Larry Zbyszko Shoot Interview (2024) | WSI 102 🎤

[@erichealy8381]

Larry Zbyszko Was An Amazing Wrestler And Heel In His Time And The Real Living Legend 💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯

[@danmitchell1091]

James, do you notice that other channels post old shoot interviews with people that you are currently interviewing? They "just so happen" to post old interviews when you are posting new clips.

[@SergioImbarlina]

I'm just loving how Larry oozes gratitude toward Bruno, the business, and the fans. It's just heartwarming to see when the career is long over that he can look back and share all the great memories. And he really was good at drawing heel heat in his day. Larry Zbyszko was quite literally the prototype for Tully Blanchard (same blueprint with a little less "stalling"). I paused this vid to go watch Larry's Shea Stadium promo against Bruno. Not only was Larry jacked from those Bruno workouts back then, but his heel promo has some serious babyface sensibilities to it & that's hard to pull off & Larry made it look natural. Great interview.

[@tomstewartdrums]

Great interview…he seems like a decent guy. Larry was a great heel…I started watching wrestling in 1979 about a year before his turn on Bruno…saw it live as it happened, and he was so sarcastic, really good at making you hate him. I had 5th row ringside for his match against Backlund at the Spectrum in Phila in 1980….I was 10. My only criticism of Larry is his down playing of Backlund’s popularity and ability to draw. I went to cards in Phila, watched them on Prism, have at least 50 MSG and Spectrum cards on video, and have NEVER seen fans chanting “BULLSHIT!” when Backlund won…. In fact, the crowd popped big whenever he pinned guys like Patera, Slaughter, Valentine, Hansen, Patterson, Muraco, etc. They’re on KZbin, watch for yourself. He did jump the shark in late 1982 when Graham destroyed the belt and he wept on TV…I think that and the arrival of Snuka started to make fans weary of Backlund after 5 years. But he was a tremendous champion, a role model for kids like me, and was a true wrestler in the NWA vein of Brisco, Dory Funk Jr etc which is what I think Vince Sr was looking for…a legit wrestler who could shoot and protect the belt if needed. The accusation that he couldn’t draw was also not accurate… there were plenty of sold out MSG cards and near capacity cards in Phila, DC, Boston etc during his reign. The cards were no more stacked than any Bruno or Graham card. A tag title match, a feud or Andre match, and a bunch of mid card stuff, always. There was no Intercontinental Title during the 70s, so they used to throw 6 man, women’s, or midget matches on instead. Regarding Bruno blading on that TV match….yeah, watching it now, it’s blatant. He was never good at hiding it, even in the 70s. But as a kid, I would have never guessed he was running a blade across his head….I was a mark, I thought it was all real until I saw Eddie Mansfield blade himself on 20/20. I knew they bled for real, it wasn’t blood capsules or packets, you could see it gushing out, so that’s what kept me believing as a kid. When I saw Bruno in a pool of blood after Larry chaired him…to me it was real. That was an art.

[@michaelrood2751]

Good post … I never liked Backlund as a kid but he did draw. The crying in the Graham angle was so bad.

[@darrellkirby9829]

Great interview. Larry is indeed , a living legend

[@Mma-basement-215]

Larry is was a legend one of the best in the wrestling ring and on the microphone all time!!✌️👏

[@ggaa111100]

Thanks for this great interview James. Larry Zbyszko was one of my favorite heels. Great in and out of the ring he could give seminars on getting heat. I always heard he was a pretty chill guy and this interview shows that.

[@drexlspivey5828]

This is the first time I've (pretty much) avoided all the clips building up to it as I wanted to see the whole thing in full without seeing any of it before

[@machohogan]

There didn’t seem to be many clips before on this one.

[@bradkrapff4007]

Me too

[@lanceevans688]

Likewise

[@dimestoretrophy6233]

Same

[@OaktownABQ]

One of the things I enjoyed most about Larry's stint in the AWA were his "In This Corner" segments co-hosted by Larry Nelson. They were freaking hilarious, especially when he had babyfaces as guests! LOL

[@rudyrusso711]

Excellent interview, great to see the "Living Legend" looking great 👌🏼

[@johnliberty3647]

Larry Z seems like he is just fun to be around. I used to call him Larry Nabisco as a little child

[@manifestualdestiny2057]

Larry was one of my favorite Commentators during WCW on Nitro. His side banter and comments still get me laughing out loud.

[@MrChristopherHaas]

yes indeed, one of the main reasons i went back and rewatched 96-98. Hour #1 on Mondays were typically as good as or better than the rest of show

[@stuartmorris6299]

James is the Best Wrestling interviewer going. Thanks for the simple and straight forward good hearted interview. You come across as very honest and cool. Happy for the Success of the channel.

[@BmanNL1]

Such a joy to hear the old stories. And what a nice guy.

[@stephengennarelli1808]

Greg, I think Bruno was truly inspired by the 4th season "Mike Brady" look on "The Brady Bunch" which was an incredibly popular TV Show back in the mid 70's.

[@JPS47]

I just helped a friend move a fridge. Listening to this is a nice way to relax after all that work

[@justinstalek6191]

Great interview as always. You really have a knack for it.

[@charliewall690]

What a great memory! And an enjoyable interview.

[@captainstanhope4193]

Really good interview this, James. Great to hear so much from the Living Legend.

[@troylowe814]

I grew up in Indiana so I didn't get to see Larry at work until he went to Georgia and made a big impact by buying the National belt from Killer Brooks. I became a fan, loved the stalling, the bs, the promos, Larry portrayed a prick better than most.

[@aboutdafunk]

Thanks for the trip to Larryland!

[@dzig228]

Great interview. Though he was a great wrestler, I enjoyed his commentary work in his later years with WCW.

[@Super_Flea]

I saw Larry bench press 405 for reps when he was in Minneapolis in the 80’s

[@freestaterevolution]

I love how Larry really loves sharing his stories! What a legend!

[@joeh2236]

Great interview! So many people take credit for starting the N.W.O. it's hard to believe anyone person, but for some reason I believe Zbyszko more than the others, but no one will truly know except for the person that actually did (I'm thinking it was a group effort, not just one individual)

[@GP29770]

One of the best recent interviews on this channel. Such a great guy. Great stories. So many eras of wrestling that he got to experience.

[@skewbydoom]

That's exactly what happened to me in London.....close one

[@ManInBlack634]

Everyone deserves to find a significant other that talks about them like Larry talks about Bruno.

[@williamfrye9974]

He definitely has a voice actors voice.

[@bradkrapff4007]

This is a very well done interview. Great stories

[@MrAitraining]

I was a kid when he turned on Bruno. Felt so real and done so well. His heel run in Georgia a few yrs later is so underrated. He was great and feuding with Tommy Rich. Had incredible heat then.

[@stevenk9807]

He was such an awesome heal.

[@EclecticBuddha]

Hooray! I only saw Legend with WCW and loved him on color. He and Jesse were awesome at explaining the kayfabe of what was happening in the ring.

[@billwebber400]

Not only a true legend but it's true good man🎉❤

[@JosephRamous]

Great interview with Larry it’s so awesome to get the stories from legends like this man Great job James 🙏🏻💪🏻👍🏻

[@IanieriGiacomo]

"See Ya in Larry Land " ..Jerk! I was in attendance in Vancouver when you wrestled at the PNE Gardens.

[@donniedavis4258]

what happened to your podcast with shane douglas

[@RampageREDDEVIL]

Larry has one of the most recognizable voices !!!

[@pinotnoir6974]

If anything, you’ve got the most honest legends, namely… - Don Muraco - Dutch Mantell - Larry Zbyszko Very easygoing and diplomatically honest. It’s a shame you couldn’t interview Lou Thesz.

[@bleueggos6798]

The living legend

[@JerseyZeke]

Very cool!

[@dustdevil9614]

I'm first 😅😅😅 The big Z. True legend

[@douglaswilson95]

When he beat the crap out of Nick bockwincle with numchucks was the most real thing ever to hit pro wrestling

[@badplay156]

I used to love watching him on TV how he would always manage to keep the belt. He would be slaughtered and then would get himself disqualified

[@johnsawh8459]

I remember when Larry turned on Bruno, I watched it on WWOR TV Channel 9 in NYC, It stands out in my memories because the next day my family moved to Clearwater, Florida, I hated Larry at the time, not realizing what talent it took to make you hate someone, I went from the WWWF to CWF (NWA), from one hotbed of wrestling to another, I was lucky, Larry is still in good shape, good luck to him.

[@djdonald243]

Ref, he pulled my hair! OK

[@MrTurbografx16]

The living legend is great

[@____K_____989]

It might have been an upper body business, but Bruno had big legs. He looked like a 70s powerlifter.

[@shadyacrefarm1005]

He was.

[@____K_____989]

@@shadyacrefarm1005exactly. I was just surprised with Larry saying all they did was bench during his training. I know for a fact Bruno squatted and deadlifted some damn good numbers before the advent of androgens.

[@shadyacrefarm1005]

@@____K_____989 exactly. Bruno was a legit strongman.

[@dynamike7108]

The smelliest wrestler question is pretty corny. Great video

[@bobmenke3211]

This interview is A+ Thank you Larry and James

[@ItwasMenotU1234]

Great interview. If U get Larry back u have to ask about how he got paired up with Curt and how the rolled coin angle with him Curt and Bockwinkle came about. Whose idea and was Curt going to become his protege? Was there a long term angle there that never happened?

[@ChuckWCoulter]

Zbysco can wrestle. He and Gange. Like Hogan in AWA against Bockwinkel. Zbysco looks and sounds great. A man who appreciates life. Nature.

[@kazman_6899]

They should have asked him if there really was any interest in him from the wwe during the time King left over Kat. It sounds dubious because he couldn't make the wcw team, and yet wwe were keen?

[@darrickcato9499]

Barry dorso had a gimmick of golfing

[@AmericanCombatAssoc]

Excellent interview

[@KenMatthews-bd3ok]

😮😮😮

[@legion7outpost519]

I can't support this channel if James is going to post pictures of his giant face looking grumpy on the title screen likes equal to the draw of someone like Larry Zbyszko. What the frag man. A good broadcaster doesnt try to make himself part of the spotlight!

[@boogiehed]

What a american patriot!!! Always quick to mock the left lol!!!

[@bb-gc2tx]

good to know larrys MAGA

[@boogiehed]

@@bb-gc2tx all the badass old schoolers are

[@reesecurrie]

James, thanks for asking my question and sorry it bombed. If you want to see the "official version" of Larry turning Nick Bockwinkel face, see kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH2Vcp9jn9KYedE

[@MrChristopherHaas]

Ivan Koloff 300 lbs? cmon lol

[@Ben-nh9xw]

I remember quite clearly watching the WWWF show where Spiros Arion turned heel and attacked Bruno and another good guy in the ring. I was child, but I am of this memory. Bruno ended up sitting in a corner beaten and batted with his wig hanging loosely half way down his face. The referee casually walked over and pushed it up upon his head and walked away Ok I just looked it up on KZbin. It was a tag match between the Valiant Brothers Vs Spiros and Jay Strongbow. After Arion attacked Chief Jay Bruno came in street clothes and was attacked by Arion and the Valiants. Sadly the clip ends before this happened

[@josephnicolino8529]

The Marge Simpson starter kit was too funny 🤣

[@paulknight5300]

In my opinion, Larry's best run was in Georgia with the National Heavyweight Championship with Tommy Rich

[@grawakendream8980]

thank god you finally got rid of wayne keough

[@jamesreding6336]

My best score in golf is 102 but I only golf maybe 1 time a year the most times I golfed a year was 8 times

[@EclecticBuddha]

I can't find the Boo On Me song anywhere.

[@Justin-hj6pb]

LOL LAWRENCE WHISTLER ILYSM

[@b.msabol8551]

I love Larry but damn is this hard to listen to. He drones on too much

[@drewbog1055]

Bischoff fired Ventura.....he didn't quit

[@TheZom1965]

Wahoo was a golfer.

[@rccomics]

Does every old white former wrestler have to be MAGA? Or is this a rhetorical question?

[@MrAitraining]

Do you expect them to support a demented beta male walking mannequin pervert?