Bruno Sammartino shoots on being the "Italian Superstar"

Summary

In this engaging transcript, former professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino recounts his journey in the wrestling world, detailing his rise to fame in Toronto, overcoming initial skepticism to become a beloved figure among Italian fans. He shares anecdotes about self-promotion, including an impressive feat of strength that earned him the nickname 'Italian Samson.' The narrative unfolds with his eventual return to New York, where he faced Buddy Rogers in a pivotal match, securing the title in a mere 48 seconds, debunking rumors of Rogers' alleged heart attack and revealing the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to this iconic moment in wrestling history.

Takeaways

• 🤼 The speaker began as a wrestler in Toronto, initially not being highly recognized but eventually gaining popularity through self-promotion and strength demonstrations.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The speaker's strength was highlighted, including benching 500 pounds for five reps and squatting over 700 pounds, which caught the attention of the Italian press.
• 📰 The Italian press dubbed the speaker 'Italiano Samson' after witnessing his strength feats, which helped to increase his popularity among Italian fans.
• 🎉 The speaker's self-promotion tactics, such as having a large man sit on his back while doing pushups, were successful in drawing crowds and pleasing his promoter, Frank T.
• 🍽️ Frank T. expressed his satisfaction with the speaker's work and offered him a 'home' in Toronto, disregarding negative phone calls about the speaker's character.
• 📞 Vince McMahon reached out to the speaker to bring him back to New York, promising a minimum guarantee of $500 a week, which the speaker initially declined due to his success in Canada.
• 🤝 After negotiations, Vince McMahon agreed to a $750 per week guarantee and the promise of a match with Buddy Rogers, which was the speaker's condition for returning to New York.
• 🤫 A secret deal was made to convince Buddy Rogers to wrestle the speaker by telling him that the speaker was paid $3,500 to lose the match, a detail kept confidential at the time.
• 🏆 The match with Buddy Rogers took place, and the speaker won the title in just 48 seconds, which was a significant moment in wrestling history.
• 💔 There were rumors that Buddy Rogers had a heart attack, which he used as an excuse for the quick loss, but the speaker disputes this, stating they had wrestled just two weeks prior without issue.
• 🎙️ The speaker emphasizes that the story of his return to New York and the title win is not widely known, and he shares it to set the record straight.

Q & A

Who was Bruno Sammartino working for initially when he started wrestling?

Bruno Sammartino was initially working for Frank Tunney in Toronto.

How did Bruno Sammartino promote himself to the Italian press?

Bruno Sammartino self-promoted by inviting the Italian press to the Y and demonstrating his strength with 500 pounds bench press and over 700 pound squat.

What was the nickname given to Bruno Sammartino by the Italian press?

The Italian press nicknamed him 'Italiano Samson'.

Why did Bruno Sammartino draw more attention and crowds to the wrestling events?

Bruno Sammartino drew more attention due to his self-promotion, strength demonstrations, and the Italian community's love for strength.

What did Frank Tunney tell Bruno Sammartino during their dinner at a Chinese restaurant?

Frank Tunney told Bruno Sammartino that he could consider Toronto his home and that he was pleased with Bruno's conduct and performance.

What was the initial offer Vince McMahon made to Bruno Sammartino to return to New York?

Vince McMahon initially offered Bruno Sammartino a minimum guarantee of $500 per week to return to New York.

Why did Bruno Sammartino refuse Vince McMahon's initial offer?

Bruno Sammartino refused the initial offer because he was already making close to that amount in Canada and was happy with his situation there.

What was the final agreement made between Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahon for his return to New York?

The final agreement was that Bruno Sammartino would be guaranteed a match with Buddy Rogers, which was his condition for returning to New York.

What was the secret plan involving Buddy Rogers and Bruno Sammartino's match?

The secret plan was to tell Buddy Rogers that Bruno Sammartino was bought for a figure of $3,500 to lose to him, ensuring that Buddy would agree to the match.

How long did the match between Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers last for the title change?

The match between Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers for the title change lasted only 48 seconds.

What rumor circulated about Buddy Rogers after the match with Bruno Sammartino?

A rumor circulated that Buddy Rogers had a heart attack two weeks before the match and was carried from the hospital to the ring.

Outlines

00:00

🤼‍♂️ Self-Promotion and Success in Toronto

The speaker recounts his journey in wrestling, starting with his initial booking and self-promotion efforts that led to increased popularity. He describes an impressive feat of strength that caught the attention of the Italian press, earning him the nickname 'Italian Samson.' The speaker's self-promotion tactics, such as having a large man sit on his back while doing pushups, captivated the Italian audience's love for strength. This led to an invitation from a local Italian station owned by Columbo, further boosting his career. The narrative also touches on the speaker's relationship with Frank T, who expressed satisfaction with the speaker's conduct and work ethic, offering him a 'home' in Toronto. The story concludes with the speaker's interactions with Vince McMahon, who, despite initial resistance, eventually managed to bring the speaker back to New York with a lucrative offer, setting the stage for a significant wrestling event.

05:01

🏆 The Secret Deal and Title Match with Buddy Rogers

The second paragraph delves into the speaker's negotiations to return to wrestling in New York, highlighting the key condition of a guaranteed match with Buddy Rogers, a wrestler with whom the speaker had a contentious relationship. The speaker leverages his demand as a test of Vince McMahon's commitment to his return. A secret deal is struck, where it's agreed that the speaker would be 'bought' for a sum of $3,500 to lose to Rogers, a plan kept under wraps to avoid any potential sabotage by Rogers. The speaker expresses his concerns about being perceived as a 'double-crosser' but ultimately agrees to the plan for the sake of his career. The narrative culminates in the actual match, which was executed swiftly with the speaker winning the title from Rogers in just 48 seconds. The paragraph also addresses rumors about Rogers having a heart attack, which the speaker dismisses as a fabrication, pointing out that Rogers had wrestled just two weeks prior without any issues.

Keywords

💡Self-Promotion

Self-promotion refers to the act of publicizing oneself or one's achievements. In the video, Bruno San Martino mentions his efforts to promote himself by inviting the Italian press and performing impressive feats of strength, such as bench pressing 500 pounds and squatting over 700 pounds. This self-promotion helped him gain attention and popularity among the Italian community in Toronto, illustrating the importance of marketing oneself in the wrestling industry.

💡Italian Samson

The 'Italian Samson' is a nickname given to Bruno San Martino, highlighting his remarkable strength. The term is derived from Samson, a biblical figure known for his extraordinary physical power. This nickname was used in a newspaper headline in Toronto after Bruno demonstrated his strength to the Italian press, helping to build his reputation and attract a fanbase, which is crucial for success in professional wrestling.

💡Frank Tunney

Frank Tunney was a prominent wrestling promoter in Toronto who played a significant role in Bruno San Martino's career. In the script, Frank is described as a supportive figure who offered Bruno a home base in Toronto due to his impressive self-promotion and ability to draw crowds. This relationship emphasizes the importance of having a promoter who believes in a wrestler's potential and is willing to support their career development.

💡Buddy Rogers

Buddy Rogers was a well-known wrestler and a rival of Bruno San Martino. The script describes the contentious relationship between Bruno and Buddy, culminating in a title match that Bruno insisted on as a condition for returning to New York. The match, which Bruno won in 48 seconds, was surrounded by rumors and controversy, highlighting the intense rivalries and politics that can exist in the wrestling world.

💡Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon, mentioned in the script, refers to Vince McMahon Sr., a significant wrestling promoter in New York. He sought to bring Bruno back to New York during a difficult financial period for his wrestling business. Vince's negotiations with Bruno, including offering a guaranteed salary and a title match with Buddy Rogers, illustrate the business side of wrestling, where promoters and wrestlers negotiate terms that can impact the trajectory of their careers.

💡Title Match

A title match in professional wrestling is a contest where the championship title is at stake. In the script, Bruno San Martino demanded a match with Buddy Rogers as a condition for returning to New York, seeing it as his chance to claim the title and prove his superiority. The successful outcome of this match was a pivotal moment in Bruno's career, underscoring the significance of title matches in establishing a wrestler's legacy.

💡Heart Attack Rumor

The heart attack rumor refers to the story Buddy Rogers spread about having suffered a heart attack two weeks before losing his title to Bruno San Martino. This claim was used as an excuse for his quick defeat, despite evidence that he had been wrestling during that period. The rumor highlights how narratives and misinformation can influence public perception and the history of wrestling events.

💡Ace Freeman

Ace Freeman was an associate of Vince McMahon and part of the Pittsburgh wrestling scene. In the script, Ace acted as an intermediary, relaying Vince's interest in speaking with Bruno about returning to New York. His role underscores the interconnected nature of the wrestling community, where relationships and communication channels play vital roles in career opportunities.

💡Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is mentioned as Bruno San Martino's home base before moving to Toronto and his family's residence during his time in Canada. The city represents Bruno's roots and personal life, emphasizing the sacrifices wrestlers often make by being away from home for extended periods to pursue their careers. Pittsburgh also symbolizes the emotional connection and the balancing act between professional and personal responsibilities.

💡Wrestling Politics

Wrestling politics refers to the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and strategic decisions in the wrestling industry. The script details Bruno's navigation through political challenges, such as dealing with negative rumors, negotiating with promoters, and ensuring a match with Buddy Rogers. These dynamics illustrate how wrestlers must be savvy in handling industry politics to advance their careers and secure favorable opportunities.

Highlights

Bruno Sammartino's initial success in wrestling and his self-promotion efforts to gain attention from the Italian press.

Bruno's unique approach to self-promotion, including having a large man sit on his back while doing pushups.

The Italian community's appreciation for strength and how it contributed to Bruno's popularity.

Bruno's growth in popularity and drawing power after self-promotion efforts in Toronto.

Frank T's acknowledgment of Bruno's hard work and contribution, offering him a permanent place in Toronto.

Bruno's response to negative feedback about his character, showing his determination to prove himself.

Bruno's base in Toronto becoming a significant part of his wrestling career.

The downturn of the wrestling business in New York and the impact on Buddy Rogers and Vince McMahon.

Bruno's reluctance to return to New York due to past negative experiences.

Vince McMahon's attempt to lure Bruno back to New York with financial guarantees.

Bruno's demand for a match with Buddy Rogers as a condition for his return to New York.

The secretive arrangement made to convince Buddy Rogers to wrestle Bruno, involving a fabricated payment figure.

Bruno's strategy to confront Buddy Rogers directly in the ring, disregarding the prearranged plan.

The actual match outcome where Bruno defeated Buddy Rogers in just 48 seconds.

The rumors and false claims made by Buddy Rogers about having a heart attack prior to the match.

Bruno's revelation of the truth behind the match and the setup that led to his victory.

The long-term impact of the title change and the story behind it, which was kept a secret until now.

Transcripts

it was very nice and then he started

booking me and I started wrestling and

and he never said nothing I was strictly

preliminary I was no Manny Venter or

anything like that but he kept using me

and as he saw I started self-promoting I

invited the Italian press to come to uh

the Y and over there I did I did 500 uh

500 pounds five reps on the bench I did

over 700 pound Squad and so they hadline

in the sports section came out next day

Italiano which means the Italian Samson

is in Toronto and then this Italian

station owned by a guy by the name of

Columbo he heard about he saw this and

everything else he invited to me show

when he was in show he was a big guy we

about 240 I had him sit on my back and I

was doing pushups and I crazy things to

self-promote and pretty soon the

Italians the Italians love strength

that's why Primo carero was such a big

deal you know and before you know it man

they start coming and Frank T was elated

and I started drawing more and more so

finally Frank Tommy after I'd been there

for about 3 four months he invited me

out to dinner one time to Chinese

restaurant I'll never forget it we sat

there Frank was a wonderful wonderful

guy always been dead at home but when

Frank drank a little bit you could get

to a little Qui if you remember him and

then he would be more relaxed to say

what might ordinary not say and he said

to me he said Bruno I want you to know

that for as long as you want this can be

your home he says I couldn't be more

pleased with the way you with the way

you conduct yourself the way your you

know the way you're getting over the way

you're working hard to help yourself to

get over he said I want you to know that

this can be your home he says and I also

want you to know that I so glad that I

didn't listen to anybody and kept you

because frankly I got a phone call

saying that you were bad news that you

were troubl maker that you were a hard

guy to get along with blah blah blah and

I said yeah yeah and I know who gave you

the call I said you know I just went

like that he says well I just want you

to know he says that I told that party

that if it you turn turned out to be

what they said you were that I would

tell you to pack your bag and go back to

Pittsburgh but I want you to know he

said that I am so pleased that I didn't

listen and for the next year and three

quarters that was my new base Toronto

and I wrestled out of Toronto all this

time and then believe it or not with

Buddy Rogers let's see how good you're

well you were a kid you weren't in the

business really then things were really

went down the drain in New York the

business had really gotten bad buddy had

really taken the territory bad and Vince

McMahon was doing very bad

financially so what happens they heard

of My Success in Canada and they a guy

named Ace Freeman you remember that name

yes I do a Freeman called me up and he

said to me on because I used to go home

every other Sunday I used to go home so

your family stayed in Pittsburgh while

you were up in Toronto they did not

follow you okay no sir and Ace Freeman

was part of Pittsburgh as well he was

part of Pittsburgh hard for you to be

away two weeks in a time to be away from

your wife and your son but those are the

sacrifices sometimes you have to make in

life so I uh uh uh when I came home and

he called me uh he said to me that Vince

McMahon wanted to talk to me and he said

you know you should give him a call I

said you said he wants to talk to me I

said you tell him to call me I said why

are you calling me he said well he asked

me to call you to tell you to call him I

says no I'm not calling him I said why

should I call him I said if he wants to

talk to me he said you tell him I come

home every second Sunday so two weeks

later I come home and he again a fre and

says to me Bruno don't be a hardhead he

said Vince wants to talk to you he said

give him a call and I said a don't call

me again if he wants to call me tell him

the s s home and tell him to call me if

he wants to talk to me have him call me

I said I'm not calling him two weeks

went by I come back again and Sh is z

Vince called and he said to me Bruno

before we do anything he says listen he

says I don't want to start rehashing the

past I don't want to start rehashing the

pastes I just want to tell you let's go

forward so let's bury the hatchet to all

anything that might have happened any

bad feeling that might exist he said you

belong in New York I want you to come

back to New York says and I can make

things very good for you I said to but I

was in New York and it was nothing but a

disaster for me why why should I believe

that coming back now should be good for

me I said I'm I'm very happy in Canada

and that's where I'm going to stay he

says Bruno he said you belong in New

York but I knew because I was having

corresponsive with some people and I

knew that how bad things were in New

York so he said to me listen he said

I'll do for you what I haven't done for

anybody and I said what's that I will

give you a minimum five $500 week

guarantee today sounds like peanuts but

we're talking about 62 63 you know and I

said no I said that doesn't do it so he

says well now you're being stubborn he

says what do you mean $500 he said

you're not making that in Canada I says

pretty close to I said I'm right there I

said but more than that I'm happy here I

says I

says Frank's TV goes all over Canada I'm

I'm I'm booked in Winnipeg I'm booked in

Vancouver I'm booked in Montreal I said

no I said said no thank you so I saids

no I'm sorry she kept I said Vince I'm

sorry but I got to go and I hung up two

weeks later he calls back and he said to

me okay I'll tell you what he said even

though we really can do this he says but

I'm willing to I we'll give you 750 a

week to come back and I said no he says

well what is it going to take for you to

come back I says guarantee me a match

with Buddy Rogers I knew buddy was

behind a lot of the stuff that had G on

so you trying to get through the

politics here yeah well you know you

know Bill say in front of the cameras if

you go back and up you know that Buddy

Rogers and I there was never a good

relationship there was a very disliking

of each other he disliked me and I

disliked him a lot and so I said that

was my demand to meet bu Raj Budd won't

do it buddy isn't going to do it I said

well then it's your problem I said it's

up to you to make this thing happen I

said you want me back I said that's my

insurance that you have plans where I

can do well without that I says I

nothing else matters I said says I stay

where I'm

at he says I'll get back to you so him

and tots had a very private meeting with

me and they said there's only one way

we're going to get buddy to go in the

ring with you we have to let him know

that you've been bought for a figure I

said what figure $3,500 we're going to

tell him that for $3,500 you're willing

to to fall for him right I said I don't

care what you tell the guy I said you

know I said but that's the only way so

it was very big secret not a soul knew

about about it we swore to secrecy at

the time nobody must know because if

Buddy got a whiff of it he would fake

some kind of an injury prior to the show

and not show up and uh because of an

injury and the thing would never take

off at the same time I had a problem

because I didn't want to start off with

knowing that I was some kind of a double

Crosser this and that amongst my peers

so see nobody knows these stories

because this was such a well-kept secret

at the time that's why we're here that's

why we're doing this now finally the day

of the show we go in the ring we go in

the ring and uh the the I forget the

referee's name tall guy kind of balding

dick CR no it wasn't CR it was somebody

else but anyway they got us for the

instructions I looked and the referee

knew what the plan was or no no only you

and Vince mm only and tzm and I looked

at buddy and I said to him buddy forget

all the BS you've been told I said I'm

here to take your title I said that's

why I'm in the rank to take your title

so do what you now a lot of people say

we said that b serious shoot was never a

shoot I'll tell you why because he

looked bewildered he like what's going

on soon as that Bell rank if you say you

were a kid you remember if you remember

this I came charging from my corner and

I picked him up and I gave him a slam I

picked him up again I drew him in the

Buckle I can slam then I threw him up I

says buddy give it up so or I'll break

your back and then and the referee waved

The Thing by and that was it that was

May 1963 May 17 1963 right 48 48 seconds

the match took 48 seconds now there were

there were rumors that Rogers had put

out that he had a heart attack you

remember that so what happened Rogers

now there's bitter feelings as you can

imagine he said in a being in a in a

bank with the attend they said how could

you let this guy young got beach in 48

second he said that he had had a heart

attack two weeks before and that he was

literally carried from on a hospital on

a stretch from the hospital to the

garden now if you knew the state of a

commission in those days i' like to see

anybody who had a heart attack even get

near the ring get even near the ring is

right but that's a story and you know

funny enough even supposed to be

knowledgeable people like the smells and

stuff they actually believe that and

they've printed that that Rogers was

literally taken by by an ambulance or

whatever to take it from the hospital

into the ring what they don't what what

they don't remember because it's too

long ago two weeks prior I came in and I

wrestled Rogers on a TV match and

because Rogers

thought of what was to be in the garden

he went along with everything and what

we did on TV was a nine tile match to

convince the Italians and the fans that

I could beat him and I came in right

away and we had a few armed drags this

and that and I threw him up in a back

breaker and he gave up but it didn't

count because it was a non-title match

you know what I mean this was the set up

for the guard so here he's talking about

having had a heart attack two weeks

before two week not only did he wrestle

with me but he was wrestling during the

weekend May that's what caused the

and that's that's that's a story nobody

knows now everybody will know but that's

exactly what happened with the title

change with Buddy Rogers and that's the

story no and that and that's the story

that I came here to hear firsthand from

Bruno San Martino because all the

stories were were that it it was a shoot

buddy wasn't going to go along and