There were some other great matches like the seemingly unbeatable wild samoans and capt. World wide wrestling federation world wrestling entertainment. Bruno leopoldo francesco sammartino born october 6, 1935 is an italian born american former professional wrestler, best known for being the longestrunning champion of the world wide wrestling federation wwwf, holding the title across two reigns for over 11 years in total, as well as the longest single wwe championship reign in professional wrestling history. Msg promo bruno sammartino vs superstar billy graham bob backlund vs ernie ladd. Bruno sammartino record book the clawmasters archives. Ivan koloff wwes shame behind him not being in the hall of. Heavyweight champion tatsumi fujinami beat tony russo. Bob backlund rumors, news and videos from the best sources on the web. Also the wwe stated that bruno sammartino s first championship reign from 1963 to 1971 lasted for 2,804 days.
Robert louis backlund born august 14, 1949 is an american retired professional wrestler with. From allamerican boy to professional wrestlings world champion book. Tag team title reign and managed andre the giant when both were in japan. Paperback inside wrestling magazine bruno sammartino ernie ladd billy graham june 1976. This former wwwf world champion told us this was his best interview to date and he said he talked about topics today that he never talked about before and really opened up. Pro wrestling illustrated magazineclassic issue 40th anniversary of wwe. Skaaland managed bruno sammartino and bob backlund, with both men. May 11, 2016 bob backlund talks possible wwe inring return, brock lesnar, hulk hogan, more.
Depending on the source, opinions are that bob backlund was not a huge draw and this prompted the mcmahons to look for ways to bring sammartino out of retirement. Snuka was a fullon monster heel slamming backlund around. Bob backlund began life as a poor farm boy in the little village of princeton, minnesota, with a population of just over 2,000 people. Great deals on bruno sammartino in magazine back issues. Bruno sammartino the living legend himself sits down for a one of a kind rf video exclusive 3 hour shoot like never before. Bob backlund had lots of challengers which included spiros arion, luke graham, ivan koloff, george steele as well as superstar billy graham trying to win the title back. Lessons and stories on life from wrestling legend bob backlund, was released on september 18, 2015. I would rank him up there with danny hodge in regards to the fact that if it ever gotreal bob backlund would hurt someone. There, he held the wwf world heavyweight championship wwf heavyweight championship during his second reign for more than 11 years 4,040 days.
Bob backlund record book comments the clawmasters archives. Bruno shoots hard on a variety of topics for over 90 minutes about everything from his thoughts on the wwe hof, to ric flairs criticism of bruno, and even sparring with sonny liston. Without entrance music, pyro, or anything beyond sheer charisma, when the italian strongman and the russian bear entered the ring, both in nothing but a pair of tights, the building would literally shake. I watched a few of his matches in the 70s and 80s as a kid. Former wwwfchampion and wwe hall of fame 20 inductee bruno sammartino joined me for an exclusive interview.
As a kid, it was an amazing sight in the mid1970s to witness bruno sammartino vs. Take a look at those other reigns, including brunos. For the next 6 years i watched him on tv and at the philadelphia spectrum in the ultimate morality tale of good vs. Entire cities coming out to see him defend his championship. Bruno sammartino held the wwwf championship for an amazing eight years during his first reign. Bruno sammartino is the reason a world title is so important today. Also the wwe stated that bruno sammartinos first championship reign from 1963 to 1971 lasted for 2,804 days. Hogan was the top star in the generation following that of backlund and bruno sammartino, and backlund was. Ivan koloff wwes shame behind him not being in the hall. Jan 28, 2019 as a kid, it was an amazing sight in the mid1970s to witness bruno sammartino vs. Bob backlund remains true to his allamerican roots fox. Bruno there is an updated black and white version available and a color version both of them are 568 pages long. Some also point to bob backlund not generating the fan interest sammartino once had during his runs and bruno getting back in the ring could be a very welcome financial windfall.
Backlund held the coveted title almost six years, feats that will likely never be approached again. Bob backlund talks possible wwe inring return, brock lesnar. The wrestling legend bruno sammartino was born on october 6, 1935 in italy. Bob backlund defeated superstar billy graham in february of 1978, this was a controversial victory as graham had his foot on the rope. Bruno sammartino speaks on wwe, ric flair, sonny liston. What if dusty rhodes was the wwf champion instead of bob. Bruno sammartino, comic books, wrestling, comics, lights, comic strips. The book has been expanded to 568 pages with many more. The ring wrestling bruno sammartino bob backlund april 1980. Bob backlund explains why he and bruno sammartino were wary of hulk hogan, still wanting to wrestle by sean ross sapp may 15, 2016 wwe smackdown recap 512. World wide wrestling federationworld wrestling federation.
History of the wwwf the year was 1978 tvofyourlife. Some of bruno sammartinos msg record wrestlingfigs. Jul 22, 2009 former wwwfchampion and wwe hall of fame 20 inductee bruno sammartino joined me for an exclusive interview. The 10 best cage matches in wwe history ranked thesportster. An autobiography of wrestling s living legend read online free. Bob backlund talks possible wwe inring return, brock. Bob backlund may have been slammed as a dull guy, but he handled himself well in this terrific brawl. Bob backlund talks possible wwe inring return, brock lesnar, hulk hogan, more. Former wrestling great bruno sammartino held the world wrestling federation championship for more than 11 years throughout his two title reigns from 1963 thru 1971 and 1973 thru 1977. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Lesnar now trails bob backlund, hulk hogan, and bruno sammartino for the most days spent as world champion.
Miller, includes interviews with roddy piper, ric flair, the iron sheik and vince mcmahon. Wrestler of the week june 16, 1987 professional wrestling hall of fame and museum. I saw him win the missouri title from harley race in 1976 and witnessed a historic title vs. Two nights later, bob backlund defeated him for the championship in madison square garden in a match that ended with grahams foot on the ropes when he was pinned by backlund. Growing up, saturdays always meant watching wwwf championship wrestling and all star wrestling on tv. The decision stood, in a way payback for the way billy had stolen the belt from bruno on 43077, pinning sammartino with leverage from the ropes. George steele vs bruno sammartino 8x10 poster photo. Given the fact that all three of these men especially sammartino held the title for. A hardcore, highflying, noholdsbarred history of the one true sport. Bob backlund talks why he didnt want to turn heel in the. Bruno sammartino, pedro morales, hulk hogan, john cena, dwayne johnson, bob backlund.
Bruno sammartino vs gorilla monsoon vbox7 video dailymotion. Bob backlund bob backlund 1998 persoonlijke informatie. Bruno leopoldo francesco sammartino october 6, 1935 april 18, 2018 was an italianamerican professional wrestler, best known for his work with the world wrestling federation wwf, now wwe. Also an avid comic book and action movie fan so more than looking forward to sharing my fun knowledge with others. Wrestler of the week june 16, 1987 professional wrestling. Bruno sammartino was an established legend when student larry zybsko brutally turned on him. He was a belowaverage student with a lackluster work ethic and a bad attitude, who hung with the wrong crowd and made a lot of bad choices. Robert lee backlund princeton minnesota, 14 augustus 1949, beter bekend onder zijn worstelnaam bob backlund, is een amerikaans professioneel worstelaar en acteur. Six men were backstage at a wrestling show in an area that was restricted, and when sammartino spotted the men, he told them that if. Bruno sammartino and bob backlund wwf superstars, wrestling superstars, wrestling. Skaaland also moved into managing, leading the careers of bruno sammartino and bob backlund during their reigns as wwe champion. Wrestling new bruno sammartino bob backlund decemberjanuary 1979 062319nonr. He also managed tony parisi in the 1960s in fact replacing parisi as arions partner during their u. Bob backlund remains true to his allamerican roots fox sports.
See more ideas about bruno sammartino, wrestling and professional wrestling. I doubt a second book about his postwrestling days would go over well, but i would love to hear more about bob backlund the man vs bob backlund the. When sammartino was about 51 years old, he was involved in a backstage fight with a former football player. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Msg promo bruno sammartino vs superstar billy graham bob. Ic title shawn michaels vs bob backlund summerslam spectacular aug 22nd, 1993 duration. Bruno also said if bob backlund hadnt been drawing he wouldnt have been there.
The wrestling observer newsletter reports that the city of ross township, pennsylvania has placed four street signs around the area that notes that it is the home of bruno sammartino. From allamerican boy to professional wrestlings world champion is a fascinating and inspiring journey into the life of pro wrestling legend, bob backlund. Bob backlund on darren youngs potential and injury, wanting to work with donald trump today in history 1123. Bruno sammartino wrestling fan masks for sale ebay. Bruno leopoldo francesco sammartino october 6, 1935 april 18, 2018 was an italianborn american professional wrestler, best known for his work with the world wrestling federation wwf, now wwe. And his second championship reign lasted from 1973 to 1977, a total of 1,238 days. F champion bob backlund and the intercontinental champion.
Backlund bob backlund began life as a poor farm boy in the little village of princeton, minnesota, with a population of just over 2,000 people. Bruno shoots hard on a variety of topics for over 90 minutes about everything from his thoughts on the wwe hof, to ric flairs criticism of. Bruno sammartino in magazine back issues for sale ebay. Hogan was the top star in the generation following that of backlund. Here is a show that i did with my longtime friend bill apter talking about my book about. Bob backlund wins wwf championship, thanksgiving smackdown, sting in wwe zack ryder vs. The stars of that era were bruno, pedro morales, superstar billy graham and this young talent named bob backlund. The iron sheik challenges bob backlund for the wwe championship at madison square garden on the day after christmas of 1983 in a bout that would change the course of wwe history. Miguel torres 0202 washington, dc bruno sammartino draw hans schmidt 0203 chicago, il bruno sammartino vs. Bob backlund challenges billy graham for the wwe championship february 20, 1978. Rasslin wonders the bruno book vintage wrestling program bruno.
Backlund is, far and away, one of the best wrestling books yet. Bruno sammartino speaks on wwe, ric flair, sonny liston, and more. Due to the hardships he endured in italy because of german occupation when he came to the usa he was very thin and spoke very little english. From very humble beginnings, to turbulent teenage years, to finding a passion that spurred years of hard work, to eventual unprecedented success, the book truly encapsulates how. There, he held the wwf world heavyweight championship wwf heavyweight championship during his second reign for more than 11 years 4,040 days across two reigns, the first of which is the longest. Did bruno sammartino ever have a match with ric flair. Pro wrestling illustrated bruno sammartino bob backlund april 1981. No wonder bruno sammartino is the most popular wrestler in history. Bruno leopoldo francesco sammartino october 6, 1935 april 18, 2018, was an italian professional wrestler, best known for being the longestrunning champion of the world wide wrestling federation wwwf, holding the title across two reigns for over 12 years in total, as well as the longest world championship reign in professional wrestling history. Bob backlund news, pictures, videos and biography wrestling.
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