Eight years is an eternity in today's wrestling world. A lot can, and does change. Entire eras begin and end in eight years. Superstars come and go. Titles change hands at the speed of sound. So when someone tells you that Bruno Sammartino, the 2013 Hall of Fame inductee that WWE did an excellent job of treating as if he were a big deal, once held the WWE Championship for that period of time, it would seem improbably. From May 17, 1963 until January 18, 1971, Sammartino ruled over Vincent J. McMahon's wrestling promotion as its top star. During that time, he became a cultural hero to the people of New York City. The city had a large Italian population and those fans idolized Sammartino. Their bond with him went far beyond loving the man between the ropes. He was their champion in every sense of the word. Bruno regularly sold out Madison Square Garden as those same fans jam-packed the most famous arena in the world on a monthly basis to see the champion vanquish his latest opponent. When Ivan Koloff was slated to challenge for the title in '71, many expected a fairly easy win for the Living Legend. Sure, Koloff was a great wrestler but he was hardly good enough to put an end to a title reign that lasted nearly a decade. When he did, the fans inside the Garden sat in disbelief. They were heartbroken. Tears flowed down their cheeks as they watched Bruno walk dejectedly to the locker room. For eight years he has conquered every major star put in front of him. He carried the promotion and made it the success it had become and, suddenly, he was unexpectedly dethroned by Koloff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNngXluEkRk Bruno would regain the title later in his career, holding it for another four years, but it is incredibly difficult to get the imagery of the tough New York fans literally crying following his defeat. Undertaker's loss at this year's WrestleMania may have made history and brought to an end a streak that was largely a manufactured marketing tool for the annual show but Sammartino's title reign cut deeper than that with fans, making it the most devastating loss in wrestling history. By far.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
