Sammartino is the longest-reigning WWE Champion in history. He has now held the belt for 337 days, almost a full calendar year, and yet in that time has only performed in 4 major televised title defenses. Blake & Murphy were one of the first major holders of the NXT Tag Team Titles, belts that they managed to hold for a total of 219 days. On AXS (1/19/21) Eric Young versus Rhino. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. 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). While on his way to California, he missed two bookings in Baltimore and Chicago, and as a result was suspended in those territories. [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. 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. Sammartino, an Italian immigrant who ruled the WWE throughout the 1960s and 1970s, died Wednesday at the age of 82. Sammartino successfully retained his title 653 times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone, before . [48], On July 26, 2004, Sammartino and Ric Flair were involved in the "Who snubbed who?" They both encapsulated what a hero was for their respective eras. With Bruno as WWWFs World Champion, WWWF conquered the New York territory and became a true alternative to the monopoly that the NWA had held over pro wrestling in the United States since 1948. Flair had denigrated Sammartino's wrestling ability in his book To Be the Man. Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). 7 WWE Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You To Know! "We can do this the easy way or the hard way!". Arguably the greatest wrestling champion of all time. 2022. Any fifteen-year-old kid coulda beat me that night. Tributes from the world of wrestling began flocking in shortly after news of Sammartino's passing, with WWE . "Retiring you cant explain it; it really takes you down. Thesz made him this offer: "We could do this the easy way or the hard way." Buddy Rogers & Diamond Jack & Johnny Barend & The Shadow: 8-person tag: WWWF Philadelphia Show (Jun '63) Jun 8th . Two weeks before the Madison Square Garden show, I wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. It was my whole life. [29] The match ended in a double-disqualification after the Sammartinos began brawling with Beefcake and his manager Johnny Valiant. ", Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. . In addition, Ivelisse has her first title defense against Mercedes Martinez. (1965-1971) Bruno Sammartino is the greatest world champion in the history of professional wrestling. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. . #1 Bruno Sammartino - 2803 days (May 17, 1963 - January 18, 1971) Bruno Sammartino's inaugural reign as WWWF Champion is the longest World Title reign in WWE history. 10.12.1973 - 30.04.1977. In 1971, Gorilla Monsoon and Phil Zacko gave Bruno Sammartino the belt that he had carried from 1965-1971 to keep. We never spoke again. Bruno Sammartino,a 96-minute documentary written and directed by Patrea Patrick and presented by HM3Bruno, has received critical acclaim during the film's limited release in late 2019. RELATED: 10 Failed WWE Champions That Should Have Worked. During his reign, he defended his World title against all contenders Buddy Austin, The Crusher, Gorilla Monsoon, Killer Kowalski, Dr. Jerry Graham, Giant Baba, Boris Malenko, Freddie Blassie, Gene Kiniski, George The Animal Steele, Crippler Ray Stevens, Tiger Jeet Singh, and The Sheik were just some of the names to challenge Sammartino during his reign. I had seen wrestlers stopped from going to the ring because something wasnt right". Bruno Sammartino is . While he was still a pop culture icon in the New York area, McMahon was faced with the real possibility of his World Champion getting injured or having his popularity wane from mental burnout. [30], Sammartino's highest-profile feud during this run was with "Macho Man" Randy Savage. 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. Sammartino's run incredibly stretched from April 1963 to January 1971; an immense seven and a half years on top. Acknowledged as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Sammartino's legacy began in 1959 and lasted until his final match in October of 1981. . His most notable title defense was a time limit draw with Bruno Sammartino at a Shea Stadium show in 1972. Bruno Sammartino: Directed by Patrea Patrick. However, he is currently on a similar run of holding the belt for an exceptional amount of time with minimal defenses. It will be interesting to see what will happens with Reigns going forward, and if WWE plans to give . Indianpolis, Indiana: . International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, when. WWA World Tag Team Champion (with Dick The Bruiser as Annihilation Inc.) But as the quiet began to work back into a rumble, the fear of fan outburst became real. That record will never be broken. The quotes made from Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers were originally compiled by Matt Pender and shared here with thanks to our friends over at Wrestlings Glory Days Facebook page. 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. He was quickly recruited by Capitol Sports Wrestling (the precursor to WWWF, founded by Jess McMahon and Toots Mondt in 1948, and now under control by Jesss son, Vince McMahon Sr.), but in 1962 he left the promotion. They got away withthe 1963-1965 version of the WWWF Championship. Sammartino was the longest-reigning champion in the history of what's now known as WWE. or scroll down to learn more about the history of Bruno's Belt. Rogers dropped the title. Although this promotion was big in its hay-day, I can't find some reliable sources that Wagner keeps defending the title. "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. I told him that the only way I would come back is if he put me in the ring with Buddy Rogers for the title. I cant explain it". Bruno only gave up his championship when he wanted to, and there was one championship belt he . [19] Sammartino and Rogers faced each other two months later at Madison Square Garden in a tag team match, with Rogers and Johnny Barend defeating Sammartino and Bobo Brazil by 2 falls to 1. [52][53] Mayor Bill Peduto remembered him as "one of the greatest ambassadors the city of Pittsburgh ever had."[54]. When their eyes cleared, they kept fighting each other. Turner plans to maintain ownership of the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship for decades to come. Boston 10/21/75) 21. 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. After Bruno defeated Rogers, just one month later, the first official WWWF (WWE) World Championship was designed. [11] This made him an easy target for bullies at Schenley High School. Sammartino would eventually get the upper hand in the feud, by defeating Piper in a steel cage match at the Boston Garden. Twitter: @JustSKendall
When Buddy Rogers saw the attendance, he wanted to get out of there, and he told the doctor he felt a funny pain on his chest. You spend your whole life in this particular field, then all of a sudden its no more. Despite this mammoth title reign length, Pete Dunne barely defended his belt in televised appearances. [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. I dont know if I should allow him to go in the ring. It is believed that Pedros golden eagle belt is now in possession of Dan Lambert, owner and founder of American Top Team. But this is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino's day was very different compared to how it is today. [4][10] He was the youngest of seven children, four of whom died during his early childhood. wrestling champion, was personally selected by Vincent J. McMahon to fill the void left when his longtime titleholder Bruno Sammartino made the decision that he no longer wanted to carry the WWWF championship. That works out at one defense every season, which is an astonishingly small number of matches to prove WALTER is still deserving of his championship. In winning the title, Sammartino became the second WWE Champion in the company's history and did so in just 48 seconds. "Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff v. Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon (Graham scores ANOTHER pinfall over the WWWF Champ! You couldnt achieve a higher goal than winning the title. Buddy Rogers was a funny guy, and he thought he wasnt going to wrestle under these conditions, and back then, we didnt have contracts like today, but more or less, we strictly got paid on the gate. During his lengthy reign, Sammartino would defeat every villain set up before him, always managing to hang on to his title belt. Per tradition, the NWA World title could only be contested in 2-out-of-3 falls matches, yet Thesz had been crowned champion following a one fall match. They couldnt believe Bruno got defeated after seven years as champion. Sammartino was living proof of the American Dream, an immigrant who left a wartorn time to become an accomplished athlete. Except for the few short weeks in which Ivan Koloff used the belt, Bruno Sammartino held the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship for over 52 years. On May 17, 1963, after only 22 days as WWWF World Champion, Rogers lost his title to 27-year old Bruno Sammartino in Madison Square Garden. [37] The ceremony took place at Madison Square Garden on April 6, 2013, and Sammartino was inducted by Arnold Schwarzenegger. April 18, 2018. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. Matches. Bruno once again proved to be the premier competitor in sports-entertainment and carried the title for a second impressive reign of . 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". Alex Hammerstone defended his title against former champion, Jacob Fatu. [17], In 2006, he signed an independent deal with Jakks Pacific to produce an action figure, which is part of the WWE Classic Superstars line, Series 10. 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. On October 28, 1989, Sammartino made a special appearance at the NWA pay-per-view event Halloween Havoc, where he was the special guest referee in a "Thunderdome" cage match which featured Ric Flair and Sting taking on Terry Funk and The Great Muta. 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. . 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. In early 1977, Sammartino informed McMahon Sr. that he felt he could no longer continue as champion due to his injuries. 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. 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. Could do this the easy way or the hard way! `` `` We can this... 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