[Dynasty]

Here's a couple old-school angles.


1. Larry Zbyszko turns on Bruno Sammartino (1980): In the WWWF's first sixteen years of existence, Bruno Sammartino was champion for eleven of them. His second reign ended in 1977 but he continued wrestling as an additional attraction to supplement WWWF champion Bob Backlund (1978 - 1983).

Larry Zbyszko was a protege and friend of Sammartino in both real life and in the WWWF TV programs. He was a typical 1970's good guy. He never broke the rules. He smiled at the fans. He was a goody-goody who didn't stand out too much.

In 1980, vitually out of nowhere, Zbyszko acted upset and jealous over his mentor's popularity and perceived superior ring skills. Eventually, Zbyszko challenged Sammartino to a good guys vs. good guy match. When the match happened, the two fought a technical match with Sammartino constantly frustrating Zbyszko. Eventually, Zbyszko fell out of the ring after getting out-maneuvered. Sammartino held the ring ropes open for Zbyszko to re-enter but (of course) let his attention slip. Zbysko grabbed your standard metal folding chair and cut loose on the WWWF legend.

The heel turn was stunning and carried Zbyszko throughout his career. In fact, Zbyszko would start calling himself the "New Living Legend" mocking Sammartino's nickname of "Living Legend".

The feud ended in the summer of 1980 when Zbyszko and Sammartino fought in a Steel Cage match in Shea Stadium. The match was so huge that it was broadcast live on ABC's Wild World of Sports. Sammartino won the match. But, Zbysko claimed that he was the true victor by saying that Sammartino was never the same after the beating Zbyszko gave him, thus forcing Sammartino into retirement.

2. The Von Erich brothers vs. The Freebirds (1983)

World Class Championship wrestling, based in Texas, in 1983 was pure fun. David, Kevin, and Kerry Von Erich were Texas boys who were already the most popular stars in their family-owned company. In 1983 (actually, very late 1982), The Fabulous Freebirds, three rock 'n'roll/Georgia boys who had been together for a couple years in other promotions joined World Class.

World Class created a six-man tag team championship. On Christmas, 1982, the Freebirds won the championship as good guys. Later in the evening, Kerry Von Erich was wrestling Ric Flair for the NWA championship. Freebird Michael Hayes was a guest referee controling the cage door. Towards the end of the match, Hayes interfered in the match and offered Von Erich an easy path to win the NWA belt. Von Erich protested an said he wouldn't accept a win that way. Hayes responded by slamming the steel cage door in Von Erich's face allowing Flair a sudden victory.

Throughout 1983, the six wrestlers fought in every imaginable way (including a memorable strap match). The heat was non-stop. The only thing which slowed it down was the death of David Von Erich.