There is no greater trio in wrestling history than the Fabulous Freebirds. Innovators in the pro wrestling industry, Michael "P.S." Hayes, Buddy Roberts and Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy introduced the world of rock and roll to professional wrestling, entering arenas in territories across the country to their own theme music. Each competitor had their own unique personalities and each filled a distinct role in the team, making them irreplaceable. Hayes was the talker, the loudmouth who often wrote checks with his mouth that his ass couldn't cash. He was a flamboyant rock star type that fans could not wait to see shut up by the likes of "Iceman" King Parsons. Roberts was the traditional heel, the guy that bumped around the ring for his babyface opposition while also providing the more technical aspects of wrestling to a match. He was a heat machine, a pro's pro and a wrestler who does not get nearly the credit he deserves for being as great as he was. Gordy was the bruiser, big brawler who beat the tar out of anyone who crossed the team. Together, the Freebirds experienced their greatest success in Texas, feuding with the Von Erich brothers in a rivalry that is still talked about and critically acclaimed to this day, some 30 years after its height. Whether they were packing fans into the Sportatorium in Dallas, filling seats in the Omni in Atlanta or working Madison Squared Garden in New York, the Freebirds were masterful in their execution of pro wrestling heeldom, ensuring that fans would pay their hard-earned money to come back and watch what they hoped would be trio's ultimate comeuppance. But it never quite happened. Sure, they lost and were humiliated, just as every great heel ultimately was, but they weathered the storm and remained one of the most over acts in the business. How Hayes, Roberts and Gordy are not currently enshrined in the Hall of Fame is a mystery only Vince McMahon an solve. With WrestleMania 32 taking place in Dallas, home to one of wrestling's greatest promotions (World Class Championship Wrestling) and the heel act that helped that territory become the talk of the wrestling world, there is no better time to celebrate the trio than now.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
