Bruno Sammartino

**Bruno Sammartino** (October 6, 1935 – April 18, 2018) was an Italian-American professional wrestler. He was born in Pizzoferrato, Italy. He became a wrestler in 1959. He would often beat opponents with his bearhug.

On May 17, 1963, Sammartino beat Buddy Rogers to become the second World Wide Wrestling Federation Champion. He held this title for over seven years, a record for professional wrestling world champions. He had his first match in Japan in 1967. He lost to Ivan Koloff on January 18, 1971. On December 10, 1973, Sammartino beat Stan Stasiak to once again be the champion. Billy Graham won the championship from Bruno on April 30, 1977 in Baltimore. World Wide Wrestling Federation became the World Wrestling Federation in March 1979. Sammartino wrestled less often after but he did have classic feud with Larry Zbyszko that ended in a steel cage match at Shea Stadium in 1980. He retired in 1987. Sammartino was also a commentator with Vince McMahon.

In 2013, he accepted an invitation for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, after he declined many times in prior years.

Sammartino died on April 18, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania of multiple organ failure caused by heart disease at the age of 82.

## Championships and accomplishments

- **George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame**
    - Class of 2019
- **International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame**
    - Class of 2021
- **International Sports Hall of Fame**
    - Class of 2013
- **Keystone State Wrestling Alliance**
    - KSWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)
- **Maple Leaf Wrestling**
    - NWA United States Heavyweight Championship _(Toronto version)_ (1 time)
    - NWA International Tag Team Championship _(Toronto version)_ (1 time) – with Whipper Billy Watson
- **NWA Hollywood Wrestling**
    - Los Angeles Battle Royal (1972)
- ***Pro Wrestling Illustrated***
    - Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1976)
    - Match of the Year (1972)
    - Match of the Year (1975)
    - Match of the Year (1976)
    - Match of the Year (1977)
    - Match of the Year (1980)
    - Stanley Weston Award (1981)
    - Wrestler of the Year (1974)
    - Ranked No. 200 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
- **Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum**
    - Class of 2002
- **World Wide Wrestling Alliance**
    - Hall of Fame (Class of 2008)
- **World Wide Wrestling Association**
    - WWWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time, final)
- **World Wide Wrestling Federation / WWE**
    - WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
    - WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Spiros Arion
    - WWWF International Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with The Battman (1) and Dominic DeNucci (1)
    - WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2013)
    - WWE Bronze Statue (2014)
- **World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis)**
    - WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Dick the Bruiser
- **World Wrestling Council**
    - WWC North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- ***Wrestling Observer Newsletter***
    - Feud of the Year (1980)
    - Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

## Other websites

- More on Bruno Sammartino

## Infobox (wrestler)

- **name**: Bruno Sammartino
- **names**: Bruno Sammartino
- **image**: BrunoSammartino.jpg
- **caption**: Sammartino in 2005
- **birth place**: Pizzoferrato, Kingdom of Italy
- **death place**: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
- **billed**: Abruzzo, Italy
- **trainer**: Ace Freeman
- **debut**: 1959
- **retired**: 1987