Born in Italy on October 6, 1935, Bruno Sammartino survived four siblings during his childhood and the ravages of World War II. He emigrated to the United States in 1951 as a frail, sickly boy who was often the target of bullies. Determined to build himself physically, Sammartino devoted himself to weightlifting, nearly getting a spot on the 1956 U.S. Olympic team.
He became a professional wrestler in 1959 working in the Pittsburgh territory, but would soon find himself headlining matches at Madison Square Garden with his tag partner Antonino Rocca. After a rocky start that briefly saw Sammartino out of wrestling (a suspect suspension for missing a match), his popularity took off. He would win his first title, the NWA International Tag Team Championship, with partner Whipper Billy Watson. Bruno made headlines as the only person to ever bodyslam Haystacks Calhoun in a wrestling match.
Vince McMahon Sr. brought Sammartino back to the WWWF to increase his promotion's drawing power. Bruno captured the WWWF World Championship title from "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers on May 17, 1963 and started the longest continuous world title reign in men's wrestling history (seven years, eight months, and one day). "The Living Legend" would consistently sell out Madison Square Garden with battles against foes such as Killer Kowalski, Fred Blassie, Giant Baba, Gorilla Monsoon, Gene Kiniski, Bill Watts, Waldo Von Erich, Johnny Valentine, The Sheik, and George "The Animal" Steele. His title reign ended in 1971 before a stunned crowd to Ivan Koloff.
Sammartino defeated Stan Stasiak in 1973 to start his second WWWF title reign. This title reign was highlighted with matches against opponents such as Bruiser Brody, Ken Patera, John Tolos, Nikolai Volkoff, Bugsy McGraw, Fred Blassie, Ernie Ladd, Baron Von Raschke, Ivan Koloff, Don Leo Jonathan, and Angelo Mosca. "Superstar" Billy Graham captured the title in 1977 as injuries forced Sammartino to reduce his wrestling schedule.
Sammartino was a participant in the Match of the Year for 1972 and 1976. One of his most successful feuds was against Larry Zbyszko, his former student. Zbyszko turned violently on his teacher in an exhibition match on January 22, 1980. Vowing revenge, Bruno would lock up with Zbyszko for a series of record setting draws that would reach their peak August 9, 1980 as over 36,000 fans flocked to Shea Stadium to see Sammartino defeat Zbyszko in a steel cage.
Sammartino retired from wrestling in 1987. He has publically critized the direction that Vince McMahon Jr had taken the sport, refusing entry to the WWE Hall of Fame.
Mr.Sammartino was a class act in wrestling.He got his power the old fashioned way,He worked his butt off to get it,not the way they do today.
I'm a huge Bruno fan but wasn't Lou Thez(forgive the spelling if wrong) actually known as the closest thing to a permanent champion any sport had ever had? Mostly in NWA wrestling etc...
I THINK BRUNO WAS THE BEST WRESTLER EVER,,, NO STEROIDS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT,, JUST GOOD OLD FASHIONED WORK,, HE WAS THE REAL DEAL!!!!! ITS NOT THE SAME TODAY.
he was the best of the best none take that away not even undertaker,hulkhogan, andre the giant none.
Bruno is a real "man's man"; never compromises his principles and always carries himself with dignity. In the pre-steroid era of wrestling, the only wrestler who was physically stronger than Bruno was Andre. It's an often told story about how Bruno picked up Haystacks Calhoun at MSG in the early 1960's, but Bruno never really body slammed him - just kinda picked him up on his shoulder and dumped Calhoun on his back (please don't construe this as anything negative -that's still an unmatched feat of superhuman strength no matter how you slice it).
I would have to say Bruno Sammartino was such an inspiration to many who enjoyed watching his matches. He was also a very big inspiration to me, while working out in the Gym Bench pressing those few extra reps, I can hear his name "BRUNO","BRUNO", I finally developed the nickmame Bruno in my early workout days by many who new me, I would like to say that Bruno Sammartino gave so much to professional Wrestling, such a gentleman he is, I'm sure he has touched many human lives, He will always be the "Living Legend Of Professional Wrestling". I would like if I can just get intouched with Bruno Sammartino, to let him know he was the best of the best and second to none, he was my favorite. Thank you so very much, Bruno Sammartino.
You know what's always amazed me? That no one remembers the Shea Stadium match between Bruno and Pedro Morales in September 1972. It was every fan's "dream match" when it happened, but at the time a lot of fans were disappointed that they didn't brawl, but rather matched hold-for-hold for over an hour. They set the match up by having them slug it out during a televised tag match vs Prof. Tanaka and Mr. Fuji. Both Pedro and Bruno had salt thrown in their eyes and started throwing haymakers until they made contact. When their vision cleared, they could see that they were slugging each other, and then they started brawling. I believe that card was the first wrestling show ever held at Shea, and came two months after Grand Funk Railroad played there.
A class act(that I've met twice) who could take any FIVE "wrestlers" of this day & age.
bruno is victor rivera still alive
I remember reading about that match at Shea, where he and Pedro battled to a time limit draw, Ernie. I've seen photos from it but I'd love to know if any video footage exists. Anyone know if Vince is sitting on it?