10 Things You Didn't Know About George "The Animal" Steele
7. He Feuded With Bruno Sammartino
The rechristened George Steele finally came to WWE for a run as a monster heel, wrestling in the summers and going back to Michigan to teach during the school year. More polished in the ring now, Steele was billed as the nephew of wrestler Ray Steele and was said to have a legitimate amateur background. With his signature flying hammerlock, Steele scored victories over many of the top babyfaces of the era, including the popular Victor Rivera.
Of course, Bruno Sammartino was the top guy in WWE in those days, regularly headlining sold-out shows in Madison Square Garden. Steele got his shot at the champion, taking on Sammartino in a famous hour-long draw in the legendary stadium. This built up to a rematch, which Steele ended up losing.
In the end, Steele never would capture the WWE Championship - he never held a title in the organization, in fact - but his headlining years made him one of the sport's more recognizable faces - as did his unique face.