The wrestling world lost a true great and the world, in general, lost a true gentleman as Bruno Sammartino sadly passed away at 82.
At a very young age, his family left Italy for the USA in the aftermath of World War II. He would go on to develop a love for weightlifting, which led to him grabbing the attention of WWWF Chairman, Vince McMahon Sr.
Bruno Sammartino had a phenomenal career inside the ring. From holding the World Championship for a record, 2,803 days to selling out Madison Square Garden the better part of 200 times!
While he had his differences with the WWE during the 80’s and 90’s it was all put behind him as he was an inductee in the 2013 WWE Hall Of Fame, being inducted by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Many in the wrestling world such as Chris Jericho and Triple H who was the driving force when it came to mending the bridge between Bruno and the WWE, have expressed their sadness via social media. Many celebrities as well such as Arnold Schwarzenegger have also posted tributes to the wrestling icon.
One of the most telling things about Bruno Sammartino is that many of these tributes do not just focus on what a fantastic competitor he was, but that he was a genuinely nice human being and how the world is a lesser place without him in it.
Devastated to hear the passing of a true icon, legend, great, honest and wonderful man…
A true friend…and one of the toughest people I've ever met.
My thoughts are with his entire family. #RIPBrunoSammartino #AmericanDream— Triple H (@TripleH) April 18, 2018
Bruno Sammartino was a legend. He was the American Dream personified. From his childhood in Italy hiding from Nazis to selling out Madison Square Garden 188 times as the biggest star of professional wrestling, he was a hero in every stage of his life. pic.twitter.com/29KDwT3gcA
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) April 18, 2018
