Ziggy Vercetti Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 http://www.wwe.com/article/bruno-sammartino-passes-away WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino passed away at age 82. The story of Bruno Sammartino is the story of the American dream. During his childhood in the small Italian mountain town of Abruzzi, Italy, Bruno Sammartino heard stories about how the streets in the United States were paved with gold. Though he believed it literally at the time, Sammartino would experience fortune and fame first-hand as the longest-reigning WWE Champion and the most beloved competitor in the history of the squared circle. Life wasnt always so glorious for The Italian Superman. Brunos brother and sister both passed away at young ages, and Adolf Hitlers Nazi forces seized their town, but Bruno persevered. He and his mother hid in a mountain called Valla Rocca during the German occupation and eventually joined his immigrant father in Pittsburgh in 1950. Sammartino began lifting weights as a young man and grew to become one of the strongest men on the planet. After setting a world record in 1959 by bench-pressing 565 pounds, Sammartino caught the eye of Vincent J. McMahon, and became a sports-entertainer. Bruno became an overnight sensation, connecting with not only fellow Italians, but also Latinos, Greeks and Jews, successfully bridging the gap in Americas melting pot of wrestling fans. His legend continued to grow on May 17, 1963, when Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers in just 48 seconds to become the second-ever WWE Champion in front of nearly 20,000 fans at the old Madison Square Garden. Bruno held the WWE Championship for nearly eight years by far the longest reign of all time, and a record for all professional wrestling champions, no matter the organization. A household name all over the country, the beloved hero defended his title in legendary rivalries against WWE Hall of Famers Killer Kowalski, Gorilla Monsoon and George The Animal Steele. In early 1968, Sammartino headlined the first wrestling event at the brand-new Madison Square Garden, just eight days after it opened. The Garden truly was the house that Bruno built, as he sold it out an astounding 187 times. When he lost the title to Ivan Koloff in 1971, grown men in the crowd were seen weeping, but on Dec. 10, 1973, Sammartino became the first two-time WWE Champion and held the title for an additional three-and-a-half years. On Aug. 9, 1980, Sammartino defeated his former protégé, Larry Zbyszko, inside a steel cage at New York Citys Shea Stadium in front of more than 35,000 people. The heated grudge match broke box-office records for wrestling events, and Bruno retired from the ring the following year. Bruno returned to WWE in the mid-80s as a broadcaster alongside Mr. McMahon and as a mentor for his son David, who was just beginning his grappling career. Now known as The Living Legend, Bruno also engaged in several rivalries with a generation of WWEs greatest villains, including Rowdy Roddy Piper, Macho Man Randy Savage and The Honky Tonk Man. The star power and influence of Sammartino was exemplified by the fact that he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 by none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was the 188th and final time that Sammartino headlined and sold out Madison Square Garden. WWE extends its condolences to Sammartinos family, friends and fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SproilerBlotch Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Damn, RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classiq. Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Oh my gosh! RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_machismo Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Just saw this in FB. Sad news indeed. RIP Bruno. I am glad they were able to induct him into the hall of fame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepia Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 A REAL icon of the industry, a true trailblazer and one of the biggest draws in history. It's genuinely saddening. Rest in peace Bruno and thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E#37 Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Damn, this truly is a dark day in wrestling history. RIP Bruno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nWo_Kevin Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 RIP. 4 major deaths in 4 days seems really crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGION Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 He will always be a legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niffan Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 The day his nickname became oxymoronic Rest in peace Bruno. You were way before my time, but the impact you had on wrestling is beyond words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPC Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Rest in Peace to one of the all time greats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senex Beast Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 RIP champ! Wrestling just lost a top legend. It was a pleasure learning about his career and life story and seeing some of his classic matches on dvd and wwe network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Goddamn, an absolute legend. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BestInTheWorld614 Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Damn a true icon gone. As a video game fan I hope he makes it back in for the next generations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senex Beast Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Damn a true icon gone. As a video game fan I hope he makes it back in for the next generations Yeah he would be awesome for my legends show again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willows Way Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Damn i just seen the sit down with him and Backlund too. RIP Bruno a true legend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 RIP Mr. Sammartino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlterNation Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 R.I.P. Bruno. What an absolute legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muur Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Rip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrs1991 Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Wow! R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushy. Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Hell Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 RIP. True legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROSS-Out Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Oh man, not Bruno.. Well, may he rest in peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faster Than Light Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Crossface Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeb ★ Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 R.I.P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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