10 Longest Matches In WWE History

2. Bruno Sammartino Vs. Waldo Von Erich (22 August 1964): 81 Minutes

Bruno Sammartino Waldo Von Erich Longest Match
WWE.com

53 years, 5 months, and 28 days.

That's how long this match stood as the longest bout in WWE history for. Until our number one clash came along, it seemed unfathomable that any contest would topple it from its lofty perch (even the excluded Iron Man and Royal Rumble matches), but here we are. Bruno Sammartino and Waldo Von Erich's record has bitten the dust.

The duo went for well over an hour in Madison Square Garden, and guess what? It was another curfew-induced draw. Still, the fact that they were able to contest such a lengthy singles bout speaks not only to their pacing skills, but also their endurance levels.

Though no longer the lengthiest WWE match ever, it remains the company's longest one-on-one, and it's hard to imagine that'll ever change. It was recognised as the sport's most protracted singles clash until Antonio Inoki and Masa Saito worked a bizarre, unwatchable NJPW Island Deathmatch in 1987, and while it's hard to recommend Sammartino vs. Von Erich in today's workrate-centric era, it remains a perfect fit for its place in time.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.