World Wide Wrestling Federation
1959: Bruno Sammartino debuted in the wild world of Professional Wrestling.. May 17, 1963: Bruno Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers with a reverse backbreaker to capture the WWWF World title.. ~~~Bruno Sammartino would hold the WWWF World title for an incredible EIGHT years straight! January 18, 1971: Bruno Sammartino was dethrowned by "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff.. September 30, 1972 - Shea Stadium: Bruno Sammartino vs. Pedro Morales went to a one hour and 16 minutes time limit draw.. December 10, 1973: Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Stasiak to recapture the WWWF World title.. ~~~Bruno Sammartino's second WWWF World title reign lasted just over 3 years, Bruno was the 1st to win the title twice.. November 17, 1973 - MSG: Bruno Sammartino defeated Ivan Koloff with Gorilla Monsoon as special guest referee.. December 16, 1975 - MSG: Bruno Sammartino defeated Ivan Koloff in a 15 ft. high steel cage match to retain in front of 30,000 fans.. February 2, 1976 - MSG: Bruno Sammartino beat Billy Graham by referee stoppage due to several cuts inflicted on Graham by Bruno.. March 29, 1976 - MSG: Bruno Sammartino & Tony Parisi defeated Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff.. April 26, 1976 - MSG: Stan Hansen defeated Bruno Sammartino by referee stoppage after Sammartino suffered a cut above his eye.. ~~~Bruno Sammartino also suffered a "fractured vertebrae" (broken neck) after receiving The Lariat before a stunned audience.. June 25, 1976 - Shea Stadium: Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Hansen by COUNT OUT.. December 12, 1976 - MSG: Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Stasiak in a "Sicilian Stretcher Match".. March 7, 1977 - MSG: Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera with Gorilla Monsoon as Special guest referee.. Bruno Sammartino trained and introduced Larry Zbyzsko into the wrestling business.. Bruno Sammartino & Larry Zbyzsko eventually became enemies and started a bitter feud.. April 12, 1980: Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in a "Texas Death Match".. August 9, 1980 - Shea Stadium: Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in a classic Steel Cage match.. Bruno Sammartino also feuded with his other protege, Spiros Arion, whose mind was tainted by the evil Fred Blassie! May 1, 1977: Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World title.. June 27, 1977 - MSG: Bruno Sammartino vs "Superstar" Billy Graham went to a TIME LIMIT DRAW..
Many of Bruno's Tag Team partners became some of his most memorable opponents. Spiros Arion, Gorilla Monsoon, Larry Zbyszko, Bill Watts and the list goes on. One thing that always got me upset were the claims of many wrestling journalists, that Bruno Sammartino was only an East Coast champion. That is the farthest from the true. And I should know, as I did the Bruno Sammartino Record Book. Bruno worked for Tunney in Canada for over two years. Bruno also worked in Japan for Baba, Australia, Florida, California, Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana and more. And he was always the headliner. I have added some photo's from the Record Book I had put together on Bruno's career. Glad to share them with you. Bruno vs Baba in Japan, FL. program with Bruno, Bruno vs Ray Stevens in CA (2), St. Louis Program with Bruno, Bruno vs. Skull Murphy and Brute Bernard in Australia, The Alaskan Mike York in TX 5/29/77, The Sheik 2/72 Detroit, MI and MSG. There is only "one" Living Legend and that is not Larry Zbyszko - - it is BRUNO SAMMARTINO. |
