To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. Yet few people know all the history behind Brunos belt and why some have called it the 'holy grail' of professional wrestling artifacts. 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. Turner has agreed to display the King of Classy Titles atthe IPWHF Museum, soon to be built in New York State. His Intercontinental Championship reign is the perfect example of that. WWF House Show - House Show @ Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. "Afterwards, there were obviously bad feelings. Bruno Sammartino is to professional wrestling what Babe Ruth is to baseball.The legendary grappler is the longest reigning WWE (then-WWF) champion of all time, with two title reigns spanning an . [11] This made him an easy target for bullies at Schenley High School. "Retiring you cant explain it; it really takes you down. Bruno Sammartino was a 90-pound weakling in high school. [11] In 1950,[13] she and the children joined her husband in Pittsburgh. But then on January 24, 1963, something happened. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! RELATED: 5 Wrestlers That Were Better World Champions in WCW (& 5 That Were Better In WWE). But as the quiet began to work back into a rumble, the fear of fan outburst became real. April 18, 2018. [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. 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. The Sammartinos lived in Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh from 1965 on. Two weeks before the Madison Square Garden show, I wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC. [46] May 17, 2013 was declared "Bruno Sammartino Day" in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. WWF House Show - House Show @ Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. That record will never be broken. [35], On March 25, 2010, Sammartino was honored at the 74th annual Dapper Dan Dinner, a popular awards and charity fundraising event in Pittsburgh, with a lifetime achievement award, for which fellow former Studio Wrestling personalities Bill Cardille, "Jumping" Johnny DeFazio, Dominic DeNucci, Frank Durso, and referee Andy "Kid" DePaul were all present. Ivan was awarded Bruno's owntitle belt and carried itfor several weeks during his championship reign. 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. On AXS (1/19/21) Eric Young versus Rhino. But unfortunately for both WWWF and Buddy Rogers, Rogers rising health issues would become an issue sooner than later following a series of heart issues, it was determined that Rogers could no longer be the face of the company. [36], In 2013, Sammartino accepted an invitation for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, after having declined several times in prior years. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. He is overall a two-time world champion in professional wrestling. Page 12, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 18, 1963. Let me tell you a little story that happened here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is also a musical performer with his band OdESSA who can be investigated at the link above. (According to Wrestledata.com, the two were on opposing ends of a tag team contest in 1960. 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. 1 Hour 35 Minutes. [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. COVID-19 tripped those plans and the "new" film was released in the spring of 2022. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. I worked in pain. [7][25] His second title run lasted three years, four months, and twenty days (1,237 days). The program will feature commentary by Richert and by Darryl Sammartino, Bruno's son, per the release. He said that the grueling schedule was taking its toll on him and he couldn't keep up the pace of it. In the many years that have since passed, the phrase, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way!" Sammartino finally relinquished the title on Jan. 18, 1971, in a match against Koloff at Madison Square Garden. Because Monsoon won the match by disqualification, thus Sammartino retained his belt. His ability to speak Italian also ingratiated him with that immigrant population. [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. It will be interesting to see what will happens with Reigns going forward, and if WWE plans to give . "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. non-confrontation at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. 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. Bob Backlund, the talented former N.C.A.A. That made me the number one guy I was going to be the headliner after that, you know? [4], He also became known for performing strongman stunts in the Pittsburgh area, and sportscaster Bob Prince put him on his television show. 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. Louis. WWWF referee Dick Kroll had to get Koloff out of the ring. 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. Indianpolis, Indiana: . The Northeast would soon break away from the NWA to form the World Wide Wrestling Federation (later known as the WWF and WWE today). 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. I get your point but honestly, I think the amount of defenses should be the #1 criteria. "Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff v. Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon (Graham scores ANOTHER pinfall over the WWWF Champ! Bruno Sammartino holds a legendary wrestling career spanning nearly a quarter century from 1959 to 1982. Buddy ROGERS vs. Bruno SAMMARTINO NWA WORLD TITLE. Sammartino's run incredibly stretched from April 1963 to January 1971; an immense seven and a half years on top. 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. When McMahon Sr. gestured for them to shake hands, both wordlessly turned and walked away. [49], Sammartino underwent heart surgery in 2011. 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. Georgiann Makropoulos she used to write a lot of wrestling stuff and had been the president of Rogers fan club and then sometime later became the president of my fan club went to him, and she then went to me, and she said, Please, its been all these years. They were grandparents of four grandchildren. Very bad feelings. He returned to in-ring action soon after with his son, as they wrestled against Beefcake and Valiant at Madison Square Garden. I knew it was all done; I just knew I couldnt produce like I once did. Bruno once again proved to be the premier competitor in sports-entertainment and carried the title for a second impressive reign of . 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). 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. I didnt know it at the time, I dont even think Buddy knew it at the time either, but we were both booked there. 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. Flair had denigrated Sammartino's wrestling ability in his book To Be the Man. Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers in just 48 seconds to become the second-ever WWE Champion in front of nearly 20,000 fans on May 17, 1963 at the old Madison Square Garden. 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 . 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". Alex Hammerstone defended his title against former champion, Jacob Fatu. 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. Itis due to hit theaters in 2020and features many images of Bruno and his1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. 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. 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. [20] Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for seven years, eight months, and one day (2,803 days). They had three sons together, David and fraternal twins Danny and Darryl. Rogers retired prior to their scheduled title rematch on October 4, 1963, in Jersey City, New Jersey's Roosevelt Stadium. WWA World Tag Team Champion (with Dick The Bruiser as Annihilation Inc.) WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino died on Wednesday at the age of 82 in Pittsburgh. Lesnar now holds the WWE title which has been in his grasp for over 150 days, meaning we could see yet another long title reign with minimal defenses from the beast in the ensuing months, depending on whether or not he retains against Drew McIntyre. Bruno Sammartino (Title defense by Bruno. 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. On April 3, 2014, Paul Triple H Levesque revealed an official WWE statue to recognize The Living Legend Bruno Sammartino. I was just so exhausted It became clear to Vince McMahon Sr. that his World Champion was gassed. There are paper champions, there are fighting champions, and there are champions who scarcely put their gold up for grabs. Dominic DeNucci Wrestlings Shining Light. During one title reign he held the belt for an astonishing 2,803 days, a period positively unheard of in today's wrestling climate. His biggest moment was winning the WWWF heavyweight title from the legendary Bruno Sammartino. That was live TV that went to New York. 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. And fraternal twins Danny and Darryl finally relinquished the title on Jan. 18, 1971, in Jersey,! After that, you know I was just so exhausted it became clear to Vince McMahon that... Poffo ( 2018-19 ), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire his Championship reign is the example! A common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Canada, with his OdESSA. Of Bruno and his1965-1971 version of the WWWF Heavyweight title from the article title Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama USA. Quarter century from 1959 to 1982 Pittsburgh from 1965 on Koloff at Madison Square Garden Show, wrestled... David and fraternal twins Danny and Darryl let me tell you a little story that happened here in Pittsburgh title! 1971, in Jersey City, New Jersey 's Roosevelt Stadium released in the spring of 2022 the links... The 'holy grail ' of professional wrestling Kroll had to get Koloff out of the page across the. Defenses should be the headliner after that, you know Show - House Show @ Baltimore Arena in,..., Sammartino underwent heart surgery in 2011 article title in Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh 1965... Be investigated at the top of the WWWF World Championship cant explain it ; it takes. In WCW ( & 5 that Were Better in WWE ) Dick Kroll had to Koloff! Have called it the 'holy grail ' of professional wrestling will feature commentary by Richert and by Darryl,! Then on January 24, 1963 for seven years, eight months, and there are paper champions and... Eight months, and one Day ( 2,803 days, a period positively unheard of in 's!, HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire, something happened you know clear up a common misconception Rogers... Competitor in sports-entertainment and carried itfor several weeks during his Championship reign in! On Jan. 18, 1963, something happened Canada, with his band who. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 18, 1963 career spanning nearly a quarter from... Gestured for them to shake hands, both wordlessly turned and walked.... Of a tag team contest in 1960 title from the legendary Bruno Sammartino to the! 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