Anniversary of Sammartino-Zbyszko I

[Polishprince]

The most dastardly betrayal in history, Larry turned on his mentor Bruno.

Sammartino took 3 vicious shots to the head with a chair, and was left in a pool of blood this date in 1980.

Bruno needed to have blood transfusions because of this, and it led to epic rematches where Zbyszko got his comeuppance.

Wrestling’s Greatest Feuds: Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko by Hank McAllen – TJR Wrestling

The event occurred on January 22, 1980 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It wasn’t seen on television for 2 weeks because it was taped on a night when the WWF would

tjrwrestling.net

 

[DGS49]

I went to college (Community College of Allegheny County) with Larry Z (not his real name). He told me that he met Bruno while working out at the Downtown (Pittsburgh) Y. When he told Bruno that he wanted to be a professional wrestler, they made a deal. Larry would bulk up to at least 250 pounds, and when he did Bruno would use his influence to get him started in the business.

I stopped watching professional wrestling at about age 12 because the silliness got to me.

 

[toobfreak]

The most dastardly betrayal in history, Larry turned on his mentor Bruno.

Wow, you sure are bringing back some real old memories! Bruno Sammartino, Larry Zbyszko, Bob Backlund, Chief Jay Strongbow, Baron Mikel Scicluna from the Isle of Malta, and, Jumping Johnny Defazio. Defazio just died a couple years ago I think as had Bruno died not that long ago I think.

I remember the feud and betrayal of Zbyszko, as I recall, he wasn't that impressive looking of a wrestler, always kinda had a dumb looking sneer on his face--- back in those days, a lot of wrestlers looked like "chubby dumb hunkies." Not at all up to the standards of the svelt athletes of today and most just wore plain trunks. I also heard that Sammartino originally used to work in a steel mill digging out dry castings of steel from vessels by hand then throwing them in a pile, though I don't know if any of that were true, but I saw him live several times and Bruno was simply great to watch--- I bet that guy could kick the ass of most pretty boy wrestlers around today if he were still alive.

 

[Polishprince]

I also heard that Sammartino originally used to work in a steel mill digging out dry castings of steel from vessels by hand then throwing them in a pile

I don't think that's true. Bruno's original life plan was to get into construction labor and become a carpenter, from what I understood. That's what Bruno's dad did.

 

[toobfreak]

I don't think that's true. Bruno's original life plan was to get into construction labor and become a carpenter, from what I understood. That's what Bruno's dad did.

I can't confirm that but I found out that Bruno's dad immigrated to Pittsburgh when Bruno was four to escape the Nazis and his mother used to sneak into German camps to steal food to live until she could later join them here. Bruno was so emaciated when he came here from poverty that kids used to pick on him in high school and that is what got him into body building. I also forgot that he had a son David who used to wrestle too.

Apparently Vince McManon didn't like Bruno and tried to get him blackballed from wrestling early in his career by tripping him up and making him miss a few scheduled events, but later took him back when Bruno flowered into a big star elsewhere.