ShareThisA fairy-tale pro-wrestling career is neatly summarized in Larry Zbyszko's new autobiography."Adventures in Larryland" ($19.95; ECW Press) focuses primarily on the feuds and story lines that have helped make Zbyszko one of grappling's most colorful personalities since 1980.At that time, Zbyszko was a seven-year veteran mired in a mid-card role. His fortune immediately changed when he turned heel on mentor Bruno Sammartino, triggering one of World Wrestling Entertainment's most memorable feuds.The public hatred aimed at Zbyszko for bloodying Sammartino with a chair and betraying one of the industry's most beloved figures manifested itself in two ways. Zbyszko faced assaults from fans, including a group that upturned his taxi outside a show in Boston.Such rage also translated into box-office success. Sammartino and Zbyszko headlined a WWE show at New York's Shea Stadium that drew an estimated crowd of 37,000.And to think Zbyszko began his training in Sammartino's back yard after approaching the two-time WWE champion at his Pittsburgh home as a teen-ager named Larry Whistler."The whole business was different then, and I hope I captured that in the book," Zbyszko said in a telephone interview. "Back in those days, wrestling fans would get heart attacks and die or try to stab you because they really hated you. That made it a fun and exciting time."Although he faded from WWE after a falling out with the McMahon family, Zbyszko wasn't done headlining. He starred in the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Association during the mid-1980s and became the promotion's final world champion before it faded from prominence. Zbyszko footage still airs at 1 a.m. EDT weeknights on ESPN Classic's AWA replays."I forgot how great I was," said a laughing Zbyszko, who is married to the daughter of AWA owner Verne Gagne. "I started watching those shows a few months ago because some friends told me I was on. If I'm not on, I really don't watch it."Having honed his gift of gab, Zbyszko gradually segued into announcing after resurfacing in World Championship Wrestling. Zbyszko had a few in-ring comebacks, including notable skirmishes with Scott Hall and Eric Bischoff, but has stayed primarily behind the mike ever since.Zbyszko, 54, could soon resurface on TNA Wrestling's "Impact" telecasts (9 p.m. Thursdays, Spike TV). Zbyszko already is set for appearances at upcoming live and pay-per-view TNA shows to help push book sales.Besides some exaggerations (which are expected considering Zbyszko's wrestling shtick), the biggest drawback to "Adventures in Larryland" is that it leaves you wanting more. Zbyszko barely delves into his personal life and admittedly has plenty more to share from a 35-year grappling career where "the things I did in each decade were all a little different.""There's a whole other book I can write with more personal and outrageous stuff," Zbyszko said. "I've already got a sequel in mind."For more information, visit www.ecwpress.com.X...X...XInstead of giving away $1 million each week on "Monday Night Raw" (9 p.m., USA Network), WWE owner Vince McMahon may want to keep the cash to sign some new talent. Two headliners -- Randy Orton and The Undertaker -- are expected out through at least July because of injuries. William Regal and Jimmy Wang Yang also were recently suspended under WWE's wellness policy.One potential acquisition is "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson, who worked a tryout match Monday night before "Raw" aired. Considered one of the world's best technical wrestlers, Danielson is a top star for the Philadelphia-based Ring of Honor promotion.McMahon will juggle his talent rosters on the June 23 edition of "Raw" by conducting a draft that also includes "Smackdown" and "Extreme Championship Wrestling" performers. McMahon should strongly consider moving "Raw" headliners Paul "Triple H" Levesque and John Cena to separate brands. Their feud, which has become increasingly stale, continues with yet another match on the June 29 "Night of Champions" pay-per-view show.(Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro wrestling column for Scripps-Howard News Service. Contact him at alex1marv(at)aol.com.)
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Submitted by SHNS on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 15:37
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