The originals. The trailblazers. The best. Michael "PS" Hayes, Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy, and Buddy Roberts formed the Fabulous Freebirds in 1979 and, unbeknownst to those around them at the time, would forever change the industry. Unlike some of the heels in generations gone by, the Freebirds were cool bad guys. From the entrance music, something Hayes was directly responsible for starting in the business, to the way they carried themselves and the manner in which they spoke, the Freebirds were the group of rebels that the young members of the audience took to. Even if they hated them. Their most notable rivalry came in Fritz Von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling as they battled the promoter's popular sons Kerry, David and Kevin. The battles between the brothers and the Freebirds led to some of the most passionate and heated crowd reactions in wrestling history and made the Dallas territory one of the most successful ever. As cool as Hayes, Gordy and Roberts may have been, they barked up the wrong tree by feuding picking on the beloved Von Erich boys. The crowd hated the trio and packed the Sportatorium in Dallas to see them get theirs every Friday night. Sometimes they did and sometimes they did not but that potential to see the Freebirds finally get beat up kept the fans coming back. The Freebirds did stellar business outside of Dallas, drawing crowds and attention in the AWA, where they feuded with the Road Warriors, and Georgia Championship Wrestling. They even appeared in WWE in 1984 before a conflict with Andre the Giant necessitated their departure. Given their resumes and the quality of work they were responsible for in some of the top promotions in the industry, it is both appalling and disappointing that the Freebirds are not members in the WWE Hall of Fame. With rumors suggesting that WrestleMania may head to Dallas sometime over the next five years, their opportunity to be immortalized in the Hall may finally be coming.
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.
