John's Icons of Wrestling: Fabulous Freebirds Quiz

Answer: Bill Watts

"Cowboy" Bill Watts placed the two men together in 1979. Though initially intended only to be a two-person tag team, Bill Watts would add a third member to the team. Dale Hey, or as he is better known, Buddy "Jack" Roberts was added by Watts to enhance the team's wrestling ability. Bill was not as impressed with Michael's in-ring skills as his ability to cut a promo. Thus Roberts, a successful tag team wrestler, was brought in to help get the Freebirds over as a team. The decision proved to be a perfect one as the three wrestlers would hold a great many single and tag team titles during their tenure as a team.

Before becoming the head of the Mid-South Wrestling and then the Universal Wrestling Federation, Bill was an accomplished wrestler himself. He would hold several regional titles including the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship on three separate occasions.

Answer: Purely Sexy

With his bleached blonde hair and his hairy chest, Michael was the brash leader of the Fabulous Freebirds. He would often strut to and around the ring. Michael would often brag about how good-looking he thought he was. His arrogant attitude would shine through when he would cut a promo for the tag team. Michael was one fierce competitor in the ring. He was not afraid to use illegal tactics to ensure a win for his brothers.

Michael was born Michael Seitz on March 29, 1959. Besides the ring name Michael Hayes, he would also perform under the name Dok Hendrix where he would most notably manage The Hardy Boyz in the WWE.

Answer: The Road Warriors

"Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin and "Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal defeated the Legion of Doom on September 29, 1985, due to the interference of the Freebirds for the titles. The Freebirds and Road Warriors were feuding with each other at the time. The Road Warriors had dominated the tag team scene up until their loss to Garvin and Regal.

The match was reasonably one-sided as the Road Warriors were in charge the majority of the bout. Buddy Roberts and Michael Hayes would come out to the ring to interfere on behalf of Garvin and Regal. Precious, Jimmy Garvin's valet, would distract the referee while Michael would jump off the top rope onto Garvin allowing Jimmy Garvin to pin Animal of The Road Warriors for the win.

Answer: Christmas Star Wars

The Freebirds were the inaugural WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Champions. They would defeat "Iron" Mike Sharpe, Ben Sharpe, and Tom Steele on December 25, 1982. Buddy Roberts was replaced by David Von Erich in the bout. However, the title was given to Buddy by David. The Freebirds would hold the titles until July 4, 1983. They would lose to the team of Kerry, Kevin, and David Von Erich at "Independence Day Star Wars." The Freebirds would hold the titles a total of five different times.

"Star Wars" events were held throughout the year by World Class Championship Wrestling. The first was held on June 4, 1981, in Dallas, Texas. The Fabulous Freebirds would win the titles for the first time at the second "Christmas Star Wars" in 1982.

Answer: Terry was injured earlier that evening by Steve Williams.

Terry had a championship match, later on, that night with One Man Gang. The Freebirds were scheduled to fight in a Six-Man Elimination Tag Team match at the start of the card. "Dr. Death" Steve Williams had just returned from an injury at the hands of The Freebirds. Steve took his revenge out on Terry Gordy. Steve jumped off of the ropes on the arm of Gordy. Terry's arm was badly injured in the bout. Later on that evening Terry and Michael Hayes came to the ring and refused to wrestle One Man Gang.

The referred confirmed with Hayes that Terry would not wrestle. Hayes confirmed and the referee, Tommy Gilbert handed the championship to One Man Gang.

Answer: Savannah Jack

Buddy was joined at ringside by Michael Hayes. Michael was there to help ensure Buddy retained his championship. Terry Taylor would join Savannah Jack at ringside as well. In one part of the match, Michael reached into the ring and slapped Jack across the face. This caused Terry to chase Michael around the ring and start a fight. Jack would secure a victory over Roberts with a Super Kick to the head.

This bout took place on November 9th, 1986. It was not a good night for the trio as earlier Terry Gordy had lost the UWF Heavyweight Title.

Answer: False

Hayes, Roberts, Gordy, and Garvin were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016. Garvin had started to be billed as a full-time member while he and Hayes teamed in WCW. The Freebirds were a tag team and individual champions in almost every territory they wrestled in. Their stay in the then WWF was brief in 1984. They left shortly after their arrival due to an altercation with Andre The Giant.

This was my first time seeing the team wrestle. I lived in Maryland and at the time only had access to WWF programming. I recall seeing the three men, especially Hayes dressed in a golden robe. I had read about the team in different wrestling publications. It was a real shame they did not stay longer. They could have really made an impact on the tag team scene.

Answer: Georgia

The trio was billed from being from Badstreet Atlanta, Ga. This was actually a song that the group recorded as well while in World Class Championship Wrestling. The group was self-described Southen bad boys. Their home state pride was shown through especially in their battles with The Von Erich Family.

On January 2, 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution. Georgia was the host of the 23rd Olympic Games in 1996. It is home the home of The Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs athletic teams.

Answer: Lex Luger

Michael defeated Lex at "Wrestlewar 1989" on May 7, 1989. Michael only held the title for a day over two weeks. He would drop the title back to Luger in Bluefield, West Virginia. Luger would go on to hold the title for a total of 523 consecutive days. This made him the longest-reigning United States Champion in NWA history. Lex held the NWA United States Championship a total of four times.

I recall being quite surprised and excited that Michael had won the title. The NWA United States Championship much like the WWE Intercontinental Championship was typically given to the hardest workers as a reward for being so over. Often the NWA United States Champion would go on to hold the World Championship as well.

Answer: Hair vs. Hair Match

Terry and Buddy had returned to renew their feud with The Von Erichs. Michael returned a short time afterward as well to World Class Championship Wrestling. Unlike his teammates, Michael wanted to reconcile with The Von Erichs. This did not sit well and caused the men to feud. "Iceman" King Parsons would join the two men in their war against Hayes and The Von Erichs. Gordy would assist Parsons in defeating Kerry for the World Class Heavyweight Championship.

This led to the two men battling in a "Hair vs. Hair Match". Gordy would win, but instead of shaving Michael's head, they shaved Buddy Robert's head.

This led to the two men reuniting and feuding with their former teammates.