Bruno Sammartino Passes Away

WWE announced that WWE Hall of Famer and legendary wrestler Bruno Sammartino passed away today at the age of 82. Bruno’s wife stated that “he died peacefully after battling health issues for the past several months” to Pittsburgh’s local CBS affiliate.

Sammartino quickly became a legend in the Northeastern United States during his 28 year career which included two memorable WWWF World Heavyweight Championship reigns with the first lasting a WWE record setting 2,803 days. Sammartino also currently holds the WWE record for most combined days as WWE champion at 4,040 days.

While Sammartino’s personal relationship with Vince McMahon was strained for years due to his distaste for the direction of the business under Vince, it was mended in 2013 with help from Triple H. Besides making several appearances for the company afterwards, Sammartino was also inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame in 2013.