Larry Zbyszko
Lawrence Whistler (born December 5, 1951), better known by the ring name Larry Zbyszko, is an American professional wrestler and author perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino during the early 1980s. Zbyszko was inducted into the 2015 WWE Hall of Fame on March 28, 2015.
Wrestling career
Early career and World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation (1973–1981)
Whistler trained under Bruno Sammartino after cutting his collegiate wrestling career at Penn State University short he debuted in 1973 as the 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 bookings in Vancouver. He spent three years in the World Wide Wrestling Federation before traveling 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.
