Bruno Sammartino

Bruno Laopardo Franceso Sammartino (born October 6, 1936 in Abruzzo, Italy), is a former professional wrestler. As a child he and his family hid in caves from German soldiers during the latter stages of World War II; around 1951 he came to the United States, settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Championships/Accomplishments

World Wide Wrestling Federation

• 2-Time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion
• 1-Time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion (with Spiros Arion)
• 2-Time WWWF International Tag Team Champion (with Tony Marino and Dominic DeNucci)

Other Titles

• 1-Time WWA Tag Team Champion (with Dick the Bruiser)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 200 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
• Bruno won several PWI Awards in his career. He won Wrestler of the Year in 1974, Most Inspirational Wrestler in 1976 and the Editor's Award in 1981. He was part of 5 Match of the Year Awards: 1972 (won Battle Royal), 1975 (vs. Spiros Arion), 1976 (vs. Stan Hansen), 1977 (vs. Superstar Billy Graham) and 1980 (vs. Larry Zbyszko).

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WWE Championship

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Preceded by:Buddy Rogers

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First reign

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Followed by:Ivan Koloff

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Preceded by:Stan Stasiak

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Second reign

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Followed by:Billy Graham

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