Rumor Mill - WWE Interested In Working With Bruno Sammartino Movie

PWInsider.com reports there has been talk within WWE that there might be interest to work with the Hollywood movie which has been in the works for a few years based on the life of Bruno Sammartino.

The belief is WWE would help distribute the film in hopes of getting Sammartino to agree to be inducted in the Hall of Fame.

People close to Sammartino stand firm that he still won't agree to do any kind of business with WWE.

This Day In Wrestling History

Two of the most important figures in the history of professional wrestling, Shohei "Giant" Baba (founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling) and Antonio Inoki (founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling), make their pro wrestling debuts at a Japanese Wrestling Association show in Tokyo, Japan. Baba defeats Yonetaro Tanaka in his debut, while Inoki loses his match with Kintaro Oki.
September 30, 1960

Happy Birthday to Chris Von Erich
September 30, 1969

Marie Vagnone & Jane Sherill defeat Jumbo Miyamoto & Maxie Murata for the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Kawasaki, Japan.
September 30, 1971

WWWF(WWE) ran at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York, drawing over 20,000 fans for a show main evented by a battle of the babyfaces, as WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino wrestled to a curfew draw after 75 minutes of wrestling. The two shook hands and embraced before exiting the ring. During the match, George Steele tried to interfere, but was escorted out by security.
September 30, 1972

Ox Baker defeated Captain USA (John Studd) for the NWA American Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.
September 30, 1977

Gypsy Joe & Tojo Yamamoto defeat Ken Lucas & Dutch Mantel in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title.
September 30, 1978

This Day in Wrestling History

Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil battle Gorilla Monsoon & Hans Mortier to a draw in the main event of a show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Each team scored one fall before the time limit expired during the third fall.
September 16, 1963

At a WWF television taping in Baltimore, Maryland, Roddy Piper hosts his "Piper's Pit" segment at the same time that Adrian Adonis hosts an edition of "The Flower Shop". Piper's guest, Don Muraco, joins Adonis and Cowboy Bob Orton in attacking Piper and beating him down and destroying the Pit set. Later in the show (shown on a different TV episode), Piper returned with a baseball bat and destroyed the Flower Shop set. A new Piper's Pit set would be constructed, and the Flower Shop would never return.
September 16, 1986

More on Triple H's Conversation with Bruno Sammartino

It was reported earlier this week by The Wrestling Observer that Triple H had reached out to wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino, who has a troubled relationship with WWE and Vince McMahon, about being inducted into the 2013 Hall of Fame. Sammartino issued a statement later saying he was turning down WWE's invitation for the Hall. The Observer followed up and said Sammartino wasn't impressed by Triple H's approach on the phone. Sammartino issued another statement saying those reports were not true.

PWInsiderElite.com spoke with Sammartino this week about the reports. Sammartino discussed his talks with Triple H, his recent visit to Ring of Honor and more. Here are some highlights about his phone call with Triple H, thanks to Vinnie for passing along:

* Sammartino said Triple H was a gentleman, impressed him and they talked for a while. Triple H wanted to open communication because he was aware of the bad relationship between Vince and Bruno. Triple H figured Sammartino being inducted in the NY/NJ area would be good for the fans.

* Bruno mentioned that Triple H cited Madison Square Garden as a possible location for the ceremony.

* Bruno turned down the invite because he has issues with WWE and wouldn't feel right going into the Hall. Sammartino said he appreciated everything Triple H and WWE offered but in good conscious, he could not do it. Bruno brought up WWE not having a physical building for their Hall of Fame and the fact that they have non-wrestlers inducted.

* Regarding a future relationship with WWE, Bruno said there is no interest and as long as Vince McMahon is in the company, he doesn't think anything will happen between the two sides.

* Sammartino believes Triple H wants to do the right things for the business. Triple H told him that he respects the wrestling of yesteryear's and was trying to move away from some of the more racier stuff we've seen.

Triple H Said To Be Behind Sammartino's HOF Induction

Bruno Sammartino has been contacted by WWE concerning a possible induction into next year's Hall of Fame. Sammartino has issued a public statement turning down the offer.

The Wrestling Observer is now reporting that Triple H was the one who contacted Bruno about the possible induction, and attempted to convince the legendary wrestler to accept the WWE offer.

Triple H reportedly urged Sammartino to look past the bad blood between him and Vince McMahon, and use the Hall of Fame induction as way to acknowledge his legacy and educate younger viewers on his legendary career.

Sal Corrente, who represents Bruno Sammartino, sent the following statement as a follow up to Sammartino's decision to turn down his WWE Hall of Fame induction invitation:

"It has come to our attention that someone has claimed that Bruno was unimpressed with Triple H. That is an absolutely false statement Bruno had no issue what so ever with Triple H. He liked Triple H and enjoyed their conversation but for reasons personal to Bruno he has decided not to accept the induction in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM IS THE REFUSAL A REFLECTION ON TRIPLE H or his presentation or conversations with Bruno."

This Day in Wrestling History

Two of the most important figures in the history of professional wrestling, Shohei "Giant" Baba (founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling) and Antonio Inoki (founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling), make their pro wrestling debuts at a Japanese Wrestling Association show in Tokyo, Japan. Baba defeats Yonetaro Tanaka in his debut, while Inoki loses his match with Kintaro Oki.
September 30, 1960

Happy Birthday to Chris Von Erich
September 30, 1969

Marie Vagnone & Jane Sherill defeat Jumbo Miyamoto & Maxie Murata for the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Kawasaki, Japan.
September 30, 1971

WWWF(WWE) ran at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York, drawing over 20,000 fans for a show main evented by a battle of the babyfaces, as WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino wrestled to a curfew draw after 75 minutes of wrestling. The two shook hands and embraced before exiting the ring. During the match, George Steele tried to interfere, but was escorted out by security.
September 30, 1972

Ox Baker defeated Captain USA (John Studd) for the NWA American Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.
September 30, 1977

Gypsy Joe & Tojo Yamamoto defeat Ken Lucas & Dutch Mantel in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title.
September 30, 1978