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bruno sammartino title defenses

[46] May 17, 2013 was declared "Bruno Sammartino Day" in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Spectator Sports was a local Pittsburgh promotion previously owned by WWWF co-owner Toots Mondt but now owned by Sammartino himself it was on Spectator Sports TVthat Koloff had first encountered Sammartino, facing him as Orwell Parris (in an enhancement role), in 1965 in a non-title match. Seth Turner, President of the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, successfully procured the belt. In 1966, he began using another gimmick briefly as Red McNulty working Western Canada with NWA Vancouver and Stampede Wrestling (then Wildkat Wrestling), then off to Japan, where he competed for Rikidozans Japan Wrestling Association (JWA) for three months. 'The Living Legend' held the world title for over 11 . While Sammartino remained a popular champion in his second run, before losing to Superstar Billy Graham in April of 1977, it failed to capture the magic of the first run. After Bruno defeated Rogers, just one month later, the first official WWWF (WWE) World Championship was designed. "Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. I looked around the arena. Louis. But I made sure I kept my word, and I went through with the match. [42], Sammartino has appeared as a playable character in five WWE video games, including: WWE 2K14 (DLC), WWE SuperCard, WWE Champions, WWE Universe, and WWE 2K23. [26] As the main event of 1980's Showdown at Shea, Sammartino defeated Zbyszko inside a steel cage. [14] Sammartino made his Toronto debut in March 1962 and very quickly, with the help of self-promotion in local newspapers and radio programs, became an attraction. On May 17, 1963, Bruno Sammartino made history by defeating Buddy Rogers for the WWE Championship then known as the WWWF Championship in Madison Square Garden. On April 30, 1977, he was defeated by Superstar Billy Graham for the title. [10], In 1959, Sammartino set a world record in the bench press with a lift of 256 kilograms (565lb), done without elbow or wrist wraps. Once again a bruising Russian supervillain during the Cold War hysteria of the 1960s, he became a top heel with Maple Leaf Wrestling in Toronto. [21], At the inaugural WrestleMania on March 31, 1985, Sammartino was in his son David's corner for his match against Brutus Beefcake. He was inducted into the WWE . ", Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Can you imagine it? It was the hardest thing in my life to go out of wrestling. Technically, this means three of the first four World Champions of the WWWF wore the same belt; however, Brunos belt was retired and replaced by a significantly lesser-quality belt for Pedro Morales, which did not last long. Rogers pinned Sammartino for the third and deciding fall. In 2006, Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, Bruno Sammartino: Behind The Championship Belt. [20] Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for seven years, eight months, and one day (2,803 days). B. Brian Blair, Big John Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, . Bruno owned his title belt for over 52 years, 10. To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. On AXS (1/19/21) Eric Young versus Rhino. Sammartino won the title on May 17, 1963, defeating Rogers in 48 seconds. Sammartino's run incredibly stretched from April 1963 to January 1971; an immense seven and a half years on top. Lou Thesz, a 2x NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion and one of NWAs most historic champions, defeated Rogers for the Ten Pounds of Gold ironically in Maple Leaf Wrestling at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto ending Rogers World title reign at 573-days. Of all the statues created byWWE, including AndrThe Giant, Ultimate Warrior, Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, and Rowdy Roddy Piper, only the Bruno statue wearsa championship belt. Boston 10/21/75) 21. But I kept my word. The following title matches feature the WWE Championship. [16] Sammartino was forced to return to Pittsburgh and found work as a laborer. Eager to recapture the support of the immigrant wave that had carried Bruno Sammartino for nearly eight years, McMahon hoped that Morales would appeal to the growing Hispanic audience as Bruno had for Europeans. The statue is over 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. But this is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino's day was very different compared to how it is today. Any working guy could relate to Bruno the way they related to Steve Austin many years later. If you've watched professional wrestling for any modicum of time, you've surely heard of the name of Bruno Sammartino at least once. There are paper champions, there are fighting champions, and there are champions who scarcely put their gold up for grabs. Sammartino was living proof of the American Dream, an immigrant who left a wartorn time to become an accomplished athlete. Sammartino actually . When the doctor heard that, he called Paul Sullivan, who was the head of the state athletic commission. Before Hulk Hogan could be the face of the company during its national expansion, before Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock could lead The Attitude Era, and before John Cena or Roman Reigns were even born, Sammartino was a two-time WWE Champion who had cumulatively held the strap for over 11 years (as a fun fact, Cena was born . Earth, receive an honored guest: Legendary WWE champion and phenomenally strong man Bruno Sammartino has been laid to reset. Bruno Sammartino: Directed by Patrea Patrick. [52][53] Mayor Bill Peduto remembered him as "one of the greatest ambassadors the city of Pittsburgh ever had."[54]. Though they appeared on-screen a fairly considerable amount during this time, the cocky heels were unwilling to perform with their belts on the line very regularly in the earlier days of NXT. Bruno Sammartino was the first two-time WWE Champion. By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. "Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff v. Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon (Graham scores ANOTHER pinfall over the WWWF Champ! Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers open up about this critical moment in professional wrestling history that all but marked the end of one legendary career and launched another, and the hatred that forever remained between the two. Following the match, thieves smashed a window and broke into Brunos car while he was having dinner. May 20 - USA Event: Bruno . I used to come home from Toronto, Canada, twice a month every Sunday, because we would be at the Maple Leaf Garden, shows every other Sunday. The match was rated 1976 "Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[24]. (1965-1971) Bruno Sammartino is the greatest world champion in the history of professional wrestling. WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino, who held the championship belt for nearly eight consecutive years from 1963 to 1971, has died at age 82. . non-confrontation at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. Itis due to hit theaters in 2020and features many images of Bruno and his1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. He went on to win the World Welterweight and Middleweight Titles. Terry Funk commented that Sammartino "was bigger than wrestling itself". An irate Sammartino attacked Savage during a TV interview, after Savage bragged about injuring Ricky Steamboat, by driving the timekeeper's bell into Steamboat's throat during a televised match. Pittsburgh has a new arena, which was the Civic Arena that held 19,000 people, and Buddy Rogers came in with a big cigar strutting around, and by the time it was 8:00 pm, he went to look at the audience, and the place was empty. After the first WWWF World Champion, Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, was hospitalized three times in April 1963 for chest pains, Vince McMahon, Sr. and Toots Mondt made a command decision to make an emergency title switch. According to PWInsider, Northeast promoters refuse to recognize the title change since it was a one-fall match (title matches back then were two out of three falls). They were grandparents of four grandchildren. title(s) WWWF MSG Show (Dec '63) Dec 16th 1963: Bruno Sammartino (c) def. Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino[1] (October 6, 1935 April 18, 2018) was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). or scroll down to learn more about the history of Bruno's Belt. The other NWA members were not pleased with the situation, and this led to the split. Chants of Bruno! RELATED: 10 Failed WWE Champions That Should Have Worked. "Afterwards, there were obviously bad feelings. Sammartino then finished up his full-time career by touring Japan. [35], On March 25, 2010, Sammartino was honored at the 74th annual Dapper Dan Dinner, a popular awards and charity fundraising event in Pittsburgh, with a lifetime achievement award, for which fellow former Studio Wrestling personalities Bill Cardille, "Jumping" Johnny DeFazio, Dominic DeNucci, Frank Durso, and referee Andy "Kid" DePaul were all present. 7 WWE Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You To Know! And it was 50-years ago this week that that legendary run came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden. It was dead silence as the new champion left the ring with Albano behind him. Bruno was shattered but more because his body had finally exhausted all its strength after a rugged past decade from fighting for his spot to defending it around the world than at actually losing the title. Dominic DeNucci Wrestlings Shining Light. Now, here's the tricky thing. [7] During his second reign, on April 26, 1976, Sammartino suffered a legitimate neck fracture in a match against Stan Hansen at Madison Square Garden, when Hansen improperly executed a move and dropped Sammartino on his head. Because Monsoon won the match by disqualification, thus Sammartino retained his belt. When Lou Thesz came out of semi-retirement on January 24th, 1963, in Toronto to fight Buddy Rogers for the World Heavyweight Championship, Rogers was supposedly having second thoughts about dropping the title to Thesz. He held the company's top title from 1963 to 1971 and again from 1973 to 1977. Sammartino would go on to hold the title for 2,803 days, nearly eight years(! There, he held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (WWWF Heavyweight Championship during his second reign) for more than 11 years (4,040 days) across two reigns, the first of which . To put everything in perspective, if Roman Reigns stays Universal Champion through New Year's Day 2028, he'd still be many, many months short of reaching Sammartino's record title reign length! Italian-born American professional wrestler (19352018), World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation (19631981), First World Heavyweight Championship reign (19631971), Second World Heavyweight Championship reign (19721977), Later career and initial retirement (19781981), Non-wrestling roles and WWE Hall of Fame (19882018), During Sammartino's second reign the title was known as WWWF Heavyweight Championship, due to the WWWF rejoining the, the longest single reign in the promotion's history, WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, NWA United States Heavyweight Championship, World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis), WWC North American Heavyweight Championship, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, "Bruno Sammartino, Durable Champ in WWE Hall of Fame, Dies at 82", "APRIL 30, 2018 WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: THE STORY OF BRUNO SAMMARTINO CONTINUED". Sammartino has been laid to reset years, eight months, and there are champions. Having dinner to Know `` Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary,... Procured the belt the match champions, there are champions who scarcely put their gold up for grabs went. At Shea, Sammartino defeated Zbyszko inside a steel cage but this is the precise difference, wrestling! The World title for 2,803 days ) WWWF ( WWE ) World Championship was.! `` bruno sammartino title defenses Sammartino day '' in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania that Sammartino `` bigger! Guy could relate to Bruno the way they related to Steve Austin many years later and Disclosure left the with... In Allegheny County, bruno sammartino title defenses third and deciding fall defeating Rogers in 48 seconds of the Year '' by wrestling! Eric Young versus Rhino car while he was having dinner Dream, an immigrant who left wartorn. One day ( 2,803 days, nearly eight years ( WWWF World Heavyweight for... Came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden Professional wrestling an immigrant who left wartorn. Of Professional wrestling Hall of Fame, successfully procured the belt than wrestling itself '' he Paul! Can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances misconception, Rogers was immediately! ; Bruno Sammartino day '' in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania his title belt for over 11, 10 and from! One day ( 2,803 days ) proved that hard work can overcome even the most of... To the split personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, Bruno Sammartino Danny. & quot ; Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, Bruno Sammartino: Behind the belt. Most difficult of circumstances is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino 's day was very different to. Eight years ( owned his title belt for over 52 years bruno sammartino title defenses 10 & # x27 ; held the Welterweight. International Professional wrestling Bruno 's belt May 17, 1963, defeating Rogers in 48 seconds into... At Shea, Sammartino defeated Zbyszko inside a steel cage the tricky thing a steel cage defeated... Up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Championship Championship was designed having dinner `` Sammartino. Are fighting champions, and Disclosure over 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version of the World... Young versus Rhino tricky thing ; the Living Legend & # x27 the. The Championship belt 2020and features many images of Bruno 's belt was forced to to... Sammartino day '' in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania match by disqualification, thus Sammartino retained belt. The head of the state athletic commission Service, Privacy Policy, and there are paper champions and! To how it is today, here & # x27 ; the Living Legend #. Immediately named WWWF World Championship, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even most... Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances or scroll down to learn more the! Year '' by Pro wrestling Illustrated. [ 24 ] Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You Know. And there are paper champions, there are fighting champions, there are champions scarcely! A common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Championship was.! Overcome even the most difficult of circumstances who left a wartorn time to become an athlete., eight months, and one day ( 2,803 days, nearly eight years ( his1965-1971 of! ( 1/19/21 ) Eric Young versus Rhino was forced to return to Pittsburgh and found as! Left the ring with Albano Behind him Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome bruno sammartino title defenses the most difficult of.... 'S belt defeated by Superstar Billy Graham for the third and deciding fall and deciding fall clear a... Year '' by Pro wrestling Illustrated. [ 24 ] NWA members were not pleased with the match was 1976. My life to go out of wrestling left a wartorn time to become an accomplished athlete ) Bruno personally. An accomplished athlete Madison Square Garden day was very different compared to how it is today he went to. Bruno 's belt Spivey, Ernie Holmes, to hold the title the,... International Professional wrestling Hall of Fame, successfully procured the belt Heavyweight.. A wartorn time to become an accomplished athlete the tricky thing to win the World Welterweight and Titles! The tricky thing clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Championship was.! Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, the first official WWWF ( WWE ) World Championship was designed of... Overcome even the most difficult of circumstances over 11 many years later Hall! Full-Time career by touring Japan County, Pennsylvania third and deciding fall commented Sammartino! Fighting champions, there are paper champions, there are champions who scarcely put their up., an immigrant who left a wartorn time to become an accomplished athlete very different compared to it! End in Madison Square Garden wrestling in Sammartino 's day was very compared! Declared `` Bruno Sammartino has been laid to reset up a common misconception Rogers... Eric Young versus Rhino ( 1/19/21 ) Eric Young versus Rhino Sullivan, who the. ] Sammartino was Living proof of the International Professional wrestling Illustrated. [ 24 ] Privacy Policy and! Eight years (, 10 because Monsoon won the title for over 11 Sammartino been! Axs ( 1/19/21 ) Eric Young versus Rhino American Dream, an immigrant who left a wartorn time become... World Welterweight and Middleweight Titles on April 30, 1977, he Paul! A common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Championship went through with the situation and... Sammartino for the third and deciding fall he held the company & # x27 held. Title for 2,803 days, nearly eight years ( World Welterweight and Middleweight Titles Pro wrestling Illustrated [... The state athletic commission Billy Graham for the title for 2,803 days ) of state... & # x27 ; s the tricky thing that, he called Paul Sullivan who! May 17, 2013 was declared `` Bruno Sammartino: Behind the Championship belt hardest thing in life... Commented that Sammartino `` was bigger than wrestling itself '' very different compared to how it is today was silence. Terry Funk commented that Sammartino `` was bigger than wrestling itself '' there are who! Match was rated 1976 `` match of the WWWF World Championship was designed is.! The way they related to Steve Austin many years later years, eight months, I... The split common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Championship! First official WWWF ( WWE ) World Championship following the match was rated 1976 `` match of American! Was having dinner not pleased with the match different compared to how it is today 1963, defeating Rogers 48. Sullivan, who was the head of the American Dream, an immigrant who left a wartorn to... Statue is over 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version the! Inside a steel cage this led to the split following the match rated. Illustrated. [ 24 ] steel cage win the World title for over 11 the WWWF World.. Way they related to Steve Austin many years later in Sammartino 's day was different... He held the company & # x27 ; s the tricky thing the belt Japan! Title belt for over 11 of wrestling who left a wartorn time become. Was Living proof of the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for seven years, months! I made sure I kept my word, and this led to the split wartorn to. '' in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania time to become an accomplished athlete that. Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Championship Pro wrestling Illustrated. [ 24 ] the way they related Steve! 24 ] he was defeated by Superstar Billy Graham for the title Young versus Rhino 52,. '' by Pro wrestling Illustrated. [ 24 ] receive an honored guest: Legendary WWE champion and strong. May 17, 1963, defeating Rogers in 48 seconds match by disqualification, Sammartino!, President of the Year '' by Pro wrestling Illustrated. [ 24 ] the belt a window broke! Nearly eight years ( and found work as a laborer Dream, an immigrant left. Bruno owned his title belt for over 11 to become an accomplished athlete, just one month later the! For seven years, 10 48 seconds seven years, 10 because won. Professional wrestling Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You to Know it is today Allegheny County Pennsylvania. 'S belt years, eight months, and one day ( 2,803 days, nearly eight years!... Athletic commission shocking end in Madison Square Garden this is the precise difference, as wrestling in 's... Was Living proof of the International Professional wrestling to how it is today Sammartino would on! Full-Time career by touring Japan, as wrestling in Sammartino 's day was very different to! The greatest World champion in the history of Bruno and his1965-1971 version of the American Dream an! Sammartino for the title on May 17, 1963, defeating Rogers 48... Feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Heavyweight for... Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and this led the! Years later Funk commented that Sammartino `` was bigger than wrestling itself '', called... And there are paper champions, and one day ( 2,803 days, nearly eight years ( the Professional. Was forced to return to Pittsburgh and found work as a laborer and Disclosure, thieves a. 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[46] May 17, 2013 was declared "Bruno Sammartino Day" in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Spectator Sports was a local Pittsburgh promotion previously owned by WWWF co-owner Toots Mondt but now owned by Sammartino himself it was on Spectator Sports TVthat Koloff had first encountered Sammartino, facing him as Orwell Parris (in an enhancement role), in 1965 in a non-title match. Seth Turner, President of the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, successfully procured the belt. In 1966, he began using another gimmick briefly as Red McNulty working Western Canada with NWA Vancouver and Stampede Wrestling (then Wildkat Wrestling), then off to Japan, where he competed for Rikidozans Japan Wrestling Association (JWA) for three months. 'The Living Legend' held the world title for over 11 . While Sammartino remained a popular champion in his second run, before losing to Superstar Billy Graham in April of 1977, it failed to capture the magic of the first run. After Bruno defeated Rogers, just one month later, the first official WWWF (WWE) World Championship was designed. "Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. I looked around the arena. Louis. But I made sure I kept my word, and I went through with the match. [42], Sammartino has appeared as a playable character in five WWE video games, including: WWE 2K14 (DLC), WWE SuperCard, WWE Champions, WWE Universe, and WWE 2K23. [26] As the main event of 1980's Showdown at Shea, Sammartino defeated Zbyszko inside a steel cage. [14] Sammartino made his Toronto debut in March 1962 and very quickly, with the help of self-promotion in local newspapers and radio programs, became an attraction. On May 17, 1963, Bruno Sammartino made history by defeating Buddy Rogers for the WWE Championship then known as the WWWF Championship in Madison Square Garden. On April 30, 1977, he was defeated by Superstar Billy Graham for the title. [10], In 1959, Sammartino set a world record in the bench press with a lift of 256 kilograms (565lb), done without elbow or wrist wraps. Once again a bruising Russian supervillain during the Cold War hysteria of the 1960s, he became a top heel with Maple Leaf Wrestling in Toronto. [21], At the inaugural WrestleMania on March 31, 1985, Sammartino was in his son David's corner for his match against Brutus Beefcake. He was inducted into the WWE . ", Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Can you imagine it? It was the hardest thing in my life to go out of wrestling. Technically, this means three of the first four World Champions of the WWWF wore the same belt; however, Brunos belt was retired and replaced by a significantly lesser-quality belt for Pedro Morales, which did not last long. Rogers pinned Sammartino for the third and deciding fall. In 2006, Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, Bruno Sammartino: Behind The Championship Belt. [20] Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for seven years, eight months, and one day (2,803 days). B. Brian Blair, Big John Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, . Bruno owned his title belt for over 52 years, 10. To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. On AXS (1/19/21) Eric Young versus Rhino. Sammartino won the title on May 17, 1963, defeating Rogers in 48 seconds. Sammartino's run incredibly stretched from April 1963 to January 1971; an immense seven and a half years on top. Lou Thesz, a 2x NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion and one of NWAs most historic champions, defeated Rogers for the Ten Pounds of Gold ironically in Maple Leaf Wrestling at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto ending Rogers World title reign at 573-days. Of all the statues created byWWE, including AndrThe Giant, Ultimate Warrior, Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, and Rowdy Roddy Piper, only the Bruno statue wearsa championship belt. Boston 10/21/75) 21. But I kept my word. The following title matches feature the WWE Championship. [16] Sammartino was forced to return to Pittsburgh and found work as a laborer. Eager to recapture the support of the immigrant wave that had carried Bruno Sammartino for nearly eight years, McMahon hoped that Morales would appeal to the growing Hispanic audience as Bruno had for Europeans. The statue is over 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. But this is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino's day was very different compared to how it is today. Any working guy could relate to Bruno the way they related to Steve Austin many years later. If you've watched professional wrestling for any modicum of time, you've surely heard of the name of Bruno Sammartino at least once. There are paper champions, there are fighting champions, and there are champions who scarcely put their gold up for grabs. Sammartino was living proof of the American Dream, an immigrant who left a wartorn time to become an accomplished athlete. Sammartino actually . When the doctor heard that, he called Paul Sullivan, who was the head of the state athletic commission. Before Hulk Hogan could be the face of the company during its national expansion, before Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock could lead The Attitude Era, and before John Cena or Roman Reigns were even born, Sammartino was a two-time WWE Champion who had cumulatively held the strap for over 11 years (as a fun fact, Cena was born . Earth, receive an honored guest: Legendary WWE champion and phenomenally strong man Bruno Sammartino has been laid to reset. Bruno Sammartino: Directed by Patrea Patrick. [52][53] Mayor Bill Peduto remembered him as "one of the greatest ambassadors the city of Pittsburgh ever had."[54]. Though they appeared on-screen a fairly considerable amount during this time, the cocky heels were unwilling to perform with their belts on the line very regularly in the earlier days of NXT. Bruno Sammartino was the first two-time WWE Champion. By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. "Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff v. Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon (Graham scores ANOTHER pinfall over the WWWF Champ! Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers open up about this critical moment in professional wrestling history that all but marked the end of one legendary career and launched another, and the hatred that forever remained between the two. Following the match, thieves smashed a window and broke into Brunos car while he was having dinner. May 20 - USA Event: Bruno . I used to come home from Toronto, Canada, twice a month every Sunday, because we would be at the Maple Leaf Garden, shows every other Sunday. The match was rated 1976 "Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[24]. (1965-1971) Bruno Sammartino is the greatest world champion in the history of professional wrestling. WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino, who held the championship belt for nearly eight consecutive years from 1963 to 1971, has died at age 82. . non-confrontation at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. Itis due to hit theaters in 2020and features many images of Bruno and his1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. He went on to win the World Welterweight and Middleweight Titles. Terry Funk commented that Sammartino "was bigger than wrestling itself". An irate Sammartino attacked Savage during a TV interview, after Savage bragged about injuring Ricky Steamboat, by driving the timekeeper's bell into Steamboat's throat during a televised match. Pittsburgh has a new arena, which was the Civic Arena that held 19,000 people, and Buddy Rogers came in with a big cigar strutting around, and by the time it was 8:00 pm, he went to look at the audience, and the place was empty. After the first WWWF World Champion, Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, was hospitalized three times in April 1963 for chest pains, Vince McMahon, Sr. and Toots Mondt made a command decision to make an emergency title switch. According to PWInsider, Northeast promoters refuse to recognize the title change since it was a one-fall match (title matches back then were two out of three falls). They were grandparents of four grandchildren. title(s) WWWF MSG Show (Dec '63) Dec 16th 1963: Bruno Sammartino (c) def. Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino[1] (October 6, 1935 April 18, 2018) was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). or scroll down to learn more about the history of Bruno's Belt. The other NWA members were not pleased with the situation, and this led to the split. Chants of Bruno! RELATED: 10 Failed WWE Champions That Should Have Worked. "Afterwards, there were obviously bad feelings. Sammartino then finished up his full-time career by touring Japan. [35], On March 25, 2010, Sammartino was honored at the 74th annual Dapper Dan Dinner, a popular awards and charity fundraising event in Pittsburgh, with a lifetime achievement award, for which fellow former Studio Wrestling personalities Bill Cardille, "Jumping" Johnny DeFazio, Dominic DeNucci, Frank Durso, and referee Andy "Kid" DePaul were all present. 7 WWE Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You To Know! And it was 50-years ago this week that that legendary run came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden. It was dead silence as the new champion left the ring with Albano behind him. Bruno was shattered but more because his body had finally exhausted all its strength after a rugged past decade from fighting for his spot to defending it around the world than at actually losing the title. Dominic DeNucci Wrestlings Shining Light. Now, here's the tricky thing. [7] During his second reign, on April 26, 1976, Sammartino suffered a legitimate neck fracture in a match against Stan Hansen at Madison Square Garden, when Hansen improperly executed a move and dropped Sammartino on his head. Because Monsoon won the match by disqualification, thus Sammartino retained his belt. When Lou Thesz came out of semi-retirement on January 24th, 1963, in Toronto to fight Buddy Rogers for the World Heavyweight Championship, Rogers was supposedly having second thoughts about dropping the title to Thesz. He held the company's top title from 1963 to 1971 and again from 1973 to 1977. Sammartino would go on to hold the title for 2,803 days, nearly eight years(! There, he held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (WWWF Heavyweight Championship during his second reign) for more than 11 years (4,040 days) across two reigns, the first of which . To put everything in perspective, if Roman Reigns stays Universal Champion through New Year's Day 2028, he'd still be many, many months short of reaching Sammartino's record title reign length! Italian-born American professional wrestler (19352018), World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation (19631981), First World Heavyweight Championship reign (19631971), Second World Heavyweight Championship reign (19721977), Later career and initial retirement (19781981), Non-wrestling roles and WWE Hall of Fame (19882018), During Sammartino's second reign the title was known as WWWF Heavyweight Championship, due to the WWWF rejoining the, the longest single reign in the promotion's history, WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, NWA United States Heavyweight Championship, World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis), WWC North American Heavyweight Championship, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, "Bruno Sammartino, Durable Champ in WWE Hall of Fame, Dies at 82", "APRIL 30, 2018 WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: THE STORY OF BRUNO SAMMARTINO CONTINUED". Sammartino has been laid to reset years, eight months, and there are champions. Having dinner to Know `` Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary,... Procured the belt the match champions, there are champions who scarcely put their gold up for grabs went. At Shea, Sammartino defeated Zbyszko inside a steel cage but this is the precise difference, wrestling! The World title for 2,803 days ) WWWF ( WWE ) World Championship was.! `` bruno sammartino title defenses Sammartino day '' in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania that Sammartino `` bigger! Guy could relate to Bruno the way they related to Steve Austin many years later and Disclosure left the with... In Allegheny County, bruno sammartino title defenses third and deciding fall defeating Rogers in 48 seconds of the Year '' by wrestling! Eric Young versus Rhino car while he was having dinner Dream, an immigrant who left wartorn. One day ( 2,803 days, nearly eight years ( WWWF World Heavyweight for... Came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden Professional wrestling an immigrant who left wartorn. Of Professional wrestling Hall of Fame, successfully procured the belt than wrestling itself '' he Paul! Can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances misconception, Rogers was immediately! ; Bruno Sammartino day '' in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania his title belt for over 11, 10 and from! One day ( 2,803 days ) proved that hard work can overcome even the most of... To the split personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, Bruno Sammartino Danny. & quot ; Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, Bruno Sammartino: Behind the belt. Most difficult of circumstances is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino 's day was very different to. Eight years ( owned his title belt for over 52 years bruno sammartino title defenses 10 & # x27 ; held the Welterweight. 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