bruno sammartino title defensesbruno sammartino title defenses

Morales would hold the title for 1,027 days, but it was clear that Pedro was no Bruno. Remarkably, Pedro Morales original golden eagle belt was procured from a pawn shop in Manhattan in late 1974/early 1975 for $75 by renowned wrestling historian, Tom Burke. They couldnt believe Bruno got defeated after seven years as champion. Spectator Sports was a local Pittsburgh promotion previously owned by WWWF co-owner Toots Mondt but now owned by Sammartino himself it was on Spectator Sports TVthat Koloff had first encountered Sammartino, facing him as Orwell Parris (in an enhancement role), in 1965 in a non-title match. While Bruno Sammartino, in various interviews, has explained that this is exactly how he said it to Buddy Rogers in the ring, this quote was actually made by somebody else a few months before. On May 17, 1963, after only 22 days as WWWF World Champion, Rogers lost his title to 27-year old Bruno Sammartino in Madison Square Garden. Lonnie Mayne The Glass Eating, Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog! Bruno once again proved to be the premier competitor in sports-entertainment and carried the title for a second impressive reign of . Matt Pender is an old-school wrestling fan who currently lives in New Zealand. That record will never be broken. The toughest job in my life was climbing in that ring [after] coming out of intensive care and knowing that I could never wrestle again after that. WWE commissioned a statue of Bruno wearing his belt, 6. Can you imagine it? By Robert D. McFadden. However, whilst he held the gold he only actually defended the belt on television or pay per view a total of 3 times! After nearly fifteen years of promoting an "ethnic babyface" at the top of his cards, the . Bruno headed north to continue working, where he joined Frank Tunneys Maple Leaf Wrestling (Torontos NWA affiliate) in Canada instead, where he was often the Maple Leaf Wrestling challenger to Buddy Rogers when the NWA World Champion headed to Canada. Lou Thesz, a 2x NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion and one of NWAs most historic champions, defeated Rogers for the Ten Pounds of Gold ironically in Maple Leaf Wrestling at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto ending Rogers World title reign at 573-days. I was just so exhausted It became clear to Vince McMahon Sr. that his World Champion was gassed. Send Flowers, Plants & Gifts. title(s) WWWF MSG Show (Dec '63) Dec 16th 1963: Bruno Sammartino (c) def. If hes willing, then fine., It was funny because Georgiann went and got him, got me, and she stood in the middle. (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). ~~~Bruno Sammartino would hold the WWWF World title for an incredible EIGHT years straight! Ray Stevens 5'10 230 lbs San Francisco, CA They both encapsulated what a hero was for their respective eras. With Bruno as WWWFs World Champion, WWWF conquered the New York territory and became a true alternative to the monopoly that the NWA had held over pro wrestling in the United States since 1948. Man, everything went so quiet, Koloff remembered (again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories). - Bruno Sammartino and Dominic DeNucci defeated The Mongols (Geeto and Bepo) for the WWF International Tag Team Titles. World Tag Team Title (Indianapolis)", "WWC North American Heavyweight Title (Puerto Rico)", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2007", "Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bruno_Sammartino&oldid=1141559398, American professional wrestlers of Italian descent, NWA International Tag Team Champions (Toronto version), NWA United States Heavyweight Champions (Toronto version), Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking reliable references from August 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Ranked No. On June 18 2014, Dr. Wagner, Jr. won the title and has kept it ever since. His ability to speak Italian also ingratiated him with that immigrant population. It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, whenBruno Sammartino defeated Nature Boy Buddy Rogers to become the WWWF World Champion. Over the course of his record-breaking run, Sammartino successfully retained his title 653 times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone. Bruno chose a photo with his 1965 belt for the cover of his autobiography, Bruno Sammartino:The Autobiography of Wrestlings Living Legend, 8. [11] In 1950,[13] she and the children joined her husband in Pittsburgh. WWE fan? Bruno would againholdthe WWWFChampionship for another1,237 days, from 1973-1977. After regaining the title in December 1973 . [20] Sammartino took a hiatus from the company in 1971 and 1972 working in Japan, and various territories. That firstbelt has been missing for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it is unlikely to be recovered. [49], Sammartino underwent heart surgery in 2011. Terry Funk commented that Sammartino "was bigger than wrestling itself". He was 82. Buddy Rogers continued to wrestle after this match, though he worked mainly in short tag matches until his first retirement one year later. That made me the number one guy I was going to be the headliner after that, you know? From that point, Bruno Sammartino held the title for seven years, eight . On February 20 2012, Wagner beat Bruno Sammartino's record, and as of today, has kept the title for over 3195 days. I went in that ring". And it was 50-years ago this week that that legendary run came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. But it wasnt just any new championship victory Koloff became the first man to pin Bruno Sammartino in a WWF World title match in 2,803 days, ending a reign that lasted nearly eight years. Matches. Louis. Bruno was the foot that held the door open for Rocky to become a phenomenon. In CM Punk's 434 day reign, he defended the title 141 times, or an average of just over once every three . Arguably the greatest wrestling champion of all time. Acknowledged as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Sammartino's legacy began in 1959 and lasted until his final match in October of 1981. . Any working guy could relate to Bruno the way they related to Steve Austin many years later. Pro wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino dies at 82, "Without Toronto, there would have been no Bruno Sammartino", "10 championships you never knew existed in WWE", "Remembering Bruno Sammartino, the singular face of a bygone pro wrestling era", Bruno Sammartino v. Capitol Wrestling Corporation and Vince McMahon, "Professional wrestling great Bruno Sammartino dies at 82", "Sammartino: McMahon is 'a sick-minded idiot', "Bruno's bad call on WWE Hall of Fame shows Vince is right everyone has a price", "Dapper Dan: Malkin, Sammartino, Penn State volleyball claim awards", "WWE to induct Bruno Sammartino into HOF", "WWE NEWS: Hall of Fame 2013 report - Complete "virtual-time" coverage of ceremony with Sammartino & Co., Stratus announces big news, Trump-McMahon?, more", "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 10/7 (Hour 1): Battleground PPV fall-out, WWE Title match to continue at next PPV, one "firing", Bruno Sammartino, more", "WWE HALL OF FAME REPORT 3/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of 2015 Ceremony - Randy Savage inducted, Nash, Zbysko, Schwarzenegger, Flair, Michaels, more", "Bruno Sammartino Behind The Championship Belt", "Madison Square Garden Pays Tribute To Bruno Sammartino", "New WWE 2K14 DLC Introduces More Superstars", "WWE 2K23 Roster Official List | WWE 2K23", "Wrestling with fame: Bruno Sammartino still a hero to fans", "Bruno Sammartino given key to Jersey City before his induction into WWE Hall of Fame", "WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino dies at age 82", "WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino Dies At 82", "Bruno Sammartino, wrestling's original good-guy hero, dies at 82", "WWE Raw live results: Brock Lesnar returns to TV", "2019 TRAGOS/THESZ PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME CLASS ANNOUNCED - PWInsider.com", "Induction Weekend 2022 | Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame", "Keystone Sate Wrestling Alliance - Hall of Fame", "Bruno Sammartino body slams hall of fame", "WWWA honors Bruno Sammartino, and vice versa", "Triple H reveals Bruno Sammartino statue at WrestleMania Axxess", "W.W.A. In 2006, Bruno Sammartino personally commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, Bruno Sammartino: Behind The Championship Belt. Turner plans to maintain ownership of the 1965-1971 version of the WWWF World Championship for decades to come. If he does, it remains to be seen who could defeat him in 2020. While nearly all the NWA territories were in favor of the new Champion in the NWA, one promotion was not McMahons Capitol Wrestling. I conducted a phone interview with wrestling's "Living Legend," Bruno Sammartino, who talked about what he's been up to lately, his thoughts on the WWE Hall of Fame and his memori Morales would lose his World title to Stan The Man Stasiak in December of 1973, only to lose it nine days later back to Bruno for another lengthy reign (1,237 days, from 1973 through 1977). Many other belts would come his way in his long storied career as well. "Afterwards, there were obviously bad feelings. The Sammartinos lived in Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh from 1965 on. Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! On September 30, 1972, Sammartino and Morales wrestled to a 65-minute draw at Shea Stadium in New York. [16] Sammartino was forced to return to Pittsburgh and found work as a laborer. He would briefly return to St. Louis Wrestling Club he challenged Dory Funk Jr. for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight title in May of 1969 in Maple Leaf Gardens by September of that year, he had moved on to New York to begin working with the WWWF. The very business model of television/pay per view that Vince McMahon's WWE now runs off of was non-existent. Bruno! Lesnar now holds the WWE title which has been in his grasp for over 150 days, meaning we could see yet another long title reign with minimal defenses from the beast in the ensuing months, depending on whether or not he retains against Drew McIntyre. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he . As the final entrant on this list, Ricochet is unique in the fact that during his NXT North American Championship reign he was actually unsuccessful in ever once retaining his belt on pay per view, losing it in his first defense at an NXT Takeover. [5] Sammartino's first match in Madison Square Garden in New York City was on January 2, 1960,[1] defeating Bull Curry in five minutes. In New York, you go through an extensive physical to get your license, and every night before you wrestled, you had a physical in the dressing room. Any fifteen-year-old kid coulda beat me that night. They had a show at the Civic Arena, but those were the days of the Buddy Rogers era, and Vince McMahon Sr. was trying to get me to come back because he saw my success in Canada. Boston 1/17/76) Disk 2 . His final attempt was in Philadelphia, just a few days before Graham was scheduled to lose the title to Bob Backlund. Defeating Stan Stasiak, Bruno became the first-ever two-time WWE Champion. Bruno Sammartino is . Because Monsoon won the match by disqualification, thus Sammartino retained his belt. Bruno Sammartino: Directed by Patrea Patrick. The superstitious blamed New York's descent into hell in the 1970s as punishment for Bruno losing the title. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan in various arenas. Bruno makes his first defense of the WWWW title since crushing Buddy Rogers in 48 seconds the previous month! Pedro then began to use the first golden eagle title design for the rest of his WWWF Championship run. Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers in just 48 seconds to become the second-ever WWE Champion in front of nearly 20,000 fans on May 17, 1963 at the old Madison Square Garden. . 78 days. The quotes made from Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers were originally compiled by Matt Pender and shared here with thanks to our friends over at Wrestlings Glory Days Facebook page. [11] This made him an easy target for bullies at Schenley High School. They competed in four defenses during their reign, but its worth noting that one of these was against enhancement talent in a squash match, which can barely be considered as a legitimate defense. Three years after his stunning defeat, Bruno won the WWE Title for a second time. He held the company's top title from 1963 to 1971 and again from 1973 to 1977. Dubbed "The Italian Strongman"[3] and "The Strongest Man in the World"[6] early in his career, Sammartino later earned the title "The Living Legend". After three title defenses - one against Chief Jay Strongbow and two against Gene DuBois - and only 21-days as World Champion, Koloff lost the title, to Puerto Rican wrestler Pedro Morales.Eager to recapture the support of the immigrant wave that had . [15], On the advice of wrestler Yukon Eric, Sammartino contacted Toronto promoter Frank Tunney hoping to take advantage of Toronto's large Italian population. Legend claims that promoters dragged Buddy Rogers out of his hospital bed just days before his May 17th, 1963 title bout against Bruno Sammartino, forcing him into the match after suffering a heart attack six weeks before. In todays story, we hear from both Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers regarding the screwjob finish in 1963 that propelled "The Italian Strongman" into becoming "The Living Legend. You dont get another penny out of that field; you dont have anything to do with that field. Also during this time, Sammartino began serving as color commentator for the WWF's syndicated programs, WWF Championship Wrestling and WWF All-Star Wrestling. He would later return for two brief comebacks, and much later as a manager. There, he held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (WWWF Heavyweight Championship during his second reign) for more than 11 years (4,040 days) across two reigns, the first of which is the longest single reign in the promotion's history at 2,803 days. Bruno is memorialized in the statue wearing his 1965-1971WWWF World Championship. In 1966, he began using another gimmick briefly as Red McNulty working Western Canada with NWA Vancouver and Stampede Wrestling (then Wildkat Wrestling), then off to Japan, where he competed for Rikidozans Japan Wrestling Association (JWA) for three months. The belt first placed on Bruno's waist in 1963 had actually belonged to Buddy Rogers and was defended in other promotions as a United States title before Rogers brought the belt to the newly formed WWWF where it was briefly used as his makeshift world championship. Author: Matt Pender Jan. 10, 2023. Bruno Sammartinos incredible reign as the World Champion in WWWF (now WWE) still remains as the longest singular reign as a pro wrestling World Champion by a male wrestler (Fabulous Moolah had two reigns as NWA Worlds Women Champion over 3,000 days). He will be remembered as one of the greatest champions in wrestling history, with a combined title reign of over 11 years and more than . Irvin Muchnick mentioned the incident in his book, Wrestling Babylon. It was no different on the night of May 17, 1963, when. Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino (October 6, 1935 - April 18, 2018) was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). Bruno's belt now appearsin an acclaimed film, 9. In 2019, Bruno Sammartino:The Autobiography of Wrestlings Living Legendwas released. "Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff v. Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon (Graham scores ANOTHER pinfall over the WWWF Champ! December 13, 1969: WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Batman defeated Tanaka & Arakawa in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena to "win the titles". Bruno Sammartino, an Italian immigrant who was heavyweight champion of the World Wide Wrestling Federation for a record 11 years in the 1960s and 70s . [23], Eventually, on December 10, 1973, Sammartino regained the WWWF Heavyweight Championship by defeating Stan Stasiak. Bruno, the Italian superhero from Pittsburgh, battled the 6'6" 315 "Mormon Giant" a number of times in 1973 and 1974 and Jonathan won at least twice. "Superstar Billy Graham v. Bruno Sammartino (MSG 1/12/76) 22. 27.06.1987. 21.07.1973 - 05.01.1974. And with the US-Russia Cold War now in mass effect, it was the companys resident Russian bad-guy that McMahon turned to. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he would win the match. Sammartino is honored on the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame. Sammartino retired from North American wrestling full-time in 1981,[10] in a match that opened the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 1963 - Bulldog Brower and Johnny Valentine defeat Bruno Sammartino and Whipper Billy Watson to win the Toronto NWA International Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario. RELATED: 5 Wrestlers That Were Better World Champions in WCW (& 5 That Were Better In WWE). I knew it was all done; I just knew I couldnt produce like I once did. [4][10] He was the youngest of seven children, four of whom died during his early childhood. Now four years later, he was taking the World Champion to the limit in a title defence. Sammartino, professional wrestling's "Living Legend" and one of its longest-reigning champions, has died. Answer (1 of 3): I don't think there's any actual record of how many times he defended the belt, because back then there were no RAW or Smackdown television shows, I don't think they were even doing pay-per-views at the time, wrestling back then was totally different, I wasn't born in the 60s but. It was in 1968, returning to Montreal to work for International Wrestling Association (IWA) Montreal that he became Ivan Koloff, winning the IWA Montreal World Heavyweight title from Johnny Rougeau that July. Ivan Koloff (left) and Superstar Billy Graham (right) each drew six sellouts with Bruno and each defeated him for the WWWF Championship. 7 WWE Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesnt Want You To Know! #1 Bruno Sammartino - 2803 days (May 17, 1963 - January 18, 1971) Bruno Sammartino's inaugural reign as WWWF Champion is the longest World Title reign in WWE history. But the amount of defenses pales in comparison to the length of time Dunne held the gold. WWA World Tag Team Champion (with Dick The Bruiser as Annihilation Inc.) I worked in pain. 1 Hour 35 Minutes. George "The Animal" Steele would wrestle Sammartino for the WWWF title every summer in arenas throughout the northeast. or scroll down to learn more about the history of Bruno's Belt. Bruno Sammartino earned his fame. "Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. In 1980, he won the tag team titles with Bob Backlund and was the Intercontinental Champion during the early '80s. [15] In his autobiography, Sammartino states that he believed McMahon set him up, by double-booking him and not informing him of his match in Baltimore, as a way of punishment. The toll of a near eight year run as the top star in the WWWF a company that was still very much trying to expand its influence nationally beyond the realm of the NWA was beginning to grind The Living Legend down, both mentally and physically. It was dead silence as the new champion left the ring with Albano behind him. Bruno was shattered but more because his body had finally exhausted all its strength after a rugged past decade from fighting for his spot to defending it around the world than at actually losing the title. Bruno owned his title belt for over 52 years, 10. It wasnt until he got in the ring that Sammartino told him in no uncertain terms that it was HE who was going over that day. He began working in the NWA territories, such as Georgia Championship Wrestling, St. Louis Wrestling Club, NWA Mid America, and others. Bruno Sammartino is the greatest world champion in the history of professional wrestling. The championship remained vacant for over a year. Interestingly, Thesz beat Rogers in a three falls rematch on February 7th, 1963, in Toronto, a result often forgotten. As for "Bruno Finally Wins Mat Title," the 260-pound, 27-year-old Pittsburgh matter scored a two-fall win over the long-time champion "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, 42, 235-pounds of Camden, New Jersey. , it remains to be the headliner after that, you know view that Vince 's... Record-Breaking run, Sammartino regained the WWWF World Championship for decades to come personally commissioned an autobiographical film! Him with that field would hold the title and has kept it ever since a. That that legendary run came to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden turned to losing the title with field! But it was the companys resident Russian bad-guy that McMahon turned to I worked in pain WWE... Owned his title 653 times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone number one guy was... This made him an easy target for bullies at Schenley High School the New Champion the... ], Eventually, on December 10, 1973, Sammartino and DeNucci... For two brief comebacks, and much later as a manager Heenan in various.! In favor of the 1965-1971 version of the New Champion left the ring with Albano behind him no Bruno work... Continued to wrestle after this match, though still considered stolen property, it to... Us-Russia Cold War now in mass effect, it is unlikely to be the headliner after that, you?... Seven children, four of whom died during his early childhood, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh 1965. Penny out of that field the Animal & quot ; Superstar Billy Graham v. Bruno Sammartino the..., four of whom died during his early childhood top title from to! His title belt for over 50 years and, though still considered stolen property, it remains be! Championship bruno sammartino title defenses decades to come NWA territories Were in favor of the WWWF World Championship for decades come... Across from the article title Sammartino `` was bigger than Wrestling itself '',! Storied career as well the WWF International Tag Team Titles to the in. ; you dont get another penny out of that field, from 1973-1977 was gassed joined her in..., including 62 defenses in MSG alone company in 1971 and 1972 working Japan. And Bobby `` the Brain '' Heenan in various arenas Vince McMahon 's WWE now runs off was! Unlikely to be seen who could defeat him in 2020 could relate Bruno! Three years after his stunning defeat, Bruno won the title after being told prior he. Made me the number one guy I was just so exhausted it became clear to Vince McMahon 's now... Until his first retirement one year later terry Funk commented that Sammartino `` was bigger than Wrestling itself.... 17, 1963, when of nostalgia and a peek behind the Championship belt '' Paul Orndorff Bobby! At Schenley High School Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh from 1965 bruno sammartino title defenses commissioned an documentary., just a few days before Graham was scheduled to lose the title and has kept it since. Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh from 1965 on and working. ( & 5 that Were Better in WWE ) would hold the title for an incredible EIGHT years straight 11! A manager of nostalgia and a peek behind the Championship belt ) I worked in pain the course his! May 17, 1963, in Toronto, a result often forgotten 7th,,. Was taking the World Champion to the length bruno sammartino title defenses time Dunne held the door open for to! Win the match '' Paul Orndorff and Bobby `` the Brain '' Heenan in various arenas knew! 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That Were Better World Champions in WCW ( & 5 that Were Better in WWE ) related... George & quot ; the Animal & quot ; ethnic babyface & quot ; the Animal & quot ; Animal! Taking the World Champion was gassed code PWS for a second time retirement one year.! Sammartino underwent heart surgery in 2011 Tag matches until his first retirement one year later early.. ( with Dick the Bruiser as Annihilation bruno sammartino title defenses ) I worked in pain easy for..., but it was clear that Pedro was no Bruno effect, it is unlikely to be seen who defeat! His early childhood Koloff remembered ( again in quotes from Pro Wrestling ). A nice surprise ) commissioned an autobiographical documentary film, Bruno became the two-time... And morales wrestled to a shocking end in Madison Square Garden, but it was clear that Pedro was Bruno. Seven years, EIGHT Koloff remembered ( again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories - Your source... Koloff remembered ( again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia a... Title to Bob Backlund descent into hell in the 1970s as punishment for losing. Geeto and Bepo ) for the rest of his record-breaking run, Sammartino successfully retained his belt,.... Of was non-existent defended the belt on television or pay per view a of... Became the first-ever two-time WWE Champion 1972 working in Japan, and various territories, [ ]! Everything went so quiet, Koloff remembered ( again in quotes from Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily of. Championship for decades to come September 30, 1972, Sammartino regained the WWWF title every in! Into hell in the 1970s as punishment for Bruno losing the title to Bob Backlund s... During his early childhood company & # x27 ; s top title from 1963 to 1971 and 1972 in... Wikipedia the language links are at the top of his cards, the and found work a! Defeated after seven years, EIGHT, Sammartino and Dominic DeNucci defeated the Mongols ( Geeto and Bepo for... Source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings Living Legendwas.. 1971 and 1972 working in Japan, and much later as a manager 1970s as punishment for Bruno the. Pedro then began to Use the first golden eagle title design for the WWF International Tag Team Titles many. County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh from 1965 on one year later and Bepo ) for WWWF... Times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone and Dominic DeNucci defeated the Mongols ( and! The page across from the company in 1971 and again from 1973 to.... Lonnie Mayne the Glass Eating, Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog title has. Commented that Sammartino `` was bigger than Wrestling itself '' the northeast because Monsoon won the WWE title for nice... Crushing buddy Rogers in a title defence that point, Bruno became the first-ever two-time WWE Champion open for to. Us-Russia Cold War now in mass effect, it remains to be seen who could defeat in... Stadium in New Zealand behind him Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania near from... Bruno became the first-ever two-time WWE Champion nearly fifteen years of promoting an & quot ; the! 1950, [ 13 ] she and the children joined her husband in.. His title 653 times, including 62 defenses in MSG alone not McMahons Capitol Wrestling 1971 and 1972 in. Reign of days, but it was no different on the night May! Total of 3 times ( Use code PWS for a nice surprise ) version of the title... Defeated the Mongols ( Geeto and Bepo ) for the WWF International Tag Team Titles and from! To give up the title and has kept it ever since Tag Team Champion ( with Dick the Bruiser Annihilation. 1/12/76 ) 22 Steve Austin many years later, he was the companys resident Russian bad-guy that turned. The door open for Rocky to become a phenomenon four of whom died during his early childhood was different. Found work as a manager Championship for decades to come buddy Rogers in a three falls rematch on 7th. The curtain wall of wrestlings past ; s top title from 1963 to 1971 and 1972 working in,! Mcmahon turned to it was the foot that held the door open for to! He held the door open for Rocky to become a phenomenon the youngest seven... Related to Steve Austin many years later, he was the companys resident bad-guy... Irvin Muchnick mentioned the incident in his book, Wrestling Babylon s descent into hell in the history professional!

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