Sammartino Inducted Into Hall O Fame

His post-wrestling career has been plagued with controversy and a disdain for the current direction of the sport he loved. Current fans of professional wrestling have only vague thoughts of a man who has been largely forgotten because of controversy and bitter feelings.

It is a legacy buried in the past that has only recently seen the light of modern wrestling through a company that shares in his vision of professional wrestling.

Bruno Sammartino is one of the most important figures that helped the WWWF reach prominence in the 1970's. Bruno was a two-time WW(W)F Champion having held the title for a combined 12 years. A likable babyface he was one of the most popular stars of his era having wrestled all over the North Eastern United States and even in Toronto where he would draw sold-out audiences at Maple Leaf Gardens.

However it was at Madison Square Garden where he would have his greatest success and eventually be honored on it's Walk Of Fame. It was at MSG on May 17th 1963 Bruno defeated Nature Boy Buddy Rogers in 48 seconds to win his first WWWF Title. Rogers had suffered a heart attack 2 weeks prior and thus could barely wrestle a full match. Rogers retired following the match, Bruno would go on to hold the WW(W)F title for a record 8 years.

Sammartino's popularity grew greatly over his reign as he became one of the most recognizable sports figures in the north eastern United States. The Abruzzi, Italy native was a naturally charismatic strong man standing at 5'9" and 260Lbs. During the 1960s, Sammartino was heralded as one of the strongest men in the country and had been courted several times to play professional football in his native Pittsburgh for the NFL Steelers. Sammartino declined all the offers of playing professional football as he was making more money drawing sold-out crowds than he could ever make as a member of the Steelers.

Though Sammartino was a legendary babyface, he needed strong heels in order to draw those major crowds. Heels such as Gene Kiniski, Killer Kowalski, Ernie Ladd, Bruiser Brody, and a notorious Detroit native known as The Shiek. Being shorter than most heels at the time it was easy for fans to cheer for Sammartino as he would often wrestle heels much taller than him.

At the latter part of Sammartino's career he became involved in possibly his most famous feud against Larry Zbyszko. Zbyszko turned on his mentor Sammartino after the two had been billed on television as having a student-teacher relationship. The feud culminated in a legendary steel cage match that drew over 36,000 people at a sold-out Shea Stadium on August 9th, 1980. For trivia buffs, Hulk Hogan versus Andre The Giant was on the undercard of that show.

That match against Zbyszko was Sammartino's last truly important match. Bruno retired a year later in 1981, but came back sporadically in order to help launch the career of his son David in the WWF(E). Sammartino would also go on to become an on-air commentator, but that position was short-lived.

It is unfortunate that Bruno's legacy has been largely forgotten because of his tumultuous relationship with Vince McMahon Jr. Bruno was been very vocal about his displeasure with the theatrics, lude storylines, and even the steroid abuse that goes on in today's wrestling. Bruno has turned down many invitations to WWE events, involvement in "WWE 24/7" projects, and even an induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame. Because of this Bruno has been largely written out of WWE history even though he is their longest reigning champion and their biggest star of the 1970s.

Recently Sammartino has once again become involved in professional wrestling having appeared at a Ring Of Honor show in September of 2006. Bruno was said to be impressed with many wrestlers in ROH and is happy that the art of professional wrestling is not being forgotten.

Tha O Show is proud to not only induct Bruno Sammartino into Tha Hall O Fame, but to honor the legacy of one of wrestling's legendary babyface stars.

Here Is A List Of Bruno's Accomplishment's

Grand Prix Wrestling
GPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Edouard Carpentier

Maple Leaf Wrestling
NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version) (1 time) - with Whipper Billy Watson

NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version) (1 time)

World Wrestling Association
WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Dick the Bruiser

World Wide Wrestling Federation
WWWF International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Dominic DeNucci
WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Spiros Arion
WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

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