to [[Chris Jericho]] as "The Living Legend", claiming that this infringed upon his [[common law]] [[trademark]]. After WWF refused to comply, with Chairman [[Vince McMahon]] personally addressing Jericho as "The Living Legend" during a televised broadcast, Zbyszko launched a [[lawsuit]] against WWF. In addition, he challenged McMahon to a [[Shoot (professional wrestling)|shoot fight]] during a 2002 [(contracted; show full)

In February 2005, Zbyszko joined [[Planet Jarrett]], Jarrett's dominant [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]]. He disappeared several weeks later.
  

On June 19, 2005, at [[Slammiversary (2005)|TNA Slammiversary 2005]], the returning Zbyszko was named [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Directors of Authority|Director of Authority]], replacing Dusty Rhodes. His first act as DoA was to give Jeff Jarrett's place in the [[King of the Mountain match]] later that night to [[Scott Levy|Raven]]. At [[TNA Sacrifice#2005|TNA Sacrifice 2005]] on August 14, Zbyszko responded to Jarrett's request for a shot at the [[NWA World Heavyweight Champions(contracted; show full)

In 2009 [[Full Impact Pro]] hired Zbyszko as the executive director of the FIP Championship committee.

Zbyszko Competed at the ROH show on January 29
th as a part of Wrestle Reunion 4 where he had a match with [[Scotty 2 Hotty]].  <ref>http://www.wrestlereunion.com/schedule/roh-show/</ref>

==In wrestling==
*'''Finishing moves'''
**''LarryLand Dreamer'' ([[Guillotine choke]])
**[[Piledriver (professional wrestling)|Piledriver]]
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Reverse figure four leglock|Standing reverse figure four leglock]]

(contracted; show full)
**NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ca/la/hw/ams-tv.html|title=NWA Beat the Champ Television Title history|publisher=wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>

*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
**[[PWI Match of the Year]] (1980) <small>vs. [[Bruno Sammartino]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|cage match]] at [[Showdown at Shea#1980|Showdown at Shea]]</small>
  
**[[PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (1980)
**[[PWI Rookie of the Year]] (1974)
**[[PWI Tag Team of the Year]] (1991) <small>with [[Arn Anderson]]</small>  
**PWI ranked him # '''105''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.

*'''Southern Championship Wrestling'''
**SCW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mister Saint Laurent

*'''USA Championship Wrestling'''
**USA North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wide Wrestling Federation]]'''
**[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWWF Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with [[Anthony Garcia|Tony Garea]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwf-t.html|title=WWWF/WWF/WWE World Tag Team Title history|publisher=wrestling-title.com}}</ref>

*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]'''
**[[Dave Meltzer#Rating system|5 Star Match]] (1991) <small>with [[Ric Flair]], [[Barry Windham]], & [[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]] vs. [[Brian Pillman]], [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]], [[Rick Steiner]], & [[Scott Steiner]] (February 24, [[WarGames match]], [[WrestleWar#1991|WrestleWar]])</small>
**5 Star Match (1992) <small>with [[Rick Rude]], [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]], Arn Anderson and [[Bobby Eaton]] vs. [[Nikita Koloff]], Barry Windham, [[Ricky Steamboat]], Sting, & [[Dustin Rhodes]]  (May 17, WarGames Match, [[WrestleWar#1992|WrestleWar]])</small>  
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Heel|Best Heel]] (1980)
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1980) <small>vs. Bruno Sammartino</small>
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Improved|Most Improved Wrestler]] (1980)

==References==
{{rReflist|2}}
*[http://www.rajahwwf.com/base/2004/734 Interview with Between the Ropes]
*[http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/peachstatepandemonium/conversations/larryzbyszko/page1.html *Interview with GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com (part 1)]
*[http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/peachstatepandemonium/conversations/larryzbyszko/page2.html Interview with GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com (part 2)]
*[http://www.wrestleview.com/news2004/1097303950.shtml Interview with Steve Gerweck]
*[http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2003-07-03/feature.html ''Life after rasslin''']
*[http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/9893/gzwjwz5.htm ''Tom Zenk battles Larry Zbyszko in AWA battle royal'']
*[http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ususaw.html The USA North American Heavyweight Championship at Solie.org]
*[http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/zbyszko.html Zybszko at Accelerator3359.com]
*[http://bodyslamming.com/nwa/larryzbysko.html Zybysko at Bodyslamming.com]
*[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/larry-zbyszko.html Larry Zbyszko at Online World of Wrestling]
*[http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/12/05/278136.html ''Zbyszko moves from wrestling to golf'']
*[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050611/COLUMNISTS0302/506110318/1061 ''Zbyszko wrestles with the greens'']

==External links==
{{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}}
*[http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com/5678articles/215686751.shtml WrestlingEpicenter.com Interactive Interviews (2003, 2007, & 2008) with Larry Zbyszko]
*{{imdb name|id=0924226|name=Larry Zbyszko}}
* [http://inyourheadonline.com/viewnews.php?autoid=638 Aug 14 2006 IYH's Capitol Legends Fanfest Special 2006 Featuring an interview from Larry Zbyszko]
* [http://inyourheadonline.com/viewnews.php?autoid=443 Apr 13 2006 Audio Interview with Larry Zbyszko]
* [http://inyourheadonline.com/viewnews.php?autoid=744 Oct 05 2006 Audio Interview with Larry Zbyszko]
*[http://inyourheadonline.com/viewnews.php?autoid=1533 Jun 05 2008 Audio Interview with Larry Zbyszko]

{{WCW World Television Championship}}
{{World Tag Team Championship (WWE)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zbyszko, Larry}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:American color commentators]]
[[Category:American judoka]]
[[Category:American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American sport wrestlers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Chicago, Illinois]]
[[Category:People from St. Johns County, Florida]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling announcers]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling executives]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling trainers]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Pennsylvania]]

[[es:Larry Zbyszko]]
[[ja:ラリー・ズビスコ]]
[[pl:Larry Zbyszko]]