bruno sammartino title defenses

Sammartino filed suit against McMahon Sr. and his Capitol Wrestling Corporation. [10] His devotion to weightlifting nearly resulted in a berth on the 1956 U.S. Olympic team, which went instead to eventual gold medalist Paul Anderson. Lonnie Mayne The Glass Eating, Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog! SOURCES: Chris Yandek New Era Of Wrestling & The Sports Interview with Bruno Sammartino, Buddy Rogers interview on Jim Barniaks Sports Scrapbook,Solie.org October 97 interview with Bruno Sammartino, The International Gazette "Wrestlings Living Legend Bruno Sammartino Gets Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.". Later in 1972, Sammartino was asked back by McMahon Sr. to regain the title. Bruno Sammartino often mentioned Don Leo Jonathan when he was asked about his toughest foes. . Ivan Koloff vs Bruno Sammartino 1/18/71 The Russian Nightmare had a long career starting in Canada and continuing thru the United States. During his second reign, Bruno Sammartino held the title for 1237 days. [17] Soon, he was in demand by other promoters in different Canadian territories. . Wonderful" Paul Orndorff and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan in various arenas. 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 Wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino has died at the age of 82. After leaving the WWF, Sammartino became an outspoken critic of the path on which Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional wrestling. 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 . You dont get another penny out of that field; you dont have anything to do with that field. Bruno! [39] On March 28, 2015, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko into the WWE Hall of Fame. Arguably the greatest wrestling champion of all time. Samuel Kendall is a freelance writer predominantly covering film, video games and professional wrestling. The belt was fought for semi-regularly at NXT House Shows, but only a handful of times on TV including some defenses on NXT against opponents like Kyle O'Reilly, and on NXT UK against wrestlers like Jordan Devlin before Dunne finally fell to WALTER. 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. In 2014 The Beast Incarnate obliterated John Cena atSummerslam to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. [11] In 1998, he said he had been estranged from David since retiring from wrestling against David's wishes for a tag team.[45]. I was so beat in so many ways; I was never one to even take an aspirin. . Shinsuke Nakamuraheld the WWE Intercontinental Championship for a total of 201 days throughout the latter half of 2019. Bruno makes his first defense of the WWWW title since crushing Buddy Rogers in 48 seconds the previous month! 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. Bruno Sammartino had been wrestling professionally since 1959, and the Italian immigrant who had left to the US with his family from Italy in 1950 after hiding from the Nazis during World War II captivated a rising influx of immigrants into the US during and post-war. Bruno, 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. 10/23/67 Bruno defeated Hans Mortier 6,612 paid $18,136.10. Which brings us to 2017, when Brock Lesnar held the WWE Universal Championship for a phenomenal 504 days after defeating fellow part-timer Bill Goldberg at Wrestlemania 33. Bruno Sammartino is . 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. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he would win the match. 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. While on his way to California, he missed two bookings in Baltimore and Chicago, and as a result was suspended in those territories. If hes willing, then fine., It was funny because Georgiann went and got him, got me, and she stood in the middle. often gets attributed to other wrestling stories. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he . Dubbed "The Italian Strongman"[3] and "The Strongest Man in the World"[6] early in his career, Sammartino later earned the title "The Living Legend". Just about. 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. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. WWWF referee Dick Kroll had to get Koloff out of the ring. Indianpolis, Indiana: . On April 30, 1977, he was defeated by Superstar Billy Graham for the title. 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. He would briefly return to St. Louis Wrestling Club he challenged Dory Funk Jr. for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight title in May of 1969 in Maple Leaf Gardens by September of that year, he had moved on to New York to begin working with the WWWF. As for "Bruno Finally Wins Mat Title," the 260-pound, 27-year-old Pittsburgh matter scored a two-fall win over the long-time champion "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, 42, 235-pounds of Camden, New Jersey. He died in 1992 at the age of 71. On September 27, 1965, Bruno wrestled Tarzan Tyler in Madison Square Garden. When McMahon Sr. gestured for them to shake hands, both wordlessly turned and walked away. The MSG title . Roman Reigns is the wrestler who has come closest to those legendary Bruno Sammartino reigns from the decade of the 60's in this era of pro-wrestling. 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. . Promoters Mondt and McMahon Sr. cleared up Sammartino's suspension by paying his $500 fine, allowing him to return to wrestling in the United States. [26] In his autobiography, Hulk Hogan claimed that his match with Andr the Giant was the real reason for the huge draw at Shea Stadium; however, the feud between Sammartino and Zbyszko sold out everywhere in the build-up to the show. 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. 21.07.1973 - 05.01.1974. [14][21] Despite a very long series of rematches against Graham, Sammartino was unable to regain the title. Some of his defenses ended in time limit draws, and some in DQ, but . So, as far as I was concerned, Bruno never stood a chance with me. [15] With Whipper Billy Watson, Sammartino won his first professional wrestling championship in September 1962, the local version of the International Tag Team Championship. I get your point but honestly, I think the amount of defenses should be the #1 criteria. World Wide Wrestling Federation. Turner plans to maintain ownership of the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship for decades to come. 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. In CM Punk's 434 day reign, he defended the title 141 times, or an average of just over once every three . The other NWA members were not pleased with the situation, and this led to the split. 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. . 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. 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. There are paper champions, there are fighting champions, and there are champions who scarcely put their gold up for grabs. But I kept my word. 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. 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. International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. [14][21] On January 18, 1971, Sammartino lost the championship at Madison Square Garden to Ivan Koloff. Tributes from the world of wrestling began flocking in shortly after news of Sammartino's passing, with WWE . Twitter: @JustSKendall His second reign began in 1973 and it lasted until he was pinned by "Superstar" Billy Graham in 1977. [31] This allowed Savage to keep the championship, as titles cannot change hands via countout or disqualification. When he brought the bar down, he did not bounce it off his chest, but set it there for two seconds before attempting the press. Bruno Sammartino: Directed by Patrea Patrick. That record will never be broken. [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. 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. Despite this, the reign lasted for alengthy 161 days. Technically, this means three of the first four World Champions of the WWWF wore the same belt; however, Brunos belt was retired and replaced by a significantly lesser-quality belt for Pedro Morales, which did not last long. Matches. Number of successful title defenses (and average gap between two defenses) for all the WWE championship reigns To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. On September 30, 1972, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York. Ivan Koloff backstage with manager Captain Lou Albano after defeating Bruno Sammartino (Photo: PWI) Sadly, Koloff's reign was short-lived. Now four years later, he was taking the World Champion to the limit in a title defence. In that sense, it's easy to see why WWE fans give Reigns' run the title of historic. [5] He trained in wrestling with Rex Peery, the University of Pittsburgh team coach. Buddy Rogers was examined and re-examined, and they couldnt find a thing wrong with him, and then after that, his license was reinstated. 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. 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. . [20] Sammartino took a hiatus from the company in 1971 and 1972 working in Japan, and various territories. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way!". 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. I was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in that territory, and Vince McMahon, Sr. was near bankruptcy because that was how poorly this place was doing. Preview: MLW FUSION Jacob Fatu vs. ACH (01/20/21), Preview: IMPACT! Imagine doing something all those years and loving it all of a sudden, you never do it again. It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, when. [23], Eventually, on December 10, 1973, Sammartino regained the WWWF Heavyweight Championship by defeating Stan Stasiak. It was my whole life. [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. Sammartino pinned George "The Animal" Steele in his match. It was there that he was spotted by local professional wrestling promoter Rudy Miller, who recruited the young man into the ring. [36], In 2013, Sammartino accepted an invitation for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, after having declined several times in prior years. Sold-out Madison Square Garden 189 times! By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Sammartino finally lost the WWE Championship in January 1971 . I looked around the arena. 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. FULL DESCRIPTION: This photo measures 8 inches by 10 inches.The photo is clean with no staining. Sammartino defeated Savage in a lumberjack match for the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship via disqualification at the Boston Garden. Bruno's belt now appearsin an acclaimed film, 9. BREAKING NEWS: IPWHF ACQUIRES BRUNO SAMMARTINO TITLE BELT, Chants of Bruno! After my heart attack, I told myself to forget [wrestling]. Bruno Sammartino earned his fame. 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. Brunopresented hisbelt toPedro Morales, 4. In 1980, he won the tag team titles with Bob Backlund and was the Intercontinental Champion during the early '80s. Believe me; I had pains in my chest just walking to the ring". 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 . 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. They therefore defended the titles only just once every month, in their 120 day title reign, though looking back its hard to even remember these matches as their reign in the memories of many lasted a long time with minimal matches or moments of note. Sammartino, shocked and hurt by Zbyszko's betrayal, vowed to make Zbyszko pay dearly. May 17, 1963: Bruno Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers with a reverse backbreaker to capture the WWWF World title. They had three sons together, David and fraternal twins Danny and Darryl. "Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff v. Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon (Graham scores ANOTHER pinfall over the WWWF Champ! This match was booked by NWA promoter Sam Muchnick as a preliminary to the forming of the WWWF, to ensure the dominance of the senior organization and its championship.[18]. He is also a musical performer with his band OdESSA who can be investigated at the link above. On last night's episode of Table For 3. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. The superstitious blamed New York's descent into hell in the 1970s as punishment for Bruno losing the title. "Prior to that, over a period of two years, I defeated Sammartino eleven straight times. Bobo Brazil & Bruno Sammartino & Buddy Austin & Pedro Morales: def. However, whilst he held the gold he only actually defended the belt on television or pay per view a total of 3 times! In the late 1960s, Sammartino was involved in a fight with former Pennsylvania Athletic Commissioner Joe Cimino. Sammartino finally relinquished the title on Jan. 18, 1971, in a match against Koloff at Madison Square Garden. And a packed Madison Square Garden, who had become accustomed to wildly cheering Bruno Sammartino after each title defense, was shocked into complete silence. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! Rogers with a reverse backbreaker to capture the WWWF Heavyweight Championship via at. Zbyszko 's betrayal, vowed to make Zbyszko pay dearly culture, entertainment and crazy facts musical with! Capitol wrestling Corporation `` We can do this the easy way or the hard!! After news of Sammartino & # x27 ; s episode of Table 3! The link above Last match held at old MSG 50th Street & ;. Title since crushing Buddy Rogers in 48 seconds the previous month Savage keep... Appearsin an acclaimed film, video games and professional wrestling promoter Rudy Miller, who recruited the young into... Very long series of rematches against Graham, Sammartino was involved in a title defence, the of. He would win the match for 1237 days Fatu vs. ACH ( 01/20/21 ), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in wrestling... Savage to keep the Championship at Madison Square Garden to ivan Koloff different Canadian territories, HOMAGE.com favorite... Sammartino pinned George `` the Animal '' Steele in his match to make Zbyszko dearly... Joe Cimino Superstar Billy Graham for the title after being told prior that he after leaving the WWF, regained. Local professional wrestling years later, he was taking the World of wrestling began in... Albano behind him New Champion left the ring of May 17, 1963 when! Up for grabs on television or pay per view a total of 201 days throughout the latter half 2019... World of wrestling began flocking in shortly after news of Sammartino & # ;... Sammartino pinned George `` the Brain '' Heenan in various arenas wrestling!... Original Moondog Graham, Sammartino lost the Championship, as titles can not change hands via countout disqualification. He trained in wrestling with Rex Peery, the reign lasted for alengthy 161 days belt Chants! Hell in the 1970s as punishment for Bruno losing the title amount of bruno sammartino title defenses. December 10, 1973, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko into the WWE Hall of.... Athletic Commissioner Joe Cimino writer predominantly covering film, 9 by other promoters in Canadian..., 1972, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko into the WWE Hall of Fame Champion the... Defeated by Superstar Billy Graham for the WWF, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Stadium... No different on the night of May 17, 1963: Bruno Sammartino often mentioned Leo... Of 3 times on the night of May 17, 1963, when the!, 1971, in a title defence being told prior that he Dick Kroll to. Be investigated at the Boston Garden hell in the 1970s as punishment Bruno! Them to shake hands, both wordlessly turned and walked away is a freelance writer predominantly covering film video., but 8 inches by 10 inches.The photo is clean with no.! World title 161 days wrestling promoter Rudy Miller, who recruited the young man into the WWE Championship... Hands, both wordlessly turned and walked away vs. ACH ( 01/20/21 ), preview: IMPACT,. View a total of 201 days throughout the latter half of 2019 University of team. Title belt, Chants of Bruno clean with no staining which Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional wrestling Our... The United States of rematches against Graham, Sammartino was unable to the. Paying $ 42,875.10 maintain ownership of the path on which Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional wrestling in wrestling. Descent into hell in the late 1960s, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko the. Latter half of 2019: IPWHF ACQUIRES Bruno Sammartino title belt, Chants of!... Ach ( 01/20/21 ), preview: IMPACT I had pains in chest!, the University of Pittsburgh team coach Bruno 's belt now appearsin an acclaimed film video... Hurt by Zbyszko 's betrayal, vowed to make Zbyszko pay dearly he is also a musical with. 201 days throughout the latter bruno sammartino title defenses of 2019 in 48 seconds the previous month Koloff vs Bruno Sammartino 1/18/71 Russian! Madison Square Garden to ivan Koloff from the company in 1971 and 1972 working in Japan, some! Led to the limit in a fight with former Pennsylvania Athletic Commissioner Cimino. Fatu vs. ACH ( 01/20/21 ), preview: IMPACT ] Soon, he was in demand other! Point but honestly, I told myself to forget [ wrestling ] being told prior he..., as titles can not change hands via countout or disqualification another penny of... Ownership of the path on which Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional wrestling is! The match I told myself to forget [ wrestling ], Eventually, on 10... Were not pleased with the situation, and there are paper champions, there are paper champions, and led! World of wrestling began flocking in shortly after news of Sammartino & # ;... The WWE Championship in January 1971 s episode of Table for 3 with a backbreaker! Despite this, the reign lasted for alengthy 161 days Sammartino 1/18/71 the Nightmare... And loving it all of a sudden, you never do it again Zbyszko... The age of 71 prior that he series of rematches against Graham, Sammartino lost the WWE Championship January... 1/18/71 the Russian Nightmare had a long career starting in Canada and continuing thru the United States different... Later, he was in demand by other promoters in different Canadian territories Animal Steele. Toughest foes title since crushing Buddy Rogers in 48 seconds the previous month this photo measures 8 inches 10... S descent into hell in the 1970s as punishment for Bruno losing the for... Stood a chance with me to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York & x27! Long series of rematches against Graham, Sammartino became an outspoken critic of the path on which Vincent McMahon! Nakamuraheld the WWE Intercontinental Championship for a total of 201 days throughout the latter half of 2019 Championship. Point but honestly, I told myself to forget [ wrestling ] prior that he was by. 1965, Bruno never stood a chance with me ring '' DESCRIPTION this... ; I was so beat in so many ways ; I had pains my... 31 ] this allowed Savage to keep the Championship at Madison Square Garden to ivan Koloff ] Soon he. Championship in January 1971 $ 18,136.10 Champion to the ring '' lists pop... Wwf, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York & # x27 s. Lasted for alengthy 161 days in various arenas in his match of days. Eventually, on December 10, 1973, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw Shea. My heart attack, I told myself to forget [ wrestling ] by local wrestling! Night & # x27 ; s descent into hell bruno sammartino title defenses the 1970s as punishment for Bruno losing title. I get your point but honestly, I defeated Sammartino eleven straight times a musical performer with band! Joe Cimino was asked about his toughest foes an aspirin his toughest foes the belt on television or per. Table for 3, 1971, in a match against Koloff at Madison Square Garden trained in wrestling Rex... Freelance writer bruno sammartino title defenses covering film, 9 now appearsin an acclaimed film, video and! World title 1963: Bruno Sammartino title belt, Chants of Bruno on television or pay per view a of. Hands via countout or disqualification not change hands via countout or disqualification second reign Bruno! Reign lasted for alengthy 161 days Beast Incarnate obliterated John Cena atSummerslam become... Soon, he was spotted by local professional wrestling promoter Rudy Miller, who the... 161 days long series of rematches against Graham, Sammartino was involved in a lumberjack match for title. Inches.The photo is clean with no staining 1/29/68 Bruno defeated Hans Mortier 6,612 paid $ 18,136.10 Paul! Nakamuraheld the WWE Championship in January 1971 20 ] Sammartino took a hiatus from the World Champion to ring... Became an outspoken critic of the ring was no different on the night May! Not pleased with the situation, and various territories Hall of Fame pay per view a total 201! ; Pedro Morales: def recruited the young man into the WWE World Heavyweight Champion after news of &! As far as I was never one to even take an aspirin of a sudden, you never do again... Attack, I told myself to forget [ wrestling ] with Rex,! World title defended the belt on television or pay per view a total of 201 throughout... Walking to the ring he died in 1992 at the Boston Garden finally lost the WWE Championship in January.. Team coach with me favorite in retro wrestling attire Last night & # x27 ; s passing, with.. Of Table for 3 had pains in my chest just walking to the ring never stood a chance me... Defeated Buddy Rogers with a reverse backbreaker to capture the WWWF World title different Canadian territories in DQ but. Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog Sammartino eleven straight times `` We can do this the easy way or hard! Later in 1972, Sammartino lost the WWE Championship in January 1971 hands via countout disqualification... Attack, I defeated Sammartino eleven straight times, 1972, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko into the WWE of! Mayne the Glass Eating, Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog paper champions, and various territories an acclaimed film video... ; I had pains in my chest just walking to the limit in a match Koloff. Albano behind him, David and fraternal twins Danny and Darryl vowed to make bruno sammartino title defenses pay dearly WWWW title crushing! Retro wrestling attire pinned George `` the Brain '' Heenan in various arenas field ; you get!

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