50 Fascinating Facts About WWE in The 1980s
24. Bruno Sammartino Almost Became WWF IC Champ…In 1987!
Beloved babyface Bruno Sammartino reigned as WWWF Champion for an almost ridiculous 4,040 days across two gripping stints at the top throughout the 1960s and 70s. By the 80s, Bruno had soured on Vince Jr's methods, but he was coaxed back into the WWF fold as a manager for his son David. Naturally, it wasn't long before fan demand brought Bruno back into the ring too.
Traditionalists who do their homework might know he wrestled a few tag bouts with David on company cards, but here's something you might not realise: Sammartino worked Intercontinental Title singles bouts against both Randy Savage and The Honky Tonk man in 1987. That sounds made up or like something from WWE 2K25 Universe Modes, but it happened.
Bruno won pretty much all of the matches by disqualification on house show loops, and there might’ve been talks about putting the belt on him for a spell. That would've received a hearty pop from live crowds, especially in Sammartino-heavy markets like New York or Philadelphia. Even going the 'Dusty finish' road in those matches would've popped the house, and it would've been worth it just for ringside snaps of Bruno holding the IC Title high above his head.
Honestly, the thought of Honky hamming it up in-ring with a strait laced icon like Bruno Sammartino is almost too much to take. McMahon and his close knit creative nucleus surely considered handing Bruno an olive branch that'd get him further onside with the revolution here. Imagine it! Sammartino as IC Champ...in '87!