Living legend enjoys living the simple life

Before Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin, baby boomers cited the Living Legend Bruno Sammartino as pro wrestling's biggest draw.

The Pittsburgh native headlined the most shows at Madison Square Garden and is credited for having the longest title reign in World Wrestling Entertainment (then World Wide Wrestling Federation) history.

Despite his unbridled success, Sammartino retired from the business he loved as it evolved into a new era. The territory system began to crumble.

``We live in the greatest country in the world, and everyone is entitled to what they want to see or do,'' Sammartino said. ``I got very appalled with the direction Vince McMahon Jr. took wrestling. I was concerned from the time I retired to the time I came back as a color commentator. After McMahon's father passed away, and he took over.

``I was appalled with the drugs going on and the steroids. I became very disillusioned. Then I started seeing other changes. The language started getting loose and had all this vulgarity. There was the beautiful looking girls but always wearing these skimpy things. I just became angered and saddened to see the business I spent 22 years in take this direction.

``Especially the drug part of it. I just felt there had already been a couple of deaths and that as long as it continued, it was going to get worse and worse. I just thought I didn't want to be a part of it. I thought I got to get out of it, and I did.''

He believes Vince McMahon Sr. would share his sentiments and disapprove of what `Junior' did to his promotion.

``I think he would be appalled because Vince McMahon Sr. was a promoter in the Northeast who got along, or tried to get along, with all the other promoters in the different territories,'' Sammartino said. ``All he asked for was that if he didn't step on anyone's toes, neither would they. It was you run your territory and maybe we could exchange talent. He loved that relationship with other promoters. When his son tried to conquer the whole world, I know for a fact this belief started when the father was still living. I wasn't there, but I heard a few things.

``I know his father was very upset and bothered by what his son was doing because he was doing what he himself never believed in doing. That was to create opposition for the other promoters.''

Sammartino, 74, saw his criticism fall, for the most part, on deaf ears. He saw the message he was getting across overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of the contemporary pro wrestling product.

``Of course the wrestling organization didn't appreciate what I was saying and the wrestlers who were on that garbage didn't appreciate it,'' said Sammartino. ``I was not the most popular guy around during that period. It became like banging your head against the wall. Nobody cared. So I made a decision to go on with the rest of my life. Wrestling was my past.''

The recent shift to PG and implementation of a stringent drug policy hasn't changed the legend's views on WWE.

``I don't trust anything they do because I know what they're like,'' said Sammartino. ``What I think, I can't prove really, but I have a very strong feeling that they either had pressure from the advertisers. I'm sure people have complained through the years, and I know that some people have written letters to television stations of what comes on the air.

``I don't think this was something they decided on their own. I just think that there had to be some pressure on them because I don't see Vince McMahon as the type of man who would voluntarily make these changes.

``You talk about stricter drug testing. Every time there was a death that made some news, you heard they were going to do stricter testing. How do you trust that when the head of the organization is Vince McMahon? An admitted steroid user. It's a joke. Gullible people will believe what they want to believe, but I don't believe in anything they say to be honest.''

Sammartino continues to stand his ground when it comes to his former employer. So much that he refuses any possible acceptance in the WWE Hall of Fame.

``What kind of a hall of fame is it, if they don't have a place for it?,'' Sammartino said. ``It's strictly another money angle. What kind of hall of fame is it? Refrigerator [William] Perry is in it? Pete Rose is in it? His McMahon Sr.'s chauffeur is in it? Give me a break.

``Then I've been very critical of this organization from day one. What would it say about me to be so critical of them and then be a part of something I don't believe in and feel disgusted of what they've done.

``Eight out of the 10 people that come up to me and say they are proud that I've stood by my values and refuse to enter their sham hall of fame. So it's more of a majority that respects my decision.

``It's a minority that tells me to do it for the fans. What do you mean the fans? The fans can't go anywhere and see it. Where are they going to see this hall of fame? Baseball and football, they have a place to go. Where do they go for wrestling? It's another McMahon angle to make money.''

If fans want to see the legendary figure they can at the various appearances he makes throughout the year at conventions. It's gratifying for Sammartino to meet people of all ages from around the world who he has impacted during his lengthy career.

``What I enjoy is the fans and how they come over to me to tell me a little story about how they saw me in this town or that town and their experience with me,'' Sammartino said. ``It's very nice to hear all that, and it gives me an opportunity to let them know what it meant for me throughout my career. They were the ones who made me a star. It's nice to let them know my gratitude toward them.''

Sammartino does not spend much time with his former colleagues.

``The only wrestler I really stay in touch with is Dominic DeNucci,'' Sammartino said. ``The reason being we came from the same area in the old country. His town and my town where I was raised were only about 20-30 minutes away. Not that we knew each other there, but the funny thing is we were so close that my first tour of Australia in 1966 he was touring.

``That was where we actually met. We hit it off. Then he came over to the states, and we maintained a solid friendship till this day. We don't see each other often, but we talk often. He is the only one.''

Aside from the handful of bookings he does, he is content spending time with his family and continuing a rigorous training regimen.

``Some people think I'm nuts that I still get up in the morning and train with the weights three days a week,'' said Sammartino. ``I do about two hours and 15 minutes in each session. Monday, Wednesday and Friday I pump iron. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I do six miles of roadwork out there. I keep my weight down. I've gone from 275 to about 220.

``I've had three major back surgeries, hip replacement, knee surgeries, but at this stage of my life I'm so grateful that I've been able to do all the things I'm able to do and feel really good about it.

``That's my life today, spending time with my wife. We just had our 50th wedding anniversary. We went overseas. We took a boat ride to the Italian and French Riviera, visited a couple of other countries and came home to where I was born and raised.

``I spent time there. I am just happy with the simple life. I'm home with my two sons living nearby. I have grandchildren that I see often. Believe you, me, I have no other ambition but to maintain the simple life. That's my whole life now.''

• Catch Bruno Sammartino, former rival/pupil Larry Zbyszko, Rob Van Damn, the Great Muta, Jushin Thunder Liger, Nick Bockwinkel, Demolition, Diamond Dallas Page and a host of others at WrestleReunion 4 from Jan. 29-31 at the LAX Hilton in Los Angeles.

Bret Hart, Chavo (Classic) Guerrero Sr. and Dan The Beast Severn will be vendor guests. Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla add to the festivities with two memorable cards featuring Liger, Muta and RVD in action.

Visit www.wrestlereunion.com.

The re-release of Bruno Sammartino: An Autobiography Of Wrestling's Living Legend is available at amazon.com.