The Captivating Career Of Bruno Sammartino

Arguably the greatest wrestling champion of all time. He is the living legend, Bruno Sammartino.
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Cultaholic provides video coverage of professional wrestling - including WWE (including WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown Live, WWE NXT and 205 Live), AEW, IMPACT Wrestling (formerly TNA), NJPW, ROH, and more with daily news updates, reviews, highlights, predictions, reactions, podcasts and much, much more.

[@davidschnare9945]

My Dad and I were staying in Pittsburgh for a week about 20 years or so ago and we met Bruno while in a city park. He was a really friendly guy that sat and talked to us for at least an hour, I'll never forget that day as long as I live. I shook hands with the Living Legend.

[@mattysquizzato7094]

It's so awesome that he didn't Big Time you guys. That's truly a Living Legend. Let's see that in today's day and age.

[@chrisblester37]

It show the true quality of the Man

[@afonsosantos6606]

What a legend Sammartino was. Congratulations Cultaholic staff for making the best informative work I've ever seen on Bruno's career.

[@xaxxbx]

The only guy that can request to drop the belt and then get it back when he wants. Wow that guy was a huge star

[@Kfowlkes09]

In WWE maybe - aside from Hogan - but there were various champions with the same clout. Lou Thesz, Verne Gagne, Jim Londos, Ed Lewis, Frank Gotch to name a few.

[@albertofava865]

@@Kfowlkes09 yeah but did they sold out Madison Square gardens 187 times?

[@Kfowlkes09]

@@albertofava865 Well if you're talking drawing power - from the perspective of live attendance - of the names mentioned it would go Londos > Bruno > Thesz > Hogan > Lewis > Gotch > Gagne. That's aside the point though. All seven of those guys were big enough stars that no one was going to ask them to lose a belt if they didn't want to.

[@cherylhenson2945]

@@albertofava865 wonder how much Bruno made per new New York show? Im assuming he was ok till his death financially? Just courous if anyone has ruff estamte

[@jarvisyoung8350]

@@Kfowlkes09 As a kid, I wasn't a fan of Bruno. To me, Thesz was the real champion and Kiniski after that. Besides that, all the Wrestling magazines agreed. The WWWF title was considered a territorial Championship while the NWA title was, pretty much, world wide. Now, ya gotta know that I was a total mark. Years later, I came to understand that it was all a work. In retrospect, my respect for this man and his career has grown greatly over the years. I really wish Wrestling was what it was back then when we were actually sold that it was what it was presented to be instead of the boring circus that it has become. Just my opinion.

[@jtsmithabc]

This was an extraordinary tribute to The "Real" Living Legend Bruno Sammartino. To be quite candid, Bruno was strong enough to carry professional to heights unknown. He was authentic in physical fitness and body building, a legitimate strong man, Holocaust survivor without chemical assistance, holds records that even surpass much of the modern-day competition in terms of weight lifting based on his actual physical strength, a true Champion on both the NWA, WWWF, and Canadian Circuits, stayed loving family man, and will be remembered as one who loved his family- all his sons, his wife, and particularly his Mother. RIP to a true Champion Bruno Sammartino!

[@calumbeattie5337]

Great retrospective. But did you consider mentioning his childhood? His experiences as a kid during the second world war are really interesting. In 2019 though the most impressive thing I think about Bruno's WWE Championship reigns isn't that they come to 11+ years, it's that they come to 20% of the lifetime of the WWE Championship itself. That is, for 20% of the time since that title existed, it was held by Bruno Sammartino.

[@the0riginalsobs]

It would be very interesting indeed, but the video focus on the career, not much on the life (Unfortunnately, because for some wrestlers, would be a blast

[@ArcaneAzmadi]

"The house that Vincent J. McMahon built was built on the back of Bruno Sammartino." Possibly THE greatest champion North American wrestling has ever seen, Bruno was like the original John Cena in that he was titanically strong, won almost all the time, and was portrayed as a super-clean, noble superman character, except that unlike Cena the fans _never_ grew tired of him. Back when Kayfabe was the law of the land, having a problem with Bruno holding the WWWF championship for seven years would be unthinkable because he simply _was_ the strongest man in wrestling and expecting anything else would seem silly. A wrestler so massively over that when he actually _requested_ to be allowed to lose the championship for health reasons, his management actually stalled and put it off because he was just THAT popular. The true "Living Legend".

[@bernadettejohnstone4529]

you speak of kayfabe ... as far as we know there really was no "juicy gossip" to turn the fans against Sammartino ... sadly some shadiness from Cena has cast a bit of a shadow. Thankfully now, the whole "absense makes the heart grow fonder" works in Cena's favour ... that and Nikki is no longer attached to him lol

[@bernadettejohnstone4529]

@@AevilbeastOf course there will always be haters but they were NOT lies or rumors in Cena's case ... in this age of social media there is sadly no shortage of sites willing to upload proof of scandals for the masses to feast on lol yes it really was like the "wild west" (which itself is a misnomer lol)

[@nikodeherrera8274]

​@@bernadettejohnstone4529I wouldn't be too surprised if there was at least a couple people who were tired of seeing Bruno sammartino hold the championship belt forever and ever. There just wasn't an internet for people to gain a following or somehow get popular for sinking the opposite of the majority of everybody else. That and also they were probably just only a couple of people who felt that way.

[@bernadettejohnstone4529]

@@nikodeherrera8274 oh for sure!

[@ShakeItLittleTina]

A full retrospective on Bruno? That’s pretty cool For as much of a legend as he is there isn’t a ton of detailed information on his whole career, or at least I haven’t found much yet

[@evilubuntu9001]

Bruno pretty much was a saint who never did anything shady ever. Except for that time he stole a chicken and violated it but this was back in d'Abruzzo and his papa gave him a good belting for it, and said Bruno you stupidda boy why you go a fucka my chicken? Bruno said he just a practice for the signoras, papa say ok Bruno jus' don' a fucka my chicken again. Little Bruno never violated another chicken again. Amen 🙏🏾

[@Thor-Orion]

EVIL UBUNTU i’m dying.

[@mandomage4595]

Pedro morales is much worse

[@Morkeric]

The greatest of all time, without a doubt.

[@mitch9225]

I loved this video. The early history of wrestling absolutely fascinates me, specifically that pre WWF/Hulk Hogan era. Cheers lads, smashed it.

[@edenromanov]

Leave it to an Italian man the blood of Romans, the blood of a Gladiator to be the biggest Legend in modern day Gladiator-like entertainment in Professional Wrestling! R.I.P. Mr.Sammartino you will always be the powerful foundation of Wrestling for years to come!

[@MrNYCman530]

I actually though Bruno would live to be 100 the way he took care of himself. R.I.P. Bruno. :-(

[@eatpigsnot]

he was still in good cardio shape and physically strong, but had a fall several months before, and falls at that age cause hip breaks, etc... and start a downward spiral that is hard to stop

[@anthonyvees9400]

Wholeheartedly agree. 82 still much too soon for this icon. RIP forever King Bruno

[@grasssanta5936]

Truly a legend. There will never be another Bruno Sammartino he truly lived up to the name “The Living Legend”, You will forever be missed. The true Godfather of WWE.

[@kaysguy]

I saw a lot of Bruno matches at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena, vs. The Beast, Ernie Ladd, Bill Miller, Spiros Arion, Stasiak, Baron Scicluna, Prince Iukea, and a chain match with Beppo Mongol.

[@chaosof99]

One off my wishlist. Hopefully the rest are also on the horizon: Harley Race -Bruno Sammartino- Gorgeous George El Santo Bruiser Brody Giant Baba Antonio Inoki Hiroshi Tanahashi Mick Foley Terry Funk Minoru Suzuki Vader Dusty Rhodes Rey Mysterio Bubba Ray Dudley/Bully Ray AJ Styles Jyushin Thunder Liger

[@suviluer]

Take off Foley too, they did it 3 months ago.

[@chaosof99]

@@suviluer Okay, that one is weirdly not in their playlist of the episodes of this series, so I missed it when I binged them. Thanks for pointing it out though.

[@HT97775]

Liger would be great and so would baba and inoki especially if they went into semi detail about the NJPW/AJPW split

[@michaelcolon6021]

Outstanding profile of Sammartino. A real class act and great Ambassador for Pro Wrestling.

[@bunyan4.20]

Bruno Sammartino is a true hero to me and one of the greatest people to live such a nice guy and the life he grow up and lived as a kid and stuff so touching he is one of my hero's i look up to because of everything he went thought and never let stop him in from living his life plus i have Italian in me and he grew up Italy so i have some what of a connection to him because of both of are heritage's i can so without i doubt in my mind that i love this guy and really wish i could have meant him before he passed away RIP Bruno Sammartino you were one of the true greats of wrestling and in life

[@JWS1985]

Bruno really was a great man. Met him once in passing, and he couldn't have been a nicer guy. Even though he was older, he still had hands like bear paws.

[@elliyahugenesove9777]

I lived Bruno's first reign- Saw him wrestle Sheik,Kiniski ,Scicluna (when he was a main-eventer) I did discover a few things in this video...thanks

[@marktorak5578]

Nice tribute for Bruno going back to 1960 s which I remember well

[@williamamely7038]

Bruno was my favorite wrestler, when I was 9 or 10. I remember all the great wrestlers from that time, from Morales, Rivera, Soto, Maiva, Stasizak, etc. It was then treated then as a legitimate sport, rather than pure entertainment today. The matches ran far longer then, than today's. Sammartino will always be my all time favorite wrestler. I take nothing away from Undertaker, or many of the wrestlers of the last 30 years, but the wrestlers of the 50's, 60's, and 70's were, in my opinion, the toughest dudes in the business.

[@venomousnate7263]

Bruno has an amazing story. Truly a Living Legend

[@mitchvuksanovich]

I had the honor of meeting and talking to Mr.Sammartino twice. He was truly, a Gentleman who appreciated his fans. I also met Larry Zybysko once and got to speak with him...The Pittsburgh wrestlers were the Best! Mitch.

[@wesfrye5833]

Beautiful tribute. Thanks for sharing

[@sharonharding8861]

Spent a lot of my childhood watchimg & rooting for him! Well done young Jack, even mentioning Spiros Arion! Hadn't thought of him in ages!

[@joetaverna5264]

Bruno was a man's man definitely had a guardian 👼 by his side the greatest wrestling champion in recent years

[@WanderingMindSR]

Thank you for doing this video, the Living Legend will be alive in our hearts

[@darkhawk4863]

I did find it odd when Bruno went into the HoF in 2013... I was baffled that he wasn't the first entrant whenever they started the thing, but... now I know why. Love this series, and probably no one more fitting for this kind of retrospective than the Legend himself.

[@elliyahugenesove9777]

Why do you care about the WWF hall of fame? Publicity stunt for Vince

[@bulldogbrower6732]

Vince had a hatred for Bruno because Bruno had told numerous national television audiences like the Larry King Show and Phil Donahue that Vince McMahon had ruined wrestling with pain killers, steroids, and sexual misconduct. It wasn’t till thousands of letters poured into WWE headquarters condemning the practice of McMahon personally choosing the candidates did McMahon relent. Most letters condemned the Hall of Fame as phony and worthless for not having Sammartino in it. Finally McMahon paid Sammartino in excess of 5 million dollars to come in. They also pretended that all was forgiven.

[@exodia9817]

Honestly, I would like to see more videos like this for other wrestlers that were as legendary as Bruno Sammartino.

[@Rando1975]

One interesting note on Haystacks, apparently he was quite upset that Bruno was able to lift him. Usually when someone takes a bodyslam, they help by kinda pushing off their opponent to get up there, but Haystacks didn't cooperate at all and was pissed at Bruno that he did that.

[@benbalgie8386]

Absolute legend of the industry.

[@Sephyrulz]

Bruno. The Wilt Chamberlain of professional wrestling.

[@jtsmithabc]

Excellent commemorational commentary! I do have a question, did someone else, left Haystacks Calhoun off his feet? If there wasn't anyone else, then there's no need to say very few. Bruno was the only one. Additionally, Haystacks Calhoun, as the time he was lifted off the mat and slammed into the mat by Bruno, wasn't 600 pounds; rather to be sure he was in excess of 625 pounds.

[@kennedycalderone9608]

Wow the final few sentences were powerful. Love it👌🏻

[@KJ-tz7vc]

Wow, what a legend!!

[@djarthounahmed3259]

Fact : The singer Bruno Mars adores Bruno Sammartino, so he took the name "Bruno" to pay tribute to him.

[@garypmarquis]

Bruno was always the very best. GOD rest his very Soul.

[@chrisgreen2941]

How about one on Bob backlund? Good video.

[@russellfinch5493]

Who holds the record for the most sell outs at Madison Square Garden? Bruno of course. He sold out MSG over 200 times. Think about that for a moment. OVER 200 sell outs of probably the most icon sports venue in the country. Nobody is even remotely close. The WWE gets all warm and fuzzy with large crowds these days, but Bruno was getting 20k for many many of his bouts and this was way before cable. As good a wrestling champion as he was, he was even a better individual. Never a sell out and walked the walk. Arnold and Bruno were also great friends as Arnold has spoken very highly of Bruno and how Bruno helped him out when he came over into the country. The nickname, Living Legend is not overdone with Bruno. I know in Pittsburgh, the City of Champions, Bruno is as admired as any Steeler or Pirate such as Clemente, or Penguin. He was a true Living Legend.

[@gregoryjones4226]

Bruno Sammartino Was A Champion In The Ring And Out The Ring. R.I.P Bruno Sammartino

[@josephfcampisejr7816]

Great job and great champion!!..a real Hero!!

[@ebonykaleidoscope]

A good man....

[@rjw705]

Really well done. Didn't know a lot of this so it was a good history lesson!

[@darrylskylar8757]

Rest In Heavenly Peace🙏🤍🕊🙏💙

[@AlA-ok5jh]

Great wrestler great guy...he also wrestled tough as nails Gene Kiniski & Don Leo Johnathan. Bruno said Don Leo Johnathan was the strongest wrestler he ever faced. Check out Johnathan’s match vs Abdulla the Butcher in Japan.

[@zachstolpa6521]

“I didn’t need theme music I came out to screams of thousands adoring fans shouting ‘Bruno Bruno Bruno!’”

[@Ktbigloc]

The original 🐐

[@CarlosLopez-oi1xx]

Wow I did not know he competed at a WM!!

[@BBest1996]

Would you consider doing the captivating career of Lou Thesz?

[@tearsoverbeers1162]

Legendary Career

[@davesampson158]

I still have his LJN wrestling figure from the 80’s

[@fiftylaren]

Bruno Samaratano - Maffew

[@didierlabossiere4726]

His strength was second to none......in ANY era. I saw him throw Big Cat Ernie Ladd off of him and three feet across the ring. Ladd was 40 lbs heavier and 6 inches taller. Sammartino was pound for pound the strongest wrestler of all time.

[@josephvitielo1693]

I'd say a foot taller at most

[@mochithepianist5658]

Thank You Cultholic for teaching us the history of wrestling

[@chrismoore2088]

Retrospective on RVD

[@ManAntonio]

81 min match 😱

[@carltonxcarlton]

A long time coming this one.

[@user-wr6db6nw8t]

A real man!

[@jamesgrassia844]

Long live the King.

[@USECXJ13]

This man looks like he could kill 90 percent of WWE roster AND 99 percent of AEW roster

[@nikboy17]

Just imagine if he had never gotten injured. How long would he had reigned then?

[@domamania]

Bruno they get injured in 1976 Stan Hansen body slammed Bruno and broke his neck and was within 2 mm away of paralyzing him And while he was out for those tuna have two almost 3 months Vince senior begged Bruno even when Bruno is still in the hospital they come back because business was already dying so Bruno came back prematurely with a broken neck almost paralysed in peace then Hansen to retain the wwwf championship

[@nikboy17]

@@domamania What?

[@peteri2215]

The One And Only G.O.A.T of Professional Wrestling

[@ThegalaxyOK]

Rest in peace

[@josephchavez-west1823]

Can you do Harley Race or Dusy Rhodes next?

[@cstomp1]

While all of Bruno's time in the WWWF was where his legend was built, this retrospective ignores his time in 73-74 teaming with Dick the Bruiser as Annihilation Inc winning the WWA tag team championship.

[@patrickkelley6212]

RIP Bruno Sammartino!

[@brianmediros4847]

He is by far my favorite wrestler of all time you never took any steroids Eva is in his career auntie was naturally very very strong I'm 50 years old I used to go see him wrestle when I was a child my favorite of all time the greatest WWF champion ever by far!!!!!!!

[@richwood1522]

I remember the days.

[@amirokareem3535]

Bruno Sammartino was in WCW? Was Bruno Sammartino a commentator for WCW? I remember when Bruno Sammartino and Petro Morales were tag team partners in the WWWF.

[@josephmiller9424]

His chest ,he must have had a huge bench and Larry Z was built the same but Burno yoy could tell was strong

[@glenngarofano4793]

Good job

[@jerransperarman9411]

good video

[@josephfcampisejr7816]

He was the best...

[@gerryfennelly3726]

Magnificient Bear

[@JT_WARCRIME]

I wish there was a button to dub over Jack with Tom or Adam's voice.

[@cashcastello]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO THE HARDY BOYZ !!!!

[@nelsonporter8387]

The GOAT

[@lwatkin4026]

Still waiting for the captivating career of Lou Thesz

[@evilubuntu9001]

Captivating career of the GOBBLEDY GOOKER

[@emilianocarbajal1859]

Christian Philip Regner Pacitti should make the video😂

[@MulletMan5702]

Christian Philip Regner pacitti gotta do that vid

[@judithdiorio7798]

best ever and best draw.

[@robertosso5210]

i always thought that haystacks calhoun was always a babyface

[@gregweisal5542]

Thank u. Please do jerry the king lawler the wrestler. Not announcer

[@jlmartinez8482]

The only Legend ! The Greatest of all time ! BRUNO SAMMARTINO.

[@WisconsinJimmyN]

Bruno missed a flight that crashed and killed all on board. Does anybody know what year this happened. I know it was somewhere on the east coast.

[@eatpigsnot]

i forgot about that but i have heard him mention it. there are dozens of shoot interviews with him on KZbin, it's probably in one of those

[@charleslegoff1586]

Does anyone know how he defeated stasiak for the tittle

[@JohnSulu14]

Bruno Mars got his name from that guy.

[@elliyahugenesove9777]

Sammartino vs. Morales was 75 minutes

[@volklupo5133]

Why were so many draws back then??

[@farrakh11b21]

Bit controversial but could you do Chris Benoit

[@KAPTAINmORGANnWo4eva]

Is there a more perfect final match for a generation-defining hero than teaming with the successor to his role?

[@josemontano7767]

Now that’s how a Wrestler should look like not these Pretty boys that wrestle now.

[@lynnecircelli2117]

he was a great champion #1 to me. dick the bruiser#2

[@traviskoontz4796]

All those years as champion all those defenses he truly sacrificed himself for the fans

[@johnkelsiemcnair7787]

He hated fascists so he was great to me.

[@terrencebell9609]

Do Hulk Hogan??

[@arttumikkonen3500]

Do orton

[@rbgreatestunknownartists9611]

BRUNO WAS A GREAT WRESTLER BUT A GREATER PERSON. HE COULD HAVE BEEN SILENT AND GRAB THE MONEY, DURING THE STEROID ERA WHEN YOUNG WRESTLERS WERE DYING BUT HE SPOKE OUT. HE IS MY HERO.

[@thomasburkett540]

Like Elvis in music, wrestling will NEVER see another legend like Bruno!

[@LeGod623]

do hogan!

[@shandolynmitchell7381]

Hulk Hogan

[@ronnyrono782]

You can be the pro wrestling champion of the world and yet not know how to wrestle. As a matter of fact that is usually the case.

[@benjaminwhite6107]

First