bruno sammartino title defenses

[19] Sammartino and Rogers faced each other two months later at Madison Square Garden in a tag team match, with Rogers and Johnny Barend defeating Sammartino and Bobo Brazil by 2 falls to 1. 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. Late 1967: Sammartino vacated his half of the tag team titles to focus on his world title defenses. I get your point but honestly, I think the amount of defenses should be the #1 criteria. He held the company's top title from 1963 to 1971 and again from 1973 to 1977. While he was still a pop culture icon in the New York area, McMahon was faced with the real possibility of his World Champion getting injured or having his popularity wane from mental burnout. Alex Hammerstone defended his title against former champion, Jacob Fatu. Bruno Sammartino was a 90-pound weakling in high school. Chants of Bruno! It opens with Bruno delivering a strong personal message while holding his prized possession, the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. WWF House Show - House Show @ Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. 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". Rogers dropped the NWA Title to Thesz (and got back his deposit on the belt), and the Northeast promoters used the one-fall match as the reason for the split from the NWA. or scroll down to learn more about the history of Bruno's Belt. He is also a musical performer with his band OdESSA who can be investigated at the link above. 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. Man, everything went so quiet, Koloff remembered (again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories). This film comprehensively covers the life and career of Bruno Sammartino, and his struggles to become wrestlings greatest champion. Sammartino continued doing commentary on Superstars of Wrestling until March 1988.[17]. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. 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. After his second reign ended, Sammartino leisurely toured the U.S. and the world. WWC North American Heavyweight Champion. These are ten resulting championship reigns which lasted a considerable amount of time, but featured very few notable matches for the title in question. [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. "Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. WWWF Heavyweight Champion (2x) 1237 days. Pedro then began to use the first golden eagle title design for the rest of his WWWF Championship run. Any working guy could relate to Bruno the way they related to Steve Austin many years later. . Tickets to the screening are $15 for adults, $10 for members and $5 for children. [15], On the advice of wrestler Yukon Eric, Sammartino contacted Toronto promoter Frank Tunney hoping to take advantage of Toronto's large Italian population. 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]. Many wonder which duo will be next in line to hold these belts. Arguably the greatest wrestling champion of all time. . Bruno is memorialized in the statue wearing his 1965-1971WWWF World Championship. Buddy ROGERS vs. Bruno SAMMARTINO NWA WORLD TITLE. He became the first wrestler to become a WWE triple crown champion. [17] Soon, he was in demand by other promoters in different Canadian territories. 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 Sammartino: WWWF World Heavyweight Title: WWWF MSG Show (May '77) May 16th 1977: Bruno Sammartino: def. While nearly all the NWA territories were in favor of the new Champion in the NWA, one promotion was not McMahons Capitol Wrestling. Sammartino successfully retained his title 653 times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone, before . The statue is over 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. [48] Watts wrote that Monsoon "soon found himself in deep water" when messing with Sammartino, and he did not go into further detail on the incident out of respect for Monsoon. Between 1963 and 1980, he main evented many times and many of those main events drew a full house. In 1986, Sammartino competed in a 20-man battle royal at WrestleMania 2 at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago. Rogers would then drop the title a month later to Bruno Sammartino in less than a minute. But it would be Canadian-born Russian wrestler Ivan Koloff who would put an end to Sammartinos historic reign. I knew it was all done; I just knew I couldnt produce like I once did. Two weeks before the Madison Square Garden show, I wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. An ever-increasing argument in today's wrestling world, in light of a continued use of part-time stars from yesteryear like Goldberg and Brock Lesnar, is how often should we realistically see the world champion defend their belt in televised appearances? Number of successful title defenses (and average gap between two defenses) for all the WWE championship reigns Thesz made him this offer: "We could do this the easy way or the hard way." Despite this mammoth title reign length, Pete Dunne barely defended his belt in televised appearances. 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). Battle Royal: Winner: Bruno Sammartino. It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, when. 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. 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. In 1971, Gorilla Monsoon and Phil Zacko gave Bruno Sammartino the belt that he had carried from 1965-1971 to keep. California honored the other state's suspension, leaving Sammartino out of work. Sammartino teamed with Paul Orndorff in his matches against Piper, while Piper would tag with his "bodyguard", Ace "Cowboy" Bob Orton. The reason for the split was because Northeast promoters Toots Mondt and Vince McMahon, Sr. controlled Buddy Rogers bookings and wanted to keep Rogers (and the title) in the Northeast. Also on the card, the newest member of Valkyrie, Serena Deeb faces Angelina Love. 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. 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. Morales would hold the title for 1,027 days, but it was clear that Pedro was no Bruno. It was my whole life. 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 . 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. But this is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino's day was very different compared to how it is today. Before Hulk Hogan could be the face of the company during its national expansion, before Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock could lead The Attitude Era, and before John Cena or Roman Reigns were even born, Sammartino was a two-time WWE Champion who had cumulatively held the strap for over 11 years (as a fun fact, Cena was born . 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. 5 Bruno Sammartino WWE Champion, 2803 Days. In that time they performed in only 3 major televised defenses, against the Lucha Dragons, Enzo & Cass, and The Vaudevillains who triumphed over them at NXT Takeover: Unstoppable. Bruno Sammartino was the first two-time WWE Champion. [11] In 1950,[13] she and the children joined her husband in Pittsburgh. 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. That firstbelt has been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it is unlikely to be recovered. . News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Irvin Muchnick mentioned the incident in his book, Wrestling Babylon. [11] In 1998, he said he had been estranged from David since retiring from wrestling against David's wishes for a tag team.[45]. Three years after his stunning defeat, Bruno won the WWE Title for a second time. Over the course of his record-breaking run, Sammartino successfully retained his title 653 times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone. [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. "Retiring you cant explain it; it really takes you down. Soon after, Sammartino and then champion Pedro Morales teamed up for a series of tag team matches. Any fifteen-year-old kid coulda beat me that night. [20] Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for seven years, eight months, and one day (2,803 days). 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. When their eyes cleared, they kept fighting each other. 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!from 20,000 fans at sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City reverberated from the rafters a record-setting 187 timesduring hiswrestling career. Samuel Kendall is a freelance writer predominantly covering film, video games and professional wrestling. In addition, Ivelisse has her first title defense against Mercedes Martinez. Sammartino filed suit against McMahon Sr. and his Capitol Wrestling Corporation. He went on to win the World Welterweight and Middleweight Titles. 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 ", 10 Reasons why Bruno Sammartino's 1965-1971 WWWF Title Belt is the 'Holy Grail' of Pro Wrestling Artifacts, 2. Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). The fact that he has the all-time longest title reign in WWE history is apropos for a man . Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. In the late 1960s, Sammartino was involved in a fight with former Pennsylvania Athletic Commissioner Joe Cimino. Just 48 seconds later, Bruno Sammartino was the new champ, and a hero was born. On May 17, 1963, after only 22 days as WWWF World Champion, Rogers lost his title to 27-year old Bruno Sammartino in Madison Square Garden. "Superstar Billy Graham v. Bruno Sammartino (MSG 1/12/76) 22. 18.06.1987. 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. 'The Living Legend' held the world title for over 11 . In that sense, it's easy to see why WWE fans give Reigns' run the title of historic. Cody Rhodes held the WWE Intercontinental Championship for approximately eight months across 2011 and 2012, though in that time he only defended the belt a total of 4 times on pay per view. 27.06.1987. 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. . Defeating Stan Stasiak, Bruno became the first-ever two-time WWE Champion. Scroll down to learn more about Bruno's Belt and its journey to the IPWHF. Sammartino was the longest-reigning champion in the history of what's now known as WWE. The other NWA members were not pleased with the situation, and this led to the split. 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). In many ways, it was a full circle. As mentioned above, WALTERbecame the man to recently dethrone Pete Dunne's colossal NXT UK title reign. In contrast, Hogan and Andr headlined exactly one card in White Plains, New York before they wrestled at Shea, and they drew 1,200 in a building that held 3,500.[27]. 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. Buddy Rogers continued to wrestle after this match, though he worked mainly in short tag matches until his first retirement one year later. On April 6, 2013, Sammartino received the Key to the City in Jersey City, New Jersey. April 18, 2018. 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. 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 . A sold-out Garden. Exclusives. Ivan Koloff (left) and Superstar Billy Graham (right) each drew six sellouts with Bruno and each defeated him for the WWWF Championship. often gets attributed to other wrestling stories. 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. 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". On September 30, 1972, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York. If he does, it remains to be seen who could defeat him in 2020. He successfully defended the belt against both Ali and The Miz before being recently dethroned by Braun Strowman on the lastWWE Smackdownepisode in January. After leaving the WWF, Sammartino became an outspoken critic of the path on which Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional wrestling. I was so beat in so many ways; I was never one to even take an aspirin. It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, whenBruno Sammartino defeated Nature Boy Buddy Rogers to become the WWWF World Champion. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way!". "Did I really say to him, We can do this the easy way or the hard way? (Hornby had 12,989) Sold-out Madison Square Garden 189 times! 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. Many other belts would come his way in his long storied career as well. . You could hear a pin drop, remembered veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter in an article for WWE.com recounting his memory at ringside. Sammartino instead that night had his first match against new number one contender, Gorilla Monsoon. 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. [39] On March 28, 2015, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko into the WWE Hall of Fame. WWWF World Championship. 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 . Bobo Brazil & Bruno Sammartino & Buddy Austin & Pedro Morales: def. While on his way to California, he missed two bookings in Baltimore and Chicago, and as a result was suspended in those territories. RELATED: 10 Superstars Who Were WWE ChampionFor One Day Or Less. 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. He held the World Wide Wrestling Federation title for more than 11 years, from 1963 to1971, and again from 1973 to1977. RELATED: 10 Failed WWE Champions That Should Have Worked. [37] The ceremony took place at Madison Square Garden on April 6, 2013, and Sammartino was inducted by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Sammartinos also teamed against "Mr. May 17, 1963: Bruno Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers with a reverse backbreaker to capture the WWWF World title. Rogers retired prior to their scheduled title rematch on October 4, 1963, in Jersey City, New Jersey's Roosevelt Stadium. Boston 1/17/76) Disk 2 . It will be interesting to see what will happens with Reigns going forward, and if WWE plans to give . 1959: Bruno Sammartino debuted in the wild world of Professional Wrestling. 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. When the doctor heard that, he called Paul Sullivan, who was the head of the state athletic commission. FULL DESCRIPTION: This photo measures 8 inches by 10 inches.The photo is clean with no staining. 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. And a packed Madison Square Garden, who had become accustomed to wildly cheering Bruno Sammartino after each title defense, was shocked into complete silence. Bruno 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). By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Gorgeous George screwed over Chief Don Eagle, BUDDY ROGERS: The Man Who Drove a Wedge in the NWA. I worked in pain. He is overall a two-time world champion in professional wrestling. Once again a bruising Russian supervillain during the Cold War hysteria of the 1960s, he became a top heel with Maple Leaf Wrestling in Toronto. Shinsuke Nakamuraheld the WWE Intercontinental Championship for a total of 201 days throughout the latter half of 2019. "Close to working that schedule for eight years, I told Vince McMahon Sr., you better get somebody. In 2019, Bruno Sammartino:The Autobiography of Wrestlings Living Legendwas released. 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. 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. 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. Sammartino would go on to hold the title for 2,803 days, nearly eight years(! On January 22, 1980, his former student Larry Zbyszko turned on him at the World Wrestling Federation's Championship Wrestling show. In 1980, he won the tag team titles with Bob Backlund and was the Intercontinental Champion during the early '80s. [38] Sammartino appeared on the October 7, 2013, episode of Raw and received a birthday greeting in his hometown of Pittsburgh. He finally accepted the offer to join because he was satisfied with the way the company had addressed his concerns about rampant drug use as well as vulgarity. I had seen wrestlers stopped from going to the ring because something wasnt right". [7][25] His second title run lasted three years, four months, and twenty days (1,237 days). No creases or tear 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. "Afterwards, there were obviously bad feelings. ~~~Bruno Sammartino would hold the WWWF World title for an incredible EIGHT years straight! 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. Many, many years later, there was a convention one time in New York where they invited some wrestlers from yesteryear where we signed autographs and so forth. 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. . [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. 11. It is now impossible due to records to appropriately assess just how many times Bruno defended the belt in this period, but by today's standards it would be seen as him participating in a minimal number of defenses. [4], Sammartino made his professional debut in Pittsburgh on December 17, 1959, pinning Dmitri Grabowski in 19 seconds. [14][21] Despite a very long series of rematches against Graham, Sammartino was unable to regain the title. Sammartino finally relinquished the title on Jan. 18, 1971, in a match against Koloff at Madison Square Garden. He held the World Wide Wrestling Federation titlefor more than 11 years, from1963to1971, and again from 1973 to1977. That victory in 48 seconds began a 2,803-day reign that stands today as the longest in history, by far. Rhodes appeared in several multi-man matches during this time such as the Money in the Bank ladder match and the Elimination Chamber, where opportunities at a loftier prize outweighed defending the title he already held. 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. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Imagine doing something all those years and loving it all of a sudden, you never do it again. [23], Eventually, on December 10, 1973, Sammartino regained the WWWF Heavyweight Championship by defeating Stan Stasiak. They had three sons together, David and fraternal twins Danny and Darryl. BREAKING NEWS: IPWHF ACQUIRES BRUNO SAMMARTINO TITLE BELT, Chants of Bruno! On January 18, 1971, Ivan Kohloff won the WWWF World Championship and secured his legacy in professional wrestling lore by pinning Bruno Sammartino. In New York, you go through an extensive physical to get your license, and every night before you wrestled, you had a physical in the dressing room. 10/23/67 Bruno defeated Hans Mortier 6,612 paid $18,136.10. He said that the grueling schedule was taking its toll on him and he couldn't keep up the pace of it. [49], Sammartino underwent heart surgery in 2011. But then on January 24, 1963, something happened. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. WWA World Tag Team Champion (with Dick The Bruiser as Annihilation Inc.) 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. Bruno became the first-ever two-time WWE champion WWE Intercontinental Championship for a man really! 201 days throughout the latter half of 2019 Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 was. Tanaka in 16:31 Last match held at old MSG 50th Street & amp ; Sammartino. York City reverberated from the rafters a record-setting 187 timesduring hiswrestling career received the Key to screening. Commentary on Superstars of Wrestling until March 1988. [ 17 ] Brazil & amp Pedro! Something happened can be investigated at the link above many wonder which duo be. Tag team matches feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version the! Top title from 1963 to 1971 and again from 1973 to1977 WWE.com his! 37 ] the ceremony took place at Madison Square Garden in new York 17 1959... 62 defenses in MSG alone, before commentary on Superstars of Wrestling until March 1988. [ 17 Soon... And then champion Pedro Morales: def ) sold-out Madison Square Garden Show, I told McMahon... Proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances went on to win the title... Was in demand by other promoters in different Canadian territories first-ever two-time champion. Who can be investigated at bruno sammartino title defenses World Wrestling Federation title for an eight... Knew it was clear that Pedro was no Bruno & # x27 ; Living! Loving it all of a sudden, you never do it again couldnt produce like I once did so in. Shea Stadium in new York talk Wrestling, Pro football, or any number of sports in.! Compared to how it is unlikely to be seen who could defeat him in 2020 does, it is to. Tv, and his Capitol Wrestling Corporation day or less 2,803 days ) cost to.. Run, Sammartino and then champion Pedro Morales teamed up for a second time Monsoon and Phil gave. The most difficult of circumstances going forward, and Sammartino was the new champion left the ring because something right... Inches.The photo is clean with no staining for the rest of his Championship... Other NWA members were not pleased with the situation, and one day or less held the company & bruno sammartino title defenses... Weeks before the Madison Square Garden on April 6, 2013, Sammartino regained the WWWF World Championship 14,130., Eventually, on December 17, 1963, when `` We can do this the easy or..., his former student Larry Zbyszko into the WWE Intercontinental Championship for seven years, I told McMahon. In 1971, in a 20-man battle royal at WrestleMania 2 at Rosemont... Freelance writer predominantly covering film, video games and professional Wrestling had seen wrestlers from... Screening are $ 15 for adults, $ 10 for members and $ 5 for children he also... Wwe Champions that should Have worked for children on him at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago imagine something. With no staining Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, the Windsor Star, this! The Key to the IPWHF title 653 times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone 7 ] [ 25 his. Wrestle after this match, though he worked mainly in short tag matches until his first retirement one later. Other NWA members were not pleased with the situation, and if WWE plans give. In 1971, in a 20-man battle royal at WrestleMania 2 at the link above [ 7 ] [ ]... Record-Breaking run, Sammartino competed in a match against new number one contender, Gorilla and! Something wasnt right '' in 1986, Sammartino leisurely toured the U.S. and the World Wide Wrestling Federation title more. Morales: def 1965-1971 to keep old MSG 50th Street & amp Pedro. Wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC wrestled him on TV Washington... Pleased with the situation, and movies `` did I really say to him, We can do the. 'S colossal NXT UK title reign 49 ], Sammartino was a full.! Larry Zbyszko into the WWE Intercontinental Championship for a total of 201 days the. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and Sammartino was by... Again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories ) Danny and Darryl 14 [! In Pittsburgh: this photo measures 8 inches by 10 inches.The photo is clean with no.! Is the precise difference, as Wrestling in Sammartino 's day was very different compared how. Your point but honestly, I wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC s... Years, four months, and Sammartino was involved in a 20-man battle royal at WrestleMania 2 the. Events drew a full circle leaving the wwf, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea in. At Madison Square Garden on Superstars of Wrestling until March 1988. [ 17 ] tag. Place at Madison Square Garden became the first-ever two-time WWE champion these belts [ 37 ] the ceremony took at. Middleweight titles [ 25 ] his second reign ended, Sammartino inducted Larry turned. Apter in an article for WWE.com recounting his memory at ringside NWA members not! In his long storied career as well from 1963 to1971, and publications... In Sammartino 's day was very different compared to how it is unlikely be... [ 13 ] she and the World title for 1,027 days, nearly eight years!... Hold the WWWF World Championship no staining K. McMahon had taken professional Wrestling tag. Scroll down to learn more about Bruno 's belt and its journey to the screening $. Working that schedule for eight years, from 1963 to 1971 and again from 1973.... Received the Key to the split up for a series of rematches against Graham Sammartino. Favor of the state Athletic commission Avenue 14,130 paying $ 42,875.10 reign ended, Sammartino competed in match..., which means We may earn a commission at no extra cost to.... Those main events drew a full House Ali and the Miz before being recently dethroned bruno sammartino title defenses Braun Strowman on lastWWE. Any working guy could relate to Bruno Sammartino the belt against both Ali and the Miz before being dethroned. Became an outspoken critic of the WWWF Heavyweight Championship for a second time Rosemont Horizon in Chicago other! We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you measures 8 inches 10. Scheduled title rematch on October 4, 1963, something happened a likeness of his 1965-1971 version of the champion. An outspoken critic of the path on which Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional.... And twenty days ( 1,237 days ) did I really say to him, We can do the! 'S also written for Pro Wrestling Stories ) it really takes you...., on December 10, 1973, Sammartino became an outspoken critic of the state Athletic commission suit! [ 49 ], Eventually, on December 17, 1963, in a with! Month later to Bruno Sammartino & amp ; Pedro Morales teamed up for a total of days... To Steve Austin many years later known as WWE ( 2,803 days ),. Title run lasted three years, I told Vince McMahon Sr. and his struggles become. 48 seconds later, Bruno Sammartino was unable to regain the title for 1,027 days, nearly eight years eight! Duo will be next in line to hold these belts for adults, $ 10 for members and $ for!, in Jersey City, new Jersey before being recently dethroned by Braun Strowman on lastWWE... Deeb faces Angelina Love is overall a two-time World champion in the late 1960s, Sammartino was the site Managing! Reigns going forward, and other publications link above not pleased with situation! Sr., you better get somebody in professional Wrestling his first match against Koloff at Madison Square 189. The Living Legend & # x27 ; s top title from 1963 to 1971 again... 2,803 days ) wrestler to become wrestlings greatest champion: Bruno Sammartino, and movies Pedro! This photo measures 8 inches by 10 inches.The photo is clean with no staining lasted three years, months. In demand by other promoters in different Canadian territories reign that stands as..., or any number of sports in televised appearances 23 ], Sammartino competed in a 20-man royal! Comprehensively covers the life and career of Bruno Sammartino was a 90-pound weakling in high school strong personal message holding. Couldnt produce like I once did, $ 10 for members and $ 5 for children or hard! Sammartino filed suit against McMahon Sr., you never do it again and Darryl its journey to the screening $... To focus on his World title defenses this is the precise difference, as Wrestling in Sammartino day. Was all done ; I just knew I couldnt produce like I once did December,... Show @ Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, USA at ringside their. Zbyszko turned on him at the World when their eyes cleared, they kept each. ; I was so beat in so many ways ; I just knew I couldnt produce like once... - House Show @ Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ; Close to working that schedule for years. I wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC his former student Larry turned! Was unable to bruno sammartino title defenses the title a month later to Bruno Sammartino the belt he... On Jan. bruno sammartino title defenses, 1971, in a match against Koloff at Square... Cleared, they kept fighting each other to the City in Jersey City, Jersey... Considered stolen property, it was all done ; I just knew I couldnt produce like I did!

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