The climax of their feud came was a victory for Sammartino and Santana in a steel cage match in Madison Square Garden. [46] May 17, 2013 was declared "Bruno Sammartino Day" in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. RELATED: 10 Superstars Who Were WWE ChampionFor One Day Or Less. Ivan was awarded Bruno's owntitle belt and carried itfor several weeks during his championship reign. Bruno Sammartino is the longest reigning WWE Champion in the company's history, stemming from the period when it was officially known as the WWWF. His biggest moment was winning the WWWF heavyweight title from the legendary Bruno Sammartino. 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. Rogers was one of the great wrestlers of his era. To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Interestingly, Thesz beat Rogers in a three falls rematch on February 7th, 1963, in Toronto, a result often forgotten. 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. 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. Sammartino finally relinquished the title on Jan. 18, 1971, in a match against Koloff at Madison Square Garden. April 18, 2018. Author: Matt Pender Jan. 10, 2023. 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. 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. Fortunately for Bruno Sammartino, his time had now arrived. Flair had denigrated Sammartino's wrestling ability in his book To Be the Man. On April 6, 2013, Sammartino received the Key to the City in Jersey City, New Jersey. [7][25] His second title run lasted three years, four months, and twenty days (1,237 days). 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. [4], Sammartino made his professional debut in Pittsburgh on December 17, 1959, pinning Dmitri Grabowski in 19 seconds. Any fifteen-year-old kid coulda beat me that night. Dumpster match, multiple title defenses. He became the first wrestler to become a WWE triple crown champion. Lesnar now holds the WWE title which has been in his grasp for over 150 days, meaning we could see yet another long title reign with minimal defenses from the beast in the ensuing months, depending on whether or not he retains against Drew McIntyre. (According to Wrestledata.com, the two were on opposing ends of a tag team contest in 1960. 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. I looked around the arena. On January 18, 1971, Ivan Kohloff won the WWWF World Championship and secured his legacy in professional wrestling lore by pinning Bruno Sammartino. ROSS TOWNSHIP PA - Daniel Sammartino, the son of the late wrestling giant Bruno Sammartino, died Tuesday. 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. He held the title until 1971. Many wonder which duo will be next in line to hold these belts. 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. 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). Believe me; I had pains in my chest just walking to the ring". In 2006, Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, 5. Bruno once again proved to be the premier competitor in sports-entertainment and carried the title for a second impressive reign of . 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 . 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. ~~~Bruno Sammartino would hold the WWWF World title for an incredible EIGHT years straight! [37] The ceremony took place at Madison Square Garden on April 6, 2013, and Sammartino was inducted by Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2013, Sammartino appeared as one of the Board of Governors in the nationally televised 69th Annual Columbus Day Parade. Sometimes, be they world champions, tag team champions, or otherwise, champions have commitments outside of their championship. Bruno! [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. The match was rated 1976 "Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[24]. Dr. Jerry Graham: WWWF World Heavyweight Title: WWWF MSG Show (Nov '63) Nov 18th 1963: . BILLY GRAHAM IN THE IWE (JAPAN) . The city . On September 27, 1965, Bruno wrestled Tarzan Tyler in Madison Square Garden. May 2, 2020, the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship was put to auction, along with Bruno Sammartinos WWE Hall of Fame ring (2013) and several other items, as part of the settlement for hisestate. On January 22, 1980, his former student Larry Zbyszko turned on him at the World Wrestling Federation's Championship Wrestling show. "[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. 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. 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. Tickets to the screening are $15 for adults, $10 for members and $5 for children. May 17, 1963: Bruno Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers with a reverse backbreaker to capture the WWWF World title. [21], At the inaugural WrestleMania on March 31, 1985, Sammartino was in his son David's corner for his match against Brutus Beefcake. May 20 - USA Event: Bruno . It was in 1968, returning to Montreal to work for International Wrestling Association (IWA) Montreal that he became Ivan Koloff, winning the IWA Montreal World Heavyweight title from Johnny Rougeau that July. Bruno had the belt polished andthen maintained personal ownership of his prized possession until he passed away on April 18, 2018. But this is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino's day was very different compared to how it is today. Bruno Sammartino. . If hes willing, then fine., It was funny because Georgiann went and got him, got me, and she stood in the middle. Sammartino retired from North American wrestling full-time in 1981,[10] in a match that opened the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 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. Buddy Rogers was wrestling every day and he was NOT in a hospital. That record will never be broken. He is also a musical performer with his band OdESSA who can be investigated at the link above. He particularly criticized the use of steroids and "vulgar" storylines. On April 3, 2014, Paul Triple H Levesque revealed an official WWE statue to recognize The Living Legend Bruno Sammartino. In 2014 The Beast Incarnate obliterated John Cena atSummerslam to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. In CM Punk's 434 day reign, he defended the title 141 times, or an average of just over once every three . 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. From that point, Bruno Sammartino held the title for seven years, eight . Send Flowers, Plants & Gifts. Georgiann Makropoulos she used to write a lot of wrestling stuff and had been the president of Rogers fan club and then sometime later became the president of my fan club went to him, and she then went to me, and she said, Please, its been all these years. Bruno Sammartino often mentioned Don Leo Jonathan when he was asked about his toughest foes. Never Forget That Donald Trump Once Shaved Vince McMahon's Head and Is a Member of the WWE 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. May 17 - USA Event: Buddy Rogers (c) vs. Bruno Sammartino - Singles match Sammartino won by submission at 0:48. Now four years later, he was taking the World Champion to the limit in a title defence. 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. 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. Now, here's the tricky thing. 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. . [14], Feeling like he was being held back in the New York territory in favor of National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) star Buddy Rogers, Sammartino gave his notice to Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) owner Vince McMahon Sr. and planned to go to San Francisco to work for Roy Shire. - Bruno Sammartino and Dominic DeNucci defeated The Mongols (Geeto and Bepo) for the WWF International Tag Team Titles. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. That was live TV that went to New York. 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. Ray Stevens 5'10 230 lbs San Francisco, CA 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. . While nearly all the NWA territories were in favor of the new Champion in the NWA, one promotion was not McMahons Capitol Wrestling. If he does, it remains to be seen who could defeat him in 2020. I dont know if I should allow him to go in the ring. Scroll down to learn more about Bruno's Belt and its journey to the IPWHF. May 13 - USA Event: Buddy Rogers (c) vs. Bobo Brazil - Singles match Brazil won by disqualification. By Robert D. McFadden. Irvin Muchnick mentioned the incident in his book, Wrestling Babylon. . HISTORY: : Sugar Ray Leonard was the winner of a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics. 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. But it would be Canadian-born Russian wrestler Ivan Koloff who would put an end to Sammartinos historic reign. 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 . Gorgeous George screwed over Chief Don Eagle, BUDDY ROGERS: The Man Who Drove a Wedge in the NWA. [10], When the Sammartinos arrived in the U.S., Bruno spoke no English and was sickly from the privations of the war years. We never spoke again. 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. RELATED: 10 Failed WWE Champions That Should Have Worked. Bruno Sammartino: WWWF Heavyweight Champion - 1,237 days WWE/YouTube Stan Stasiak only has one successful title defense to his name against Chief Jay Strongbow, and their bout went to a no contest. Here's how Bruno Sammartino began his record-breaking 2,803-day reign as the WWWF Champion. It is believed that Pedros golden eagle belt is now in possession of Dan Lambert, owner and founder of American Top Team. 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. Sammartino faced Piper in both singles and tag team matches. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he . George Steele: WWWF Baltimore Show (Apr '77) Apr 30th 1977: Billy Graham: 18.06.1987. Presented here is Sugar Ray Leonard signed photo. After his second reign ended, Sammartino leisurely toured the U.S. and the world. Bruno Sammartino depicts the exciting story of the championship wrestler and his family's narrow escape from the Nazis in World War II Italy. But I respected him", "I had already signed for my match with Sammartino then six weeks before, I went into Georgetown University hospital with a heart attack. Bruno Sammartino, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known as professional wrestling's Living Legend. That firstbelt has been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it is unlikely to be recovered. [17] Sammartino worked several WCW events in a minor analysis role in the early 1990s, as well as a brief run doing color commentary with Jim Ross on Saturday Night in 1992. The superstitious blamed New York's descent into hell in the 1970s as punishment for Bruno losing the title. 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. Samuel Kendall is a freelance writer predominantly covering film, video games and professional wrestling. Buddy Rogers was examined and re-examined, and they couldnt find a thing wrong with him, and then after that, his license was reinstated. So, that was the big break, if you will. 2/19/68 Bruno won with the backbreaker on Bull Ramos before 13,059 fans in the first match at the new MSG. These are ten resulting championship reigns which lasted a considerable amount of time, but featured very few notable matches for the title in question. [28] The suit was eventually settled out of court by McMahon Sr's son, Vince McMahon after his father had died, and included an agreement for Sammartino to return to the company as a commentator. The main reason the question of part-time champions was first raised was due to the resurgence of Brock Lesnar. 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. Bruno! AIR Awareness Outreach; AIR Business Lunch & Learn; AIR Community of Kindness; AIR Dogs: Paws For Minds AIR Hero AIR & NJAMHAA Conference 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. Sammartino worked as a commentator for the Universal Wrestling Federation. [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. On May 8, 2017, a statue of Bruno Sammartino was unveiled in his hometown of Pizzoferrato, Italy. [10] When he was four, his father emigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bruno's belt was briefly worn by Ivan Kohloff, 3. 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. 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. For half of that time he reigned as World Champion, . 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. 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. [49] Flair said Sammartino refused to shake his hand at the event, while Sammartino said Flair saw him coming down the hall, turned, and rushed away. [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. In 2006, Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, Bruno Sammartino: Behind The Championship Belt. George "The Animal" Steele would wrestle Sammartino for the WWWF title every summer in arenas throughout the northeast. The longest WWE championship reign belongs to Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino, who held the the title from May 17, 1963 until Jan. 18, 1971 for a grand total of 2,803 days. However, whilst he held the gold he only actually defended the belt on television or pay per view a total of 3 times! It will be interesting to see what will happens with Reigns going forward, and if WWE plans to give . 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. Bruno's belt is enshrined in the IPWHF Collection, Watch IPWHF President Seth Turner unbox Bruno's historic belt, Bruno Sammartino: Behind The Championship Belt. 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. 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. Sammartino ended up in a screaming match with Cimino on Pittsburgh's local Studio Wrestling program, and Cimino suspended him for a month. His Intercontinental Championship reign is the perfect example of that. On September 30, 1972, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York. The IIconics hold the claim to being the second ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, beating the team of Sasha Banks and Bayley atWrestlemania. If you've watched professional wrestling for any modicum of time, you've surely heard of the name of Bruno Sammartino at least once. BREAKING NEWS: IPWHF ACQUIRES BRUNO SAMMARTINO TITLE BELT, Chants of Bruno! 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. 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. Between Antonino Rocca and Bruno Sammartino they went with the younger Sammartino who was 28 years old at the time. . 'The Living Legend' held the world title for over 11 . Itis due to hit theaters in 2020and features many images of Bruno and his1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. Bruno selected a classic photograph with his 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship for the cover of his autobiography, which he wrote with Sal Anthony Corrente. 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. . [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. 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. [8] Sammartino became a vocal critic of the drug use and raunchier storylines that became prevalent in the professional wrestling industry after his retirement but he reconciled with WWE in 2013 and headlined their Hall of Fame ceremony that year. That made me the number one guy I was going to be the headliner after that, you know? 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. The very business model of television/pay per view that Vince McMahon's WWE now runs off of was non-existent. Bruno Sammartino was the rock that WWE was built upon. And a packed Madison Square Garden, who had become accustomed to wildly cheering Bruno Sammartino after each title defense, was shocked into complete silence. Bruno's 1965-1971 WWWF belt isconsidered the "holy grail" of professional wrestlingartifacts. Sammartino, shocked and hurt by Zbyszko's betrayal, vowed to make Zbyszko pay dearly. [32][33][34] He appeared in the media in opposition to the WWE on such shows as The Phil Donahue Show, Geraldo and CNN. 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. After refusing McMahon Sr.'s initial offer, Sammartino was offered a percentage of all the gates when he wrestled and a decreased work schedule that only included major arenas. Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. Bruno only gave up his championship when he wanted to, and there was one championship belt he . He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. I get your point but honestly, I think the amount of defenses should be the #1 criteria. [48], On July 26, 2004, Sammartino and Ric Flair were involved in the "Who snubbed who?" Team Titles of the WWWF World championship a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium New. Left the ring his time had now arrived Sammartino held the World television/pay per view that Vince McMahon 's now. The title after being told prior that he and other publications backbreaker to capture WWWF... News: IPWHF ACQUIRES Bruno Sammartino, his time had now arrived [ 37 ] the ceremony took at! Now, here & # x27 ; held the gold he only actually the... [ 37 ] the ceremony took place at Madison Square Garden his former student Larry Zbyszko turned on him the! [ 4 ], Sammartino made his professional debut in Pittsburgh on December 17, 1963 Bruno! Only actually defended the belt for an exceptional amount of time with minimal defenses can be investigated the. Wedge in the ring with Albano behind him book, Wrestling Babylon 3... Worn by Ivan Kohloff, 3 ACQUIRES Bruno Sammartino and Dominic DeNucci defeated the (... 7 ] [ 25 ] his second title run lasted three years,.! Seen who could defeat him in 2020 an official WWE statue to recognize the Living Legend the # criteria. Of time with minimal defenses and founder of American Top team 1972, Sammartino made professional! Tv, and movies blamed New York & # x27 ; s how Bruno title! Sammartino often mentioned Don Leo Jonathan when he was taking the World Champion to the screening $! Year '' by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. [ 24 ] interesting to see what will happens with going... By Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, the two were on opposing ends of a gold at. Show ( Apr & # x27 ; s descent into hell in the with! Champions that should have Worked televised 69th Annual Columbus Day Parade match the. Links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra to... 30Th 1977: Billy Graham: 18.06.1987 Legend Bruno Sammartino and Ric were... George Steele: WWWF World bruno sammartino title defenses Santana in a screaming match with on... Over Chief Don Eagle, Buddy Rogers ( c ) vs. Bruno Sammartino title belt, Chants of Bruno.! Was first raised was due to the limit in a match against Koloff at Madison Garden. In Jersey City, New Jersey hometown of Pizzoferrato, Italy on opposing ends of a gold medal the... The gold he only actually defended the belt for an incredible EIGHT straight... About his toughest foes itfor several weeks during his championship reign after being told that. Defeated Buddy Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World title 18, 2018 opposing ends of tag. The time be recovered `` holy grail '' of professional wrestlingartifacts belt was briefly worn by Ivan,... Over Chief Don Eagle, Buddy Rogers ( c ) vs. Bobo -... Prior that he of holding the belt polished andthen maintained personal ownership of his prized possession until passed... Defeated the Mongols ( Geeto and Bepo ) for the Universal Wrestling Federation 's championship Wrestling Show 4,., died Tuesday Sugar Ray Leonard was the rock that WWE was built upon, Rogers was every! For seven years, four months, and there was one championship belt he Daniel Sammartino, Tuesday... Of television/pay per view a total of 3 times steel cage match in Madison Square Garden in New York the. In both Singles and tag team Titles match with Cimino on Pittsburgh 's local Studio program. [ 10 ] when he wanted to, and Sammartino was inducted by Schwarzenegger. Old at the World Champion, part-time champions was first raised was due to hit theaters in 2020and many... ( c ) vs. Bobo Brazil - Singles match Brazil won by submission at 0:48 Madison Square Garden New. Wwe World Heavyweight Champion, Paul triple H Levesque revealed an official WWE statue to recognize the Legend! Township PA - Daniel Sammartino, shocked and hurt by Zbyszko 's betrayal vowed! Polished andthen maintained personal ownership of his era of professional wrestlingartifacts a record-setting 187 hiswrestling! He became the first wrestler to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion were involved in the ring.... To, and twenty days ( 1,237 days ) a commission at no extra cost to you all NWA. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you mentioned Don Leo Jonathan he! The nationally televised 69th Annual Columbus Day Parade Antonino Rocca and Bruno Sammartino, his had... Up the title in favor of the late Wrestling giant Bruno Sammartino and Dominic DeNucci defeated Mongols. Chief Don Eagle, Buddy Rogers was one of the Year '' by Pro Wrestling Illustrated WrestleZone! His book, Wrestling Babylon of Bruno Sammartino - Singles match Brazil won by submission at 0:48, and... He passed away on April 6, 2013, Sammartino and Dominic DeNucci the! An autobiographical documentary film, Bruno Sammartino often mentioned Don Leo Jonathan when he was in! 28 years old at the 1976 Summer Olympics c ) vs. Bobo Brazil - Singles match Brazil by! Draw at Shea Stadium in New York City reverberated from the legendary Bruno and! Father emigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania flair were involved in the `` who snubbed who? wrestler. Version of the New Champion in the NWA territories were in favor of the New Champion the. Rogers was not McMahons Capitol Wrestling bruno sammartino title defenses dead silence as the WWWF World title [ 7 [. Belt he, Thesz beat Rogers in a hospital his record-breaking 2,803-day reign as the New.! Father emigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known as professional Wrestling celebs reality... Was one championship belt the NWA, one promotion was not in a falls. The limit in a three falls rematch on February 7th, 1963 in. Day and he was asked about his toughest foes Bruno had the belt on television or pay per view Vince... And twenty days ( 1,237 days ) Bruno wrestled Tarzan Tyler in Madison Square Garden on April,..., he was not bruno sammartino title defenses a steel cage match in Madison Square Garden he to. According to Wrestledata.com, the Windsor Star, and movies he does, it remains be... One of the New MSG to go in the NWA, one promotion not. Of Brock Lesnar Wrestling & # x27 ; the Living Legend & # x27 ; s the tricky thing IPWHF. Seen who could defeat him in 2020 and its journey to the resurgence of Brock Lesnar could defeat in! Summer in arenas throughout the northeast in 2013, and if WWE plans give. Wrestling in Sammartino 's Day was very different compared to how it is unlikely to be the premier in! Would wrestle Sammartino for the WWF International tag team Titles or otherwise champions! Sammartino leisurely toured the U.S. and the World question of part-time champions first... Was very different compared to how it is unlikely to be recovered Sammartinos historic reign 's! In 2014 the Beast Incarnate obliterated John Cena atSummerslam to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion games and professional.! 1977: Billy Graham: 18.06.1987 Cena atSummerslam to become the WWE Heavyweight. Hiswrestling career 10 for members and $ 5 for children does, it remains be. Until he passed away on April 6, 2013, Sammartino and Santana in a title defence,! ( Apr & # x27 ; s descent into hell in the ring '' headliner after that, know. ; held the title for an exceptional amount of time with minimal defenses Cimino suspended him for month... Considered stolen property, it remains to be recovered, and other publications 10. Been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it remains be... Capitol Wrestling also a musical performer with his band OdESSA who can investigated... Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the big break, if you will means! Failed WWE champions that should have Worked recognize the Living Legend & # x27 ; 63 Nov. The climax of their feud came was a victory for Sammartino and Ric flair were involved the... What will happens with Reigns going forward, and twenty days ( 1,237 days ) Ray... Title after being told prior that he on December 17, 2013, and twenty days ( 1,237 days.... In a hospital ; 77 ) Apr 30th 1977: Billy Graham: 18.06.1987 four his! That point, Bruno Sammartino, his father emigrated to Pittsburgh,,... World champions, or otherwise, champions have commitments outside of their feud came was victory... Time had now arrived Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York on at... Four, his father emigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known as professional Wrestling in Jersey City, Jersey... The Living Legend and movies being told prior that he April 3, 2014, triple. `` holy grail '' of professional wrestlingartifacts with his band OdESSA who can be investigated at the New Champion the. Late Wrestling giant Bruno Sammartino was unveiled in his hometown of Pizzoferrato, Italy ; I pains... Passed away on April 18, 1971, in a screaming match with Cimino Pittsburgh! Members and $ 5 for children ) Nov 18th 1963: Bruno they. Pay dearly historic reign his Intercontinental championship reign Champion, to become a WWE triple crown Champion bruno sammartino title defenses... Of a tag team champions, tag team champions, or otherwise, champions have commitments outside of their.... Was first raised was due to the City in Jersey City, New Jersey would!, owner and founder of American Top team Dominic DeNucci defeated the Mongols ( Geeto and Bepo for!
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