non-confrontation at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. That firstbelt has been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it is unlikely to be recovered. It was during this time Sammartino found out through Angelo Savoldi, a recently fired office employee of Capitol Wrestling Corporation, that he had been cheated by Vince McMahon Sr. on the promised gate percentages for his entire second title run. But I kept my word. [26] As the main event of 1980's Showdown at Shea, Sammartino defeated Zbyszko inside a steel cage. Sammartino finally lost the WWE Championship in January 1971 . During his second reign, Bruno Sammartino held the title for 1237 days. 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. He was inducted into the WWE . On last night's episode of Table For 3. . ", "Buddy Rogers and I never liked each other. After his second reign ended, Sammartino leisurely toured the U.S. and the world. It took 14 minutes and 55 seconds for Ivan Koloff to defeat Bruno Sammartino that night in New York City. Finally, [the referee] raises my hand, but he says, Go back to the dressing room, youll get the belt there. They were afraid of a riot., Ivan Koloff backstage with manager Captain Lou Albano after defeating Bruno Sammartino (Photo: PWI). [15] With Whipper Billy Watson, Sammartino won his first professional wrestling championship in September 1962, the local version of the International Tag Team Championship. His most notable title defense was a time limit draw with Bruno Sammartino at a Shea Stadium show in 1972. And it was 50-years ago this week that that legendary run came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden. He held the World Wide Wrestling Federation titlefor more than 11 years, from1963to1971, and again from 1973 to1977. The main reason the question of part-time champions was first raised was due to the resurgence of Brock Lesnar. [9], Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was born in Pizzoferrato, Abruzzo, Italy, to Alfonso and Emilia Sammartino on October 6, 1935. [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. Bruno's 1965-1971 WWWF belt isconsidered the "holy grail" of professional wrestlingartifacts. Bruno Sammartino is to professional wrestling what Babe Ruth is to baseball.The legendary grappler is the longest reigning WWE (then-WWF) champion of all time, with two title reigns spanning an . In winning the title, Sammartino became the second WWE Champion in the company's history and did so in just 48 seconds. Sammartino also engaged in a feud with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper after Piper insulted his heritage on a segment of Piper's Pit at Madison Square Garden. Over the course of his record-breaking run, Sammartino successfully retained his title 653 times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone. April 18, 2018. Lonnie Mayne The Glass Eating, Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog! But this is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino's day was very different compared to how it is today. [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. (According to Wrestledata.com, the two were on opposing ends of a tag team contest in 1960. 78 days. 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 early years of the organization were definitely different than modern times, where one of pro wrestling's most iconic wrestlers held the title for a jaw-dropping 11 years. But it would be Canadian-born Russian wrestler Ivan Koloff who would put an end to Sammartinos historic reign. Later in 1972, Sammartino was asked back by McMahon Sr. to regain the title. 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. Matches. 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. Soon after, Sammartino and then champion Pedro Morales teamed up for a series of tag team matches. It opens with Bruno delivering a strong personal message while holding his prized possession, the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. He also acted as special guest referee in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) for a series of matches between Flair and Randy Savage in June 1996. [17] Soon, he was in demand by other promoters in different Canadian territories. He began working in the NWA territories, such as Georgia Championship Wrestling, St. Louis Wrestling Club, NWA Mid America, and others. Bruno headed north to continue working, where he joined Frank Tunneys Maple Leaf Wrestling (Torontos NWA affiliate) in Canada instead, where he was often the Maple Leaf Wrestling challenger to Buddy Rogers when the NWA World Champion headed to Canada. That record will never be broken. Yet few people know all the history behind Brunos belt and why some have called it the 'holy grail' of professional wrestling artifacts. It was my whole life. 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. . Exclusives. December 13, 1969: WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Batman defeated Tanaka & Arakawa in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena to "win the titles". Twitter: @JustSKendall "We can do this the easy way or the hard way!". Preview: MLW FUSION Jacob Fatu vs. ACH (01/20/21), Preview: IMPACT! Traduzioni in contesto per "Un Submission match titolato" in italiano-inglese da Reverso Context: Un Submission match titolato tra i due stato dunque sancito per Extreme Rules. Itis due to hit theaters in 2020and features many images of Bruno and his1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. Sammartino finally relinquished the title on Jan. 18, 1971, in a match against Koloff at Madison Square Garden. [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. or scroll down to learn more about the history of Bruno's Belt. May 13 - USA Event: Buddy Rogers (c) vs. Bobo Brazil - Singles match Brazil won by disqualification. [14][21] On January 18, 1971, Sammartino lost the championship at Madison Square Garden to Ivan Koloff. Sammartino retired from North American wrestling full-time in 1981,[10] in a match that opened the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. [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. 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. 1963 - Bulldog Brower and Johnny Valentine defeat Bruno Sammartino and Whipper Billy Watson to win the Toronto NWA International Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario. If he does, it remains to be seen who could defeat him in 2020. [7] Known for his powerful bearhug[4][5] finishing move, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Peers revered him, Hollywood celebrities courted him, Italian Americans adored him, and Arnold Schwarzenegger called him "The Star of all stars."Young Bruno and his family fled the Nazi's and were nearly executed. . I get your point but honestly, I think the amount of defenses should be the #1 criteria. [29], Sammartino's final match was at a WWF house show in Baltimore on August 29, 1987, where he teamed up with Hulk Hogan to defeat King Kong Bundy and One Man Gang in the main event. Two weeks before the Madison Square Garden show, I wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC. On January 22, 1980, his former student Larry Zbyszko turned on him at the World Wrestling Federation's Championship Wrestling show. 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. These are ten resulting championship reigns which lasted a considerable amount of time, but featured very few notable matches for the title in question. 1959: Bruno Sammartino debuted in the wild world of Professional Wrestling. [16] Sammartino was forced to return to Pittsburgh and found work as a laborer. [32][33][34] He appeared in the media in opposition to the WWE on such shows as The Phil Donahue Show, Geraldo and CNN. Author: Matt Pender Jan. 10, 2023. Some of the nearly 20,000 Madison Square Garden fans watched as Sammartino defeated his . He defended the belt a total of 7 times during this period, and during which he was infamously absent from all programming for a full 3 month period betweenThe Greatest Royal RumbleandSummerslamin 2018. They competed in four defenses during their reign, but its worth noting that one of these was against enhancement talent in a squash match, which can barely be considered as a legitimate defense. In CM Punk's 434 day reign, he defended the title 141 times, or an average of just over once every three . Ernie Ladd (center) also drew a sellout crowd with Bruno. Many other belts would come his way in his long storied career as well. Bruno Sammartino: Directed by Patrea Patrick. An ever-increasing argument in today's wrestling world, in light of a continued use of part-time stars from yesteryear like Goldberg and Brock Lesnar, is how often should we realistically see the world champion defend their belt in televised appearances? 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 He also wrestled and defeated Blackjack Mulligan, Lord Alfred Hayes, Dick Murdoch, Kenji Shibuya, and "Crippler" Ray Stevens. In New York, you go through an extensive physical to get your license, and every night before you wrestled, you had a physical in the dressing room. WWC North American Heavyweight Champion. In that sense, it's easy to see why WWE fans give Reigns' run the title of historic. Very bad feelings. . Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. Sammartino then finished up his full-time career by touring Japan. 7 WWE Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You To Know! After nearly fifteen years of promoting an "ethnic babyface" at the top of his cards, the . Dr. Jerry Graham: WWWF World Heavyweight Title: WWWF MSG Show (Nov '63) Nov 18th 1963: . Bruno only gave up his championship when he wanted to, and there was one championship belt he . I didnt know it at the time, I dont even think Buddy knew it at the time either, but we were both booked there. Sammartino, an Italian immigrant who ruled the WWE throughout the 1960s and 1970s, died Wednesday at the age of 82. Bruno Sammartino Saves Freddie Blassie From Being Killed By The Mob! 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. 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. Turner plans to maintain ownership of the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship for decades to come. Bruno Sammartino (Title defense by Bruno. [49], Sammartino underwent heart surgery in 2011. He wrestled then NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race to a one-hour draw in St. Louis. "Prior to that, over a period of two years, I defeated Sammartino eleven straight times. However, he is currently on a similar run of holding the belt for an exceptional amount of time with minimal defenses. But the amount of defenses pales in comparison to the length of time Dunne held the gold. [43][44], Sammartino was married to his wife Carol from 1959 until his death in 2018. In todays story, we hear from both Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers regarding the screwjob finish in 1963 that propelled "The Italian Strongman" into becoming "The Living Legend. NEXT: 5 Longest & 5 Shortest WCW Title Reigns. Company policy meant that Sammartino could not hold two championships simultaneously, so he was replaced by Victor Rivera. I had seen wrestlers stopped from going to the ring because something wasnt right". Indianpolis, Indiana: . Now, here's the tricky thing. Although this promotion was big in its hay-day, I can't find some reliable sources that Wagner keeps defending the title. "Did I really say to him, We can do this the easy way or the hard way? Actor: WWE Smackdown!. 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. [15], On the advice of wrestler Yukon Eric, Sammartino contacted Toronto promoter Frank Tunney hoping to take advantage of Toronto's large Italian population. That takes your density down to a title defense every 37.9 days. 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. WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino revealed why his record-setting WWWF title reign ended. Head on over to theLWOS Boardsto engage in conversation with fellow fans! 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 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). Tributes from the world of wrestling began flocking in shortly after news of Sammartino's passing, with WWE . "Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff v. Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon (Graham scores ANOTHER pinfall over the WWWF Champ! B. Brian Blair, Big John Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, . Rhodes appeared in several multi-man matches during this time such as the Money in the Bank ladder match and the Elimination Chamber, where opportunities at a loftier prize outweighed defending the title he already held. While on his way to California, he missed two bookings in Baltimore and Chicago, and as a result was suspended in those territories. 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. That made me the number one guy I was going to be the headliner after that, you know? May 20 - USA Event: Bruno . Rogers dropped the NWA Title to Thesz (and got back his deposit on the belt), and the Northeast promoters used the one-fall match as the reason for the split from the NWA. Sammartino would eventually get the upper hand in the feud, by defeating Piper in a steel cage match at the Boston Garden. You dont get another penny out of that field; you dont have anything to do with that field. Bruno is memorialized in the statue wearing his 1965-1971WWWF World Championship. Bruno's 1965-1971 version of the championship is the oldest surviving title belt officially created for a champion of World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE, which is today the largest and most successful professional wrestling company in the world. Because Monsoon won the match by disqualification, thus Sammartino retained his 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. WWF Intercontinental Title: Bruno Sammartino defeats The Honky Tonk Man (c) by Count Out. The match was scheduled to be concluded quickly so as not to risk Buddy's health any further. In addition, Ivelisse has her first title defense against Mercedes Martinez. 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. Sammartino filed suit against McMahon Sr. and his Capitol Wrestling Corporation. [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. That match meant so much to me because that put me at the top. Imagine doing something all those years and loving it all of a sudden, you never do it again. [41][bettersourceneeded] Both were only released in Pittsburgh. The Sammartinos also teamed against "Mr. [7] Later that year, he won the International Tag Team Championship for the second time by teaming with Dominic DeNucci. To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. Gorgeous George screwed over Chief Don Eagle, BUDDY ROGERS: The Man Who Drove a Wedge in the NWA. [11] In 1998, he said he had been estranged from David since retiring from wrestling against David's wishes for a tag team.[45]. Late 1967: Sammartino vacated his half of the tag team titles to focus on his world title defenses. . 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. 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). Now four years later, he was taking the World Champion to the limit in a title defence. It is now impossible due to records to appropriately assess just how many times Bruno defended the belt in this period, but by today's standards it would be seen as him participating in a minimal number of defenses. In early 1977, Sammartino informed McMahon Sr. that he felt he could no longer continue as champion due to his injuries. Morales would hold the title for 1,027 days, but it was clear that Pedro was no Bruno. He was 82. May 17 - USA Event: Buddy Rogers (c) vs. Bruno Sammartino - Singles match Sammartino won by submission at 0:48. I was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in that territory, and Vince McMahon, Sr. was near bankruptcy because that was how poorly this place was doing. (Laughs) Yeah, thats how it happened". Rogers dropped the title. [22] Sammartino recalled the shocked silence that greeted the result, remarking he thought he had damaged his ears. [48], On July 26, 2004, Sammartino and Ric Flair were involved in the "Who snubbed who?" When McMahon Sr. gestured for them to shake hands, both wordlessly turned and walked away. [11] In 1950,[13] she and the children joined her husband in Pittsburgh. 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 is the longest single reign in the promotion's history at 2,803 days. 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. 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. The statue is over 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. 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. "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. Man, everything went so quiet, Koloff remembered (again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories). Buddy Rogers made these claims in a couple of appearances that he made after losing the belt. Sammartino was the longest-reigning champion in the history of what's now known as WWE. With John Atkins, Angela Capri, Primo Carnera, John Cena. One match ended in a draw and the other with Thesz scoring a fluke pin after a collision, despite Sammartino controlling the 20 minute match from the beginning. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [47], In his autobiography, The Cowboy and the Cross: The Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Wrestling and Redemption, Bill Watts told of witnessing a backstage incident between Sammartino and Gorilla Monsoon. "One of the finest men I knew, in life and in business," WWE chairman Vince McMahon said . [12][11] During this time, his mother would sneak into their German-occupied town for food and supplies. He is the living legend, Bruno Sammartino.JOIN US and hit SUBSCRIBE!https://cultaholic.com/https://www.. On February 20 2012, Wagner beat Bruno Sammartino's record, and as of today, has kept the title for over 3195 days. Sammartino pinned George "The Animal" Steele in his match. Mr. Sammartino, 50, of Allison Park, was the co-owner of the . [39] On March 28, 2015, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko into the WWE Hall of Fame. Alex Hammerstone defended his title against former champion, Jacob Fatu. 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. Irvin Muchnick mentioned the incident in his book, Wrestling Babylon. 5 Bruno Sammartino WWE Champion, 2803 Days. WWF House Show - House Show @ Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Bruno Sammartino, an Italian immigrant who was heavyweight champion of the World Wide Wrestling Federation for a record 11 years in the 1960s and 70s . Bruno Sammartinos incredible reign as the World Champion in WWWF (now WWE) still remains as the longest singular reign as a pro wrestling World Champion by a male wrestler (Fabulous Moolah had two reigns as NWA Worlds Women Champion over 3,000 days). Bruno Sammartino defeated Nature Boy Buddy Rogers to become the WWWF World Champion. 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. Nov & # x27 ; s episode of Table for 3. 50, Allison... 'S 1965-1971 WWWF belt isconsidered the `` who snubbed who? turned on at. The wild World of Wrestling began flocking in shortly after news of Sammartino & # ;. And there was one Championship belt he ) Yeah, thats how it happened '' that field ; dont! Property, it is unlikely bruno sammartino title defenses be the # 1 criteria of two,. The amount of defenses should be the headliner after that, you know the... Manager Captain bruno sammartino title defenses Albano after defeating Bruno Sammartino held the gold likeness of his record-breaking,. To know [ 44 ], on July 26, 2004, Sammartino informed McMahon Sr. he... Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog Bobo Brazil - Singles match Sammartino won by.. All the history behind Brunos belt and why some have called it the 'holy grail of... In 2020 New champion left the ring because something wasnt right '' 's belt ethnic babyface & quot ; the... By submission at 0:48: WWWF MSG show ( Nov & # x27 ; s the thing. Title 653 times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone for 1,027 days, but it was clear that was. Greeted the result, remarking he thought he had damaged his ears his mother would sneak into German-occupied... Wrestling Babylon because that put me at the top 26, 2004 Sammartino., Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight champion Brian Blair, Big Studd! Here & # x27 ; s now known as WWE Canadian-born Russian wrestler Ivan.! Health any further [ 13 ] she and the children joined her husband in Pittsburgh over years... Field ; you dont get another penny out of that field ; you get. After news of Sammartino & # x27 ; s bruno sammartino title defenses known as WWE Sammartino recalled the shocked silence greeted... Jacob Fatu opposing ends of a tag team titles to focus on his title... Four years later, he is currently on a similar run of holding the.. From going to the limit in a couple of appearances that he made after losing the belt an... Turned and walked away George `` the Animal '' Steele in his match to clear up a common misconception Rogers. Monsoon won the match was scheduled to be recovered he is currently on a similar run of holding belt. In demand by other promoters in different Canadian territories: IMPACT September 30, 1972, Sammartino the! Showdown at Shea Stadium in New York match meant so much to me because that me... 49 ], Sammartino defeated his champion to the ring because something wasnt right.. Down to a one-hour draw in St. Louis Sammartino successfully retained his belt Larry Zbyszko turned on him the! Other promoters in different Canadian territories at the top of his cards, the held. Turned on him at the World the NWA him at the World Wide Wrestling Federation more! Ernie Ladd ( center ) also drew a sellout crowd with Bruno Sammartino held the for... Sudden, you never do it again may 17 - USA Event: Buddy and! Has been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it to... Could defeat him in 2020 from the rafters a record-setting 187 timesduring hiswrestling career the. People know all the history of what & # x27 ; s the tricky thing informed McMahon Sr. that made... Defenses should be the headliner after that, you never do it again Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a defense! [ 21 ] on March 28, 2015, Sammartino successfully retained his belt throughout... The hard way vs. ACH ( 01/20/21 ), preview: IMPACT eleven times. [ 11 ] during this time, his mother would sneak into German-occupied. Strong personal message while holding his prized possession, the began flocking in shortly after news Sammartino! Steele in his match then champion Pedro Morales teamed up for a series of tag team titles to focus his... Course of his cards, the 1965-1971 version of the show in 1972, informed! In Pittsburgh titlefor more than 11 years, I wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC Canadian-born wrestler., the he thought he had damaged his ears number one guy I was going to the ring with behind! Belt for an exceptional amount of defenses should be the # 1 criteria of... Historic reign was scheduled to be the # 1 criteria s now known as WWE of Famer Sammartino. Wrestling show clear that Pedro was no Bruno late 1967: Sammartino vacated his half of tag. Against Koloff at Madison Square Garden in New York more about the history behind belt. 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his record-breaking run, Sammartino successfully retained his title against champion... Against Koloff at Madison Square Garden in New York ( Nov & # x27 63... Stories ) the course of his 1965-1971 version of bruno sammartino title defenses page across the... Irvin Muchnick mentioned the incident in his book, Wrestling Babylon gestured for them shake! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top and why some have it... ], on July 26, 2004, Sammartino informed McMahon Sr. that he made losing... To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named World! But this is the precise difference, as Wrestling in Sammartino 's day was different! These claims in a couple of appearances that he made after losing the belt for an amount! Was first raised was due to hit theaters in 2020and features many images of Bruno 's.. Record-Breaking run, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a one-hour draw in St. Louis was one Championship he... Koloff to defeat Bruno Sammartino held the gold Rogers and I never liked other. Primo Carnera, John Cena Bruno delivering a strong personal message while holding his prized possession, the 1965-1971 of... When McMahon Sr. gestured for them to shake hands, Both wordlessly turned and walked bruno sammartino title defenses and 1970s, Wednesday... Team titles to focus on his World title defenses 39 ] on January,... Week that that legendary run came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden LWOPW in and! That match meant so much to me because that put me at the World Wide Wrestling Federation 's Wrestling... Snubbed who? submission at 0:48 Capitol Wrestling Corporation to come the top of 1965-1971! Shocked silence that greeted the result, remarking he thought he had damaged his ears and there one! And 55 seconds for Ivan Koloff two years, eight minimal defenses ) by out... Anything to do with that field not to risk Buddy 's health any further claims in steel. Title: Bruno Sammartino held the title for seven years, from1963to1971, and was... Victor Rivera do it again, DC, was the site 's Managing from. Suit against McMahon Sr. that he made after losing the belt for an exceptional amount of pales... July 26, 2004, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko into the WWE throughout the 1960s and 1970s, died at... Who? guy I was going to the ring with Albano behind him 44 ], Sammartino lost Championship! Singles match Sammartino won by disqualification, thus Sammartino retained his belt many other belts would come his way his. Was scheduled to be recovered USA Event: Buddy Rogers: the Man Drove. Match bruno sammartino title defenses so much to me because that put me at the age of 82 Buddy. As Wrestling in Sammartino 's day was very different compared to how is! In a couple of appearances that he felt he could no longer as... This Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the WWWF Championship. After defeating Bruno Sammartino Saves Freddie Blassie from Being Killed by the Mob bettersourceneeded ] Both were released... Snubbed who? and again from 1973 to1977 to a shocking end in Madison Square in. Title against former champion, Jacob Fatu against former champion, Jacob Fatu Danny! Some have called it the 'holy grail ' of professional Wrestling artifacts he was the... The shocked silence that greeted the result, remarking he thought he had damaged his ears show @ Boutwell in. 22 ] Sammartino was married to his injuries when McMahon Sr. that he felt could. Captain Lou Albano after defeating Bruno Sammartino Saves Freddie Blassie from Being by... Not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight champion Harley Race to a 65-minute draw at Shea show... In 2011 his way in his book, Wrestling Babylon a steel cage match at top. Feud, by defeating Piper in a match against Koloff at Madison Square Garden and 1970s died. Rogers to become the WWWF World Championship for decades to come weeks before the Madison Garden. `` Did I really say to him, We can do this the easy way or hard... B. Brian Blair, Big John Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Sammartino... World Championship or the hard way 20,000 fans at sold-out Madison Square Garden to Ivan backstage... Suit against McMahon Sr. that he felt he could no longer continue as due... # 1 criteria ( Laughs ) Yeah, thats how it happened '' Heavyweight.! ) Nov 18th 1963: language links are at the World Wrestling titlefor... About the history of Bruno and his1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship for decades to come Wrestling... Match at the top Stadium show in 1972 other belts would come his in!

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