Jim Cornette on The Passing Of Bruno Sammartino

[@locutus442]

There might very well not be a WWE if it wern't for Bruno Sammartino. A true legend in every sense of the word. R.I.P. good sir.

[@jonathanturbide2232]

Him selling out MSG over and over again truly helped keep the WWWF alive so you are right. Only three wrestlers legitimately saved WWF from bankruptcy: Bruno, Hogan and Austin.

[@junegiovanni6475]

Wwe never were going bankrupt in the 1960s, when they had Bruno Sammertino, Vince Sr, was financially secure, his territory was only popular in throughout New York and New Jersey. They cater to there own territory. Buddy Rogers was a huge draw too and he help too. Bruno became WWE first big mega draw superstar that broke live gate records and the first to establish Madison square garden as the Mecca of Pro WRESTLING, he broke Madison square gardens all Time attendance records, day in and day out, and became the pride of the Italian people and new Yorker, that spanned to the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Vince Sr, was the one who wanted him and believe in him. But they never were on the verge of bankruptcy in the 1960s, they were flourishing and the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s was the first golden era period in pro wrestling. Then after Bruno they had superstar Billy Graham was a huge draw too and became a star, then they had bob Buckland then Hulk Hogan and Vince Jr took pro wrestling world wide and mainstream and it was mega huge, the reason WWE is well known to causel fans is because of hulk Hogan and his mainstream successs, and MTV was new at the time and they merged and pro wrestling went mega mainstream and world wide. Bruno was the first mega drawing power wrestler. But Hogan took it to the stratosphere....and stone cold brought back wwe for going out of business in 1997, and a long with Vince JR helped turn wwe into a global phenomenon and WWE had another golden era, attitudes era and the WWE went public and broke ratings records and it was pop culture and it went mega mega mainstream. It was stone cold that kept wwe from going bankrupt and going out of business, after the steroid scandal in 1993 and losing alot of money from the dark ages of Pro WRESTLING and ratings going down, causel fans losing interested, attendances went all the way down, and wcw was trying to put them out of business, but it was Stone cold, and Vince McMahon jr rivalry that got the causel fans hooked again with the star power of The Rock and Mike Tyson, stone colds drawing power brought WWE from the brink of bankruptcy. But Bruno was the first WWE mega star and drawing superstar, Bruno did make wwe alot of money, but back then wwe had Buddy Rogers and other wrestlers for there own territory.

[@junegiovanni6475]

Jonathan Turbide regardless Bruno was one of the one of the mount Rushmore of Pro WRESTLING, it was always Bruno Sammertino, Hulk hogan, stone cold, the rock, ric flair, Andre the giant, John cena....those are the guys who became the greatest ever drawers and star power, mainstream success, known to causel fans, the biggest stars in pro wrestling history, they broke more live gate records and boxoffice boxoffice pro wrestling tickets, more pay-per-view buy rates, record breaking television ratings and sold more merchandise then any wrestler alive. They are the biggest draws. Even Dave Meltzer put all of them on the Mount Rushmore of Pro WRESTLING. Bruno Sammertino was the first and at the top of all of them.

[@capacola262743]

bullshit! they would have just found somebody else to be champion and promote the shit out of him, just like they did for bruno. there was NOTHING special about him. he couldn't wrestle, he couldn't talk, he had no gimmick, he had no charisma. he was strong, and he was ITALIAN, that's it. there were a lot of italian fans in the north east. dominic denucci would have been just as popular if he was champ. and look who they replaced sammartino with...Morales! another bum with ZERO wrestling ability, but he was Puerto Rican and by this time, there were also tons of PR fans in new york.

[@ferox965]

@@capacola262743 Hahaha

[@dr.mansabansuphd172]

As an African American child spending weekends in Harlem (NY) during the early 1970s, I watched the then WWWF featuring Bruno on WOR (Channel 9) at midnight on Saturdays. He was such a fantastic performer and personality. May he rest well among his ancestors...

[@gabe31g]

Dr.Mansa Bansu,PhD. I saw him and remember him as a commentator and I remember his son David. My Godfather always spoke about him. Wrestling isn't the same anymore.

[@kevinkelly1529]

I guess you figured the story would make no sense if you hadn't pointed out that you are African American.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

The point is that the part that Bruno played was enlightening to all minorities, Italian, Jewish, African American. Bruno gave interviews that enlisted the help of the common man. He would tell the fans that with your support I can defeat this opponent. Good strategy, good box office results, whether intentional or not.

[@terminallumbago6465]

@@bulldogbrower6732 It worked because of his humble beginnings. He was raised in Italy and grew up during WW2. He and his family (minus his father, who had already went to America) lived in the mountains to hide from the Nazis. His mother would sneak into the local village, which was occupied by the Nazis, to get food and supplies. The family immigrated to America and joined Bruno’s father after the war. Bruno didn’t speak English and he had health issues from the family’s poverty and suffering during the war years, so he was bullied at school. To solve this problem, he took up weightlifting. The rest is history.

[@wolfiethedog76]

Bruno Sammartino was a great man...Had the most integrity of any Wrestler I have ever heard and or seen. I hate when great people die...

[@greedyd5524]

Zac Craze had it till he went crawling back to Vince

[@Stonymoj]

Hate waking up and seeing another legend gone. R.I.P Bruno

[@YurManDavid]

Rest In Peace, Bruno! The world lost one of the best ones yesterday. Heart of gold and a body of steel. He’ll be missed.

[@davidcoleman9317]

I got to meet Bruno backstage on several occasions and my most favorite time was when Bruno and Killer Kowalski sat in a room with me and talked about old wrestling stories. I got to take pictures with them. I will never forget just how nice he was to me. He was a true Champion in wrestling. I loved Killer Kowalski too.

[@donaldwilcox1085]

I'm numb. Stunned to my core. Bruno was my childhood!!!! I can still feel the excitement of walking up to my local news stand and seeing the latest Apter magazine usually with Bruno on the cover. If I close my eyes I can still almost feel it. Thank you Bruno for making my youth extra special. You were my hero. I wouldn't trade those days for anything. Be proud of your accomplishments and how you lived your life. May God bless you and give you everlasting peace.

[@michaelkaminski8339]

Bruno was THE living legend. He never wrestled on tv back in those days as Champion. The time he wrestled Larry Zybysco in 1980 was HUGE. Then to see him cut up and bleeding on the mat was amazing.. RIP.

[@thorboysen3318]

Rest in peace, Bruno! One of the greatest professional wrestlers is no longer with us...! I am too young to have ever watched one of his matches live. But i read a lot of stuff about him. I know the word "legend" is sometimes overused! But Bruno Sammartino WAS a true legend!!! An eight year title run! Today nobody could imagine a title run that long! Big loss for our wrestling family!

[@orangegobblin5683]

I saw his match w Larry Zybysko ,,that's when things started turning into a circus. Not like the joke the business is now,, but you could see the direction it was heading.

[@quimiradarthwidow4898]

Thor Boysen an 8-year deserving title run, he single-handedly regularly sold out Madison Square Garden and made Vince McMahon a shit ton of money, and it was just on his pure, raw, unadulterated Talent, there was no corporate machine behind him like there is nowadays behind people who get pushes

[@RyanAcidhedzMurphy]

Holding a title for that long in a territory that only worked a few matches a month, in an area with a population that insured most people wouldn't be able to see him more than once or twice a year, is really not that impressive. Especially when you factor in his being Italian. I'd say someone like Vampiro, a white Canadian, getting super over for years in Mexico is more impressive.

[@jacquesteddyruxpin8843]

Mexico's not as huge in wrestling as Madison Square Garden is, WWE is what put Madison Square Garden on the map with wrestling, Madison Square Garden is synonymous with wrestling, Mexico never reached a nationwide audience like Madison Square Garden did, I'd say about it a third of as many people that know Bruno Sammartino know Vampiro

[@RyanAcidhedzMurphy]

First off, that's a strawman because I was talking about the feat of being an outsider making it big in another country. as opposed to an Italian man making it big in fucking New York. Hardly a great feat. MSG is only a big deal to WWF/E fans. It is not synonymous with it to anyone else. Second, you have a VERY narrow minded view of pro wrestling outside the USA. Mil Mascaras is more famous, and was more popular, longer, than probably anyone else in the history of pro wrestling. Bruno didn't reach a nationwide audience either. He was a star in the North East, and had a handful of other places where he had worked enough that people knew him. Other than that, most people only knew his name from magazines, if they knew who he was at all. He was NOT a big deal anywhere besides the WWWF. And like I said, he had it EASY there. His title runs are really not that impressive, and that's the ONLY thing he's famous for. What you'd say is irrelevant. What can you prove?

[@jokerjack2913]

Bruno is already missed. This is so heartbreaking. May he rest in peace, as he will live forever in the hearts and memories of his fans. He defined the word "champion".

[@shyjames83]

The undisputed KING of Madison Square Garden

[@HD4lyfe]

Bruno OWNS MSG :D

[@denisemitchell8477]

agree and I was there yep back in the day Haystacks and Bobo I go way back

[@shyjames83]

Denise Mitchell I wasn’t there, born in 83, but I know and appreciate history

[@pathendlem]

Bruno was way before my time but everyone knows he's a legend. One of the greatest in history and from what I've read carried himself with the highest class throughout his career. He stuck to his guns and his principles and carried himself with absolute integrity. A class act and he will be missed. Sad to see such a great legend, one of the greatest of all time leave us

[@bradnimbus4836]

Heard this news yesterday morning and it completely ruined my day. It hurt my heart. Bruno Sammartino was a man I thought would never die and even today it feels like a bad dream. Truly a legend in all respects of the word.

[@AmongGangstas]

While Jim has a love/hate relationship with WWE, Bruno was definitely one of his heros. He was all of our hero.

[@NoIDAvailable]

I remember not finding out he died until 4 days after, since I took a break from the internet those days. I was devastated

[@crucifixmegabuster95]

I'm a young guy. My family named our do after Bruno in the 70s. Th3 glem in my grandparents eyes mentioning his name. Stories of Bruno breaking his neck in a match and still going. A legend that reaches generation's to the point even this 23 year old is inspired by. He will be missed but not forgotten.

[@johnmarshk]

He will truly be missed.

[@nomikes4392]

Using the Kevin Nash standard: "The only thing that is real is the money and the miles", Bruno earned more while traveling less than any other champion

[@CarlMarxPunk]

Pretty sure Stone Cold made more.

[@sketchstevens5859]

@@CarlMarxPunk Stone Cold took a lot of mileage before he got to Bruno's level. Bruno was consistently on top for the entirety of his career

[@CarlMarxPunk]

@@sketchstevens5859 That's true, but it wouldn't change the fact Stone Cold made more money. That being said. Burno would probablly kick his ass in a shoot.

[@rubenarriaga3029]

Carl Marx Punk tough to compare money from 60s 90s

[@jeffscott4273]

One of my Hero's when I was growing up, a classy star - RIP.

[@Thundarr100]

Rest In Peace Bruno. I got into wrestling when Bruno was one of the commentators on WWF Superstars on Saturday mornings. But he would still lace up the boots and get into the ring every once in a while, like with his feud with Rowdy Roddy Piper, or the Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 2. He was a great wrestler, and from what I heard, a great guy. A real class act. He will be missed.

[@whitepac73]

On the Mount Rushmore of professional wrestling

[@totz_the_plaid9625]

For a U.S. pro wrestling Mount Rushmore, my picks are, left to right: - Andre the Giant - Gorgeous George - Bruno Sammartino - Hulk Hogan Without George, wrestling may never have become the major spectacle it is. Bruno and Andre's fame is too major to deny. And as for Hogan, love him, hate him, whatever: he was still central to the whole WWF/WrestleMania pop culture explosion. Yes, there are many other essential legends, but if you HAVE to boil it down to four, those pretty much have to be it. (Before anyone complains about Flair's absence, George supercedes him in the blonde, flamboyant robe-wearing, pretty boy ultra heel area. Flair is better and ultimately much more successful, but George broke the ground for his later success. ...besides, the Horsemen basically deserve their own monument.)

[@jeremyboehm5512]

R.I.P. Bruno,You will be missed.

[@oldjms1965]

I grew up watching Bruno, he came across as a very classy man, RIP

[@rodneyholmes5260]

R.I.P. Bruno Sammartino. Truly a legend.

[@DannyFlorioNYC]

Rest In Peace to a true Legend and a great career.

[@walterglowacki2185]

I saw Bruno one time in the old Philadelphia Arena in 1967 what a bad neighborhood then!

[@DOLARNICK]

Bruno defeating Buddy “Nature Boy” Rogers was what got him over, no doubt about it. I was a fan of the original Nature Boy and at MSGwhen he beat Rogers in under a minute, but it was beating Rogers that propelled him into being an immortal in pro wrestling

[@RedFox0909]

According to Bruno that was a shoot.

[@DeeEllEff]

@@RedFox0909 Well, he definitely hated Rogers, that's for sure.

[@biffroberts1007]

Another feller who just passed away about the same time Bruno did, is Paul Jones. He was a manager in the NWA back in the 80's who put together the "Paul Jones Army" & feuded with Jimmy Valiant. May Bruno & Paul RIP.

[@oxcarthabu]

I went to college near Charlotte in the 70's and NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling was the biggest and most successful NWA territory at that time. Paul Jones was a popular heel wrestler before becoming a manager. R.I.P. #1 Paul Jones!!

[@biffroberts1007]

I believe you 100% about the NWA territory being the most successful territory at the time. In fact, it was the NWA & World Class that made me a fan of wrestling. You here allot of talk about how the Attitude Era was the best & this & that, but I would wager a months rent that the pops the NWA with the Rock N Roll Express vs the Midnight Express or the World Class Von Erichs vs the Freebirds would more than equal any pops the Attitude Era could ever bring. I remember watching a shoot that the late Dust Rhodes did not long before he died & he said, "People act like Steve Austin was the only one who ever drove a truck to the ring before, but that's been done a long time ago." Not sure how true that is, but one thing NO ONE can ever dispute & that is, at least back in the 70's & 80's more fans still believed wrestling was more real or at the very least had a bit more of a real feel to it than today's current product does. Back in the 70's & 80's kayfabe was still somewhat believable. And IMO that's what helped sell the product. As for the late great Paul Jones, while he will be missed by all us old school farts, he'll never be forgotten. In fact, I still have em in my NWA tabletop wrestling game feuding with Boogie Woogie Valiant. Talk about great times!!! lol

[@toma.4808]

Paul jones also just passed away. May both men RIP

[@heisensaul5538]

A true gentleman. Thank you Bruno and RIP, We lost a true legend today.

[@duanecooper7817]

Bruno protected the business when it was considered a sport he was believable in the 60s and 70s r i p Bruno you was the best there wouldnt be a WWE if it wasnt for him all you so call wrestling fans need to read the history of pro wrestling and see how much he meant the the northeast and MSG

[@jamesyoung1547]

My dad grew up below the old Channel 11 station in Fineview. He tells stories about meeting the wrestlers in the parking lot before they went to do the matches. Bruno was a huge hero there. One story my dad has told is of Bruno filling a 55 gallon drum with water, laying it on it's side then grabbing it by the ends and lifting it up.

[@dougdrazga4461]

I totally believe that story. Bruno and Pittsburgh were a perfect fit. Don't forget everything he had to do to get here, escaping the Nazis in Italy and everything. It's a giant loss.

[@bossmann6358]

That’s 440 lbs. Not sure if I believe that story.

[@otiskariya]

David Snyder I find it plausible as a "maybe". Bruno did hold the world record bench press at one time. Which is quite a feat, especially for the period in time when he accomplished it.

[@bossmann6358]

otiskariya The lip on a 55 gallon drum is so small he couldn't have gripped it well enough. If it were standing up, I would be more apt to believe the story

[@Maxmellow94]

@@bossmann6358 oh he could lift that much trust me i heard him

[@KNVisual]

That "Ohhh" from Corny breaks my heart.

[@dr.billdimino96]

I loved this man as much as my Family,, I got to meet him a number of times and talked to him on the phone .He was the ultimate gentleman and his wrestling skills were second to none. He was the ultimate role model.There needs to be a major movie about his life!

[@bluhmer1990]

RIP Bruno. Wrestling owes you more than it can ever give back.

[@giovannisocci8793]

I was introduced to wrestling in the 80s by watching the Von Erichs,then I started liking it all, l subsequently became acquainted with WWF and Bruno,oh Bruno was royalty,so dignified and respectful,he was semi retired at the time,but he had a great presence. R.I.P. Mr Sammartino.

[@fleetman5492]

RIP Bruno. What a magnificent life lived.

[@ChristopherMorningstar-t5u]

You will be missed and thank you!. #TopShelf #ALegend 🎩🎩 thank you for being you Bruno

[@ThePro-WrestlingTrueCrime]

The myth that death comes in 3's to me isn't a myth. God Love You Bruno!

[@chitownace777]

Johnny V,Bruno,Paul Jones,Terry Garvin Simms.Need 2 more

[@jokerjack2913]

Beautiful April, unfortunatly your right. It comes in 3's. I hope the cycle is broken for this one. I hate losing anyone, wrestlers included. Bruno defined the word "champion". This is so heartbreaking.

[@rahlohmcdonogh280]

joe blow Art Bell and Barbara Bush!!

[@biffroberts1007]

Its no myth. The Von Erichs. And more recently my own kin when I loss both my parents & my only brother. The myth ain't no myth, the myth is fact & its true.

[@johnreed9050]

I have never known what you said about death in 3s to be false.

[@themegalith458]

When I was young in the 70’s I would see him in the magazines even then.

[@Stonymoj]

Bruno is a legend! Gotta beat Charlotte Flair to the punch lol

[@jeffreywalker8221]

Whats a moveset ? Freaking marks ugh , shes an ok worker and promo that if her daddy wasnt licking Triple Hs taint she wouldnt even be in the business.

[@nina2x]

I was extremely devastated when Bruno died, because my he was my dad's (rip also) favorite wrestler

[@denisemitchell8477]

As a 61 year old from NYC Bruno will always be the living legend he set the bar and no one has matched him he sold out MSG better than the Knicks..he put rassling on the map and man he had to fight big strong guys thanks for Bruno he spoke his mind and had integrity that's what's missing today he was real..likeable. unlike today's midget indie rasslars and fluffy little girls boring

[@willis26311]

I remember Roddy Piper attacking him at MSG in 1985. Bruno was in his 50's, but after being attacked by Piper with a steel chair, he came back, beat down Piper, and had a look on his face that he could kill any man on Earth... There are stories of Bruno being a kind man, but, people would try to fuck with him to their own demise. Didn't he beat down 4 -5 NFL football players by himself for real? He looked tough as hell! Didn't he beat Polio as a child too? You want to talk about tough... Bruno "the living Legend" Sammartino. He was great with kids too. Proud of his Italian ancestry. A tough, tough man...

[@brianneeley4471]

Jim has such good insights on all aspects wrestling. This is a great example. Bruno - RIP.

[@frederickfullerjr5780]

Bruno was and continues to be one of my hero’s.

[@johnsowa999]

Rip Bruno he will be truly missed one of a kind the WWF's greatest champ

[@frankbonini9128]

I Still Smile Whenever I See or Think of the Two Brunos Photo of Mars & Sammartino Standing Next to Each Other, & Mars Holding the Old WWWF Championship Title Belt

[@Rjensen2]

Why do you capitalize most words?

[@monarched]

Bruno...a god among legends. R.I.P

[@carolinecorma8n69]

Loved the guy. He was the man. Miss you Bruno.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Absolute class act.

[@michaelmaynard58]

I saw Bruno in person many times at the old Philadelphia Arena near 40th and Market streets. It was the worst but Bruno was the best!

[@kronos77]

The Arena had serious character.

[@diggitydave75438]

Bruno was a legend. No denying it. Second biggest draw EVER in pro wrestling history, behind only Jim Londos. That's all that needs to be said.

[@zacharyradford5552]

Except Jim and Bruno was so much more. Than an attraction.

[@dabunnyman9133]

RIP Bruno, saw him many times at the old Boston Garden starting with his bout against Crusher Verdu. Great story about wrestling hype involving him. When he was making his first return years after losing the belt, his first time back in Boston a story in the newspaper mentioned the promoter talking about how big a draw he was. They mentioned the month before the show without him had drawn only 3000 or so, but this months show with his return was a sellout of 15000. What was not mentioned was that the month before show, the Garden was not available so the show was at Hynes Auditorium which only held 3000. Also remember Jimmy Valiant as John L. Sullivan around the WWWF, he'd be the prelim guy Bruno would rescue from some heel to start a feud.

[@A.D.O.S.]

Still shocked by the news

[@lpshy9337]

Martin Baggett I am so with you and agree you there. He seemed so active for his age and in shape

[@franksullivan7110]

I love Bruno PIP and live in Philly....

[@JackBarrett7]

He was a great man. He was muscular right up until the end. You can't say it's a tragedy, because he lived a long life, but it's sad. I've always said he should have been cast in a movie as a Mafia don.

LOL, that'd have been ironic, considering he was never a heel. I doubt he'd even want that role.

[@MrMferg240]

actually he auditioned for the part of luca brazi in the GODFATHER. the part went to lenny montana. true story.

[@Dale820]

Bruno was a class act.

[@ArcaneAzmadi]

0:29 you can hear the legit shock and instantaneous misery in Jim's voice. I had the same reaction when I saw the news pop up that Bruno was gone: "Oh... oh fuck no, not Bruno..." And I'm not anything LIKE old enough to have been into wrestling when Bruno was The Man (hell, I'm not even American), but I've studied wrestling extensively to catch up so I know all about what a legendary figure he was and what a terrible loss his death is. First thing I did after I found out was went to the the first one of his matches I could find online (his cage match against Ivan Koloff in 1975, 8 years before I was even born) and just watched it as the least tribute I could manage to him. RIP the Living Legend, he will never _truly_ die.

[@paullindstrom7635]

I watched Bruiser and Bruno vs the Valiants back in the day. The ring was collapsing and there was blood everywhere. Some people criticized and said Bruno did not get over in the Midwest. This is basically untrue. He would have been over even stronger if he had stayed around longer, particularly in the larger cities with a significant Italian demographic.

[@andrewbrown1769]

Gosh damn it...rip Bruno...damn we lost one of the great ones

[@jamaaldavis3222]

Rest in power to the great Bruno

[@hollywood21639]

My dad would say stuff like "that guy couldn't beat Bruno" sometimes while watching wrestling as a small kid in the mid 80's.

[@stardust_memories2260]

Mount Rushmore...Bruno, Sam, Mar and tino

[@signoresantinoburnett1169]

Bruno is the Babe Ruth of Wrestling. Rushmore is Bruno, Hulk, Austin, Rock. Just on pure drawing ability and being over regardless of role.

[@Rjensen2]

So it's just WWE to you? Poor clueless fool.

[@MungasaurusBravo69420]

There needs to be a Movie made about Bruno Sammartino, the legend lived an extraordinary life, I love how through triple h, he made peace with vince mcmahon and got into the hall of fame

[@ferox965]

According to Bruno himself, he had lots of offers for biopics and turned them down.

[@Rjensen2]

There's a 3 hour doc on him, and he's given hours of interviews, so why would you want some fictional movie?

[@frankiebflat5728]

The greatest wrestler of all time

[@jasonhoff7231]

from one yinzer to another RIP LIVING LEGEND !! you will be missed! Jason Hoff Tampa Florida formal shadyside pa resident

[@spectrumlocalb191]

CAN WE PUT THAT 2 HOUR INTERVIEW YOU DID WITH BRUNO UP HERE?

[@Davehhhh]

spectrumlocalb191 it was with Ring of Honor so I think ROH has the rights to it. I don't think you can buy it at this current time on their website as I didn't see it available

[@mr.mirchenstein6549]

RIP BRUNNO...True Definition Of The Term Wrestling Legend 💪💪🍺🍻

[@lrm215]

The Living Legend RIP

[@jonathanturbide2232]

They better give him a 10 bells salute on RAW next monday. Hell, he deserves a million bells salute. RIP.

[@magicbus63]

Bruno Sammartino Vs Larry Zbyszko One Of The Greatest Feuds Of All Time

[@jasonnaugle1600]

Bruno, Lou Thesz, Gorgeous George, Jerry Lawler... There's my mt rushmore

[@johnstrika9170]

Jason Naugle Highly disagree with George and Lawler. The other 2 an argument definitely can be made.

[@Neelt2001]

Jason Naugle I agree with all names if you're talking about people who pioneered professional wrestling. Except Lawler. Lawler is definitely underrated, especially with fans of a generation who only know him as a WWE commentator, but Mt. Rushmore? That's stretching it a bit imo. The other 3 truly transcended the business in to mainstream entertainment & no doubt, paved the way for Hogan, Flair, Rock, Austin, etc. Lawler only did so briefly, & that too, because of the rub from Andy Kaufman.

[@SegunOla80]

Rip legend

[@sullyb23511]

I thought I heard Jim's voice break a little when he heard the news. :-(

[@georgesalgado8783]

I always thought the same thing about the mount Rushmore question. But if it's four then my four have always been: 1. Ric Flair 2. Bruno Sammartino 3. Hulk Hogan 4. Steve Austin

[@KingGhidorah5464]

We got their live reactions to Bruno’s death. RIP Living Legend

[@davenwatts8173]

That toupee was LEGENDARY!!

[@smashwrestlermachinexzibtt6707]

I’m so sorry about bruno sammartino passes away bruno sammartino in heaven with my brother mike kammins Bruno sammartino be angel forever

[@XLordLeamingtonX]

A great, classy man.

[@acedibiase7038]

"One of the big ones" quite an understatement

[@MattSingh1]

Paul Jones just passed away too.

[@alhirschen6099]

The last line is true . A picture of Jesus and Bruno in the formal living room.

[@Davehhhh]

If anyone wants to hear Bruno for hours talk, f4wonline.com has Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez. I remember there was 5 or 6 interviews they did with Bruno and they were 2 hours each and fun to listen to Bruno.

[@richzamperini]

Riposa in pace, il mio eroe...

[@christophercleary6780]

Wrestling Rushmore: Bruno, Flair, Hogan, Andre.

[@HAM-sb2ns]

Christopher Cleary that's perfect

[@timnowell6999]

Christopher Cleary not flair but Harley race

[@terminallumbago6465]

I think Taker should replace Andre. Not only has he had what many consider the best gimmick in pro wrestling history, but he's had the staying power to last over 25 years with that gimmick (obviously excluding his American Badass years).

[@Aphelion_k9f]

Kick Flair for Lou Thesz.

[@JayCity10]

No Dusty Rhodes?

[@landismithCOJ]

I can't wait until we get Sheiky Baby's comments on Bruno. RIP to the legend.

[@bloodlegion4874]

Bruno will ALWAYS be Uno ❤️🙏🏻🇮🇹

[@HyneephAli]

I wish wrestlers today would take on his attitude about themselves and the image of a professional wrestler.

[@larryfloyd4993]

sam muchnick, loved Bruno sammartino.... never drew big in st. Louis for sam muchnick... but he was allways a main event or co main event.....

[@Rjensen2]

Like hell he didn't. He was huge in St. Louis.

[@larryfloyd4993]

@@Rjensen2 the only time bruno sammartino ,had a sell out was was on..6/15/ 1973 vs new nwa harley race . they went to a 1 hr. draw each one a fall..very good match..10,043...kiel auditorium st.louis mo. and if you look at his other times here , the main events were headline by the mo. state champion,,he did co main event ..i allways like bruno..

[@chrisygrierson9948]

R.I.P Bruno

[@durden2480]

Greatest

[@dominus3197]

R.I.P. Bruno!

[@ThunderFist1978]

My thought when I found out Bruno passed is how much I hope he and his son David made amends before it was too late.

[@marqibarra]

RIP bruno

[@tomwalker389]

Who wins in a shoot fight - Bruno or Thesz?

[@AlphariusDominatus]

Mt. Rushmore of Pro Wrestling is Hulk Hogan, El Santo, Antonio Inoki and Ric Flair

[@pl180000]

Don't forget about Paul Jones. He recently passed away too.