10 Things You Didn't Know About Bruno Sammartino

4. Sammartino Refused To Take Pills For His Pain

Bruno Sammartino Waldo Von Erich Longest Match
WWE.com

He also told the Baltimore Sun that alcohol wasn't the only drug he'd knock back during his prime.

After years of defending his title in punishing matches, Sammartino told Vince McMahon Sr that he needed some time off to heal his body. McMahon, seeing the money to be made and Bruno's popularity, was hesitant to agree. That didn't matter to Bruno, because he wasn't willing to mask the pain in his bones and muscles with pills.

It was only when Sammartino realised he couldn't train properly and look after his body that he started thinking about a sabbatical to heal up. Before that, he was going one hundred miles per hour without thinking, and his dedication to playing hero meant he'd ignore the aches keeping him awake at night.

Eventually, things got too much and he had to confront McMahon (who had been stalling). Bruno gave Vince an ultimatum: either gift him some time off or he'd take a plane home without dropping the belt.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.