Ok, ok. Georgie saw my article on another web site, and wanted to know why I didn’t send it her way first.

Well, the answer is that I know Bruno’s fans are all over wrestlingfigs.com, and when it comes to the mainstream fans and certain touted experts, there’s a whole lot of preaching that is required.

For those wrestling fans, I have to spell out what Bruno’s fans already know… that he’s the greatest, that he’s the most respected name in the sport, and that his story needs to be told to the masses.

So, for all my favorite fans, and my favorite web hostess, pull up a little closer to the screen, and let me explain that I’ve been talking to Bruno Sammartino over the past several months, and that I’m greatly motivated to land a publishing deal so that I can make sure Bruno’s life story -- in his own words -- is presented with his approval, and outside the influence of the powers that be in the industry today.

It was about five months ago that I got a phone call from a very important person. I picked up the phone and heard an unmistakable voice saying “I don’t think we’ve ever met, but you seem to know me very well.” We both laughed and exchanged pleasantries. I’ve exchanged phone calls with the man on almost a weekly basis since then.

The person on the other end was none other than the Living Legend, Bruno Sammartino.

Those of you who have followed my columns certainly know that I’ve expressed my vast admiration for Mr. Sammartino over the years, and have proclaimed him the greatest of all professional wrestlers. I’ve outlined that argument; defended his legacy against usually modern era fans who never saw him, nor have bothered to research his career; and have touted his mastery of psychology, his ability to know his fans, and his steadfast integrity.

But that one day when Bruno called me up and expressed his gratitude for my efforts was a very good one. It was only bettered by the day when he said someone was looking to write his book, but he told them he already had someone -- someone who knew his life story better than he did!!!

Over the past several months, I’ve spoken to Bruno as a fan, as a wrestling journalist, as a friend and as a writer. Because of his experience with his 1990 autobiography -- a book deal that saw him get nothing for his awesome life story -- there has been a genuine reluctance on his part to even bother with updating his inspirational career, legacy and impact on the sport.

We had finally come to an agreement where I would, indeed, help to revise and update his autobiography. That arrangement came with what would appear to be a logical and well-thought caveat: first, I must land a publishing deal, and that deal must include a solid advance.

Needless to say, I’ve spent much of the past few months trying to land that deal!

But let’s put aside that effort for the time being.

Let’s talk about Bruno’s 1990 book. It’s a book that persists in legends and presumptions to this day. The original print run was around 10,000, if that, and it was only released in the Pittsburgh area. Bruno was assured that it would see a national release.

Obviously, it did not.

The point being that so many people that I’ve talked to over the years, exchanged emails or had serious conversations with, all think that the 1990 autobiography is way too steeped in “kayfabe” and way to protective of the business.

On a certain level, I agree... but only a little bit.

But to say that, in the year 2008, that Bruno, in the year 1990, should have exposed the business is a great leap of logic and a greater affront to his integrity.

Bruno’s book may not have been truly groundbreaking, but until Mick Foley crashed upon the best seller’s list, no one exactly was making waves in the publishing world with professional wrestling as the subject.

At the time, the steroids scandals hadn’t made waves, either, but Bruno was in the midst of his virtually one-man crusade about the evils of drug abuse in the industry.

Had anyone truly heeded his words, the “what if” would be immense.

Would it be possible for Bruno to break “kayfabe” and expose the business in 1990? Not at all. Would he do so today? Well, he certainly could, but then again, what part of the business do true fans want exposed?

I don’t know about the true fans of professional wrestling, but the nature of the book publishing world over the past ten years has been all about dirt, scandal and … stupidity.

I’m tired of reading about wrestlers who have no respect for the entertainment of their fans, or the nature of the business or the trust and emotions that were invested by the fans over decades of loving professional wrestling.

On thing I got from Bruno was that those guys who do their “shoot” interviews, and spew nothing but disdain for the fans, aren’t worth the effort.

We’re all in on the con, from fans to promoters to wrestlers, and everyone in between. So many books have revealed so many secrets, so many “magic tricks” and so many illusions -- both realistic and unrealistic -- that one more book on the subject of professional wrestling seems to be one more drop of water over the dam. One more drip in the ocean. One more grain of dust in the wind.

Funny, though, how much of the 1990 book that people overlook.

Bruno isn’t shy about the business relationship he had with Vince McMahon Sr, nor the blackballing he received for not wanting to cave to the promoters, nor his interactions with Buddy Rogers.

Bruno isn’t shy about what he saw (or who he saw doing it) in the WWF lockerrooms in the 1980’s, or the way he was manipulated into wrestling again -- for the sake of his son’s career.

Bruno isn’t shy about his disdain for the product.

And while many cry that he is bitter and old school and out of touch, I’ve talked with him long enough to realize his points and his disbelief and his vast understanding of the motivations, dynamics and pure psychology that drive fans into the seats.

While Bruno may not watch today’s action, he certainly follows it. And I’ve promised to keep mum on some of his vastly entertaining comments and insightful observations and his strong opinions on certain talents (both active and not) that have helped shape my understandings of the business over the past few months.

One Bruno secret I want to share with you -- and believe me, there’s a lot of things that I’ve promised not to talk about, and when it comes to Mr. Sammartino, and his word, I know better than to break it.

But there’s a very fun thing I’ve experienced with Bruno, and that’s his uncanny knack for doing voices.

Whether it’s the “Hey Brodder” of Hulk Hogan or the raspy voice of Dick the Bruiser (or even the shrill, sissy voice of Mark Madden, squealing that he doesn’t want to fight) there’s a level of entertainer in Bruno that a lot of people don’t get to hear.

Of course, I don’t know if Bruno’s going to want to do impersonations at his appearances, so don’t tell him that I told you about this. Promise?

Now, I’m not exactly sure about the average fan, or the current fan, or even the old school fan, but I’m sure about one thing -- that Bruno Sammartino knows his fan base, and his fan base loves him to this day.

I’ve written about his appearances in Pittsburgh and the awe of his presence. I’ve spoken to him several times after he’s done radio interviews or signings or charity appearances. And I look forward to speaking to him soon about his attendance at the big Charlotte, North Carolina event.

He has been looking forward to that event, and meeting his fans.

I’ve tried to connect him to the fact that all these fans want to know more about him, about his life, about the opinions he has about the industry. I’m sure there are millions, if not hundreds of thousands of fans who watched him or grew up hearing about him or just would love to know what he thinks is wrong with the business.

Call me conceited, but having talked to him for many months, I think I know some of that answer.

One thing I do have a surer understanding of is what REALLY happened during the lead up, and during the match, when Bruno Sammartino took the WWWF belt away from Buddy Rogers, and began an almost eight year run that has to be considered the crown jewel of all professional wrestling reigns.

I’m also gaining valuable insight into that run, and I have a series of questions I’ll be asking soon.

I have my own theories and understandings and copious notes and a growing interest in fulfilling what certainly would be a dream assignment.

But there remains that little caveat, and I’m at a point where I do have some leads, and await some decisions, but a little public airing of the project certainly seems to be in order.

So forgive me for being a little self-serving and a little presumptuous and, quite frankly, a little giddy about the prospects of getting this deal off the ground.

Because, as far as I’m concerned, there are no books out there at this moment that could very well capture the essence of what professional wrestling really is, really was, and really could be again, like a book told to the fans by the Living Legend, Bruno Sammartino.

And that’s not even considering the impressive life of the man: a man who lived (survived being a better term) through World War II; a man who willed himself to become one of the strongest men on the planet; a man who set his sights on being a professional wrestler, and didn’t let politics derail his dream; and a man who, after decades of dominance in the sport, had the integrity to simply walk away from an industry that he saw was going down the wrong path.

Maybe that’s not inspirational, interesting or scandal-mongering enough for some publishers, but I’m certain that there’s a one out there who will think differently.

If you’ve got a good suggestion, I’m all ears!

And that’s the gist of it. I have a few interested parties looking at a proposal, but I’m definitely looking for an answer -- from them, or from the list of twenty more publishers that I’ve gathered.

Currently, I’m a little busy with a few projects, and my “real” job is taking me to West Virginia for some training, so I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with Bruno for a few days.  I look forward to doing that and hearing about his Charlotte convention/appearance, and to see how the fans treated him there.

I’m sure we all know how they did!

Joe Babinsack can be reached at [email protected]. Lots of interesting reviews and opinions coming your way. If you’re a promoter with goods to peddle, I’m a reviewer with an eye towards hyping it to the true professional wrestling fans. Just drop me a line.