10 Things You Didn't Know About Bruno Sammartino

2. His Forename Inspired Bruno Mars

The idea that a rough, rugged pro wrestler like Bruno Sammartino would have anything in common with a Michael Jackson-style pop star is baffling. It's true though.

Bruno Mars (real name: Peter Gene Hernandez) has admitted to the press more than once that his stage name was inspired by Sammartino. No, Mars wasn't a fan of old-school wrestling growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, but his father was, and it was he who gave Mars the 'Bruno' moniker.

Hilariously, Mars claimed during one interview that he had been a fairly fat baby, also saying that's why he had been given the nickname. He obviously didn't know what Sammartino looked like in his prime or had been given some bad information by friends.

It's just as well his dad didn't prefer heels too, otherwise the world may have been exposed to the singing talents of Ivan Mars-Koloff or Billy "Superstar" Mars.