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Wrestler: Bruno Samartino Real Name: Bruno Laopardo Franceso Sammartino Birthday: October 6, 1935 Hometown: Born in Pizzoferrato, Italy Moved to Abruzzi, Italy Moved to Pennsylvania Marital Status: Height & Weight: 6'1" - 260 lbs Trained by: Debut: 1959 Previous Gimmicks: The Living Legend Finishing Move: The Bearhug The Backbreaker Favorite Moves: Notable Feuds: Ivan Koloff Stan Stasiak Larry Zbyzsko Fred Blassie Lou Albano Spiros Arion George Steele The Executioners Gorilla Monsoon Cowboy Bob Duncum Nikolai Volkoff Valiant Brothers Waldo Von Erich Buggsy McGraw Billy Graham Stan Hansen Bruiser Brody Tor Kamata Ernie Ladd Killer Kowalski Ken Patera Roddy Piper Brutus Beefcake (Toronto) International Tag Team w/Whipper Billy Watson; WWWA (Pittsburgh) United States Tag Team titles w/Argentina Apollo; WWWF World Heavyweight title defeating Buddy Rogers (May 17, 1963); WWWF United States Tag Team titles w/Spiros Arion (July 24, 1967); WWWF International Tag Team titles w/Dominic Denucci (June 18, 1971); WWWF World Heavyweight title defeating Stan Stasiak (December 10, 1973); (Montreal) Grand Prix Tag Team titles w/Eduard Carpentier; WWA (Indianapolis) World Tag Team titles w/Dick the Bruiser; In The BeginningBruno Sammartino was born in Abruzzi, Italy and immigrated to the United States at age 15.. Bruno Sammartino idolized a greco-roman wrestler named Batisti who represented Italy in the Olympics in the 30's.. Bruno Sammartino working out whenever he could at a local gym in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at night.. Bruno Sammartino's first job in America was as a construction worker and during the evenings..World Wide Wrestling Federation1959: Bruno Sammartino debuted in the wild world of Professional Wrestling.. May 17, 1963: Bruno Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers with a bearhug to capture the WWWF World Heavyweight title.. ~~~Bruno Sammartino would hold the WWWF World title for an incredible EIGHT years straight! January 18, 1971: Bruno Sammartino was finally dethrowned by "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff.. September 30, 1972 - Shae Stadium: Bruno Sammartino vs. Pedro Morales went to a one hour and 16 minutes time limit draw..World Wide Wrestling FederationDecember 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" after receiving The Lariat before a stunned audience.. June 25, 1976 - Shae 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..World Wrestling Federation1984: Bruno Sammartino officially became known as "The Living Legend".. March 17, 1985: Bruno & David Sammartino defeated Paul Orndorff & Bobby Heenan.. March 31, 1985 - Wrestlemania 1: David Sammartino w/Bruno Sammartino vs Brutus Beefcake w/Johnny V. went to a no contest.. May 1985 - House Show: Bruno & David Sammartino defeated Johnny Valiant & Brutus Beefcake.. August 24, 1985 - House Show: Roddy Piper vs Paul Orndorff [Special Referee: Bruno Sammartino] September 28, 1985 - House Show: Bruno Sammartino & Paul Orndorff vs Roddy Piper & Bob Orton.. October 26, 1985 - House Show: Bruno Sammartino & Paul Orndorff beat Roddy Piper & Bob Orton in a Cage Match.. April 2, 1986 - Wrestlemania 2: Bruno Sammartino participated in the 20-Man Invitational Battle Royal.. June 1986 - House Show: Tito Santana & Bruno Samartino vs Randy Savage & Adrian Adonis.. July 1986 - House Show: Tito Santana & Bruno Samartino vs Randy Savage & Adrian Adonis in a Steel Cage Match.. 1986: Bruno Sammartino officially retired from in-ring action but stayed on as a color commentator.. July 19, 1987 - House Show: Bruno Sammartino vs Honky Tonk Man..RetirementBruno Sammartino's claim to fame (one of them, I suppose) was that during his career he had never lost a Steel Cage match.. April 2003: The Madison Square Garden network is working on a documentary on Bruno Sammartino, and is scheduled to air in June.. February 19, 2004: Bruno Sammartino declined WWE's offer to attend a Hall of Fame ceremony the night before Wrestlemania.. May 18, 2004: Sammartino was honored in Pittsburgh on the 41st Anniversary of winning the WWWF title from Buddy Rogers.. ~~~It was on May 17, 1963, in Madison Square Garden, when Sammartino made Rogers submit with a bearhug in 47 seconds.. February 2005: The Associated Press reports Bruno Sammartino refused an invitation to be inducted in the 2005 WWE Hall Of Fame.. August 27, 2005--WrestleReunion: Larry Zbyszko defeated Diamond Dallas Page to win five minutes with Bruno Sammartino! ~~~DDP actually used a diamond cutter on Zbyszko, then pulled him on top of him so Larry won the match.. ~~~Bruno Sammartino attacked Larry Zbyszko and started choking him out until he was pulled off very quickly.. March 5, 2006--Legends PPV: Dory Funk Jr. & Mike Graham w/Bruno Sammartino beat Tully Blanchard & David Flair w/JJ Dillon.. May 15, 2006 - RAW: WWE showed a "This Week in Wrestling History" video featuring Bruno Sammartino's win over Buddy Rogers September 16, 2006 - Ring of Honor: Bruno Sammartino made a rare and inspiring appearance to praise ROH and its performers