WWWF HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION BRUNO SAMMARTINO PASSES AWAY AT THE AGE OF 82!

TODAY, THE LONGEST REIGNING WWWF HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 82!  THE 2X CHAMPION HELD THE TITLE FROM 1963-1971.  HIS SECOND REIGN BEGAN IN 1973-1977!  SELLING OUT CROWDS THROUGHOUT THE NORTHEAST.  MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IS THE MECCA FOR WRESTLING, BRUNO SOLD OUT THE ARENA 187 TIMES!  A KEEN BODYBUILDER, BRUNO TURNED TO PRO WRESTLING AFTER FAILING TO FIND A SPOT ON THE 1956 U.S. OLYMPICS TEAM.  HE WAS THE "FRANCHISE PLAYER" FOR THE WWWF IN THE 60'S AND 70'S!  HIS BATTLED ALL THE TOP HEELS IN THAT ERA FROM KILLER KOWALSKI, GEORGE STEELE, IVAN KOLOFF, THE WOLFMAN, AND LARRY ZBYSZKO!  IN 2004, I MET BRUNO WRESTLEREUNION IN VALLEY FORGE, PA!  IT WAS TRULY A PLEASURE TO MEET AND TALK TO ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS.  REST IN PEACE TO BRUNO AND HIS FAMILY!

ABOVE IS AN AUTOGRAPH 8X10 PHOTO FROM BRUNO!

ABOVE IS A PHOTO OF BRUNO IN THE LOBBY OF THE EVENT!