what was the long standing issue between the Asaros and Bonanno?
Vinny's grandfather Vincenzo (an old timer mafioso from Castellmare) was a capo and was demoted by Bonanno. His son Jerome (Vinny's father) was at one point also shelved by Bonanno.
Bonanno was stingy and bled his family members dry with high tributes (DiGregorio included). His traditionalist methods originating from the old county were out of place in the new era, the nepotism associated with his son being promoted was just the trigger for all the thing to come. Also the rebellion was stirred by other families, his relative Maggadino included (he fell out with him apparently due to moving in on rackets on his territory). Well, DiGregorio also wasn't the best choice for a leader.
IMO, and I understand certain situations but historically going against you're Boss, never ends well. In this situation, Di Gregorio faction (Sciacca/Rastelli), the people on the fence and Bonanno loyalist all lost. And Bonanno himself probably left with a better deal then the Rebels.
Bonanno was able to settle his beef with Gambino.
Keep his legitimate businesses outside Ny.
Still act as a liason to Montreal and Sicily
secure peace for his loyalist who moved to Arizona and some of those who remained in Ny.
establish a quasi-Family in Arizona and California, unbothered.
The Bonannos rebels (as of around 1970) were left, with:
1.) their prestige and nation presence gone (that what Bonanno brought to the table)
2.) their smartest and most well connected guys either dead or in exile with Joe.
3.) They lost their Commission seat beacuse the Family wasn't unified and the other bosses didn't respect them
4.) was finally pushed out of the few unions they were involved to primarily the Gambinos and Luchesse
5.) Lost Brooklyn territory to the Colombos
6.) an influx of ruthless zips, treacherous caporegime and uprising of inadequate/inept members (Lefty Ruggiero comes to mind)
