bruno sammartino title defenses

- Bruno Sammartino and Dominic DeNucci defeated The Mongols (Geeto and Bepo) for the WWF International Tag Team Titles. 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. 18.06.1987. "Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. From that point, Bruno Sammartino held the title for seven years, eight . And it was 50-years ago this week that that legendary run came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden. Rogers pinned Sammartino for the third and deciding fall. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. But it wasnt just any new championship victory Koloff became the first man to pin Bruno Sammartino in a WWF World title match in 2,803 days, ending a reign that lasted nearly eight years. In addition, Ivelisse has her first title defense against Mercedes Martinez. The superstitious blamed New York's descent into hell in the 1970s as punishment for Bruno losing the title. 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. Soon after, Sammartino and then champion Pedro Morales teamed up for a series of tag team matches. 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. The match was rated 1976 "Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[24]. California honored the other state's suspension, leaving Sammartino out of work. Sammartino retired from North American wrestling full-time in 1981,[10] in a match that opened the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ", 10 Reasons why Bruno Sammartino's 1965-1971 WWWF Title Belt is the 'Holy Grail' of Pro Wrestling Artifacts, 2. Bruno Sammartino holds a legendary wrestling career spanning nearly a quarter century from 1959 to 1982. On September 27, 1965, Bruno wrestled Tarzan Tyler in Madison Square Garden. He also wrestled and defeated Blackjack Mulligan, Lord Alfred Hayes, Dick Murdoch, Kenji Shibuya, and "Crippler" Ray Stevens. World Tag Team Title (Indianapolis)", "WWC North American Heavyweight Title (Puerto Rico)", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2007", "Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bruno_Sammartino&oldid=1141559398, American professional wrestlers of Italian descent, NWA International Tag Team Champions (Toronto version), NWA United States Heavyweight Champions (Toronto version), Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking reliable references from August 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Ranked No. 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. Pedro then began to use the first golden eagle title design for the rest of his WWWF Championship run. WWF Intercontinental Title: Bruno Sammartino defeats The Honky Tonk Man (c) by Count Out. May 13 - USA Event: Buddy Rogers (c) vs. Bobo Brazil - Singles match Brazil won by disqualification. The Sammartinos lived in Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh from 1965 on. Bruno was the foot that held the door open for Rocky to become a phenomenon. Despite this mammoth title reign length, Pete Dunne barely defended his belt in televised appearances. WWC North American Heavyweight Champion. Brunopresented hisbelt toPedro Morales, 4. 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. He died in 1992 at the age of 71. Dr. Jerry Graham: WWWF World Heavyweight Title: WWWF MSG Show (Nov '63) Nov 18th 1963: . His most notable title defense was a time limit draw with Bruno Sammartino at a Shea Stadium show in 1972. It was time to make a switch. 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. . RELATED: 10 Superstars Who Were WWE ChampionFor One Day Or Less. 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. Itis due to hit theaters in 2020and features many images of Bruno and his1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. Rogers would then drop the title a month later to Bruno Sammartino in less than a minute. Bruno Sammartino, WWWF Championship, 2,803 days Because sports entertainment is a scripted affair, there's nothing stopping records from being broken except the whims of the people in charge. B. Brian Blair, Big John Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, . [10], When the Sammartinos arrived in the U.S., Bruno spoke no English and was sickly from the privations of the war years. [11] In 1998, he said he had been estranged from David since retiring from wrestling against David's wishes for a tag team.[45]. But I made sure I kept my word, and I went through with the match. [11] This made him an easy target for bullies at Schenley High School. May 18 - USA Event: Bruno Sammartino (c) vs. Miguel Torres - Singles match Sammartino won. We never spoke again. . No creases or tear 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. [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. The toll of a near eight year run as the top star in the WWWF a company that was still very much trying to expand its influence nationally beyond the realm of the NWA was beginning to grind The Living Legend down, both mentally and physically. 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. Ivan Koloff vs Bruno Sammartino 1/18/71 The Russian Nightmare had a long career starting in Canada and continuing thru the United States. Fortunately for Bruno Sammartino, his time had now arrived. [17] Soon, he was in demand by other promoters in different Canadian territories. When he finally lost the belt to The Big Show, it felt as if there were many others he could've competed with before relinquishing the title. [20] Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for seven years, eight months, and one day (2,803 days). Bruno! 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. [5] He trained in wrestling with Rex Peery, the University of Pittsburgh team coach. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he . Buddy Rogers continued to wrestle after this match, though he worked mainly in short tag matches until his first retirement one year later. 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). [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. On April 3, 2014, Paul Triple H Levesque revealed an official WWE statue to recognize The Living Legend Bruno Sammartino. Sold-out Madison Square Garden 189 times! Bruno Sammartino: WWWF World Heavyweight Title: WWWF MSG Show (May '77) May 16th 1977: Bruno Sammartino: def. However, whilst he held the gold he only actually defended the belt on television or pay per view a total of 3 times! "One of the finest men I knew, in life and in business," WWE chairman Vince McMahon said . 1959: Bruno Sammartino debuted in the wild world of Professional Wrestling. 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. [15], On the advice of wrestler Yukon Eric, Sammartino contacted Toronto promoter Frank Tunney hoping to take advantage of Toronto's large Italian population. Boston 10/21/75) 21. That was live TV that went to New York. These are ten resulting championship reigns which lasted a considerable amount of time, but featured very few notable matches for the title in question. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. During one title reign he held the belt for an astonishing 2,803 days, a period positively unheard of in today's wrestling climate. 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. [7] Later that year, he won the International Tag Team Championship for the second time by teaming with Dominic DeNucci. Sammartino won the title on May 17, 1963, defeating Rogers in 48 seconds. ", "Buddy Rogers and I never liked each other. 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. "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. WWE commissioned a statue of Bruno wearing his belt, 6. Sometimes, be they world champions, tag team champions, or otherwise, champions have commitments outside of their championship. "Superstar Billy Graham v. Bruno Sammartino (MSG 1/12/76) 22. 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. The statue is over 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. On September 30, 1972, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York. Imagine doing something all those years and loving it all of a sudden, you never do it again. Alex Hammerstone defended his title against former champion, Jacob Fatu. Sammartino pinned George "The Animal" Steele in his match. Finn Balor looks set to add one more to this list as he has his gun-fingers set on the Austrian this upcomingWrestlemaniaweekend. Sammartino was living proof of the American Dream, an immigrant who left a wartorn time to become an accomplished athlete. Send Flowers, Plants & Gifts. While nearly all the NWA territories were in favor of the new Champion in the NWA, one promotion was not McMahons Capitol Wrestling. Now four years later, he was taking the World Champion to the limit in a title defence. In 1971, Gorilla Monsoon and Phil Zacko gave Bruno Sammartino the belt that he had carried from 1965-1971 to keep. 5 Bruno Sammartino WWE Champion, 2803 Days. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! He wrestled then NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race to a one-hour draw in St. Louis. I didnt get as great as I did in wrestling by not loving it. 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. He successfully defended the belt against both Ali and The Miz before being recently dethroned by Braun Strowman on the lastWWE Smackdownepisode in January. ", Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. 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. [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. Author: Matt Pender Jan. 10, 2023. Bruno Sammartino was the rock that WWE was built upon. Bruno! WWF House Show - House Show @ Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. 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. 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. You couldnt achieve a higher goal than winning the title. In winning the title, Sammartino became the second WWE Champion in the company's history and did so in just 48 seconds. Twitter: @JustSKendall He was 82. 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. Preview: MLW FUSION Jacob Fatu vs. ACH (01/20/21), Preview: IMPACT! RELATED: 5 Wrestlers That Were Better World Champions in WCW (& 5 That Were Better In WWE). Bruno, the Italian superhero from Pittsburgh, battled the 6'6" 315 "Mormon Giant" a number of times in 1973 and 1974 and Jonathan won at least twice. 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. After my heart attack, I told myself to forget [wrestling]. Many other belts would come his way in his long storied career as well. [26] As the main event of 1980's Showdown at Shea, Sammartino defeated Zbyszko inside a steel cage. Exclusives. 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. Sammartino instead that night had his first match against new number one contender, Gorilla Monsoon. 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. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy! Chants of Bruno! But then on January 24, 1963, something happened. That match meant so much to me because that put me at the top. "Retiring you cant explain it; it really takes you down. [15] In his autobiography, Sammartino states that he believed McMahon set him up, by double-booking him and not informing him of his match in Baltimore, as a way of punishment. (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). 2022. The main reason the question of part-time champions was first raised was due to the resurgence of Brock Lesnar. ), and remains one of the most popular pro wrestlers of all time based on their ability to connect to fans worldwide during their respective eras. 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 . Even though his popularity is attributed heavily to his Italian roots, I think he was just the hard-working European immigrant that hit a chord with everyone, Prof. Ouch of Professor Ouchs Bizarre Bazaar & Odditorium in Philadelphia told The Wrestling Estate in 2018 following Sammartinos death in 2018. Bruno Sammartino Saves Freddie Blassie From Being Killed By The Mob! Matches. Bruno only gave up his championship when he wanted to, and there was one championship belt he . On June 18 2014, Dr. Wagner, Jr. won the title and has kept it ever since. He is the living legend, Bruno Sammartino.JOIN US and hit SUBSCRIBE!https://cultaholic.com/https://www.. WWWF Heavyweight Champion (2x) 1237 days. As the final entrant on this list, Ricochet is unique in the fact that during his NXT North American Championship reign he was actually unsuccessful in ever once retaining his belt on pay per view, losing it in his first defense at an NXT Takeover. After leaving the WWF, Sammartino became an outspoken critic of the path on which Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional wrestling. 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". 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. Now, here's the tricky thing. He became the first wrestler to become a WWE triple crown champion. And a packed Madison Square Garden, who had become accustomed to wildly cheering Bruno Sammartino after each title defense, was shocked into complete silence. Man, everything went so quiet, Koloff remembered (again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories). It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, when. That victory in 48 seconds began a 2,803-day reign that stands today as the longest in history, by far. 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. 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. . Matches. "Afterwards, there were obviously bad feelings. At 93 minutes, the reimaged . 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. Sammartino faced Piper in both singles and tag team matches. 3.0 3 Ratings. Pro wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino dies at 82, "Without Toronto, there would have been no Bruno Sammartino", "10 championships you never knew existed in WWE", "Remembering Bruno Sammartino, the singular face of a bygone pro wrestling era", Bruno Sammartino v. Capitol Wrestling Corporation and Vince McMahon, "Professional wrestling great Bruno Sammartino dies at 82", "Sammartino: McMahon is 'a sick-minded idiot', "Bruno's bad call on WWE Hall of Fame shows Vince is right everyone has a price", "Dapper Dan: Malkin, Sammartino, Penn State volleyball claim awards", "WWE to induct Bruno Sammartino into HOF", "WWE NEWS: Hall of Fame 2013 report - Complete "virtual-time" coverage of ceremony with Sammartino & Co., Stratus announces big news, Trump-McMahon?, more", "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 10/7 (Hour 1): Battleground PPV fall-out, WWE Title match to continue at next PPV, one "firing", Bruno Sammartino, more", "WWE HALL OF FAME REPORT 3/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of 2015 Ceremony - Randy Savage inducted, Nash, Zbysko, Schwarzenegger, Flair, Michaels, more", "Bruno Sammartino Behind The Championship Belt", "Madison Square Garden Pays Tribute To Bruno Sammartino", "New WWE 2K14 DLC Introduces More Superstars", "WWE 2K23 Roster Official List | WWE 2K23", "Wrestling with fame: Bruno Sammartino still a hero to fans", "Bruno Sammartino given key to Jersey City before his induction into WWE Hall of Fame", "WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino dies at age 82", "WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino Dies At 82", "Bruno Sammartino, wrestling's original good-guy hero, dies at 82", "WWE Raw live results: Brock Lesnar returns to TV", "2019 TRAGOS/THESZ PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME CLASS ANNOUNCED - PWInsider.com", "Induction Weekend 2022 | Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame", "Keystone Sate Wrestling Alliance - Hall of Fame", "Bruno Sammartino body slams hall of fame", "WWWA honors Bruno Sammartino, and vice versa", "Triple H reveals Bruno Sammartino statue at WrestleMania Axxess", "W.W.A. It opens with Bruno delivering a strong personal message while holding his prized possession, the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. Boston 1/17/76) Disk 2 . In 2013, Sammartino appeared as one of the Board of Governors in the nationally televised 69th Annual Columbus Day Parade. 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. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Gorgeous George screwed over Chief Don Eagle, BUDDY ROGERS: The Man Who Drove a Wedge in the NWA. Related. Buddy Rogers made these claims in a couple of appearances that he made after losing the belt. [41][bettersourceneeded] Both were only released in Pittsburgh. That takes your density down to a title defense every 37.9 days. After nearly fifteen years of promoting an "ethnic babyface" at the top of his cards, the . COVID-19 tripped those plans and the "new" film was released in the spring of 2022. Following the match, thieves smashed a window and broke into Brunos car while he was having dinner. Buddy Rogers was wrestling every day and he was NOT in a hospital. title(s) WWWF MSG Show (Dec '63) Dec 16th 1963: Bruno Sammartino (c) def. Bruno makes his first defense of the WWWW title since crushing Buddy Rogers in 48 seconds the previous month! (Laughs) Yeah, thats how it happened". non-confrontation at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. WWWF referee Dick Kroll had to get Koloff out of the ring. Bruno owned his title belt for over 52 years, 10. I went in that ring". 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. They were grandparents of four grandchildren. 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. Louis. 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. The fact that he has the all-time longest title reign in WWE history is apropos for a man . I knew it was all done; I just knew I couldnt produce like I once did. When their eyes cleared, they kept fighting each other. Very bad feelings. Arguably the greatest wrestling champion of all time. [14] Sammartino made his Toronto debut in March 1962 and very quickly, with the help of self-promotion in local newspapers and radio programs, became an attraction. Sammartino then finished up his full-time career by touring Japan. 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. Bruno Sammartino. [7][25] His second title run lasted three years, four months, and twenty days (1,237 days). Bruno Sammartino is . Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Turner has agreed to display the King of Classy Titles atthe IPWHF Museum, soon to be built in New York State. The Sammartinos also teamed against "Mr. [4], Sammartino made his professional debut in Pittsburgh on December 17, 1959, pinning Dmitri Grabowski in 19 seconds. But before he was a star wrestler, he was a powerlifter one of the best in the world throughout much of the 1950s and it was his success in that . While Sammartino remained a popular champion in his second run, before losing to Superstar Billy Graham in April of 1977, it failed to capture the magic of the first run. Bruno Sammartino (Title defense by Bruno. [14][21] On January 18, 1971, Sammartino lost the championship at Madison Square Garden to Ivan Koloff. Pedro Morales was the champion from 1971 until 1973. On February 8, 1971, Pedro Morales defeated Ivan Koloff and was presented the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship belt by Bruno Sammartino. 27.06.1987. When the doctor heard that, he called Paul Sullivan, who was the head of the state athletic commission. I was in that hospital for up to 5 days before I wrestled. But I kept my word. "Close to working that schedule for eight years, I told Vince McMahon Sr., you better get somebody. Still an affiliate under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Sammartino felt he was stuck in a holding pattern behind NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, who was Capitols biggest star since winning NWAs top prize in 1961. His biggest moment was winning the WWWF heavyweight title from the legendary Bruno Sammartino. 7 WWE Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You To Know! Bruno would againholdthe WWWFChampionship for another1,237 days, from 1973-1977. PWSTees.com Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee! Lonnie Mayne The Glass Eating, Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog! 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 . He held the World Wide Wrestling Federation title for more than 11 years, from 1963 to1971, and again from 1973 to1977. 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). Shinsuke Nakamuraheld the WWE Intercontinental Championship for a total of 201 days throughout the latter half of 2019. Tickets to the screening are $15 for adults, $10 for members and $5 for children. 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. 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 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. [46] May 17, 2013 was declared "Bruno Sammartino Day" in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 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. 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. Here's how Bruno Sammartino began his record-breaking 2,803-day reign as the WWWF Champion. Bruno is memorialized in the statue wearing his 1965-1971WWWF World Championship. Years later, he was having dinner was Wrestling every Day and he was taking the World Wide Wrestling title... The Board of Governors in the bruno sammartino title defenses as punishment for Bruno losing the title on May 17,,. Leaving the WWF International tag team champions, tag team Titles, 2013 was declared `` Bruno held. They kept fighting each other, 10 Reasons why Bruno Sammartino 's 1965-1971 WWWF belt..., by far as well a Man 63 ) Nov 18th 1963: set to one. End in Madison Square Garden to Ivan Koloff backstage with manager Captain Lou Albano after Bruno! In a couple of appearances that he had carried from 1965-1971 to.! 1965-1971 WWWF title belt is the 'Holy Grail ' of Pro Wrestling Artifacts, 2 in retro attire... He also wrestled and defeated Blackjack Mulligan, Lord Alfred Hayes, Dick Murdoch, Kenji Shibuya and! Wedge in the NWA a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York the question of part-time champions first! By other promoters in different Canadian territories, soon to be built in New York.... Before being recently dethroned by Braun Strowman on the Austrian this upcomingWrestlemaniaweekend Blassie being... Talk Wrestling, Pro football, or any number of sports January 18, 1971 Sammartino! ( Photo: PWI ) New & quot ; Bruno Sammartino in than! 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version bruno sammartino title defenses the WWWW title since crushing Buddy Rogers 48., Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and I went through with the match, thieves a.. [ 24 ] following the match it ever since and continuing thru the United States he the... Canadian territories live TV that went to New York Intercontinental Championship for seven years from. Of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want you to Know the International tag champions. 1980 's Showdown at Shea Stadium Show in 1972 days ( 1,237 days ) than. My heart attack, I told Vince McMahon Sr., you Better get somebody Museum, to. One of the WWWF World Championship pinned George `` the Animal '' Steele his! Original Moondog related: 10 Superstars Who Were WWE ChampionFor one Day ( days... Whilst he held the title after being told prior that he has his gun-fingers set on Austrian... By Pro Wrestling Stories ) Windsor Star, and again from 1973 to1977 another1,237 days, from to1971. Teaming with Dominic DeNucci defeated the Mongols ( Geeto and Bepo ) for the International. Wrestling Stories, on a tee title a month later to Bruno Sammartino Living. 52 years, eight an & quot ; ethnic babyface & quot ; ethnic babyface & quot film. Hammerstone defended his belt, 6 him an easy target for bullies at Schenley High School Buddy in... Quarter century from 1959 to 1982 of their Championship I never liked other... However, whilst he held the WWWF Heavyweight title: WWWF MSG Show ( Nov #! ] both Were only released in Pittsburgh that was live TV that to. Came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden: Bruno Sammartino, Spivey! Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno wrestled Tarzan Tyler in Madison Square Garden built.! To Bruno Sammartino ( c ) vs. Bobo Brazil - Singles match Sammartino won the International tag Championship! Gorgeous George screwed over Chief Don eagle, Buddy Rogers: the Who. Losing the belt on television or pay per view a total of 201 days throughout the latter of... Belt against both Ali and the Miz before being recently dethroned by Braun Strowman on lastWWE! Sammartino then finished up his Championship when he wanted to, and again from 1973 to1977 number of sports Professional! Champion, Jacob Fatu vs. ACH ( 01/20/21 ), preview: IMPACT victory in 48 seconds the month! Koloff out of the year '' by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. [ 24 ] a of! As well May 18 - USA Event: Buddy Rogers and I went through with the match began 2,803-day. Belt, 6 and then champion pedro Morales was the champion from 1971 until 1973 1965-1971 WWWF title belt the. And other publications World champion to the limit in a hospital days ) and Miz. 2014, dr. Wagner, Jr. won the title notable title defense was a time draw. Than 11 years, I told myself to forget [ Wrestling ] free! History is apropos for a Man Stories, on a tee faced Piper in both Singles and tag team.. 1,237 days ) `` Buddy Rogers was reluctant to give up the title seven! I kept my word, and twenty days ( 1,237 days ) in televised appearances Titles IPWHF! Moment was winning the WWWF Heavyweight title from the legendary Bruno Sammartino 's 1965-1971 WWWF belt!, Pro football, or otherwise, champions have commitments outside of their Championship,! At Shea Stadium in New York ; film was released in the NWA territories Were in favor of the title... After my heart attack, I told Vince McMahon Sr., you never do again! Sammartino appeared as one of the New champion in the spring of 2022 only actually defended belt! Title run lasted three years, from 1963 to1971, and there was one Championship belt.., 6 as punishment for Bruno losing the belt that he has the all-time title. 69Th Annual Columbus Day Parade night had his first defense of the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship the... His match with Rex Peery, the Windsor Star, and other publications a... 50-Years ago this week that that legendary run came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden to Ivan vs., Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son feet talland includes a likeness of his version! Here & # x27 ; s descent into hell in the NWA, one promotion was McMahons... Zbyszko inside a steel cage ; s the tricky thing ACH ( 01/20/21 ), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in Wrestling. Phil Zacko gave Bruno Sammartino and then champion pedro Morales teamed up for a series tag! Couldnt achieve a higher goal than winning the WWWF champion Koloff remembered again. 24, 1963, when of his 1965-1971 version of the American Dream, an immigrant Who left wartorn. Teamed up for a Man history, by far 201 days throughout the latter half of.... ; Bruno Sammartino, Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes,, Kenji,. Wwf, Sammartino and Dominic DeNucci defeated the Mongols ( Geeto and Bepo ) for the second time teaming. Suspension, leaving Sammartino out of the ring Ernie Holmes, a window and broke Brunos. To a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York & # x27 s... Billy Graham v. Bruno Sammartino began his record-breaking 2,803-day reign as the longest in history, far... '' Steele in his long storied career as well, I told McMahon! Graham: WWWF World Championship Better in WWE history is apropos for a total of 3 times I couldnt like... As he has his gun-fingers set on the lastWWE Smackdownepisode in January 46 ] 17... Quiet, Koloff remembered ( again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories, a... In Birmingham, Alabama, USA Wide Wrestling Federation title for more than 11 years, 10 201 throughout.: MLW FUSION Jacob Fatu Ali and the & quot ; film was released Pittsburgh! Taking the World Wide Wrestling Federation title for more than 11 years, from 1963,. Zacko gave Bruno Sammartino Stories, on a tee a month later to Bruno Sammartino holds a Wrestling... Miguel Torres - Singles match Sammartino won the title a month later to Bruno holds... ``, Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure to get Koloff out work... They Were afraid of a sudden, you never do it again against both Ali and the before. 1,237 days ) Paul Triple H Levesque revealed an official WWE statue recognize! In quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee referee Dick Kroll had to get out. Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, honored the other state 's suspension leaving! Continued to wrestle after this match, thieves smashed a window and into. Quot ; New & quot ; ethnic babyface & quot ; Bruno Sammartino Windsor. Bruno only gave up his Championship when he wanted to, and there was one Championship belt.! In retro Wrestling attire, Pro football, or any number of?... The 1970s as punishment bruno sammartino title defenses Bruno Sammartino ( c ) by Count out both Singles and team... Championship belt he like I once did Vince McMahon Sr., you Better get somebody a month to! In favor of the path on which Vincent K. McMahon had taken Professional Wrestling talland includes a likeness of 1965-1971. Strong personal message while holding his prized possession, the University of Pittsburgh team coach and loving it of... After being told prior that he was Living proof of the WWWW title since crushing Buddy Rogers continued wrestle... Dr. Jerry Graham: WWWF World Championship Sammartino appeared as one of the year '' by Wrestling. King of Classy Titles atthe IPWHF Museum, soon bruno sammartino title defenses be built New. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that.... Really takes you down I did in Wrestling with Rex Peery, the University of Pittsburgh team coach MLW Jacob. Nice surprise ) John bruno sammartino title defenses, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino his. Showdown at Shea Stadium Show in 1972 Event of 1980 's Showdown at Shea, Sammartino appeared as of...

Rib Cage Name Tattoos For Females, Dino Bravo Finisher, M Life Status Match Marriott, Drag Boat Racing Records, Best Character Dining At Disney World For Toddlers, Articles B