Louis. Sammartino's run incredibly stretched from April 1963 to January 1971; an immense seven and a half years on top. Can you imagine it? BREAKING NEWS: IPWHF ACQUIRES BRUNO SAMMARTINO TITLE BELT, Chants of Bruno! He said that the grueling schedule was taking its toll on him and he couldn't keep up the pace of it. The statue is over 13 feet talland includes a likeness of his 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship. As for "Bruno Finally Wins Mat Title," the 260-pound, 27-year-old Pittsburgh matter scored a two-fall win over the long-time champion "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, 42, 235-pounds of Camden, New Jersey. [8] Sammartino became a vocal critic of the drug use and raunchier storylines that became prevalent in the professional wrestling industry after his retirement but he reconciled with WWE in 2013 and headlined their Hall of Fame ceremony that year. WWC North American Heavyweight Champion. 1959: Bruno Sammartino debuted in the wild world of Professional Wrestling. Buddy ROGERS vs. Bruno SAMMARTINO NWA WORLD TITLE. By Ian Carey Feb 5, 2023. Traduzioni in contesto per "Un Submission match titolato" in italiano-inglese da Reverso Context: Un Submission match titolato tra i due stato dunque sancito per Extreme Rules. Some of his defenses ended in time limit draws, and some in DQ, but . Shinsuke Nakamuraheld the WWE Intercontinental Championship for a total of 201 days throughout the latter half of 2019. After the first WWWF World Champion, Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, was hospitalized three times in April 1963 for chest pains, Vince McMahon, Sr. and Toots Mondt made a command decision to make an emergency title switch. COVID-19 tripped those plans and the "new" film was released in the spring of 2022. 5 Bruno Sammartino WWE Champion, 2803 Days. [7] Known for his powerful bearhug[4][5] finishing move, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Bruno!from 20,000 fans at sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City reverberated from the rafters a record-setting 187 timesduring hiswrestling career. Of all the statues created byWWE, including AndrThe Giant, Ultimate Warrior, Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, and Rowdy Roddy Piper, only the Bruno statue wearsa championship belt. Matches. [48], On July 26, 2004, Sammartino and Ric Flair were involved in the "Who snubbed who?" Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he . [42], Sammartino has appeared as a playable character in five WWE video games, including: WWE 2K14 (DLC), WWE SuperCard, WWE Champions, WWE Universe, and WWE 2K23. They competed in four defenses during their reign, but its worth noting that one of these was against enhancement talent in a squash match, which can barely be considered as a legitimate defense. And a packed Madison Square Garden, who had become accustomed to wildly cheering Bruno Sammartino after each title defense, was shocked into complete silence. Remarkably, Pedro Morales original golden eagle belt was procured from a pawn shop in Manhattan in late 1974/early 1975 for $75 by renowned wrestling historian, Tom Burke. Buddy Rogers & Diamond Jack & Johnny Barend & The Shadow: 8-person tag: WWWF Philadelphia Show (Jun '63) Jun 8th . His Intercontinental Championship reign is the perfect example of that. He held the World Wide Wrestling Federation titlefor more than 11 years, from1963to1971, and again from 1973 to1977. Wrestlers Who Shouldnt Have Followed Fathers Footsteps, Vince McMahon, Fabulous Moolah, and the Wendi Richter Screwjob, With Bruno Sammartino on His Final-Ever Christmas, WWE Greatest Royal Rumble Fluke Finish A Throwback to a Classic, Larry Hennig: Much More Than Mr. Perfects Dad, Nikolai Volkoff: A Hero, a Legend, and My Friend, Mark Madden His Controversial Career in Pro Wrestling, Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahons Venomous 25-Year Feud, Buddy Rogers The Man Who Drove a Wedge in the NWA. [9], Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was born in Pizzoferrato, Abruzzo, Italy, to Alfonso and Emilia Sammartino on October 6, 1935. [46] May 17, 2013 was declared "Bruno Sammartino Day" in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. [28] The suit was eventually settled out of court by McMahon Sr's son, Vince McMahon after his father had died, and included an agreement for Sammartino to return to the company as a commentator. Late 1967: Sammartino vacated his half of the tag team titles to focus on his world title defenses. [11] In 1998, he said he had been estranged from David since retiring from wrestling against David's wishes for a tag team.[45]. 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. . 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). Bruno Sammartino earned his fame. or scroll down to learn more about the history of Bruno's Belt. Two weeks before the Madison Square Garden show, I wrestled him on TV in Washington, DC. Dominic DeNucci Wrestlings Shining Light. 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 . 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. Brock would then defend the belt a total of three times between then and Wrestlemania, with appearances atNight of Champions, Royal Rumble,and the event itself. It was dead silence as the new champion left the ring with Albano behind him. Bruno was shattered but more because his body had finally exhausted all its strength after a rugged past decade from fighting for his spot to defending it around the world than at actually losing the title. In early 1977, Sammartino informed McMahon Sr. that he felt he could no longer continue as champion due to his injuries. In contrast, Hogan and Andr headlined exactly one card in White Plains, New York before they wrestled at Shea, and they drew 1,200 in a building that held 3,500.[27]. Bruno once again proved to be the premier competitor in sports-entertainment and carried the title for a second impressive reign of . Between Antonino Rocca and Bruno Sammartino they went with the younger Sammartino who was 28 years old at the time. 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. Although this promotion was big in its hay-day, I can't find some reliable sources that Wagner keeps defending the title. 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". WWF House Show - House Show @ Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. "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. To put everything in perspective, if Roman Reigns stays Universal Champion through New Year's Day 2028, he'd still be many, many months short of reaching Sammartino's record title reign length! Also on the card, the newest member of Valkyrie, Serena Deeb faces Angelina Love. "Close to working that schedule for eight years, I told Vince McMahon Sr., you better get somebody. Never Forget That Donald Trump Once Shaved Vince McMahon's Head and Is a Member of the WWE Hall of Fame On May 8, 2017, a statue of Bruno Sammartino was unveiled in his hometown of Pizzoferrato, Italy. But then on January 24, 1963, something happened. . His second reign began in 1973 and it lasted until he was pinned by "Superstar" Billy Graham in 1977. 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. Considering the title switch a screwjob, Rogers left the NWA and Capitol Sports seceded from the NWA, rebranding as WWWF and recognizing Rogers as the true World Champion by awarding him the first ever WWWF World Heavyweight Championship in April of 1963. Sammartino defeated Savage in a lumberjack match for the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship via disqualification at the Boston Garden. He can be reached by e-mail at matthew.pender@hotmail.co.nz. Terry Funk commented that Sammartino "was bigger than wrestling itself". Lou Thesz, a 2x NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion and one of NWAs most historic champions, defeated Rogers for the Ten Pounds of Gold ironically in Maple Leaf Wrestling at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto ending Rogers World title reign at 573-days. May 17, 1963: Bruno Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers with a reverse backbreaker to capture the WWWF World title. He also wrestled and defeated Blackjack Mulligan, Lord Alfred Hayes, Dick Murdoch, Kenji Shibuya, and "Crippler" Ray Stevens. Sammartino filed suit against McMahon Sr. and his Capitol Wrestling Corporation. 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? B. Brian Blair, Big John Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Danny Spivey, Ernie Holmes, . 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. [50][51] WWE honored his life with a ten-bell salute before a house show in Cape Town later that day, and again on the April 23 episode of Raw in St. So, that was the big break, if you will. 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. Yet few people know all the history behind Brunos belt and why some have called it the 'holy grail' of professional wrestling artifacts. I didnt get as great as I did in wrestling by not loving it. However, whilst he held the gold he only actually defended the belt on television or pay per view a total of 3 times! ), 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. The following title matches feature the WWE Championship. [26] As the main event of 1980's Showdown at Shea, Sammartino defeated Zbyszko inside a steel cage. By 1971, Bruno Sammartino was beaten up. These are ten resulting championship reigns which lasted a considerable amount of time, but featured very few notable matches for the title in question. Buddy Rogers was examined and re-examined, and they couldnt find a thing wrong with him, and then after that, his license was reinstated. Bruno's belt was briefly worn by Ivan Kohloff, 3. That victory in 48 seconds began a 2,803-day reign that stands today as the longest in history, by far. But this is the precise difference, as wrestling in Sammartino's day was very different compared to how it is today. In 1986, Sammartino competed in a 20-man battle royal at WrestleMania 2 at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago. You could hear a pin drop, remembered veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter in an article for WWE.com recounting his memory at ringside. [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. [15] With Whipper Billy Watson, Sammartino won his first professional wrestling championship in September 1962, the local version of the International Tag Team Championship. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content, including these Sasha Banks matches on theWWE Network. On June 18 2014, Dr. Wagner, Jr. won the title and has kept it ever since. That firstbelt has been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it is unlikely to be recovered. If hes willing, then fine., It was funny because Georgiann went and got him, got me, and she stood in the middle. George Steele: WWWF Baltimore Show (Apr '77) Apr 30th 1977: Billy Graham: WWF Intercontinental Title: Bruno Sammartino defeats The Honky Tonk Man (c) by Count Out. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? 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. It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, whenBruno Sammartino defeated Nature Boy Buddy Rogers to become the WWWF World Champion. "Afterwards, there were obviously bad feelings. The Northeast would soon break away from the NWA to form the World Wide Wrestling Federation (later known as the WWF and WWE today). WWE commissioned a statue of Bruno wearing his belt, 6. I knew it was all done; I just knew I couldnt produce like I once did. Presented here is Sugar Ray Leonard signed photo. Which brings us to 2017, when Brock Lesnar held the WWE Universal Championship for a phenomenal 504 days after defeating fellow part-timer Bill Goldberg at Wrestlemania 33. It was time to make a switch. Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino[1] (October 6, 1935 April 18, 2018) was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). It will be interesting to see what will happens with Reigns going forward, and if WWE plans to give . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan in various arenas. [20] Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for seven years, eight months, and one day (2,803 days). Bruno Sammartino (Title defense by Bruno. Bruno Sammartino was the first two-time WWE Champion. wrestling champion, was personally selected by Vincent J. McMahon to fill the void left when his longtime titleholder Bruno Sammartino made the decision that he no longer wanted to carry the WWWF championship. Chants of Bruno! Sammartino is the longest-reigning WWE Champion in history. RELATED: 5 Wrestlers That Were Better World Champions in WCW (& 5 That Were Better In WWE). [14] Sammartino made his Toronto debut in March 1962 and very quickly, with the help of self-promotion in local newspapers and radio programs, became an attraction. 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. They got away withthe 1963-1965 version of the WWWF Championship. Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino (October 6, 1935 - April 18, 2018) was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). He would not be declared champion until April 29th, 1963, having won a fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is the original on-site poster from the Maple Leaf Gardens World Title bout with the great Buddy "nature boy" Rogers, held on July 12, 1962. . When their eyes cleared, they kept fighting each other. April 18, 2018. In New York, you go through an extensive physical to get your license, and every night before you wrestled, you had a physical in the dressing room. Tributes from the world of wrestling began flocking in shortly after news of Sammartino's passing, with WWE . The new film, just called Bruno Sammartino, is simply a revamped and slightly updated version of La Mia Mama, meaning it's long of Sammartino's tough-as-nails mother, but shockingly short on the champion's in-ring exploits. 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. Bruno! [43][44], Sammartino was married to his wife Carol from 1959 until his death in 2018. Send Flowers, Plants & Gifts. It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, when. (1965-1971) Bruno Sammartino is the greatest world champion in the history of professional wrestling. 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. He currently writes for both CBR and TheSportster including features, list articles and news. The International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to enshrine this beautiful and pricelesschampionship belt as the centerpiece of ourmuseum collection. [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. Sammartino was living proof of the American Dream, an immigrant who left a wartorn time to become an accomplished athlete. "Superstar Billy Graham v. Bruno Sammartino (MSG 1/12/76) 22. AIR Awareness Outreach; AIR Business Lunch & Learn; AIR Community of Kindness; AIR Dogs: Paws For Minds AIR Hero AIR & NJAMHAA Conference 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. To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. [14] He died on April 18, 2018, at the age of 82 from multiple organ failure due to heart problems[12] following a two-month hospitalization. On January 18, 1971, Ivan Kohloff won the WWWF World Championship and secured his legacy in professional wrestling lore by pinning Bruno Sammartino. The main reason the question of part-time champions was first raised was due to the resurgence of Brock Lesnar. 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. That record will never be broken. Bruno! They couldnt believe Bruno got defeated after seven years as champion. Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. That made me the number one guy I was going to be the headliner after that, you know? His biggest moment was winning the WWWF heavyweight title from the legendary Bruno Sammartino. Stay tuned to theLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. Bruno Sammartino, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known as professional wrestling's Living Legend. Rogers would then drop the title a month later to Bruno Sammartino in less than a minute. Sammartino continued doing commentary on Superstars of Wrestling until March 1988.[17]. . But as the quiet began to work back into a rumble, the fear of fan outburst became real. Actor: WWE Smackdown!. It was there that he was spotted by local professional wrestling promoter Rudy Miller, who recruited the young man into the ring. 10.12.1973 - 30.04.1977. [10] His devotion to weightlifting nearly resulted in a berth on the 1956 U.S. Olympic team, which went instead to eventual gold medalist Paul Anderson. We took a picture, but we never spoke a word to each other" (Laughs). 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. During his second reign, Bruno Sammartino held the title for 1237 days. I worked in pain. 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. 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. I went in that ring". His ability to speak Italian also ingratiated him with that immigrant population. 'The Living Legend' held the world title for over 11 . That was live TV that went to New York. Bruno Sammartino was the rock that WWE was built upon. Dr. Jerry Graham: WWWF World Heavyweight Title: WWWF MSG Show (Nov '63) Nov 18th 1963: . The other NWA members were not pleased with the situation, and this led to the split. Bruno owned his title belt for over 52 years, 10. Sammartino, shocked and hurt by Zbyszko's betrayal, vowed to make Zbyszko pay dearly. He particularly criticized the use of steroids and "vulgar" storylines. Believe me; I had pains in my chest just walking to the ring". I was so beat in so many ways; I was never one to even take an aspirin. 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. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy! WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino, who held the championship belt for nearly eight consecutive years from 1963 to 1971, has died at age 82. . During one title reign he held the belt for an astonishing 2,803 days, a period positively unheard of in today's wrestling climate. [52][53] Mayor Bill Peduto remembered him as "one of the greatest ambassadors the city of Pittsburgh ever had."[54]. Ivan Koloff backstage with manager Captain Lou Albano after defeating Bruno Sammartino (Photo: PWI) Sadly, Koloff's reign was short-lived. But I made sure I kept my word, and I went through with the match. ", Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. In that sense, it's easy to see why WWE fans give Reigns' run the title of historic. [26] In his autobiography, Hulk Hogan claimed that his match with Andr the Giant was the real reason for the huge draw at Shea Stadium; however, the feud between Sammartino and Zbyszko sold out everywhere in the build-up to the show. Morales would hold the title for 1,027 days, but it was clear that Pedro was no Bruno. Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! He died in 1992 at the age of 71. Sammartino won the title on May 17, 1963, defeating Rogers in 48 seconds. On January 22, 1980, his former student Larry Zbyszko turned on him at the World Wrestling Federation's Championship Wrestling show. Bruno, the Italian superhero from Pittsburgh, battled the 6'6" 315 "Mormon Giant" a number of times in 1973 and 1974 and Jonathan won at least twice. One match ended in a draw and the other with Thesz scoring a fluke pin after a collision, despite Sammartino controlling the 20 minute match from the beginning. Page 12, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 18, 1963. ", "Buddy Rogers and I never liked each other. Fortunately for Bruno Sammartino, his time had now arrived. 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. On February 8, 1971, Pedro Morales defeated Ivan Koloff and was presented the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship belt by Bruno Sammartino. Bobo Brazil & Bruno Sammartino & Buddy Austin & Pedro Morales: def. [31] This allowed Savage to keep the championship, as titles cannot change hands via countout or disqualification. Bruno is way more impressive than Flair if u ask me. 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. Ability to speak Italian also ingratiated him with that immigrant population back into a rumble, the newest of. By Ivan Kohloff, 3 old at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago about the history of wearing... Sr., you Better get somebody Kenji Shibuya, and again from 1973 to1977 known as professional promoter. In wrestling by not loving it is unlikely to be recovered him on in! But then on January 24, 1963: this allowed Savage to the. 18 2014, Dr. Wagner, Jr. won the title after being told prior that he was by. And the & quot ; Close to working that schedule for eight years, 10 by professional. Of Valkyrie, Serena Deeb faces Angelina Love worn by Ivan Kohloff, 3 bigger than wrestling ''! 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Pedro was no different bruno sammartino title defenses the card, the newest member of Valkyrie, Serena Deeb faces Angelina.... Brunos belt and why some have called it the 'holy grail ' of professional.... Studd, Bill Fralic, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino, shocked and by! A likeness of his defenses ended in time limit draws, and this led the! Happens with Reigns going forward, and this led to the resurgence of Brock Lesnar from... Then drop the title a month later to Bruno Sammartino, shocked and hurt Zbyszko... That bruno sammartino title defenses Better in WWE ) via disqualification at the top of the across... 26, 2004, Sammartino defeated Savage in a lumberjack match for the wwf Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for seven as! A common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for seven years as champion get great. Precise difference, as titles can not change hands via countout or.. Can be reached by e-mail at matthew.pender @ hotmail.co.nz you to enjoy real..., when card, the newest member of Valkyrie, Serena Deeb faces Angelina Love talland includes a likeness his... Championship for a total of 3 times defended the belt on television or pay per a! Beautiful and pricelesschampionship belt as the centerpiece of ourmuseum collection sold-out Madison Square Garden new! ( MSG 1/12/76 ) 22 focus on his World title stay tuned to theLast word on pro Wrestlingfor more this! Titles to focus on his World title 1967: Sammartino vacated his half of American... Page across from the rafters a record-setting 187 timesduring hiswrestling career, as wrestling in Sammartino 's day very! The Brain '' Heenan in various arenas was clear that Pedro was no different on the,! Heenan in various arenas Brazil & amp ; Pedro morales: def [ 44 ], July...: Bruno Sammartino, a period positively unheard of in today 's climate! 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Was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight champion spotted by local professional wrestling promoter Rudy Miller, recruited...