Wrestling world pays tribute to WWE legend Bruno Sammartino
Last Updated: 19/04/18 9:13am
The biggest names in the wrestling world have paid tribute to WWE legend Bruno Sammartino, who died on Wednesday at the age of 82.
WWE chairman Vince McMahon was one of the first to comment on the passing of the Hall of Famer, who held his company's version of the world title for more than 11 years in total.
"One of the finest men I knew, in life and in business," he wrote in a post on Twitter. "Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. He will be missed."
His son Shane McMahon wrote: "Bruno Sammartino is and will always be iconic. A true champion and a real life superhero to me growing up. God speed Bruno."
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who inducted Sammartino into the Hall of Fame in 2013, said: "Bruno Sammartino was a legend. He was the American Dream personified. From his childhood in Italy hiding from Nazis to selling out Madison Square Garden 188 times as the biggest star of professional wrestling, he was a hero in every stage of his life."
Kurt Angle posted a long tribute to Sammartino on Instagram, which read: "My hometown hero, Bruno Sammartino has passed. I grew up watching Bruno. He was an amazing performer, who made his Pittsburgh natives proud. He was a champion's champion.
"I got to know Bruno in his latter years, after he retired from the then WWWF. He carried himself with dignity, and was always courteous to his fans. A true role model and hero. We will miss you Bruno.
Current members of the active roster also paid tribute to Sammartino, with Natalya writing: "Growing up, my grandfather Stu Hart would ALWAYS talk about Bruno Sammartino and what an incredible wrestler he was. I'm so grateful I had the chance to meet Bruno and tell him how much he meant to my grandfather and the entire Hart family. We will all miss you, Bruno."
Big E said: "I will always have an enormous amount of respect & admiration for Bruno Sammartino. I can't thank him enough for always being kind to me & taking time to have a genuine conversation. Condolences to his family & loved ones."
