Larry's opening fireman's carry was sharp and Steve O showing him up was fun. Larry was just great freaking out when Steve O slipped over and locked on a hammerlock and though the matwork was basic Larry's over the top act worked well opposite Steve O's plane Jane babyface tactics. Amusing spot as they do a rope running exchange that leads to Larry casually standing up and ducking out of the ring. Really awesome spot as Larry and Steve O play cat and mouse and Larry catches Steve O with a perfectly hit back kick to Steve as he comes through the ropes and into the ring. Right after this the tape cuts to Karl Malone doing a commercial with a Gorilla. After a few seconds we come back to Zbyszko in control. Larry had exposed a turnbuckle and after working some solid heel work on the mat he smashes Steve into the exposed turnbuckle and starts wailing on his mid section. Larry hits a sick piledriver for a nearfall. Larry cuts off another Steve O come back with a nice back round kick. Steve O ends up catching Larry and posting his knee. He tries to ram Steve into the exposed steel again but Larry takes the shot and nice bump. Steve O has Larry reeling but misses his diving elbow for a nearfall that gets waived off because Larry's legs were on the ropes. Steve O hits a nice rolling cradle for a nearfall but misses on the follow up. The nearfall segment went from there and was actually well done up until the finishing schoolboy which didn't look all that good and felt like a cheap way to end a darn good tv match.

Larry Z vs. Steve O

- I was digging the early stuff from Larry, very basic and simple but when he was running away from Steve O and pops him with the spin kick, the early stuff paid off. This is why I love Larry, cocky, always in the right place, always one step ahead of his opponent. When Steve O makes his comeback it is taking a page out of Larry’s playbook, regrouping on the outside and outsmarting Larry. Steve O’s offense isn’t lighting the world of fire and he reminds me of Tom Zenk in his blandness. The end was fine but nothing about this will set the world afire. I’ll agree with a low-level nomination.

"Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko vs. Steve O (1/17/87)

 

Larry brings the charisma, selling, & bumping for both men here but he also hangs with Steve on the mat and Steve was very good here working as the foil for Zbyszko. The back and forth action was good and both men kept it flowing well with the stretch run being well done up until the finish which was okay for what it was. Good match and I'll back a low-end pick.