Bruno Sammartino's wrestling topic

Zenithian Legend

Zenithian Legend

Banned
Say hello to the real "living legend" of wrestling​

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This guy held the title for eight years consecutively! No one, no way, no how will that record ever be broken.​

Bios:​


Bruno was Vince Sr's guy, carrying the WWWF through the 60's after the original WWWF champion, Buddy Rogers suffered a heart attack.​

Bruno didn't drop the strap until 1971, when Ivan Koloff (and then Pedro Morales for some reason) were selected to be the transitional champions over to Stan "The Man" Stasiak.​

Fret not, Bruno got the belt back 2 years later, becoming WWWF's first ever two-time champion, and holding the belt for another 3 years before a broken neck resulted in Bruno dropping the strap for good to "Superstar" Billy Graham.​

Sammartino returned to the WWE attempting to help get his son David over, but much like another David later, he was just unable to connect with the fans the same way his father did. The situation has left a seemingly permanent strain on father and son's relationship. If there's one thing that's been consistant throughout the history of wrestling it's egos!​

Today Bruno refuses to endorse the WWE product, but who knows what more time and more money may do. A DVD detailing some of Bruno's accomplishments would be a very welcome addition to my library.​
 
[quote name='mykevermin']I'm pretty sure he had a soda, or was mocking the drinkers.

Regal had a Coke out there, FWIW.[/quote]
I have to say that I think Punk had a beer. I saw Regal with the Coke too so he could have had a Pepsi, but I'm pretty sure it was a beer. But it looked like he was fake drinking it. Like he put it to his mouth and pulled it away really quickly. Regal has had addiction issues with alcohol so that's probably why he had a Coke.

On a side note, Bruno has in fact endorsed the RoH product on the other hand back sometime around March. He was on a show and interacted with SnS and Nigel.
 
[quote name='Zen Davis']I have to say that I think Punk had a beer. I saw Regal with the Coke too so he could have had a Pepsi, but I'm pretty sure it was a beer.[/quote]

Maybe he thought the live camera had shut off... there goes that gimmick.
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']Bruno was Vince Sr's guy, carrying the WWWF through the 60's after the original WWWF champion, Buddy Rogers suffered a heart attack.[/quote]
​

Actually Bruno has said (in an RFVideo Shoot Interview) that heart attack story was bullshit.

But then again, it's all hearsay from 45 years ago.

But I'll agree wholeheartedly about a Bruno DVD set.

Now: What's the oldest match on a DVD set? I THINK the oldest one I have on a WWE set is on the Dusty Rhodes set... or maybe Flair's set, I don't remember. Early-Mid 1970s. Either way, Bruno's prime matches would be older...
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']Maybe he thought the live camera had shut off... there goes that gimmick.[/quote]

He knows better. Those cameras are never off. Besides he lived that gimmick inside and outside in RoH. I still think that he took a fake sip to not displease the boss and that once the cameras were down he tossed the drink aside. When the live reports come in, we'll find more out.
 
[quote name='Iron Clad Burrito']
Actually Bruno has said (in an RFVideo Shoot Interview) that heart attack story was bullshit.

But then again, it's all hearsay from 45 years ago.

But I'll agree wholeheartedly about a Bruno DVD set.

Now: What's the oldest match on a DVD set? I THINK the oldest one I have on a WWE set is on the Dusty Rhodes set... or maybe Flair's set, I don't remember. Early-Mid 1970s. Either way, Bruno's prime matches would be older...[/quote]

From Wiki
However, his reign was cut short by, what he claimed to be, a mild heart attack that greatly hindered his endurance. He quickly dropped the title to Bruno Sammartino on May 17 of that year, in a match that lasted a mere 48 seconds. Legend says that Mondt dragged Rogers out of his hospital bed and forced him into the match, but it was obvious that Rogers couldn't take the burden of a world championship in his condition.(Sammartino stated in interviews that Rogers was lazy --not wanting to go past 10-15 minute matches and the heart attack story was a ruse for Rogers to save face
Click to expand...
Who knows what to believe from anything pre-internet :lol:

As far as the oldest matches on dvd are concerned, I believe The AWA and Billy Graham DVDs may hold the answer to that. I own them both, but I'm not 100% sure which though without looking into it. Some of the dates on various WWE dvds are inaccurate too.

[quote name='Zen Davis']He knows better. Those cameras are never off. Besides he lived that gimmick inside and outside in RoH. I still think that he took a fake sip to not displease the boss and that once the cameras were down he tossed the drink aside. When the live reports come in, we'll find more out.[/quote]

I doubt it'll even be newsworthy, and Punk's push is safe thanks to Morrison's stupidity.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']Who?[/QUOTE]
[quote name='guyver2077']zzzz[/QUOTE]

You've got to be fucking kidding me. No one besides Hogan or Austin is more deserving when it comes to ex-WWF guys.

On a side note, Bruno has in fact endorsed the RoH product on the other hand back sometime around March. He was on a show and interacted with SnS and Nigel.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was at that show. My friend and I were in line for Sammartino autographs...Gabe came over and said "ok, autographs will be $20 each"...and I missed whatever he said after that because we walked away.
 
Graham & Dusty go back to '73 it looks like.

The AWA has a match listed as being from '71:

High Flyers vs. Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens 8/23/1971

I'm sure more digging is in order, and I do wonder how far back Vince's archives go...
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']I doubt it'll even be newsworthy, and Punk's push is safe thanks to Morrison's stupidity.[/quote]

It's got a mention on at least two other messageboards so I'm sure people are wondering.
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']


Sammartino returned to the WWE attempting to help get his son David over, but much like another David later, he was just unable to connect with the fans the same way his father did.​

[/QUOTE]

Who's the other David? The first person I thought of was David Flair. His crazy gimmick was so hilarious back in the day.​
 
Nope, but I'm glad to see Bruno get a thread - he's one of wrestling's biggest draws of all time, and while his punch/kick-heavy matches might not be exciting to some modern-day fans, they packed houses when they needed to, and that's what matters most.
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']Graham & Dusty go back to '73 it looks like.

The AWA has a match listed as being from '71:

High Flyers vs. Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens 8/23/1971

I'm sure more digging is in order, and I do wonder how far back Vince's archives go...[/quote]

Dusty is definitely 1973. Flair only went back to 1976 (vs. Pete Sanchez in a WWF tryout at the Garden).

I'd love to see a Lawler set, as he had great mtches going back to the EARLY 70s... but if the torrent scene is any indication, the quality of video would be horrid.
 
Just got done watching Raw(dvr'ed it, since I was watching the two Grindhouse movies). Pretty much everyone that isn't until a TNA contract that people actually remember was on the show.

Nice that Foley came out as Mankind, Taker's entrance took too long & kinda pissed Stone Cold ended the show(would've hurt to end it on someone else?). Was it just me or did Trish look really skinny tonight? The segment between her, Lita & Jillian kinda went nowhere(wished it would've ended with Lita DDT'ing her or Trish doing a chick kick on her).

Oh yeah, as for TNA spoilers, someone actually won a match.
Rellik won a fatal four way hardcore match on the 12/20 taping
 
great show last night! did you all catch hogan saying never say never ohhhhhh yeeaaaaa? macho man hogan at wrestle mania comming up assuming he has recovered and able to wrestle again
 
[quote name='guyver2077']
wrestling-is-fake.gif
[/quote]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[quote name='tangytangerine']Was it just me or did Trish look really skinny tonight? [/quote]

I noticed that too. I thought she looked great, but was definitely skinnier.
 
[quote name='tangytangerine']Just got done watching Raw(dvr'ed it, since I was watching the two Grindhouse movies). Pretty much everyone that isn't until a TNA contract that people actually remember was on the show.

Nice that Foley came out as Mankind, Taker's entrance took too long & kinda pissed Stone Cold ended the show(would've hurt to end it on someone else?). Was it just me or did Trish look really skinny tonight? The segment between her, Lita & Jillian kinda went nowhere(wished it would've ended with Lita DDT'ing her or Trish doing a chick kick on her).

Oh yeah, as for TNA spoilers, someone actually won a match.
Rellik won a fatal four way hardcore match on the 12/20 taping
[/QUOTE]

Ranniw!

EDIT: Where was Adam Pearce on Raw? In the crowd?
 
Couple of reactions of mine from last:

1. I have to agree with what someone else said in the other thread... the person I marked out the biggest for was Steve Blackman.

2. It was great seeing RVD, and nice to see that he's on good terms with WWE. I guess that seems to rule out a TNA run.

3. Was anyone else thrown off by the Owen footage in the 'comedy' reel? I was really with it, and then he pooped up, and it just felt strange.

4. I wasn't expecting anything about Benoit, obviously, but really... no mention of Eddie?

5. By 10:45, I had assumed they had just cut the Kennedy/Jannetty match. Who thought that was a good idea to be the last match? Had Hall shown up for it, sure... but Jannetty? Really? It's not even as if Kennedy is a huge name yet. Oh well, I guess the entire point was the DX reunion.

6. Totally ruined the Mankind entrance by listing him as Mick Foley.

7. Lita needs to sit less.

8. I would do depraved, depraved things to Trish.

9. I enjoy how Neidhart expanded, but his outfit hasn't.

10. Outside of Blackman, RVD was the best surprise... until DiBiase came out. Paying off IRS to eliminate himself? Genius, and a reminder of better days.

11. Bischoff fell flat.

12. ... why didn't Hogan slam Khali? They built it for 5 minutes, and then Khali just walks off? Are they, gasp, building an angle? Anyway, the Macho Man reference was great, though I don't imagine Vince was real happy about it. Unless that was Hogan's way of letting Savage know that Vince wants to talk. I mean, after the past few months, who expected Hogan back, and HUMBLE at that? My god, Hogan was, arguably, the biggest face ever, and I've never seen him suck off the fans and the company that much. Though, until he lays down for someone, it's pointless.

13. All I could think when it ended was that it was a damn shame that they couldn't get The Rock to show up. And that Regal was a recovering alcoholic.

14. Alright, this last point... I'm honestly getting sick of Stone Cold. I was hoping against hope that he wouldn't end the show. The naive hope you get when you know something is a lock, but maybe, just maybe, they'll surprise you. The Mankind/Taker/Austin parade was nice, but it also underlined and put an exclamation point on the fact that The Rock wasn't there. Stone Cold has ruined himself. I'm tired of seeing him do the same thing everytime he shows up. Show up, stunner, beer. Yawn. He also isn't an effective speaker anymore. His 'what?' chant ruins every single thing he has to say. Really, don't people in the arena get that? After the first 3 minutes of him talking, I almost wanted to change the channel. I get it, guys, you want to interact. There's a time and a place for it, though.

Anyway... overall, I'm damn glad I watched it. Really well done, with only a few missteps (Kennedy/Jannetty, Tag Titles).

Oh... and no Cena. :applause:

I wish Raw could be like that every week.





... oh, and hire back Steve Blackman. LETHAL WEAPON. ;)
 
Fun show. Best televised wresting show I've seen in ages.

I wonder if the WCCW DVD has any pre-1971 matches. I'm leaning towards "no" because the Von Erich kids would've been like 16 or younger that long ago but who knows. I almost bought it the other day (it's been out at Wal-Marts here for a week) but at $20, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Ranniw!

EDIT: Where was Adam Pearce on Raw? In the crowd?[/quote]

He was in the battle royale under the Repo Man gimmick.
 
[quote name='Halo05']Fun show. Best televised wresting show I've seen in ages.

I wonder if the WCCW DVD has any pre-1971 matches. I'm leaning towards "no" because the Von Erich kids would've been like 16 or younger that long ago but who knows. I almost bought it the other day (it's been out at Wal-Marts here for a week) but at $20, I couldn't bring myself to do it.[/quote]

Agreed, paying the MSRP for anything is NOT the Cag way. Most of the dvds I've got are either from the DDD 20% off sale and a few clearance sales WWE.com was running earlier in the year. At the time the Ric Flair dvd was $12, yet has jumped back up to $20 for some reason. Same with the ECW Blood Sport DVD.

The only WWE DVD I was willing to pay $20 for, and get at Walmart... argh... was the Hogan DVD. Simply because they only had two left, and the Walmart version of the Hogan DVD included a 4th disc with extra matches and content instead of the Hogan Know's Best bonus disc.
 
Nice sig Myke, made me laugh.

Last nights Raw was great, I was dreading it a bit TBH but it was an excellent 3 hours of entertainment. Never have I seen Hogan kissing ass as much as that.
 
[quote name='benjamouth']Nice sig Myke, made me laugh.

Last nights Raw was great, I was dreading it a bit TBH but it was an excellent 3 hours of entertainment. Never have I seen Hogan kissing ass as much as that.[/quote]

That sig is great, even animated Hogan will only job to Andre...

I think Hogan's ass kissing last night was largely due to his marital and potential legal problems. Hogan's in a tricky spot now and I think it's wise of him to appease the WWE powers that be. His "you never know" comment leads me to believe Hogan wants to be back in the WWE, and may even work a match at WM24.
 
[quote name='Zen Davis']He was in the battle royale under the Repo Man gimmick.[/QUOTE]

You're joking, right?

EDIT: I just read some detailed TNA spoilers for next week. They'll have to pay me $20 to watch that. Holy living fuck.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']You're joking, right?

EDIT: I just read some detailed TNA spoilers for next week. They'll have to pay me $20 to watch that. Holy living fuck.[/quote]

Of course I am. :)
 
ROH Newswire December 11th!

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]December 11th: Roderick Strong will defend the FIP World Heavyweight Title against Erick Stevens at "Final Battle 2007" on 12/30 at the Manhattan Center in NYC. You can now save 30% on tickets to this and all other ROH live events for two days only at ROHwrestling.com. This is a rematch from the stellar bout at "Man Up," but the stakes are even higher as the FIP belt will be on the line. Tomorrow's ROHwrestling.com Newswire will have complete details of the future of Full Impact Pro.

December 11th: The 1/25 Dayton event will be the biggest card to hit Dayton yet. We already know you will see Nigel McGuinness vs. Chris Hero and if either is ROH World Champion the belt will be on the line. After what happened last time in Dayton this is sure to be a hot match. Another big match has been signed for 1/25. The last Dayton event saw Jack Evans & Ruckus defeat The Briscoes in a non-title Tag Team Scramble. 1/25 will be Evans & Ruckus vs. The Briscoes and if Jay & Mark are champions they will put the titles on the line. You can save 30% on tickets now at ROHwrestling.com. That's right, all seats including great ringside tix are 30% off!!! Act now because this sale is only good until Thursday morning!!!

December 11th: ROHwrestling.com has brought back the 30% OFF EVERYTHING SALE for two days only!!! Save 30% on every item at www.ROHwrestling.com with no minimum order. This means you can save 30% on tickets to all ROH live events and the latest from NOAH, SHIMMER, FIP, WWE, TNA, UWA, WSX, Guest Booker, XPW, Chikara, NWA Pro Wrestling and much, much more. Save 30% now on tickets, DVDs, figures, books, autograph items, authentic Japanese merchandise and over 1000 other items. Have you seen ROH's "Manhattan Mayhem II" with the first Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima match of the year candidate? Well, Dave Meltzer just saw the DVD and here is what he had to say in the December 3rd Wrestling Observer Newsletter: "(Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson) Just an incredible match. This was even better than the ("Man Up") PPV match and in my mind, one of the top three matches I've seen all year. I'd go ****3/4....I can't come up with a WWE match this year even near its level...."

December 11th: Former ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima received a high honor in Japan for his great 2007 including his ROH World Title reign. Morishima was awarded the Fighting Spirit prize in the 2007 Tokyo Sports Awards. Mitsuharu Misawa, who also saw action in ROH, was crowned MVP of 2007. You only see the best in ROH!!!

December 11th: Larry Sweeney & Chris Hero host the new ROH Video Wire, which will be up later this week at ROHvideos.com.

December 11th: Check the main page of ROHwrestling.com for a new article on the Nigel McGuinness vs. Austin Aries December 29th World Title Match.

December 11th: We will have news on Mike Quackenbush's future in ROH in tomorrow's ROHwrestling.com Newswire.

December 11th: ROH is getting ready for the big doubleshot at the Manhattan Center at the end of the month. Don't miss an opportunity to save 30% on all tickets to both shows. You better believe we will pull out all the stops. 12/29 will be ROH's 5th pay-per-view taping. 12/30 will be "Final Battle 2007" with a special 5pm Sunday afternoon belltime. "Final Battle" is always one of the biggest shows of the year. Here are how things are shaping up for the 2007 edition:

Ring Of Honor
"Final Battle 2007"
December 30th, 2007- 5:00 pm belltime
Manhattan Center (Grand Ballroom)
311 West 34th St.
New York, NY 10001
(212) 279-7740

Save 30% on all tickets at www.ROHwrestling.com until Thursday morning.

ROH World Title Four Man Elimination Match
Aries/McGuinness 12/29 winner defends vs. Chris Hero vs. Bryan Danielson vs. TBA

Stipulation To Be Announced
Jay & Mark Briscoe with Daizee Haze vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black with Lacey

FIP World Heavyweight Title Match
Roderick Strong defends vs. Erick Stevens

Grudge Match (If Claudio Wins On 12/29)
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Larry Sweeney with Sara Del Rey, Tank Toland & Bobby Dempsey

Special Challenge Match
Jack Evans vs. Necro Butcher

Plus much more to be announced with: Takeshi Morishima; Naomichi Marufuji; Delirious; Jigsaw & Ruckus with Julius Smokes; Davey Richards & Rocky Romero; Kevin Steen & El Generico; The Hangmen Three of Adam Pearce, Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer with Shane Hagadorn; Matt Cross plus others!!!
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[quote name='Zenithian Legend']That sig is great, even animated Hogan will only job to Andre...

I think Hogan's ass kissing last night was largely due to his marital and potential legal problems. Hogan's in a tricky spot now and I think it's wise of him to appease the WWE powers that be. His "you never know" comment leads me to believe Hogan wants to be back in the WWE, and may even work a match at WM24.[/quote]

I thought it was just because he needed to shill for American Gladiators. BTW, I am looking forward to that show. My girl Laila Ali is going to host too. :drool:
 
[quote name='mykevermin']You're joking, right?

EDIT: I just read some detailed TNA spoilers for next week. They'll have to pay me $20 to watch that. Holy living fuck.[/QUOTE]
Spill the beans. I want to know if I should even bother watching Impact. From what you've said, it's bad, I just want to know HOW bad.

Edit : Nevermind, I found them.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']I thought it was just because he needed to shill for American Gladiators. BTW, I am looking forward to that show. My girl Laila Ali is going to host too. :drool:[/quote]
His shilling was a bit annoying, but you're right. Hogan surely knows that, with all of the problems he's facing right now, his ONLY back-up is wrestling. And no one... NO ONE... will pay the money that Vince McMahon will.

Gladiators isn't really going to set the world on fire... so what else does Hogan have?

Hogan needs the money, and even just an exclusive rights contract from WWF should keep him fairly well off for a while.

I'm interested to see what happens, and how desperate Hogan is. When Hogan didn't NEED WWE or the money, he had the power. I'm curious to see if, and how much, that changes.

Remember, Hulk, laying down once in a while isn't going to tarnish your reputation or legacy... or at least any more than reality TV already has.
 
[quote name='hankmecrankme']Spill the beans. I want to know if I should even bother watching Impact. From what you've said, it's bad, I just want to know HOW bad.

Edit : Nevermind, I found them.[/QUOTE]

This was the Christmas episode I just read, which is, I don't think, the episode that will air this Thursday. I'm sure that's another overcooked wrestling casserole, too.
 
Well, I successfully managed to avoid spoilers for the show. Minus the opening, it was pretty good. I did enjoy Vince giving his "Welcome, everyone, to MONDAY NIGHT RAW!" line. Given the fact that Neidhart was on the show and new Bret Hart shirts were in the audience (and my OnDemand description said Bret Hart would be at the show), I was praying that Bret would come to the ring after Austin stunned Vince and put a sharpshooter on Vince to end the show.. god how awesome would that've been.

//edit: And I know most of the appearances were a one time thing, but when RVD came out, JR said "He's back!".. for everyone else, he was all "My god! It's
 
[quote name='mykevermin']This was the Christmas episode I just read, which is, I don't think, the episode that will air this Thursday. I'm sure that's another overcooked wrestling casserole, too.[/quote]

Nope, the Christmas one airs next week. But the one this week is pretty bad too.

[quote name='scorch']and my OnDemand description said Bret Hart would be at the show[/QUOTE]

He didn't show due to conflicts in scheduling. They tried to get him, but he already had already been booked for book signings.
 
AJ Styles in a reindeer suit now? Jesus, who did he piss off?

Enjoyed RAW last night. Nice to see some of the old superstars back on TV even if just for one night, but some of those guys didn't age well. Watching the battle royal, I kept asking myself who the hell the guy in the jeans was. Oh, Bart Gunn, you silly bitch.
 
[quote name='007']4. I wasn't expecting anything about Benoit, obviously, but really... no mention of Eddie?[/quote]

I thought that Eddie was predominately a Smackdown star.

-
6. Totally ruined the Mankind entrance by listing him as Mick Foley.
Click to expand...

..or his Foley music.


But I agree, I wish Raw was this insane and unpredictable every week!
 
Good point about Eddie, he really was on SD much more than Raw. Sure there was the Radicalz storyline, but that was left off for obvious reasons.
 
[quote name='Scorch']I thought that Eddie was predominately a Smackdown star.[/QUOTE]After the brand split, yes. But there was plenty of memorable Eddie stuff on Raw. The surprise debut of the Radicalz, the whole thing with "Mamacita," the ladder match with RVD (the one where that fan pushed over the ladder and promptly got his ass kicked), the one-shot feud with The Rock, and a bunch of other stuff. Maybe they just figured it was "too soon" to use Eddie footage? I know, that sounds ridiculous considering how carelessly they've used his name in angles since his death, but who knows. Was there any Chyna footage on the show? Maybe they are just dead set on not showing any footage of her, since she has been fairly vocal in slamming WWE iirc. And they wouldn't dare show Eddie's debut now, for obvious reasons. EDIT: ha, Zenithian Legend beat me to the "obvious reasons" thing.
 
Was there any Chyna footage on the show? Maybe they are just dead set on not showing any footage of her, since she has been fairly vocal in slamming WWE iirc.
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Tons of it in the DX flashback segment
 
[quote name='Scorch']Tons of it in the DX flashback segment[/quote]
& during the divas flashback. Strange that they omitted Debra from that video, since that's where "the puppies" saying came from.

..or his Foley music.
Click to expand...
But he had that music since he first won the world title. Pretty much from then til Mankind "retired", he had that as his entrance music.

Makes me wonder though, which ones that showed up last night will stay. I can see RVD staying(if so, keep him the fuck off of ECW), but can't see Trish or Lita staying.
 
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