Bruno Sammartino

On this page you find the full wrestling profile of Bruno Sammartino, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was born in Pizzoferrato, Italy on October 6, 1935.

He died on April 18, 2018 at the age of 82.

Bruno Sammartino is a 2-time World Champion, and has won a total of 4 championships in major promotions during his career.

Bruno Sammartino was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 as an individual and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2002 as part of the Television Era wing.

Profile Info

• GenderMale
• Real NameBruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino
• Ring Names
  • Bruno Sammartino (October 23, 1959 - June 9, 1991)
• Born October 6, 1935
• Died April 18, 2018 (aged 82)
• NationalityItaly, United States
• Birth PlacePizzoferrato, Italy
• Billed From
  • Abruzzo, Italy
• Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
• Weight
  • 265 lbs (120 kg)
• NicknamesThe Living Legend; The Original Italian Stallion; The Italian Superman

Career History

• Roles

  • Commentator (October 1, 1990 - June 9, 1991)
  • Commentator (September 22, 1984 - March 12, 1988)
  • Part Time Wrestler (February 16, 1985 - August 29, 1987)
  • Wrestler (October 23, 1959 - October 9, 1981)
  • Commentator (December 14, 1978 - October 30, 1980)

• Promotions History

  Promotion	from	to
  PromotionUWF HA	October 1, 1990	June 9, 1991
  PromotionWWF	February 16, 1985	March 12, 1988
  PromotionAJPWBrand Heavyweight	October 7, 1981	October 9, 1981
  PromotionWWWF	October 23, 1959	October 4, 1981
  PromotionNWA	January 12, 1972	April 11, 1976
  PromotionNWF	April 17, 1974	November 1, 1974
  PromotionWWA IN	April 14, 1973	February 7, 1974
  PromotionAJPWBrand Heavyweight	October 21, 1972	December 7, 1973
  PromotionSLWC	April 6, 1973	June 15, 1973
  PromotionNWF	April 27, 1972	May 26, 1972
  PromotionNWA HOLLYWOOD	January 12, 1972	February 25, 1972
  PromotionJWA	November 19, 1971	November 27, 1971
  PromotionNWA	December 3, 1959	July 13, 1969
  PromotionJWA	August 2, 1968	August 12, 1968
  PromotionJWA	March 2, 1967	March 7, 1967
  PromotionWCW AUSTRALIA	April 15, 1966	October 7, 1966
  PromotionFKE	February 19, 1960	January 5, 1962
  PromotionNWA DETROIT	March 25, 1961	December 2, 1961

• Images History

  

  Aug 1987

  

  Feb 1985

  

  Sep 1984

  

  Mar 1979

  

  Nov 1971

  

  Feb 1963

  

  Oct 1959

• Face / Heel Turns

  Alignment	Details	from	to
  Face		December 3, 1959	August 29, 1987

• Card Positions

  Status	Details	from	to
  WWE Mid Card		February 16, 1985	August 29, 1987
  WWE Mid Card		March 25, 1978	October 4, 1981
  WWE Upper Card		June 25, 1976	March 24, 1978
  WWE Injured	Neck fracture	April 27, 1976	June 24, 1976
  WWE Upper Card		November 17, 1973	April 26, 1976
  WWE Inactive	Midwest territory runs	February 27, 1973	November 16, 1973
  WWE Upper Card		March 13, 1972	February 26, 1973
  WWE Inactive	Japan/NWA territory runs	February 9, 1971	March 12, 1972
  WWE Upper Card		April 11, 1963	February 8, 1971
  WWE Mid Card		January 7, 1963	April 10, 1963
  WWE Inactive	Canadian territory run	March 7, 1962	January 6, 1963
  WWE Mid Card		December 30, 1959	March 6, 1962
  WWE Low Card		October 23, 1959	December 29, 1959

• Finishers

  • Bearhug (October 23, 1959 - August 29, 1987)
  • Hammerlock (October 23, 1959 - August 29, 1987)
  • Pendulum Backbreaker (October 23, 1959 - August 29, 1987)

• Theme Songs

  • Theme Song"Head From Home" by Sam Spence - Single (April 6, 2013 - April 6, 2013)

Titles & Accomplishments

• Career Awards

• • WWE Hall of Fame - Individual (Year2013)
  • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) - Television Era (Year2002)

• World Wrestling Entertainment

  • x2 WWWF World/WWWF Heavyweight Championship
  • x1 WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (with Spiros Arion)
  • x1 WWWF International Tag Team Championship (with Dominic DeNucci)

• Maple Leaf Wrestling

  • 1 NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version) (with Whipper Billy Watson)
  • 1 NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version)

  World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis)

  • 1 WWA World Tag Team Championship (with Dick the Bruiser)

  World Wrestling Council

  • 1 WWC North American Heavyweight Championship

• Other Accomplishments

  • WWE Bronze Statue (2014)
  • Record for WWWF Championship longest reign (2803 days)
  • George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2019)
  • International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2021)
  • KSWA Hall of Fame induction (class of 2012)
  • WWWA Hall of Fame induction (class of 2008)
  • NWA Hollywood Los Angeles Battle Royal Winner (1972)
  • PWI Wrestler of the Year (1974)
  • PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1976)
  • PWI Match of the Year (1972 - Battle Royal; 1975 - vs. Spiros Arion; 1976 - vs. Stan Hansen; 1977 - vs. Billy Graham; 1980 - vs. Larry Zbyszko, Steel Cage match at Showdown at Shea)
  • PWI Stanley Weston Award Winner (1981)
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 1996)
  • WON Feud of the Year (1980 - vs. Larry Zbyszko)
  • Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame induction

Teams & Relations

• Tag Teams & Stables

  • Annihilation Inc. - Dick The Bruiser (August 4, 1973 - March 2, 1974)
  • Bruno Sammartino & Argentina Apollo - Argentina Apollo (August 30, 1961 - November 17, 1966)

• Managers

  • Arnold Skaaland (November 17, 1973 - March 24, 1980)

Bruno Sammartino Games Appearances (9)

WWE Main Series (4/26)

WWE 2K25

WWE 2K24

WWE 2K23

WWE 2K14

Other Games (5)

Universe

Champions

SuperCard

Showdown Legends Of Wrestling

Legends Of Wrestling 2