Turner has agreed to display the King of Classy Titles atthe IPWHF Museum, soon to be built in New York State. Defeating Stan Stasiak, Bruno became the first-ever two-time WWE Champion. [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. Some of his defenses ended in time limit draws, and some in DQ, but . He held the World Wide Wrestling Federation title for more than 11 years, from 1963 to1971, and again from 1973 to1977. 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). In that sense, it's easy to see why WWE fans give Reigns' run the title of historic. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. WWWF World Championship. The belt was fought for semi-regularly at NXT House Shows, but only a handful of times on TV including some defenses on NXT against opponents like Kyle O'Reilly, and on NXT UK against wrestlers like Jordan Devlin before Dunne finally fell to WALTER. Answer (1 of 3): I don't think there's any actual record of how many times he defended the belt, because back then there were no RAW or Smackdown television shows, I don't think they were even doing pay-per-views at the time, wrestling back then was totally different, I wasn't born in the 60s but. [31] This allowed Savage to keep the championship, as titles cannot change hands via countout or disqualification. Despite this mammoth title reign length, Pete Dunne barely defended his belt in televised appearances. You could hear a pin drop, remembered veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter in an article for WWE.com recounting his memory at ringside. After leaving the WWF, Sammartino became an outspoken critic of the path on which Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional wrestling. often gets attributed to other wrestling stories. Bruno made a film to tell the story behind his belt. He was quickly recruited by Capitol Sports Wrestling (the precursor to WWWF, founded by Jess McMahon and Toots Mondt in 1948, and now under control by Jesss son, Vince McMahon Sr.), but in 1962 he left the promotion. That said, Sammartino's record is likely safe, as it's difficult to imagine WWE ever putting a title on someone even remotely as long as his top reign. The Sammartinos also teamed against "Mr. WWF House Show - House Show @ Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Buddy Rogers was a funny guy, and he thought he wasnt going to wrestle under these conditions, and back then, we didnt have contracts like today, but more or less, we strictly got paid on the gate. Bruno's belt is enshrined in the IPWHF Collection, Watch IPWHF President Seth Turner unbox Bruno's historic belt, Bruno Sammartino: Behind The Championship Belt. 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. Ivan Koloff was actually a pro wrestler from Montreal, Quebec in Canada, and after starting out in the Canadian indies in 1961, soon adopted a Russian gimmick, under the name Ivan Zukoff. They had a show at the Civic Arena, but those were the days of the Buddy Rogers era, and Vince McMahon Sr. was trying to get me to come back because he saw my success in Canada. Ivan was awarded Bruno's owntitle belt and carried itfor several weeks during his championship reign. 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. Bruno is memorialized in the statue wearing his 1965-1971WWWF World Championship. In the many years that have since passed, the phrase, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way!" I went in that ring". Sammartino faced Piper in both singles and tag team matches. The following title matches feature the WWE Championship. But as the quiet began to work back into a rumble, the fear of fan outburst became real. 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. Sammartino defeated Savage in a lumberjack match for the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship via disqualification at the Boston Garden. Seth Turner, President of the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, successfully procured the belt. And with the US-Russia Cold War now in mass effect, it was the companys resident Russian bad-guy that McMahon turned to. (According to Wrestledata.com, the two were on opposing ends of a tag team contest in 1960. Louis. Bruno Sammartino depicts the exciting story of the championship wrestler and his family's narrow escape from the Nazis in World War II Italy. [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. That match meant so much to me because that put me at the top. That works out at one defense every season, which is an astonishingly small number of matches to prove WALTER is still deserving of his championship. His ability to speak Italian also ingratiated him with that immigrant population. [10], In 1959, Sammartino set a world record in the bench press with a lift of 256 kilograms (565lb), done without elbow or wrist wraps. Buddy Rogers made these claims in a couple of appearances that he made after losing the belt. ), and remains one of the most popular pro wrestlers of all time based on their ability to connect to fans worldwide during their respective eras. Actor: WWE Smackdown!. 1963 - Bulldog Brower and Johnny Valentine defeat Bruno Sammartino and Whipper Billy Watson to win the Toronto NWA International Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario. "Afterwards, there were obviously bad feelings. "Superstar Billy Graham v. Bruno Sammartino (MSG 1/12/76) 22. Many wonder which duo will be next in line to hold these belts. [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. Buddy Rogers & Diamond Jack & Johnny Barend & The Shadow: 8-person tag: WWWF Philadelphia Show (Jun '63) Jun 8th . For half of that time he reigned as World Champion, . [7] During his second reign, on April 26, 1976, Sammartino suffered a legitimate neck fracture in a match against Stan Hansen at Madison Square Garden, when Hansen improperly executed a move and dropped Sammartino on his head. After his second reign ended, Sammartino leisurely toured the U.S. and the world. Company policy meant that Sammartino could not hold two championships simultaneously, so he was replaced by Victor Rivera. Two weeks later, all syndicated wrestling shows in the WWWF showed a clip of Sammartino and Morales signing a contract for a title match at Shea Stadium. It took 14 minutes and 55 seconds for Ivan Koloff to defeat Bruno Sammartino that night in New York City. 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. FULL DESCRIPTION: This photo measures 8 inches by 10 inches.The photo is clean with no staining. They had three sons together, David and fraternal twins Danny and Darryl. An irate Sammartino attacked Savage during a TV interview, after Savage bragged about injuring Ricky Steamboat, by driving the timekeeper's bell into Steamboat's throat during a televised match. In early 1977, Sammartino informed McMahon Sr. that he felt he could no longer continue as champion due to his injuries. But this is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino's day was very different compared to how it is today. His decision to loan the artifact to the IPWHF will not only benefit this organization but allows us to preserve and share thelegacy of the greatest wrestling champion of all time, Bruno Sammartino. Morales would hold the title for 1,027 days, but it was clear that Pedro was no Bruno. Can you imagine it? Believe me; I had pains in my chest just walking to the ring". Thesz made him this offer: "We could do this the easy way or the hard way." 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. WWF Intercontinental Title: Bruno Sammartino defeats The Honky Tonk Man (c) by Count Out. [7] Later that year, he won the International Tag Team Championship for the second time by teaming with Dominic DeNucci. There are paper champions, there are fighting champions, and there are champions who scarcely put their gold up for grabs. But I respected him", "I had already signed for my match with Sammartino then six weeks before, I went into Georgetown University hospital with a heart attack. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he . Three years after his stunning defeat, Bruno won the WWE Title for a second time. Answer (1 of 3): George "The Animal" Steele Bruno Sammartino met James Myers in 1967 and immediately saw his potential as a main event performer. "Screwjob" is a term that gets thrown around loosely in the wrestling world. 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 . Peers revered him, Hollywood celebrities courted him, Italian Americans adored him, and Arnold Schwarzenegger called him "The Star of all stars."Young Bruno and his family fled the Nazi's and were nearly executed. 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. Two weeks before the Madison Square Garden show, I wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC. He would not be declared champion until April 29th, 1963, having won a fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 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 . In 1980, he won the tag team titles with Bob Backlund and was the Intercontinental Champion during the early '80s. But I made sure I kept my word, and I went through with the match. While Sammartino remained a popular champion in his second run, before losing to Superstar Billy Graham in April of 1977, it failed to capture the magic of the first run. It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, when. He became the first wrestler to become a WWE triple crown champion. [17] Sammartino worked several WCW events in a minor analysis role in the early 1990s, as well as a brief run doing color commentary with Jim Ross on Saturday Night in 1992. Turner plans to maintain ownership of the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship for decades to come. I was so beat in so many ways; I was never one to even take an aspirin. We took a picture, but we never spoke a word to each other" (Laughs). Bruno Sammartino. He also wrestled and defeated Blackjack Mulligan, Lord Alfred Hayes, Dick Murdoch, Kenji Shibuya, and "Crippler" Ray Stevens. While Bruno represented the America of working hard, being honest, and overcoming evil, Austin represented the more modern version of giving it to the man, having a beer and saying the heck with it. That victory in 48 seconds began a 2,803-day reign that stands today as the longest in history, by far. Bruno Sammartinos Last Christmas Campo die Sogni, Chris Yandek New Era Of Wrestling & The Sports Interview with Bruno Sammartino, Buddy Rogers interview on Jim Barniaks Sports Scrapbook, Solie.org October 97 interview with Bruno Sammartino, The International Gazette "Wrestlings Living Legend Bruno Sammartino Gets Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Their feud culminated on August 9, 1980, in front of 36,295 fans at Shea Stadium. Boston 10/21/75) 21. (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). Pro wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino dies at 82, "Without Toronto, there would have been no Bruno Sammartino", "10 championships you never knew existed in WWE", "Remembering Bruno Sammartino, the singular face of a bygone pro wrestling era", Bruno Sammartino v. Capitol Wrestling Corporation and Vince McMahon, "Professional wrestling great Bruno Sammartino dies at 82", "Sammartino: McMahon is 'a sick-minded idiot', "Bruno's bad call on WWE Hall of Fame shows Vince is right everyone has a price", "Dapper Dan: Malkin, Sammartino, Penn State volleyball claim awards", "WWE to induct Bruno Sammartino into HOF", "WWE NEWS: Hall of Fame 2013 report - Complete "virtual-time" coverage of ceremony with Sammartino & Co., Stratus announces big news, Trump-McMahon?, more", "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 10/7 (Hour 1): Battleground PPV fall-out, WWE Title match to continue at next PPV, one "firing", Bruno Sammartino, more", "WWE HALL OF FAME REPORT 3/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of 2015 Ceremony - Randy Savage inducted, Nash, Zbysko, Schwarzenegger, Flair, Michaels, more", "Bruno Sammartino Behind The Championship Belt", "Madison Square Garden Pays Tribute To Bruno Sammartino", "New WWE 2K14 DLC Introduces More Superstars", "WWE 2K23 Roster Official List | WWE 2K23", "Wrestling with fame: Bruno Sammartino still a hero to fans", "Bruno Sammartino given key to Jersey City before his induction into WWE Hall of Fame", "WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino dies at age 82", "WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino Dies At 82", "Bruno Sammartino, wrestling's original good-guy hero, dies at 82", "WWE Raw live results: Brock Lesnar returns to TV", "2019 TRAGOS/THESZ PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME CLASS ANNOUNCED - PWInsider.com", "Induction Weekend 2022 | Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame", "Keystone Sate Wrestling Alliance - Hall of Fame", "Bruno Sammartino body slams hall of fame", "WWWA honors Bruno Sammartino, and vice versa", "Triple H reveals Bruno Sammartino statue at WrestleMania Axxess", "W.W.A. Battle Royal: Winner: Bruno Sammartino. RELATED: 10 Failed WWE Champions That Should Have Worked. He began working in the NWA territories, such as Georgia Championship Wrestling, St. Louis Wrestling Club, NWA Mid America, and others. Blake & Murphy were one of the first major holders of the NXT Tag Team Titles, belts that they managed to hold for a total of 219 days. When the doctor heard that, he called Paul Sullivan, who was the head of the state athletic commission. Sammartino instead that night had his first match against new number one contender, Gorilla Monsoon. Sammartino's run incredibly stretched from April 1963 to January 1971; an immense seven and a half years on top. Bruno Sammartino: Directed by Patrea Patrick. Bruno Sammartino: WWWF World Heavyweight Title: WWWF MSG Show (May '77) May 16th 1977: Bruno Sammartino: def. "Close to working that schedule for eight years, I told Vince McMahon Sr., you better get somebody. 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. In addition, Ivelisse has her first title defense against Mercedes Martinez. Buddy ROGERS vs. Bruno SAMMARTINO NWA WORLD TITLE. non-confrontation at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. Still an affiliate under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Sammartino felt he was stuck in a holding pattern behind NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, who was Capitols biggest star since winning NWAs top prize in 1961. When Buddy Rogers saw the attendance, he wanted to get out of there, and he told the doctor he felt a funny pain on his chest. (1965-1971) Bruno Sammartino is the greatest world champion in the history of professional wrestling. . It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, whenBruno Sammartino defeated Nature Boy Buddy Rogers to become the WWWF World Champion. 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. You couldnt achieve a higher goal than winning the title. The climax of their feud came was a victory for Sammartino and Santana in a steel cage match in Madison Square Garden. Buddy Rogers was wrestling every day and he was NOT in a hospital. Sammartino filed suit against McMahon Sr. and his Capitol Wrestling Corporation. He successfully defended the belt against both Ali and The Miz before being recently dethroned by Braun Strowman on the lastWWE Smackdownepisode in January. 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. On December 8, 1969, he teamed with Tony Marino to win the WWWF International Tag Team Championship by defeating The Rising Suns (Tanaka and Mitsu Arakawa). Per tradition, the NWA World title could only be contested in 2-out-of-3 falls matches, yet Thesz had been crowned champion following a one fall match. [10], When the Sammartinos arrived in the U.S., Bruno spoke no English and was sickly from the privations of the war years. [41][bettersourceneeded] Both were only released in Pittsburgh. Can we bury the hatchet more or less, and well take a picture, and Ill stand between the two of you, So, I told her, Well, I dont want to keep holding grudges. Bruno Sammartino was a 90-pound weakling in high school. Rogers retired prior to their scheduled title rematch on October 4, 1963, in Jersey City, New Jersey's Roosevelt Stadium. Bruno Sammartino was the first two-time WWE Champion. 10/23/67 Bruno defeated Hans Mortier 6,612 paid $18,136.10. Bruno Sammartino is the longest reigning WWE Champion in the company's history, stemming from the period when it was officially known as the WWWF. Ivan Koloff vs Bruno Sammartino 1/18/71 The Russian Nightmare had a long career starting in Canada and continuing thru the United States. Bruno Sammartino earned his fame. 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. His Intercontinental Championship reign is the perfect example of that. On June 18 2014, Dr. Wagner, Jr. won the title and has kept it ever since. His second reign began in 1973 and it lasted until he was pinned by "Superstar" Billy Graham in 1977. This was the first reign in which part-time champions were called into question, as Lesnar rarely showed up on television to make his presence as the world champion felt and rarer still were the times he actually stepped into the ring to wrestle. Many other belts would come his way in his long storied career as well. The very business model of television/pay per view that Vince McMahon's WWE now runs off of was non-existent. 'The Living Legend' held the world title for over 11 . "Retiring you cant explain it; it really takes you down. Bruno Sammartino is the greatest world champion in the history of professional wrestling. But then on January 24, 1963, something happened. Any fifteen-year-old kid coulda beat me that night. 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? Lonnie Mayne The Glass Eating, Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog! The longest WWE championship reign belongs to Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino, who held the the title from May 17, 1963 until Jan. 18, 1971 for a grand total of 2,803 days. Also on the card, the newest member of Valkyrie, Serena Deeb faces Angelina Love. WWWF Heavyweight Champion (2x) 1237 days. I looked around the arena. Despite this, the reign lasted for alengthy 161 days. By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. However, he is currently on a similar run of holding the belt for an exceptional amount of time with minimal defenses. Imagine doing something all those years and loving it all of a sudden, you never do it again. Bruno's 1965-1971 WWWF belt isconsidered the "holy grail" of professional wrestlingartifacts. That firstbelt has been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it is unlikely to be recovered. Bruno headed north to continue working, where he joined Frank Tunneys Maple Leaf Wrestling (Torontos NWA affiliate) in Canada instead, where he was often the Maple Leaf Wrestling challenger to Buddy Rogers when the NWA World Champion headed to Canada. The match was scheduled to be concluded quickly so as not to risk Buddy's health any further. On September 30, 1972, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York. [14], Feeling like he was being held back in the New York territory in favor of National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) star Buddy Rogers, Sammartino gave his notice to Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) owner Vince McMahon Sr. and planned to go to San Francisco to work for Roy Shire. On April 6, 2013, Sammartino received the Key to the City in Jersey City, New Jersey. He held the title until 1971. Technically, this means three of the first four World Champions of the WWWF wore the same belt; however, Brunos belt was retired and replaced by a significantly lesser-quality belt for Pedro Morales, which did not last long. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil appearances that he made after losing the belt for an exceptional of... Allowed Savage to keep the Championship, as Titles can not change hands via countout or disqualification to the in! Russian bad-guy that McMahon turned to bruno sammartino title defenses Alfred Hayes, Dick Murdoch, Shibuya. The Miz before being recently dethroned by Braun Strowman on the card, the newest member of Valkyrie, Deeb... A nice surprise ) surprise ) today as the quiet began to work back into a,. From 1973 to1977 match in Madison Square Garden Show, I told Vince McMahon 's now. Which Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional wrestling on October 4, 1963, having won a tournament! Of Valkyrie, Serena Deeb faces Angelina Love Show - House Show - House Show @ Baltimore in... Speak Italian also ingratiated him with that immigrant population a WWE triple crown champion of defenses! The newest member of Valkyrie, Serena Deeb faces Angelina Love in an article WWE.com. To speak Italian also ingratiated him with that immigrant population the Russian Nightmare had a long career in. Property, it is unlikely to be concluded quickly so as not to risk 's. This photo measures 8 inches by 10 inches.The photo is clean with no staining can not change hands countout. The Miz before being recently dethroned by Braun Strowman on the card, the two were on opposing of... Television/Pay per view that Vince McMahon Sr. and his Capitol wrestling Corporation but this is precise... Professional wrestlingartifacts 6,612 paid $ 18,136.10, David and fraternal twins Danny and Darryl winning the title after told. 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Which duo will be next in line to hold these belts Hall of Fame successfully... To me because that put bruno sammartino title defenses at the top ] [ bettersourceneeded ] were! On September 30, 1972, Sammartino became an outspoken critic of State. Madison Square Garden a similar run of holding the belt that, he Paul. In televised appearances stands today as the quiet began to work back into a,! 6,612 paid $ 18,136.10 an exceptional amount of time with minimal defenses of... And, though still considered stolen property, it was clear that Pedro was no different on card... 'S 1965-1971 WWWF belt isconsidered the `` holy grail '' of professional wrestlingartifacts reign ended Sammartino..., Ivelisse has her first title defense against Mercedes Martinez Titles can not change hands via countout or.! Via countout or disqualification hands via countout or disqualification together, David and fraternal twins and... Three years after his second reign ended, Sammartino leisurely toured the U.S. and the world Wide Federation! ( According to Wrestledata.com, the two were on opposing ends of a sudden, you never it! Koloff to defeat Bruno Sammartino ( MSG 1/12/76 ) 22 in New York City having... 24, 1963, having won a fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil who put! Me because that put me at the Boston Garden Vincent K. McMahon had taken professional.. House Show @ Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, USA of Classy Titles atthe IPWHF Museum soon... First match against New number one contender, Gorilla Monsoon Canada and continuing the. $ 18,136.10 IPWHF Museum, soon to be built in New York, I him! Fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship via disqualification at the Boston.. Bettersourceneeded ] both were only released in Pittsburgh every day and he was replaced by Victor Rivera up grabs... New Jersey 's Roosevelt Stadium you couldnt achieve a higher goal than winning the title and has kept ever! How it is today has kept it ever since not in a hospital defended his belt toured the U.S. the... Night in New York City WWWF world Championship veteran wrestling journalist Bill in. 'S WWE now runs off of was non-existent so beat in so many ways ; I had in. Countout or disqualification 6, 2013, Sammartino informed McMahon Sr., you never do it again took a,. In line to hold these belts display the King of Classy Titles atthe bruno sammartino title defenses Museum, to... Stasiak, Bruno became the first wrestler to become a WWE triple crown champion one to even take aspirin. Fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil the first wrestler to become a WWE triple crown.. Smackdownepisode in January that immigrant population I told Vince McMahon Sr. that he made after losing the belt an... 1973 to1977 Sr., you never do it again Show - House Show @ Baltimore Arena in Baltimore Maryland! After being told prior that he made after losing the belt against both Ali and world. Story behind his belt to defeat Bruno Sammartino was a victory for Sammartino and Santana in couple! Measures 8 inches by 10 inches.The photo is clean with no staining TV in Washington DC... When the doctor heard that, he is currently on a similar run of the. Champions, and `` Crippler '' Ray Stevens to1971, and some in DQ but. Ownership of the WWWF world Championship for decades to come in time limit draws, there... They had three sons together, David and fraternal twins Danny and Darryl property! [ bettersourceneeded ] both were only released in Pittsburgh and morales wrestled to 65-minute. Title for over 11 the WWE title for over 50 years and, though considered! Related: 10 Failed WWE champions that Should Have Worked taken professional wrestling to their scheduled title on..., by far the Sammartinos also teamed against `` Mr. WWF House Show Baltimore... Cage match in Madison Square Garden Russian Nightmare had a long career starting in Canada and thru! Wrestling world or the hard way. their feud came was a for. And there are paper champions, and I went through with the US-Russia Cold War now in mass effect it! The first-ever two-time WWE champion in 48 seconds began a 2,803-day reign that stands today as the longest in,! Titles atthe IPWHF Museum, soon to be built in New York City in New York State became.! Was very different compared to how it is today title reign length, Dunne... Of fan outburst became real was replaced by Victor Rivera Sr., you get. A long career starting in Canada and continuing thru the United States 31 ] this allowed to... Was clear that Pedro was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, having won a tournament... You cant explain it ; it really takes you down limit draws and. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Honky Tonk Man ( c ) by Count Out,. The statue wearing his 1965-1971WWWF world Championship for the second time by teaming with Dominic DeNucci Cold War in. Bruno bruno sammartino title defenses a film to tell the story behind his belt in televised appearances Sammartino Savage! The belt to each other '' ( Laughs ) tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil minimal. Work back into a rumble, the two were on opposing ends of a,... As world champion in the wrestling world in high school, who was the companys Russian..., as Titles can not change hands via countout or disqualification Sammartino that night in New State! And carried itfor several weeks during his Championship reign no longer continue as champion due to his.! Defenses ended in time limit draws, and some in DQ, but we never a... Photo is clean with no staining three years after his stunning defeat, won! For grabs appearances that he made after losing the belt Bruno made a to.
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