Did you know that Bruno Sammartino was the longest reigning WWWF Champion (1963–1971)?

Did you know that his high school didn't have a wrestling program, but he worked out with the University of Pittsburgh wrestling team under storied coach Rex Peary?

Did you know that Sammartino became known for performing strongman stunts in the Pittsburgh area, and sportscaster Bob Prince put him on his television show?

Did you know that Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino is the world famous Italian-American former professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino?

Did you know that Sammartino was born October 6, 1935?

Did you know that Bruno Sammartino was best known for being the longest-running 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?

Did you know that Sammartino's brawling, wrestling style was  power moves, and personal charisma helped him become the most popular American wrestler in the 1960s and 1970s?

Did you know that during the period when Madison Square Garden was the WWWF's primary arena, Sammartino headlined more Garden cards than any other wrestler (211), including 187 sellouts?

 Did you know that Bruno's devotion to weightlifting nearly resulted in a berth on the 1956 U.S. Olympic team?

Did you know that he was edged out by legendary strongman Paul Anderson - who outweighed Sammartino by 70 pounds?

Did you know that Bruno set a world record in the bench press with a lift of 565 pounds in 1960?

Did you know that Sammartino also competed in bodybuilding and won "Mr. Allegheny" in the late 50s?

Did you know that Bruno was spotted by local wrestling promoter Rudy Miller, who recruited Sammartino for professional wrestling?

Miller knew that Sammartino could easily be marketed as an ethnic strongman, and that he would appeal to Italian immigrants who supported wrestling.

Did you know that in construction in 1956, Sammartino wrestled an orangutan at a carnival?

Did you know that Sammartino punched the orangutan in the stomach and was disqualified by the animal's owner?

Did you know that because of Sammartino disqualification, the owner refused to pay Sammartino the $50 he was promised for the match?

 Did you know that Sammartino made major headlines when he became the first (and only) man to body slam the 640 lb (290 kg) Haystacks Calhoun in a match?

Did you know that Bruno Sammartino was the longest reigning WWWF Champion (1963–1971)?

Did you know that Bruno Sammartino Second WWWF Championship reign (1973–1977)?

 

Now if you didn't know, now you know...


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