I am going to go with Bruno Sammartino. At a time when the WWWF had just split from the NWA Vince Sr needed someone to carry his company. Bruno did this perfectly. He was a hard worker and was incredablely over with the crowds. He put on great matches with all the top stars of the time and sold out MSG more then any other wrestler. Bruno's name is on the MSG Walk of Fame. He was so over that he held the title for 8 years and he decided to drop the belt. Many people say that without Hogan there may not be a WWE, but without Bruno there may have not been a WWF or a Hulk Hogan as we know him. Bruno is and always will be the man.
just wanted to comment on some things that were said.
PBA_Sensation said--The idiot who said Samartino is the greatest much have just pick up "The History of the WWE Championship" DVDs at the half off bin at Walmart because his friends watch wrestling and he wanted to keep up. The guy held the belt for years because back then they only defended the belt 2 times a year, and there was no such thing as a TV taping or PPV, so people never got exposed to a champion. Why do you think no one holds the belt that long anymore? Because people get tired of seeing the same old shit, and that is what Samartino was, a big boring wrestler who was built and could bodyslam and hip toss.
Wow, were to start.
I did not just pick up the DVD at Walmart on a discount. I bought it full price. I have also been watching wrestling for about 28 years now. I have seen many different champions in that time. And through the magic of video and DVDs I have seen many more. However, the person that wrote that quote has not.
1. Sammartino defended his belt often. And yes there was TV, we are talking about the 60s. Think about it, with no PPVs the company had to draw at house shows, so the champ had to wrestle to bring in the crowds and the money. Wrestled two times a year? What a crock of shit. How did you come up with that number? Roll a die or just make it up?
2. A big boring wrestler who knew two moves? Have you ever seen Sammartino wrestle? He knew a varity of holds, could mat wrestle, use power moves and through a good dropkick. thats how his fued with Zybyzko(sp) started. They had a scientific match, Bruno dominated, and Larry freaked. I understand it is scripted, but Bruno still had to perform the moves, which he did. And yes, I have seen him wrestle. I remember his comeback in the 80s when he fueded with Savage and Piper. Also I have a tape of Bruno matches plus a news documentary on him. The man was great and you don't know what you are talking about.
In 1965 the NWA voted to make Bruno champ, having him go over Thesz. Bruno turned it down because of the already hectic schedule he was wrestling. Here is Bruno from an interveiw in the Baltimoresun---
When I was champion for the first eight years, they had me on such a ridiculous schedule. I was hurting from head to toe. I was wrestling every single night. Two Sundays out of the month, I would go to Toronto because I had spent two years there and I had promised [promoter] Frank Tunney who gave me a break and was a good man that when I went back to [the WWWF] that I would still come in when he wanted me for the Maple Leaf Gardens. So, two weeks out of the month I would wrestle seven days a week, and the other two weeks I would wrestle six days a week and get to go home on Sunday. I was also making tours to Japan and Australia. [Vince McMahon Sr.] would not run Madison Square Garden without me, so he would always arrange my trips so that I would wrestle in the Garden on Monday and leave Tuesday morning for Japan or Australia. And Id have to be back for the next Garden show. When I got through with a tour, I wouldnt even go home. Id be flying in from Australia or Japan to New York to be there in time for the Garden.
Twice a year, huh?
PBA_Sensation said--Man, defending Samartino is horrible. The guy cant wrestle, and couldnt wrestle. He held the belt for so long because he was the most built guy in wrestling at the time who could move around a ring. Back then, you would have no chance of seeing a Mysterio type defeat a Kane type. Wrestling was trying to look legitimate back then, so the biggest guy always won. Fortunatly for him, he was that guy.
I thought he held the belt so long because he only defended twice a year. Anyway, there were many other wrestlers Bruno's size who did not get title runs. Hell, haystacks calhoun was one of the most popular guys and twice as big as bruno, but he never got the gold. once again it seems like you have just made something up to support your poor point.
Also, lets look at the other champs. Thesz was NWA champ. He was not a giant of a man. Gagne was AWA champ. Rogers was the man Bruno beat. Pedro Moralas had the next big reign after Bruno lost to Kololf. Kiniski, Dory Funk Jr, Harley Race, Jack Brisco, Tery Funk etc etc. No, the belt was not only put on the biggest guy but the best. the guy who could wrestle and draw.
PBA_Sensation said---Put him in his prime in a ring with todays standards, he'd be a jobber to the stars.
Thats debateable but...Bruno made a comeback in about 86 or so and dominated his fueds with Savage and Piper. I have a match from each fued. in fact, I have Bruno and Pipers famous cage match from boston on tape.
Taking a wrestler out of his era and putting him in a much later one will of course give the impression that said wrestler does not belong. but that is true for all wrestlers. We are starting to see it somewhat now with hogan. In another 5 to 10 years you will see it with Austin. It is just the nature of the beast. but, in his time bruno was as good or better then everyone else around him.
PBA_Sensation said---So be the moron that just looks at the surface and says "Well, Bruno had the longest title reign ever, so he's gotta be the best!" Instead of looking at all the factors that makes a great champion.
I am looking at facts. I am looking at great matches. Faith from the promoter shown in long title runs. Great drawing power. Great in ring skills.
You are looking at...what the hell are you looking at?
PBA_Sensation said---Well, it wasnt tough to draw when you were the only thing going.
So guys like Kowalski, Yukan Eric, Rogers, Calhoun, The Kangaroos, The Miller Brothers, The Grahams, Race, Thesz, Gagne, Von Erich, Funk, Kiniski, The Crusher, Dick the Bruiser, Valentine, The Sheik, Rocca and Blassie, to name a few, were on top but couldn't draw? Really?
PBA_Sensation said---He had drawing power because he was shoved down their throats and he was a 'roided up huge muscular guy. Its not hard to draw when you are a hulking mammoth of a guy beating up smaller guys.
I don't normally do this but I will take the warning and point. Your an idiot.
