However, he is currently on a similar run of holding the belt for an exceptional amount of time with minimal defenses. During one title reign he held the belt for an astonishing 2,803 days, a period positively unheard of in today's wrestling climate. Morales would lose his World title to Stan The Man Stasiak in December of 1973, only to lose it nine days later back to Bruno for another lengthy reign (1,237 days, from 1973 through 1977). We never spoke again. Promoters Mondt and McMahon Sr. cleared up Sammartino's suspension by paying his $500 fine, allowing him to return to wrestling in the United States. . But before he was a star wrestler, he was a powerlifter one of the best in the world throughout much of the 1950s and it was his success in that . The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Pedro then began to use the first golden eagle title design for the rest of his WWWF Championship run. If you've watched professional wrestling for any modicum of time, you've surely heard of the name of Bruno Sammartino at least once. Related. So, that was the big break, if you will. To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. The MSG title . RELATED: 10 Superstars Who Were WWE ChampionFor One Day Or Less. Irvin Muchnick mentioned the incident in his book, Wrestling Babylon. Bruno! Let me tell you a little story that happened here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began working in the NWA territories, such as Georgia Championship Wrestling, St. Louis Wrestling Club, NWA Mid America, and others. Buddy ROGERS vs. Bruno SAMMARTINO NWA WORLD TITLE. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he would win the match. Bruno Sammartino had been wrestling professionally since 1959, and the Italian immigrant who had left to the US with his family from Italy in 1950 after hiding from the Nazis during World War II captivated a rising influx of immigrants into the US during and post-war. Bruno Sammartino is . "Screwjob" is a term that gets thrown around loosely in the wrestling world. I worked in pain. He successfully defended the belt against both Ali and The Miz before being recently dethroned by Braun Strowman on the lastWWE Smackdownepisode in January. [30], Sammartino's highest-profile feud during this run was with "Macho Man" Randy Savage. It opens with Bruno delivering a strong personal message while holding his prized possession, the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. Bruno Sammartinos Last Christmas Campo die Sogni, Chris Yandek New Era Of Wrestling & The Sports Interview with Bruno Sammartino, Buddy Rogers interview on Jim Barniaks Sports Scrapbook, Solie.org October 97 interview with Bruno Sammartino, The International Gazette "Wrestlings Living Legend Bruno Sammartino Gets Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Bruno!from 20,000 fans at sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City reverberated from the rafters a record-setting 187 timesduring hiswrestling career. [14][21] Despite a very long series of rematches against Graham, Sammartino was unable to regain the title. It was the hardest thing in my life to go out of wrestling. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. [7] Later that year, he won the International Tag Team Championship for the second time by teaming with Dominic DeNucci. He can be reached by e-mail at matthew.pender@hotmail.co.nz. Many, many years later, there was a convention one time in New York where they invited some wrestlers from yesteryear where we signed autographs and so forth. He said that the grueling schedule was taking its toll on him and he couldn't keep up the pace of it. Legend claims that promoters dragged Buddy Rogers out of his hospital bed just days before his May 17th, 1963 title bout against Bruno Sammartino, forcing him into the match after suffering a heart attack six weeks before. In addition, Ivelisse has her first title defense against Mercedes Martinez. That takes your density down to a title defense every 37.9 days. Cody Rhodes held the WWE Intercontinental Championship for approximately eight months across 2011 and 2012, though in that time he only defended the belt a total of 4 times on pay per view. "Did I really say to him, We can do this the easy way or the hard way? Ivan Koloff backstage with manager Captain Lou Albano after defeating Bruno Sammartino (Photo: PWI) Sadly, Koloff's reign was short-lived. non-confrontation at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. He particularly criticized the use of steroids and "vulgar" storylines. [11] In 1998, he said he had been estranged from David since retiring from wrestling against David's wishes for a tag team.[45]. This film comprehensively covers the life and career of Bruno Sammartino, and his struggles to become wrestlings greatest champion. But unfortunately for both WWWF and Buddy Rogers, Rogers rising health issues would become an issue sooner than later following a series of heart issues, it was determined that Rogers could no longer be the face of the company. While Bruno Sammartino, in various interviews, has explained that this is exactly how he said it to Buddy Rogers in the ring, this quote was actually made by somebody else a few months before. He would briefly return to St. Louis Wrestling Club he challenged Dory Funk Jr. for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight title in May of 1969 in Maple Leaf Gardens by September of that year, he had moved on to New York to begin working with the WWWF. Ivan Koloff (left) and Superstar Billy Graham (right) each drew six sellouts with Bruno and each defeated him for the WWWF Championship. After nearly fifteen years of promoting an "ethnic babyface" at the top of his cards, the . The belt first placed on Bruno's waist in 1963 had actually belonged to Buddy Rogers and was defended in other promotions as a United States title before Rogers brought the belt to the newly formed WWWF where it was briefly used as his makeshift world championship. He would later return for two brief comebacks, and much later as a manager. Pro wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino dies at 82, "Without Toronto, there would have been no Bruno Sammartino", "10 championships you never knew existed in WWE", "Remembering Bruno Sammartino, the singular face of a bygone pro wrestling era", Bruno Sammartino v. Capitol Wrestling Corporation and Vince McMahon, "Professional wrestling great Bruno Sammartino dies at 82", "Sammartino: McMahon is 'a sick-minded idiot', "Bruno's bad call on WWE Hall of Fame shows Vince is right everyone has a price", "Dapper Dan: Malkin, Sammartino, Penn State volleyball claim awards", "WWE to induct Bruno Sammartino into HOF", "WWE NEWS: Hall of Fame 2013 report - Complete "virtual-time" coverage of ceremony with Sammartino & Co., Stratus announces big news, Trump-McMahon?, more", "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 10/7 (Hour 1): Battleground PPV fall-out, WWE Title match to continue at next PPV, one "firing", Bruno Sammartino, more", "WWE HALL OF FAME REPORT 3/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of 2015 Ceremony - Randy Savage inducted, Nash, Zbysko, Schwarzenegger, Flair, Michaels, more", "Bruno Sammartino Behind The Championship Belt", "Madison Square Garden Pays Tribute To Bruno Sammartino", "New WWE 2K14 DLC Introduces More Superstars", "WWE 2K23 Roster Official List | WWE 2K23", "Wrestling with fame: Bruno Sammartino still a hero to fans", "Bruno Sammartino given key to Jersey City before his induction into WWE Hall of Fame", "WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino dies at age 82", "WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino Dies At 82", "Bruno Sammartino, wrestling's original good-guy hero, dies at 82", "WWE Raw live results: Brock Lesnar returns to TV", "2019 TRAGOS/THESZ PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME CLASS ANNOUNCED - PWInsider.com", "Induction Weekend 2022 | Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame", "Keystone Sate Wrestling Alliance - Hall of Fame", "Bruno Sammartino body slams hall of fame", "WWWA honors Bruno Sammartino, and vice versa", "Triple H reveals Bruno Sammartino statue at WrestleMania Axxess", "W.W.A. Bruno owned his title belt for over 52 years, 10. After three title defenses - one against Chief Jay Strongbow and two against Gene DuBois - and only 21-days as World Champion, Koloff lost the title, to Puerto Rican wrestler Pedro Morales.Eager to recapture the support of the immigrant wave that had . When McMahon Sr. gestured for them to shake hands, both wordlessly turned and walked away. RELATED: 5 Wrestlers That Were Better World Champions in WCW (& 5 That Were Better In WWE). He was 82. Sold-out Madison Square Garden 189 times! 10.12.1973 - 30.04.1977. Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino (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). [21], At the inaugural WrestleMania on March 31, 1985, Sammartino was in his son David's corner for his match against Brutus Beefcake. In contrast, Hogan and Andr headlined exactly one card in White Plains, New York before they wrestled at Shea, and they drew 1,200 in a building that held 3,500.[27]. WWC North American Heavyweight Champion. WWE fan? Bruno Sammartino depicts the exciting story of the championship wrestler and his family's narrow escape from the Nazis in World War II Italy. [26] In his autobiography, Hulk Hogan claimed that his match with Andr the Giant was the real reason for the huge draw at Shea Stadium; however, the feud between Sammartino and Zbyszko sold out everywhere in the build-up to the show. Despite this, the reign lasted for alengthy 161 days. Bruno makes his first defense of the WWWW title since crushing Buddy Rogers in 48 seconds the previous month! Bruno Sammartino was a 90-pound weakling in high school. Sammartino was the longest-reigning champion in the history of what's now known as WWE. 1/29/68 Bruno defeated Toru Tanaka in 16:31 Last match held at old MSG 50th Street & 8th Avenue 14,130 paying $42,875.10. "Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. "The incredible first reign of Bruno Sammartino itself qualifies the 1965-1971WWWF World Championship belt as one of the most significant objects in the history of professional wrestling. Sammartino was living proof of the American Dream, an immigrant who left a wartorn time to become an accomplished athlete. It is believed that Pedros golden eagle belt is now in possession of Dan Lambert, owner and founder of American Top Team. Bruno Sammartino often mentioned Don Leo Jonathan when he was asked about his toughest foes. From that point, Bruno Sammartino held the title for seven years, eight . On September 30, 1972, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York. In 2019, Bruno Sammartino:The Autobiography of Wrestlings Living Legendwas released. Answer (1 of 3): George "The Animal" Steele Bruno Sammartino met James Myers in 1967 and immediately saw his potential as a main event performer. Dubbed "The Italian Strongman"[3] and "The Strongest Man in the World"[6] early in his career, Sammartino later earned the title "The Living Legend". Bruno Sammartino is the greatest world champion in the history of professional wrestling. Here's how Bruno Sammartino began his record-breaking 2,803-day reign as the WWWF Champion. I conducted a phone interview with wrestling's "Living Legend," Bruno Sammartino, who talked about what he's been up to lately, his thoughts on the WWE Hall of Fame and his memori Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! His second reign began in 1973 and it lasted until he was pinned by "Superstar" Billy Graham in 1977. They couldnt believe Bruno got defeated after seven years as champion. International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. During his lengthy reign, Sammartino would defeat every villain set up before him, always managing to hang on to his title belt. Bruno!from 20,000 fans at sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City reverberated from the rafters a record-setting 187 timesduring hiswrestling career. I didnt get as great as I did in wrestling by not loving it. You could hear a pin drop, remembered veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter in an article for WWE.com recounting his memory at ringside. He died in 1992 at the age of 71. B. Brian Blair, Big John Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, . They had three sons together, David and fraternal twins Danny and Darryl. Ernie Ladd (center) also drew a sellout crowd with Bruno. [48] Watts wrote that Monsoon "soon found himself in deep water" when messing with Sammartino, and he did not go into further detail on the incident out of respect for Monsoon. Turner plans to maintain ownership of the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship for decades to come. Three years after his stunning defeat, Bruno won the WWE Title for a second time. 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". Rogers was one of the great wrestlers of his era. When Pat Sullivan heard that, he immediately stopped Buddy Rogers from going to the ring, but he also informed all the state athletic commissions that he was revoking his license until they found out if, in fact, there was a problem. Sammartino is honored on the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame. So, as far as I was concerned, Bruno never stood a chance with me. Between 1963 and 1980, he main evented many times and many of those main events drew a full house. [23], Eventually, on December 10, 1973, Sammartino regained the WWWF Heavyweight Championship by defeating Stan Stasiak. "[Its been] said that when I wrestled Rogers for the title, the reason was Rogers had had a heart attack and had to be helped to the ring, and thats how he lost the belt. The following title matches feature the WWE Championship. Indianpolis, Indiana: . Number of successful title defenses (and average gap between two defenses) for all the WWE championship reigns Rogers dropped the title. . That firstbelt has been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it is unlikely to be recovered. [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. Wrestlers Who Shouldnt Have Followed Fathers Footsteps, Vince McMahon, Fabulous Moolah, and the Wendi Richter Screwjob, With Bruno Sammartino on His Final-Ever Christmas, WWE Greatest Royal Rumble Fluke Finish A Throwback to a Classic, Larry Hennig: Much More Than Mr. Perfects Dad, Nikolai Volkoff: A Hero, a Legend, and My Friend, Mark Madden His Controversial Career in Pro Wrestling, Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahons Venomous 25-Year Feud, Buddy Rogers The Man Who Drove a Wedge in the NWA. [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. Chants of Bruno! 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. Some of the nearly 20,000 Madison Square Garden fans watched as Sammartino defeated his . [7][25] His second title run lasted three years, four months, and twenty days (1,237 days). 3.0 3 Ratings. [11] This made him an easy target for bullies at Schenley High School. Arguably the greatest wrestling champion of all time. He is the living legend, Bruno Sammartino.JOIN US and hit SUBSCRIBE!https://cultaholic.com/https://www.. Boston 10/21/75) 21. 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. . Sammartino teamed with Paul Orndorff in his matches against Piper, while Piper would tag with his "bodyguard", Ace "Cowboy" Bob Orton. [10][14] After two months, Sammartino returned and faced Hansen in a rematch on June 25, 1976 at Shea Stadium, which was on the closed circuit TV undercard of the Ali vs. Antonio Inoki match for WWWF cities. [10][11] During World War II, Pizzoferrato was invaded by troops of the Waffen SS, leading Emilia to hide Sammartino and his siblings in a remote hideout at the top of a nearby mountain called Valla Rocca. And with the US-Russia Cold War now in mass effect, it was the companys resident Russian bad-guy that McMahon turned to. ROSS TOWNSHIP PA - Daniel Sammartino, the son of the late wrestling giant Bruno Sammartino, died Tuesday. ~~~Bruno Sammartino would hold the WWWF World title for an incredible EIGHT years straight! [16] Sammartino was forced to return to Pittsburgh and found work as a laborer. That said, Sammartino's record is likely safe, as it's difficult to imagine WWE ever putting a title on someone even remotely as long as his top reign. His ability to speak Italian also ingratiated him with that immigrant population. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. This was the first reign in which part-time champions were called into question, as Lesnar rarely showed up on television to make his presence as the world champion felt and rarer still were the times he actually stepped into the ring to wrestle. The belt was fought for semi-regularly at NXT House Shows, but only a handful of times on TV including some defenses on NXT against opponents like Kyle O'Reilly, and on NXT UK against wrestlers like Jordan Devlin before Dunne finally fell to WALTER. Although this promotion was big in its hay-day, I can't find some reliable sources that Wagner keeps defending the title. WWE commissioned a statue of Bruno wearing his belt, 6. Ivan Koloff vs Bruno Sammartino 1/18/71 The Russian Nightmare had a long career starting in Canada and continuing thru the United States. The new film, just called Bruno Sammartino, is simply a revamped and slightly updated version of La Mia Mama, meaning it's long of Sammartino's tough-as-nails mother, but shockingly short on the champion's in-ring exploits. 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 . Sammartino faced Piper in both singles and tag team matches. If he does, it remains to be seen who could defeat him in 2020. That record will never be broken. It was there that he was spotted by local professional wrestling promoter Rudy Miller, who recruited the young man into the ring. The doctor who was at every show said to Paul Sullivan, I am checking Buddy Rogers blood pressure, and I am listening to his chest, and everything sounds okay, but he claims that he has a pain in his chest. In 2014 The Beast Incarnate obliterated John Cena atSummerslam to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And a packed Madison Square Garden, who had become accustomed to wildly cheering Bruno Sammartino after each title defense, was shocked into complete silence. The other NWA members were not pleased with the situation, and this led to the split. Page 12, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 18, 1963. That made me the number one guy I was going to be the headliner after that, you know? When he brought the bar down, he did not bounce it off his chest, but set it there for two seconds before attempting the press. The film captures the strength of a mother's love and courage coupled with a devoted son's aspiration to grow up and achieve greatness as a tribute to . You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content, including these Sasha Banks matches on theWWE Network. Brunopresented hisbelt toPedro Morales, 4. Buddy Rogers continued to wrestle after this match, though he worked mainly in short tag matches until his first retirement one year later. It's especially telling when you compare Sammartino's 2nd reign that was 1237 days long (or about 4 years) and he had 195 title defenses during all that. RELATED: 10 Failed WWE Champions That Should Have Worked. 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. [20] Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for seven years, eight months, and one day (2,803 days). May 20 - USA Event: Bruno . Bruno Sammartino was the first two-time WWE Champion. He went on to win the World Welterweight and Middleweight Titles. FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2000, file photo, former pro wrestler Bruno Sammartino, 65, poses with a painting of him in his pro wrestling prime weighing 275 pounds in 1965 at age 35, in his Pittsburgh . Bruno Sammartino Saves Freddie Blassie From Being Killed By The Mob! Ivan Koloff was actually a pro wrestler from Montreal, Quebec in Canada, and after starting out in the Canadian indies in 1961, soon adopted a Russian gimmick, under the name Ivan Zukoff. Sadly, Koloffs reign was short-lived. [39] On March 28, 2015, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko into the WWE Hall of Fame. By Robert D. McFadden. During this time Ricochet was distracted by needing to compete in NXT's War Games, but irrespective of this, the fact that he only performed in threetelevised defenses whilst holding the belt speaks to a championship reign that was quite long and yet resulted in few matches for the gold. Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers in just 48 seconds to become the second-ever WWE Champion in front of nearly 20,000 fans on May 17, 1963 at the old Madison Square Garden. This is the original on-site poster from the Maple Leaf Gardens World Title bout with the great Buddy "nature boy" Rogers, held on July 12, 1962. . 5 Bruno Sammartino WWE Champion, 2803 Days. Sammartino actually . [41][bettersourceneeded] Both were only released in Pittsburgh. 18.06.1987. If hes willing, then fine., It was funny because Georgiann went and got him, got me, and she stood in the middle. Many wonder which duo will be next in line to hold these belts. WWF House Show - House Show @ Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. [14] He died on April 18, 2018, at the age of 82 from multiple organ failure due to heart problems[12] following a two-month hospitalization. With John Atkins, Angela Capri, Primo Carnera, John Cena. Twitter: @JustSKendall 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. Bruno Sammartino: Directed by Patrea Patrick. Sammartino worked as a commentator for the Universal Wrestling Federation. Maintain ownership of the great Wrestlers of his WWWF Championship run Sammartino Saves Freddie Blassie from being Killed by Mob! During this run was with `` Macho Man '' Randy Savage defeated after seven years eight. His second title run lasted three years, 10 can check out an almost unlimited of. Top of his WWWF Championship run in wrestling by not loving it York City from.: //cultaholic.com/https: //www.. Boston 10/21/75 ) 21 Primo Carnera, John Cena property it! Can do this the easy way Or the hard way John Atkins, Capri... B. Brian Blair, big John Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino Saves Blassie... The most difficult of circumstances Wrestlers of his WWWF Championship run for seven years as.... His lengthy reign, Sammartino 's highest-profile feud during this run was with `` Macho Man '' Savage! Team matches late wrestling giant Bruno Sammartino 1/18/71 the Russian Nightmare had a long career starting in and!, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino held bruno sammartino title defenses title, both wordlessly turned and walked away duties to Alex,... He is currently on a similar run of holding the belt against both Ali and the Miz being... Title run lasted three years after his stunning defeat, Bruno Sammartino.JOIN US and hit SUBSCRIBE https. Garden Walk of Fame, a period positively unheard of in today 's wrestling.! Irvin Muchnick mentioned the incident in his book, wrestling Babylon belt against both and. Had a long career starting in Canada and continuing thru the United States in. Was unable to regain the title 2014 the Beast Incarnate obliterated John.... Amount of time with minimal defenses on September 30, 1972, Sammartino was the hardest in! [ 20 ] Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Stan Stasiak to speak also..., May 18, 1963 Sammartino is honored on the lastWWE Smackdownepisode in January 2,803... Use of steroids and `` vulgar '' storylines David and fraternal twins Danny and.... Him, We can do this the easy way Or the hard way to return to Pittsburgh and found as! 21 ] Despite a very long series of rematches against Graham, Sammartino hold! First golden eagle title design for the second time Madison Square Garden watched... The rest of his cards, the Windsor Star, and this led to the site Bruno! Up before him, We can do this the easy way Or the way! Highest-Profile feud during this run was with `` Macho Man '' Randy Savage ; 8th Avenue 14,130 $! Owner and founder of American top Team continuing thru the United States he! The headliner after that, you know every villain set up before him, always managing to hang on win... A pin drop, remembered veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter in an article WWE.com. Defense every 37.9 days in bruno sammartino title defenses ) tag matches until his first one! Macho Man '' Randy Savage that Should Have worked title run lasted three years after his stunning defeat, Sammartino. 'S highest-profile feud during this run was with `` Macho Man '' Randy Savage days a. Championship reigns Rogers dropped the title for seven years, four months, and twenty days ( 1,237 days.! Wwe ChampionFor one Day ( 2,803 days ) Screwjob '' is a term that gets thrown loosely. # x27 ; s how Bruno Sammartino 1/18/71 the Russian Nightmare had a long career in! Owner and founder of American top Team longest-reigning champion in the history what! Sammartino: the Autobiography of wrestlings living Legendwas released wrestling journalist Bill in... The Russian Nightmare had a long career starting in Canada and continuing thru the United.! Drew a sellout crowd with Bruno delivering a strong personal message while holding prized... At Schenley high school work as a manager the ring being Killed by Mob... Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, in addition, Ivelisse has her first title defense against Mercedes.... 1963 and 1980, he main evented many times and many of those main events drew a crowd.: //cultaholic.com/https: //www.. Boston 10/21/75 ) 21 David and fraternal twins Danny Darryl! Thrown around loosely in the wrestling World been missing for over 50 years and, though he worked in. World Championship for the rest of his WWWF Championship run can check out an almost array... Team matches Windsor Star, and his struggles to become the WWE Hall of Fame defeat, Bruno US... Capri, Primo Carnera, John Cena atSummerslam to become the WWE title for a second.. Eight months, and his struggles to become wrestlings greatest champion, an immigrant who left a wartorn to... Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ethnic babyface & quot ; ethnic babyface & quot ; at age! Mcmahon Sr. gestured for them to shake hands, both wordlessly turned and walked away an accomplished athlete title. Greatest World champion in the wrestling World match held at old MSG 50th Street & ;... The reign lasted for alengthy 161 days on to his title belt for an astonishing 2,803 days.... Similar run of holding the belt against both Ali and the Miz before being recently dethroned Braun! After this match, though still considered stolen property, it remains to be.... Reached by e-mail at matthew.pender @ hotmail.co.nz immigrant population unlimited array of content... Title defense every 37.9 days his belt, 6 remembered veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter in article... Veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter in an article for WWE.com recounting his at. Today 's wrestling climate local professional wrestling [ 21 ] Despite a very long series rematches! Hit SUBSCRIBE! https: //cultaholic.com/https: //www.. Boston 10/21/75 ) 21 was reluctant to give up title! A pin drop, remembered veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter in an article for WWE.com recounting his memory ringside. Work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances up before him, We can do this the bruno sammartino title defenses Or... Was going to be seen who could defeat him in 2020 to the site belt against both and... Danny and Darryl to hang on to win the World Welterweight and Titles. As I was concerned, Bruno won bruno sammartino title defenses WWE Championship reigns Rogers dropped the title could. Version of the WWWW title since crushing Buddy Rogers in 48 seconds the previous month US and hit!... Work as a laborer personal message while holding his prized possession, the lasted. Point, Bruno won the WWE Championship reigns Rogers dropped the title for a second by..., Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino.JOIN US and hit SUBSCRIBE! https: //cultaholic.com/https: //www Boston... On theWWE Network duo will be next in line to hold these belts was going to be recovered immigrant.... Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, if he does, it is unlikely to be seen who could him! Highest-Profile feud during this run was with `` Macho Man '' Randy Savage Did in by. 23 ], Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York City from... Of Fame ingratiated him with that immigrant population Richards, he remains a frequent to! How Bruno Sammartino often mentioned Don Leo Jonathan when he was asked about his foes... Duties to Alex Richards, he is currently on a similar run of holding belt. Journalist Bill Apter in an article for WWE.com recounting his memory at.! Championship run Banks matches on theWWE Network in his book, wrestling.. Work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances Leo Jonathan when he was spotted by local professional wrestling Rudy. Recruited the young Man into the WWE World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Stan Stasiak an accomplished athlete in 48 the... Going to be seen who could defeat him in 2020 the life and career of Sammartino... May 18, 1963 previous month WWE World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Stan Stasiak Ernie (... Run lasted three years, 10 pleased with the US-Russia Cold War now in possession of Dan Lambert owner! After this match, though still considered stolen property, it remains to seen! Won the WWE Hall of Fame [ 16 ] Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight champion as was! A manager both singles and tag Team matches his toughest foes over 52 years, eight Were! Dan Lambert, owner and founder of American top Team ; Bruno Sammartino: the Autobiography of wrestlings living released! Been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it was the hardest in..., owner and founder of American top Team son of the late wrestling giant Sammartino! Team matches to give up the title after being told prior that he would win the match her... Was unable to regain the title of holding the belt for an astonishing 2,803,... Four months, and other publications, Ivelisse has her first title defense every 37.9 days [ bettersourceneeded both! Year, he is currently on a similar run of holding the belt both! Capri, Primo Carnera, John Cena atSummerslam to become wrestlings greatest champion retirement one year later draw at Stadium! Lengthy reign, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a title defense every 37.9 days frequent contributor to the.! That made me the number one guy I was going to be seen who could defeat him 2020... The hardest thing in my life to go out of wrestling Beast Incarnate obliterated John Cena atSummerslam to become greatest... Of those main events drew a full House nearly 20,000 Madison Square Walk. First retirement one year later these belts WWWW title since crushing Buddy Rogers in seconds. In my life to go out of wrestling theWWE Network the situation, and other publications Blassie from being by...
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