On January 18, 1971, Ivan Kohloff won the WWWF World Championship and secured his legacy in professional wrestling lore by pinning Bruno Sammartino. I was just so exhausted It became clear to Vince McMahon Sr. that his World Champion was gassed. 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. They were grandparents of four grandchildren. But as the quiet began to work back into a rumble, the fear of fan outburst became real. 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). He went on to win the World Welterweight and Middleweight Titles. Bruno Sammartino often mentioned Don Leo Jonathan when he was asked about his toughest foes. Sammartino won the title on May 17, 1963, defeating Rogers in 48 seconds. [30], Sammartino's highest-profile feud during this run was with "Macho Man" Randy Savage. 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. . 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). After Bruno defeated Rogers, just one month later, the first official WWWF (WWE) World Championship was designed. World Wide Wrestling Federation. It had been eight long years as champion, and my schedule had been so hectic, you just couldnt believe it, Sammartino said of his first run (in quotes compiled by ProWrestlingStories.I traveled overseas a lot to Japan and Australia you name it, I went everywhere. . 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. 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 . 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. Bruno is way more impressive than Flair if u ask me. 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. No creases or tear The following title matches feature the WWE Championship. Bruno Sammartino is one of the defining legends from WWE history. But I kept my word. They got away withthe 1963-1965 version of the WWWF Championship. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. April 18, 2018. And it was 50-years ago this week that that legendary run came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden. The climax of their feud came was a victory for Sammartino and Santana in a steel cage match in Madison Square Garden. AIR Awareness Outreach; AIR Business Lunch & Learn; AIR Community of Kindness; AIR Dogs: Paws For Minds AIR Hero AIR & NJAMHAA Conference I worked in pain. The MSG title . By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. #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. [4], He also became known for performing strongman stunts in the Pittsburgh area, and sportscaster Bob Prince put him on his television show. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content, including these Sasha Banks matches on theWWE Network. 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. . Matt Pender is an old-school wrestling fan who currently lives in New Zealand. 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. Sammartino then finished up his full-time career by touring Japan. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he . WWF House Show - House Show @ Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. On April 6, 2013, Sammartino received the Key to the City in Jersey City, New Jersey. 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. 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. He held the World Wide Wrestling Federation title for more than 11 years, from 1963 to1971, and again from 1973 to1977. 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. Sadly, Koloffs reign was short-lived. California honored the other state's suspension, leaving Sammartino out of work. Tributes from the world of wrestling began flocking in shortly after news of Sammartino's passing, with WWE . 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's legendary title reign was so long, that if CM Punk had kept the title since winning it at Money in the Bank 2011, he would only be matching it today. In 2014 The Beast Incarnate obliterated John Cena atSummerslam to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Matches. Dumpster match, multiple title defenses. 11. Ivan Koloff vs Bruno Sammartino 1/18/71 The Russian Nightmare had a long career starting in Canada and continuing thru the United States. . Between Antonino Rocca and Bruno Sammartino they went with the younger Sammartino who was 28 years old at the time. It opens with Bruno delivering a strong personal message while holding his prized possession, the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. [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. 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). After regaining the title in December 1973 . Bruno owned his title belt for over 52 years, 10. [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. 3.0 3 Ratings. In addition, Ivelisse has her first title defense against Mercedes Martinez. Bruno once again proved to be the premier competitor in sports-entertainment and carried the title for a second impressive reign of . Buddy Rogers & Diamond Jack & Johnny Barend & The Shadow: 8-person tag: WWWF Philadelphia Show (Jun '63) Jun 8th . 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. An irate Sammartino attacked Savage during a TV interview, after Savage bragged about injuring Ricky Steamboat, by driving the timekeeper's bell into Steamboat's throat during a televised match. Dr. Jerry Graham: WWWF World Heavyweight Title: WWWF MSG Show (Nov '63) Nov 18th 1963: . WWE commissioned a statue of Bruno wearing his belt, 6. It was the hardest thing in my life to go out of wrestling. Ivan Koloff backstage with manager Captain Lou Albano after defeating Bruno Sammartino (Photo: PWI) Sadly, Koloff's reign was short-lived. Late 1967: Sammartino vacated his half of the tag team titles to focus on his world title defenses. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! - Bruno Sammartino and Dominic DeNucci defeated The Mongols (Geeto and Bepo) for the WWF International Tag Team Titles. The fact that he has the all-time longest title reign in WWE history is apropos for a man . 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). Brock would then defend the belt a total of three times between then and Wrestlemania, with appearances atNight of Champions, Royal Rumble,and the event itself. It took 14 minutes and 55 seconds for Ivan Koloff to defeat Bruno Sammartino that night in New York City. In 1971, Gorilla Monsoon and Phil Zacko gave Bruno Sammartino the belt that he had carried from 1965-1971 to keep. B. Brian Blair, Big John Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, . In 1986, Sammartino competed in a 20-man battle royal at WrestleMania 2 at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago. "Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. Bruno Sammartino: Directed by Patrea Patrick. 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. 10.12.1973 - 30.04.1977. By Ian Carey Feb 5, 2023. 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. Boston 10/21/75) 21. 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. Two weeks later, all syndicated wrestling shows in the WWWF showed a clip of Sammartino and Morales signing a contract for a title match at Shea Stadium. Fortunately for Bruno Sammartino, his time had now arrived. 1 Hour 35 Minutes. [15] With Whipper Billy Watson, Sammartino won his first professional wrestling championship in September 1962, the local version of the International Tag Team Championship. These are ten resulting championship reigns which lasted a considerable amount of time, but featured very few notable matches for the title in question. After my heart attack, I told myself to forget [wrestling]. Sammartino is the longest-reigning WWE Champion in history. Bob Backlund, the talented former N.C.A.A. By Robert D. McFadden. George "The Animal" Steele would wrestle Sammartino for the WWWF title every summer in arenas throughout the northeast. 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. Seth Turner, President of the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, successfully procured the belt. 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. Defeating Stan Stasiak, Bruno became the first-ever two-time WWE Champion. Bruno Sammartino was a 90-pound weakling in high school. On September 30, 1972, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York. Brunopresented hisbelt toPedro Morales, 4. HISTORY: : Sugar Ray Leonard was the winner of a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics. "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. 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. 7 WWE Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You To Know! After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. Sold-out Madison Square Garden 189 times! With John Atkins, Angela Capri, Primo Carnera, John Cena. BILLY GRAHAM IN THE IWE (JAPAN) . Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he would win the match. 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. [9], Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was born in Pizzoferrato, Abruzzo, Italy, to Alfonso and Emilia Sammartino on October 6, 1935. [29] The match ended in a double-disqualification after the Sammartinos began brawling with Beefcake and his manager Johnny Valiant. Bruno was the foot that held the door open for Rocky to become a phenomenon. Sammartino, an Italian immigrant who ruled the WWE throughout the 1960s and 1970s, died Wednesday at the age of 82. . RELATED: Ruthless Aggression: 10 Title Reigns (That We Completely Forgot About). 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. Sammartino is honored on the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame. WWF Intercontinental Title: Bruno Sammartino defeats The Honky Tonk Man (c) by Count Out. To put everything in perspective, if Roman Reigns stays Universal Champion through New Year's Day 2028, he'd still be many, many months short of reaching Sammartino's record title reign length! While on his way to California, he missed two bookings in Baltimore and Chicago, and as a result was suspended in those territories. 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. They couldnt believe Bruno got defeated after seven years as champion. 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. Rogers retired prior to their scheduled title rematch on October 4, 1963, in Jersey City, New Jersey's Roosevelt Stadium. His ability to speak Italian also ingratiated him with that immigrant population. But the amount of defenses pales in comparison to the length of time Dunne held the gold. [38] Sammartino appeared on the October 7, 2013, episode of Raw and received a birthday greeting in his hometown of Pittsburgh. 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. Sammartino, shocked and hurt by Zbyszko's betrayal, vowed to make Zbyszko pay dearly. 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. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Page 12, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 18, 1963. Sammartino would go on to hold the title for 2,803 days, nearly eight years(! A sold-out Garden. Believe me; I had pains in my chest just walking to the ring". Related. "Did I really say to him, We can do this the easy way or the hard way? Indianpolis, Indiana: . 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 . Never Forget That Donald Trump Once Shaved Vince McMahon's Head and Is a Member of the WWE Hall of Fame Cimino was new to his post and intervened in a match finish involving Sammartino, who took a shot at Cimino in the ring and the argument continued backstage. George Steele: WWWF Baltimore Show (Apr '77) Apr 30th 1977: Billy Graham: But then on January 24, 1963, something happened. Sammartino, professional wrestling's "Living Legend" and one of its longest-reigning champions, has died. Lengthy championships are a big aspect in wrestling, but it is definitely easier when the champion does not frequently have to defend his title. When their eyes cleared, they kept fighting each other. 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. [7][25] His second title run lasted three years, four months, and twenty days (1,237 days). "Prior to that, over a period of two years, I defeated Sammartino eleven straight times. Just 48 seconds later, Bruno Sammartino was the new champ, and a hero was born. 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. 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. In 2006, Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, 5. 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. Irvin Muchnick mentioned the incident in his book, Wrestling Babylon. Louis. (Hornby had 12,989) Bruno's belt now appearsin an acclaimed film, 9. PWSTees.com Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee! I get your point but honestly, I think the amount of defenses should be the #1 criteria. I knew it was all done; I just knew I couldnt produce like I once did. If he does, it remains to be seen who could defeat him in 2020. He died in 1992 at the age of 71. He held the company's top title from 1963 to 1971 and again from 1973 to 1977. WWE fan? He was often teamed with Tito Santana and his old enemy George "The Animal" Steele (who was a fan favorite at this point in his career) to wrestle Savage and "Adorable" Adrian Adonis. 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. 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. Their feud culminated on August 9, 1980, in front of 36,295 fans at Shea Stadium. Bruno Sammartino holds a legendary wrestling career spanning nearly a quarter century from 1959 to 1982. Answer (1 of 3): I don't think there's any actual record of how many times he defended the belt, because back then there were no RAW or Smackdown television shows, I don't think they were even doing pay-per-views at the time, wrestling back then was totally different, I wasn't born in the 60s but. [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. 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. I was so beat in so many ways; I was never one to even take an aspirin. That match meant so much to me because that put me at the top. WWWF World Championship. Stay tuned to theLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. [5] Sammartino's first match in Madison Square Garden in New York City was on January 2, 1960,[1] defeating Bull Curry in five minutes. In 2019, Bruno Sammartino:The Autobiography of Wrestlings Living Legendwas released. [50][51] WWE honored his life with a ten-bell salute before a house show in Cape Town later that day, and again on the April 23 episode of Raw in St. But I made sure I kept my word, and I went through with the match. 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". It was my whole life. He is overall a two-time world champion in professional wrestling. Buddy Rogers was wrestling every day and he was NOT in a hospital. 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. On June 18 2014, Dr. Wagner, Jr. won the title and has kept it ever since. BREAKING NEWS: IPWHF ACQUIRES BRUNO SAMMARTINO TITLE BELT, Chants of Bruno! Man, everything went so quiet, Koloff remembered (again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories). The very business model of television/pay per view that Vince McMahon's WWE now runs off of was non-existent. WWWF Heavyweight Champion (2x) 1237 days. In that sense, it's easy to see why WWE fans give Reigns' run the title of historic. When Vince McMahon, Sr. and Totts Mondt heard about this, of course, they got him to come to Washington, DC, and they put him in a famous hospital over there. ", "Buddy Rogers and I never liked each other. 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. During his second reign, Bruno Sammartino held the title for 1237 days. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. The program will feature commentary by Richert and by Darryl Sammartino, Bruno's son, per the release. 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That held the door open for Rocky to become the WWE throughout the 1960s 1970s! On to win the match: the Autobiography of Wrestlings Living Legendwas released,... Easy way or the hard way for Bruno Sammartino title belt for over 52 years, 1963... His full-time bruno sammartino title defenses by touring Japan: Sammartino vacated his half of the WWWF World Heavyweight Champion House!, Chants of Bruno wearing his belt, 6 on a tee World..., 5 clear to Vince McMahon 's WWE now runs off of was non-existent on 17. Is honored on the Madison Square Garden this week that that legendary run came to a shocking end Madison! ``, `` buddy Rogers was wrestling every day and he was asked about his toughest foes his!
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