WWE Legend Bruno Sammartino Passes Away At Age 82

We are sad to report that WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino has passed away at the age of 82.

WWE wrote the following regarding the life and career of the legend:

Sammartino began lifting weights as a young man and grew to become one of the strongest men on the planet. After setting a world record in 1959 by bench-pressing 565 pounds, Sammartino caught the eye of Vincent J. McMahon, and became a sports-entertainer.

Bruno became an overnight sensation, connecting with not only fellow Italians, but also Latinos, Greeks and Jews, successfully bridging the gap in America’s melting pot of wrestling fans. His legend continued to grow on May 17, 1963, when Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers in just 48 seconds to become the second-ever WWE Champion in front of nearly 20,000 fans at the old Madison Square Garden.

Bruno held the WWE Championship for nearly eight years — by far the longest reign of all time, and a record for all professional wrestling champions, no matter the organization. A household name all over the country, the beloved hero defended his title in legendary rivalries against WWE Hall of Famers Killer Kowalski, Gorilla Monsoon and George “The Animal” Steele.

Sammartino was induced into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013. You can see the tribute package to him below:

A special look at WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino

We at Wrestling Rumors extend our deepest condolences to the entire Sammartino family during this difficult time.

Editor’s Opinion:

I didn’t even know that Sammartino was in poor health, so this is a shock to me. However, there is no doubt that he was one of the most important performers in the history of professional wrestling, and the legacy that he is leaving behind will be felt for many years to come.

What do you think of the passing of Bruno Sammartino? Leave us a comment below, or post a comment on our Facebook page! Also, be sure to sign up for our newsletter and download our App from your favorite App Store!

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