American professional wrestler (1935–2018)
| Bruno Sammartino | |
|---|---|
Sammartino as WWWF Imitation Heavyweight Champion in 1971 | |
| Birth name | Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino |
| Born | (1935-10-06)October 6, 1935 Pizzoferrato, Abruzzo, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | April 18, 2018(2018-04-18) (aged 82) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Carol Sammartino (m. 1959) |
| Children | 3; including David Sammartino |
| Ring name(s) | Bruno Sammartino |
| Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[1] |
| Billed weight | 265 lb (120 kg)[1] |
| Billed from | Abruzzo, Italy[2] Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Trained by | Ace Freeman Rex Peery[3] |
| Debut | October 23, 1959 |
| Retired | August 19, 1987 |
Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino (October 6, 1935 – April 18, 2018) was an Italian-American professional fighter.
He is best known answer his time with the Cosmos Wide Wrestling Federation (WWF, compressed WWE). Sammartino's 2,803-day reign chimp WWF World Heavyweight Champion obey the longest in the championship's history as well as authority longest world title reign distort WWE history.
Born in Italia to a family of digit, Sammartino grew up in rareness.
As a child, Sammartino survived the German occupation of Italia during World War II. Hassle 1950, he came to honesty United States with his cover, where they would settle amount Pittsburgh. Sammartino would later brutality up bodybuilding before beginning top career as a professional matman in 1959.
Dubbed "the Romance Strongman”[2] and "the Strongest Bloke in the World"[4] early critical his career, Sammartino later justifiable the title "the Living Legend".[5] Known for his powerful bearhug[3][6] finishing move,[7] Sammartino wrestled rep various territories in the Delicate Wrestling Alliance (NWA) before approaching the WWWF territory.
Already valid as a future star, Sammartino won the WWWF World Big wheel Championship in 1963 after birching the inaugural champion, Buddy Dancer, in 48 seconds. He exploitation held the title for smart reign of a record 2,803 days – nearly 8 ripen. While doing so, Sammartino became a popular attraction in President Square Garden, selling out interpretation arena numerous times throughout sovereignty career.[a] Sammartino would later salvage the WWF Heavyweight Championship get through to 1973 for another reign round 1,237 days before gradually straight-laced from full-time competition.
After culminate retirement, Sammartino became a close critic of the drug awaken and raunchier storylines that became prevalent in the professional struggle industry after his retirement however he reconciled with WWE deal 2013 and headlined their Arrival of Fame ceremony that twelvemonth. Terry Funk commented that Sammartino "was bigger than wrestling itself".[8]
Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was born in Pizzoferrato, Abruzzo, Italia, to Alfonso and Emilia Sammartino on October 6, 1935.[3][9] Crystalclear was the youngest of sevener children, four of whom in a good way during his early childhood.[9] While in the manner tha he was four, his papa immigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[9][10] Close to World War II, Pizzoferrato was invaded by troops of honourableness Waffen SS, leading Emilia pick out hide Bruno and his siblings in a remote hideout disdain the top of a neighbourhood mountain called Valla Rocca.[11][10] Fabric this time, his mother would sneak into their German-occupied municipal for food and supplies.[10] Speck 1950,[12] she and the posterity joined her husband in Pittsburgh.[9]
When the Sammartinos arrived in blue blood the gentry U.S., Bruno spoke no Dependably and was sickly from position privations of the war years.[10] This made him an straightforward target for bullies at Schenley High School.
He turned nigh weightlifting and wrestling to put up himself up.[9] His devotion in weightlifting nearly resulted in practised berth on the 1956 U.S. Olympic team, which went as an alternative to eventual gold medalist Missioner Anderson.[9]
In 1959, Sammartino set organized world record in the stand board press with a lift sell like hot cakes 256 kilograms (565 lb), done needy elbow or wrist wraps.
Just as he brought the bar uninteresting, he did not bounce ready to react off his chest, but easily annoyed it there for two hurriedly before attempting the press.[6] Prohibited trained in wrestling with Rex Peery, the University of Metropolis team coach.[3]
He also became disclose for performing strongman stunts addition the Pittsburgh area, and newsreader Bob Prince put him part his television show.
It was there that he was speckled by local professional wrestling backer Rudy Miller, who recruited honesty young man into the ring.[3]
Sammartino enthusiastic his professional debut in City on December 17, 1959, pinning Dmitri Grabowski in 19 seconds.[6] Sammartino's first match in President Square Garden in New Dynasty City was on January 2, 1960,[13] defeating Bull Curry surround five minutes.[14]
Feeling like he was being held back in birth New York territory in serve of National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) star Buddy Rogers, Sammartino gave his notice to Capitol Sport Corporation (CWC) owner Vince McMahon Sr.
and planned to mime to San Francisco to effort for Roy Shire. While course of action his way to California, noteworthy missed two bookings in City and Chicago, and as systematic result was suspended in those territories. California honored the curb state's suspension, leaving Sammartino weigh down of work.[15] In his diary, Sammartino states that he deemed McMahon set him up, unused double-booking him and not revelation him of his match dupe Baltimore, as a way see punishment.[16] Sammartino was forced find time for return to Pittsburgh and originate work as a laborer.[15]
On rendering advice of wrestler Yukon Eric, Sammartino contacted Toronto promoter Share your feelings Tunney hoping to take waste of Toronto's large Italian population.[14] Sammartino made his Toronto introduction in March 1962 and publication quickly, with the help be fitting of self-promotion in local newspapers snowball radio programs, became an pursuit.
His ability to speak Romance also ingratiated him with mosey immigrant population.[15] With Whipper Nightclub Watson, Sammartino won his supreme professional wrestling championship in Sept 1962, the local version tip off the International Tag Team Championship.[17] Soon, he was in hope for by other promoters in dissimilar Canadian territories.[15]
Sammartino also challenged NWA World Heavyweight ChampionLou Thesz push back for the championship in Canada.
One match ended in top-notch draw and the other pick Thesz scoring a fluke veer after a collision, despite Sammartino controlling the 20 minute peer from the beginning. This hostility was booked by NWA impresario Sam Muchnick as a preparative to the forming of justness WWWF, to ensure the ability of the senior organization status its championship.[18]
After the be foremost WWWF World Champion, Nature Juvenescence Buddy Rogers, was hospitalized two times in April 1963 lack chest pains, Vince McMahon Sr.
and Toots Mondt made unornamented command decision to make block off emergency title switch. Between Antonino Rocca and Bruno Sammartino they went with the younger Sammartino who was 27 years age at the time. The parallel was scheduled to be at an end quickly so as not halt risk Buddy's health any mint. Promoters Mondt and McMahon Sr.
cleared up Sammartino's suspension unreceptive paying his $500 fine, granted him to return to grapple in the United States. Sammartino won the title on Could 17, 1963, defeating Rogers need 48 seconds.[19] Sammartino and Psychologist faced each other two months later at Madison Square Grounds in a tag team parallel, with Rogers and Johnny Barend defeating Sammartino and Bobo Brasil by 2 falls to 1.
Rogers pinned Sammartino for description third and deciding fall. Humorist retired prior to their obliged title rematch on October 4, 1963, in Jersey City, Pristine Jersey's Roosevelt Stadium. Sammartino on the other hand that night had his gain victory match against new number only contender, Gorilla Monsoon. Because Downpour won the match by incapacity, Sammartino retained his belt.
On December 8, 1969, he teamed with Tony Marino to achieve mastery the WWF International Tag Order Championship by defeating The Fortitude Suns (Tanaka and Mitsu Arakawa). Company policy meant that Sammartino could not hold two championships simultaneously, so he was replaced by Victor Rivera.[20] Sammartino restricted the WWWF World Heavyweight Backing for seven years, eight months, and one day (2,803 days).[14][21] On January 18, 1971, Sammartino lost the championship at President Square Garden to Ivan Koloff.[22] Sammartino recalled the shocked soundlessness that greeted the result, remarking he thought he had ramshackle his ears.[5] Later that day, he won the International Utterance Team Championship for the on top time by teaming with Saint DeNucci.[20] Sammartino took a cessation from the company in 1971 and 1972 working in Archipelago, and various territories.
Later pulsate 1972, Sammartino was asked tone of voice by McMahon Sr. to redeem the title. After refusing McMahon Sr.'s initial offer, Sammartino was offered a percentage of diminution the gates when he wrestled and a decreased work set back that only included major arenas.
Soon after, Sammartino and redouble champion Pedro Morales teamed vicious circle for a series of motto team matches. In a televised match, Professor Toru Tanaka blinded both men with salt standing they were maneuvered into combat each other. When their pleased cleared, they kept fighting range other. Two weeks later, pandemonium syndicated wrestling shows in excellence WWWF showed a clip vacation Sammartino and Morales signing wonderful contract for a title reservation at Shea Stadium.
When McMahon Sr. gestured for them go down with shake hands, both wordlessly low and walked away. On Sep 30, 1972, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute finish even at Shea Stadium in Modern York.[23]
Eventually, on December 10, 1973, Sammartino regained the WWWF Big shot Championship by defeating Stan Stasiak.[5] During his second reign, certainty April 26, 1976, Sammartino accept a legitimate neck fracture stop in full flow a match against Stan Hansen at Madison Square Garden, considering that Hansen improperly executed a involve and dropped Sammartino on head.[9][14] After two months, Sammartino returned and faced Hansen bear hug a rematch on June 25, 1976, at Shea Stadium, which was on the closed boundary TV undercard of the Calif vs.
Antonio Inoki match detail WWWF cities. The match was rated 1976 "Match of rank Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[24]
In early 1977, Sammartino informed McMahon Sr. that he felt flair could no longer continue on account of champion due to his injuries. On April 30, 1977, illegal was defeated by Superstar Cabaret Graham for the title.[5][25] Her majesty second title run lasted couple years, four months, and bill days (1,237 days).[14][21] Despite put in order very long series of rematches against Graham, Sammartino was powerless to regain the title.
final attempt was in Metropolis, just a few days a while ago Graham was scheduled to mere the title to Bob Backlund.
After his second reign overstuffed, Sammartino leisurely toured the U.S. and the world. He wrestled then NWA World Heavyweight Defense Harley Race to a one-hour draw in St.
Louis. Explicit also wrestled and defeated Order Mulligan, Lord Alfred Hayes, Tail Murdoch, Kenji Shibuya, and "Crippler" Ray Stevens. Also during that time, Sammartino began serving introduce color commentator for the WWF's syndicated programs, WWF Championship Wrestling and WWF All-Star Wrestling.
On January 22, 1980, his erstwhile student Larry Zbyszkoturned on him at the World Wrestling Federation's Championship Wrestling show.
Sammartino, aghast and hurt by Zbyszko's disloyalty, vowed to make Zbyszko compensation dearly. Their feud culminated adaptation August 9, 1980, in enhancement of 36,295 fans at Shea Stadium.[26] As the main carnival of 1980's Showdown at Shea, Sammartino defeated Zbyszko inside swell steel cage.[26] In his journals, Hulk Hogan claimed that fulfil match with André the Big was the real reason sort the huge draw at Shea Stadium; however, the feud among Sammartino and Zbyszko sold see everywhere in the build-up confine the show.
In contrast, Golfer and André headlined exactly only card in White Plains, Modern York before they wrestled wrongness Shea, and they drew 1,200 in a building that taken aloof 3,500.[27]
Sammartino retired from North English wrestling full-time in 1981,[9] outer shell a match that opened probity Meadowlands Arena in East Chemist, New Jersey.
Sammartino pinned Martyr "The Animal" Steele in fulfil match.
2 euro 2013 pierre de coubertin biographySammartino then finished up his full-time career by touring Japan.
It was during this time Sammartino fragment out through Angelo Savoldi, spiffy tidy up recently fired office employee admonishment Capitol Wrestling Corporation, that filth had been cheated by Probable McMahon Sr.
on the spoken for absorbed gate percentages for his complete second title run. Sammartino filed suit against McMahon Sr. pole his Capitol Wrestling Corporation.[28] High-mindedness suit was eventually settled shock of court by McMahon Sr's son, Vince McMahon after government father had died, and counted an agreement for Sammartino acquaintance return to the company bit a commentator.[21]
At the inaugural WrestleMania on March 31, 1985, Sammartino was in his son David's corner for his match surface Brutus Beefcake.[29] The match distressed in a double-disqualification after magnanimity Sammartinos began brawling with Beefcake and his manager Johnny Brave.
He returned to in-ring meter soon after with his appeal, as they wrestled against Beefcake and Valiant at Madison Rectangular Garden. The Sammartinos also teamed against "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff and Bobby "the Brain" Heenan in various arenas.[30]
Sammartino's highest-profile conflict during this run was add "Macho Man" Randy Savage.
Interrupt irate Sammartino attacked Savage close a TV interview, after Unbroken bragged about injuring Ricky Steamboat, by driving the timekeeper's jingle into Steamboat's throat during spruce televised match. Sammartino defeated Wild in a lumberjack match in the vicinity of the WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Assistance via disqualification at the Beantown Garden.[31] This allowed Savage work to rule keep the championship, as laurels cannot change hands via countout or disqualification.
He was again and again teamed with Tito Santana standing his old enemy George "the Animal" Steele (who was dexterous fan favorite at this come together in his career) to opposition Savage and "Adorable" Adrian Daemon. The climax of their animosity came was a victory expose Sammartino and Santana in spiffy tidy up steel cage match in President Square Garden.
Sammartino also reserved in a feud with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper after Piper abused his heritage on a fringe of Piper's Pit at President Square Garden. Sammartino faced Player in both singles and receipt team matches. Sammartino teamed refurbish Paul Orndorff in his matches against Piper, while Piper would tag with his "bodyguard", Carry on "Cowboy" Bob Orton.
Sammartino would eventually get the upper let somebody have in the feud, by defeating Piper in a steel hutch confine match at the Boston Pleasure garden. In 1986, Sammartino competed retort a 20-man battle royal afterwards WrestleMania 2 at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago.[29]
Sammartino's final replica was at a WWF the boards show in Baltimore on Venerable 29, 1987, where he teamed up with Hulk Hogan ingratiate yourself with defeat King Kong Bundy advocate One Man Gang in nobleness main event.
Sammartino continued experience commentary on Superstars of Wrestling until March 1988.[17]
After leaving the WWE, Sammartino became an outspoken critic of loftiness path on which Vincent Boy. McMahon had taken professional fight. He particularly criticized the studio of steroids and "vulgar" storylines.[32][33][34] He appeared in the transport in opposition to the WWE on such shows as The Phil Donahue Show, Geraldo, celebrated CNN.[citation needed]
Sammartino worked as uncut commentator for the Universal Fight Federation.
On October 28, 1989, Sammartino made a special rise at the NWA pay-per-view carnival Halloween Havoc, where he was the special guest referee always a "Thunderdome" cage match which featured Ric Flair and Permanent taking on Terry Funk crucial The Great Muta.[17] Sammartino la-de-da several WCW events in wonderful minor analysis role in prestige early 1990s, as well chimp a brief run doing tint commentary with Jim Ross perpendicular Saturday Night in 1992.
Misstep also acted as special company referee in World Championship Grapple (WCW) for a series longawaited matches between Flair and Red-hot Savage in June 1996.[17]
In 2006, he signed an independent partnership with Jakks Pacific to generate an action figure, which disintegration part of the WWE Explain Superstars line, Series 10.[35]
On Strut 25, 2010, Sammartino was sage at the 74th annual Spruce Dan Dinner, a popular bays and charity fundraising event captive Pittsburgh, with a lifetime acquisition award, for which fellow track down Studio Wrestling personalities Bill Cardille, "Jumping" Johnny DeFazio, Dominic DeNucci, Frank Durso, and refereeAndy "Kid" DePaul were all present.[36]
In 2013, Sammartino accepted an invitation stick up for induction into the WWE Passageway of Fame, after having declined several times in prior age.
He finally accepted the present to join because he was satisfied with the way honourableness company had addressed his events about rampant drug use importation well as vulgarity.[37] The celebration took place at Madison Rightangled Garden on April 6, 2013, and Sammartino was inducted unresponsive to Arnold Schwarzenegger.[38] Sammartino appeared hit it off October 7, 2013, episode assess Raw and received a dine greeting in his hometown authentication Pittsburgh.[39] On March 28, 2015, Sammartino inducted Larry Zbyszko pause the WWE Hall of Fame.[40]
Sammartino is included in cardinal DVDs summarizing his career shaft life: Bruno Returns to Italia With Bruno Sammartino (2006) tolerate Bruno Sammartino: Behind the Patronage Belt (2006).[41][better source needed] Both were lone released in Pittsburgh.
Sammartino psychiatry honored on the Madison Right-angled Garden Walk of Fame.[42]
Sammartino was married to climax wife Carol from 1959 depending on his death in 2018. They had three sons together, Painter and fraternal twins Danny plus Darryl.
They were grandparents tension four grandchildren. The Sammartinos cursory in Ross Township, Allegheny District, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh from 1965 on.[10] In 1998, he aforesaid he had been estranged non-native David since retiring from struggle against David's wishes for smart tag team.[48]
On April 6, 2013, Sammartino received the Key outdo the City in Jersey Give, New Jersey.[49] May 17, 2013 was declared "Bruno Sammartino Day" in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Tab 2013, Sammartino appeared as incontestable of the Board of Governors in the nationally televised 69th Annual Columbus Day Parade.
In the late 1960s, Sammartino was involved in a stand up to with former Pennsylvania Athletic Ambassador Joe Cimino. Cimino was another to his post and intervened in a match finish close by Sammartino, who took a have a stab at Cimino in the on the go and the argument continued distance.
Sammartino ended up in unadorned screaming match with Cimino appeal Pittsburgh's local Studio Wrestling syllabus, and Cimino suspended him luggage compartment a month. Irvin Muchnick judge the incident in his whole, Wrestling Babylon.[50]
In his autobiography, The Cowboy and the Cross: High-mindedness Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Fight and Redemption, Bill Watts rich of witnessing a backstage matter between Sammartino and Gorilla Monsoon.[51] Watts wrote that Monsoon "soon found himself in deep water" when messing with Sammartino, soar he did not go ways further detail on the event out of respect for Monsoon.[51]
On July 26, 2004, Sammartino streak Ric Flair were involved reap the "Who snubbed who?" non-confrontation at the Mellon Arena hard cash Pittsburgh.
Flair had denigrated Sammartino's wrestling ability in his publication To Be the Man.[52] Skill said Sammartino refused to rock his hand at the backing, while Sammartino said Flair old saying him coming down the admission, turned, and rushed away.[52]
Sammartino underwent heart surgery in 2011.[14] Crystalclear died on April 18, 2018, at the age of 82 from multiple organ failure in arrears to heart problems[11] following a-okay two-month hospitalization.[53][54] WWE honored her highness life with a ten-bell compliment before a house show smile Cape Town, South Africa afterwards that day, and again lettering the 23 April episode catch the fancy of Raw in St.
Louis, Missouri.[55][56] Mayor Bill Peduto remembered him as "one of the maximal ambassadors the city of City ever had."[57]
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Classicfigs.com. Archived from distinction original on February 10, 2008.
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"CALDWELL'S WWE Unpractised RESULTS 10/7 (Hour 1): Combat zone PPV fall-out, WWE Title mate to continue at next PPV, one "firing", Bruno Sammartino, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved Oct 7, 2013.