Photo: Bruno Sammartino & Triple H

Bruno Sammartino at the Arnold Sports Festival being inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

Triple H Appearing with Bruno Sammartino at the Arnold Classic

Triple H posted the following on his twitter page:

Headed to the Arnold Classic tomorrow to support @SammartinoBruno and @Schwarzenegger at the International Sports HOF #arnoldclassic

Rumor Mill - WWE HOF Updates

There are plans to have 1-2 more inductees for the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame class. Ivan Koloff and Kamala's names have been discussed. The company has reached out to at least Kamala about being inducted.

As I noted in the PWInsider Elite section, Bruno Sammartino's induction will headline the ceremony. The company hopes to have Arnold Schwarzenegger induct him, something Bruno intends to talk to Arnold about when he is inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame during the Arnold Classic.

In regards to the other scheduled inductees, it's expected that Terry Funk and/or Jim Ross (possibly both) will induct Mick Foley. The company is considering Maria Menounos for Bob Backlund as the two are friends and obviously, WWE would love for the celebrity rub. Sgt. Slaughter's name has also been brought up for Backlund as has, interestingly enough, Roddy Piper.

In speaking around to those in the company, it was believed Donald Trump would most likely be inducted by a member of his family, possibly Ivanka Trump.

There's no word on Trish Stratus' inductor yet, although as I noted in the Elite section, Lita and/or Dave Finley would make the most sense. They could also go with Edge as they are both from Toronto and were trained by Ron Hutchison at the same school.

source: pwinsider.com

Bruno Sammartino In WWE 2K14

With WWE working on several projects for Bruno Sammartino this year, the future WWE Hall of Famer is expected to be a playable character in the new WWE 2K14 video game, in an attempt to draw in older video game players.

Bruno Sammartino Scheduled for WWE Appearances After WWE HOF

Bruno Sammartino, who will be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame this April, is also scheduled to make follow-up appearances both during WrestleMania 29, and live on Monday Night Raw the following night.

While it is not uncommon for recent Hall of Fame inductees to make an appearance at WrestleMania the following night - as has become the norm for the past several years - this will mark the first time Bruno Sammartino has ever appeared on an episode of Monday Night Raw, in the show's 20-year history.

Rumor Mill - WWE HOF Inductor for Bruno Sammartino

WWE are said to have recently contacted Arnold Schwarzenegger to induct Bruno Sammartino into the WWE Hall of Fame to add to the glitz and glamour of the company finally getting Bruno to accept the induction. Bruno originally stated that he would like someone such as Larry Zbyszko, Dominic DeNucci or someone he has worked with in the past to induct him, but agreed with Triple H to allow WWE to make the decision. Schwarzenegger is said to have been reluctant recently, however there is a belief amongst WWE officials that due to his movie not being as successful as he hoped, that they could finance a film, which Schwarzenegger would be involved in to tempt him to agree to induct Bruno. The inductors are to be finalized within the coming weeks, so that should be an interesting one.

WWE Looks at Moments We Never Expected

WWE's website has a new article looking at 10 moments you never expected to see in WWE.

Shane McMahon appearing on the final WCW Nitro in 2001 topped the list, followed by Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart reconciling on RAW in 2010, Bruno Sammartino accepting a WWE Hall of Fame invite, Vince McMahon hugging Eric Bischoff on RAW in 2002, and the nWo invading WWE in 2002.

Bruno Sammartino on Why He Accepted the WWE Hall of Fame Invitation, How Persistent Triple H Was, Potential Inductors, the Reaction his Video Received on Raw

Busted Open satellite radio show with Bruno Sammartino

What changed your mind in going into the WWE Hall of Fame? "I said I would refuse, I would not go in because I would be a hypocrite, because I had been very critical of some of the things that were going on. I felt that there was a big drug problem with the steroids and probably other things. I also didn’t like the nudity and the vulgarity and the profanity that was going on in the organization. For that reason I said I would be hypocritical for going in because I had been critical of all these things. Therefore, how can I go into that Hall of Fame. A lot of people supported me and some did not. But I had to go in what I believed in.

"So I stuck by my guns for a lot of years. But let me tell you what changed my mind. Paul Levesque (Triple H). I don’t know if I can say he runs the organization , but he is certainly a heavyweight in that organization. He has been involved in a lot of decision making and so forth. He contacted me probably five or six months ago. I didn’t know too much except that he was one of the superstars known as Triple H. I didn’t know Paul too well. When he called and introduced himself, we started a conversation and he wanted to open the door ,so to speak for us to talk about the Hall of Fame. He told me how much he would like for me to be in there. That’s how it all started.

"What did it for me is that Paul comes across, and I believe he is from what everyone has told me is that he is a very sincere guy. He comes across sincere, very honest, very straightforward. He started telling me all the changes they made, for example, when he mentioned that Dr. Joseph Maroon who had the drug testing with the WWE, that was big because I know Dr. Maroon.

"Dr. Maroon is a world renowned neurosurgeon. He operated on me three times on my back. I couldn’t function anymore because I did so much damage to my back. But because of him here I am today. I know what kind of dedicated man he is. When he took on this challenge with the WWE and the drug testing, I knew they were sincere about fixing this problem. I have to take my hat off to them because they did take the proper steps where some other organizations did not.

"Paul then started talking about the changes in making it more family-friendly. He knew and understood some of the things I objected to. He told me all these things have changed, like the nudity and vulgarity. So I started watching it again. I haven’t watched wrestling in many, many years. I was totally turned off on it. So I started watching it again and what Paul told me, he absolutely made me a believer. Let’s talk about the talent itself. I see a world of difference. I don’t see steroid users.

"These guys look athletic but certainly I don’t see the likes of what we saw ten, fifteen years ago or even later. But I saw there was no nudity, I saw no vulgarity. All these long interviews and no profanity. Paul told me everything that they changed. He also told me the direction that he wanted to go in. It was all positive for me. I had said years ago, yes I would be a hypocrite if I went in when I was being so critical. In different interviews, I have also said that if they changed I would reconsider my feelings towards the Hall of Fame. The only problem was I never thought I would see it happen."

How persistent was Triple H? "Well it didn’t happen overnight. We kept talking and this went on for months and months. Finally after so much time elapsed and everything we discussed , I finally became convinced that Paul absolutely wanted to take the business into a different direction. He was trained by Killer Kowalski. He was a student of the old days. He was a student of my era. He loved that and thought a lot of that. So he wants to make changes that goes back to that era. Everything he said, he convinced me because most of all I believed him. I absolutely believe his sincerity. The changes are there. Now I see these guys and the current guys are not on that stuff. Paul convinced me this is the way it is and is what they want going forward. So I said yes I’m interested and if I could help in any way as long as they keep going in that direction. I would make myself open to it."

More?

Latest on a Bruno Sammartino Movie

A documentary on Bruno Sammartino’s life is almost completed and around five or six outlets have shown interest including HBO and CBS. A movie on his life has not been filmed but the script has been completed. Former WWE writer and “Liar Liar” writer Paul Guay did the script and two studios have shown some interest in it. WWE has also talked about producing the movie under WWE Studios but that is very preliminary talk.

source: f4wonline.com

Paul Levesque Puts a Major Punctuation on his Emergence as the Heir to the WWE Throne with the Signing of Bruno Sammartino

Former WWE Executive and current TV producer Court Bauer (find him on twitter at @CourtBauer) exclusively provides Wrestling Inc. with insight on what went down behind the scenes at WWE concerning one of if not the most elusive and involved Hall of Fame/legends deals ever put together:

The way WWE deployed the Bruno story is VERY telling about the future of the kingdom and who will be positioned where. It was masterfully crafted. Levesque comes across like a revelation within the WWE organization, with the press releases and media he's done suggesting Paul Levesque is ushering in an era of advanced drug testing and a more wholesome environment for the talent. He also comes across VERY likable as well as a true mover and shaker. It's positively brilliant by WWE as the majority of people will find this to be a very good indicator of WWE's future post Vince McMahon.

Whether that's true or not, we shall see, but the reality is Paul Levesque put a MAJOR punctuation on his emergence as the heir to the throne with this move. This is not a game changer for their business or for WWE customers but it is very revealing. Plus, it gives shareholders and WWE's media partners tempered confidence in WWE's succession strategy.

Further cementing how confident Vince McMahon is in Levesque is the financials behind it. Bruno didn't come cheap. Numbers tossed around like $50,000 are erroneous and far, far removed from the real number that it took to close the deal. But that deal didn't come together easily for Levesque. He had to work for it and it didn't happen overnight. Levesque pressed Vince hard to make the deal happen for months and months, with Vince ultimately acquiescing. That's very telling. And yes, Levesque deserves the trust and various resources of Vince McMahon more than anyone else in WWE, perhaps ever.

Read the complete article here.

More on the Sammartino-WWE HOF Negotiations

Triple H told Bruno Sammartino during the WWE HOF negotiations that WWE cleaned up their product and that when he got more power, he wanted to make WWE's product similar to the product that Sammartino headlined years ago.

source: wrestling observer

Bruno Sammartino and Triple H Discuss WWE Hall of Fame

WWECLASSICS.COM: It’s great to speak with you both. This is obviously an historic announcement, but let’s start off with the elephant in the room. Why now, Bruno? Why did you feel like this was the time to go into the WWE Hall of Fame?

BRUNO SAMMARTINO: Well, I guess the main reason would be Triple H. He’s the one who contacted me months ago and we got acquainted with each other. We had only met once, very, very briefly. I only really knew Triple H as a Superstar with WWE, but in person I think we only met for maybe 20 seconds.

TRIPLE H: I shook your hand once in Pittsburgh.

BRUNO: Exactly. It was a very quick introduction and that was it. But since then, Triple H contacted me and he started telling me everything that was going on with WWE. There had been issues and things that I was not happy with, but when I saw the changes, I was very, very impressed. Triple H was a very sincere guy and he was trained by someone who I had the most respect in the world for, and that was Walter “Killer” Kowalski. And then, of course, when he told me that it’s going to be in Madison Square Garden, that was huge for me, too, because of my history in the Garden.

Full Interview

Details on Bruno Sammartino's New WWE Deal

The deal to bring Bruno Sammartino into the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame was locked in two weeks ago after Triple H traveled to Bruno's home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to PWInsider, the contract was signed this past Friday, February 1st. There had been talk within WWE that the deal was done but sources close to Bruno wouldn't confirm it because he had not signed yet and they did not feel it was a done deal until he signed.

Bruno's deal with WWE is expected to be more than just the Hall of Fame induction as WWE wants to use him for commentary on DVD's, an appearance on TV and some other features. Bruno will likely be involved with the big 50th anniversary DVD that WWE has been planning.

Triple H is the one responsible for the deal. Bruno had turned Triple H's offer down before but word is that Triple H remained respectful but persistent. Triple H stayed in touch with Bruno over the phone and finally convinced him to change his mind. The negotiations went on altogether for about 7 months.

Triple H Comments on the Bruno Sammartino Hall of Fame Induction, Says Bruno Will Headline This Year's HOF Class

WWE executive Triple H, real name Paul Levesque, spoke to ESPN about the announcement of Bruno Sammartino as the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame class headliner, and below are several quotes from the interview:

"From a legitimacy standpoint, it’s important for us to get Bruno in," Levesque said. “He’s one of the biggest names there has ever been in the business. So for us to not have him in there, for the legitimacy of the whole thing, it was a major issue. For me, the more important thing was that nobody deserves to be recognized for being a big star and paving the way for the stars of today more than Bruno. Everything that we have today in the business, Bruno was a cornerstone of that foundation. He truly is a living legend...

There has been this bad blood between Bruno and the WWE for years, and we’re not trying to hide any of it, but I just felt like we are at a point where a lot of it can be resolved. Our wellness program and the way our programming is now, a lot of people are unaware of it, so I felt like if I could get Bruno on the phone and I could run down a list of those things that he didn’t like, I could show him how we changed. We’re PG, family-friendly entertainment with a wellness program that is truly based on the wellness of our performers. We want them to be healthy and live long, productive lives. So I just felt that if Bruno knew about those things, he might feel differently, and eventually, that’s what came to be."

“Clearly, Vince knew about this right from the get-go, and when I said I wanted to reach out to Bruno, Vince was probably thinking, ‘Well, good luck with that,’” Levesque said. “So Bruno and I established this relationship, and as we came to an understanding on all of this, Vince asked me, ‘Hey, do you think I should call Bruno? I’d like to talk to him.’ At the same time, Bruno said, ‘Do you think I should have a conversation with Vince?’ And I said no to both of them. I didn’t think it was right to do over the phone. They had bad blood for a long time, and we’ve all kind of buried the hatchet here, and it’s a new beginning and a fresh start and everybody is in a great place with this. But going back to what Bruno said about being old-school, I think we should all get in the same room together and the two of them should look each other in the eyes and shake hands. This should be in person. I don’t think it’s right to do over the phone. They both agreed to do that, and while it hasn’t happened yet, Hall of Fame is probably where we’ll make that happen. Vince and Bruno will see each other for the first time in years and officially, in person, look each other in the eyes and bury that hatchet.”

Bruno Sammartino, "The Living Legend" to Enter WWE Hall of Fame

WWE announced today that Bruno Sammartino will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Madison Square Garden.

Sammartino, nicknamed “The Living Legend,” is a two-time WWE Champion and the longest reigning WWE Champion in history, holding the title for a combined 11 years. His first title reign began on May 17, 1963, where he defeated “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers at Madison Square Garden. After losing the Championship in 1971, he regained the title on December 10, 1973, defeating Stan Stasiak at Madison Square Garden, holding the Championship until April 30, 1977. When he retired from the ring, Sammartino became a color commentator for WWE’s syndicated Superstars program and stepped back into the ring on special occasions. After his departure in 1988, Sammartino was openly critical of WWE, and for many years declined the offer to be inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame, citing concerns with WWE’s content and culture.

“For my fans around the world, I am pleased to be joining the WWE Hall of Fame, especially at Madison Square Garden,” said Bruno Sammartino.

“Having sold out more than 200 shows at Madison Square Garden and being the longest reigning WWE champion in history, Bruno Sammartino is truly ‘The Living Legend,’” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. “This is an extraordinary and historic moment to have Bruno take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame.”

Rumor Mill - Potential WWE Hall of Fame Inductees

There has also been talk of inducting either DX or The Kliq (Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman) as one group, depending on who you talk to, but we can't confirm 100% which will happen - just that it's been discussed over the last week. My money is on DX.

Former WWF champion Bob Backlund was at WWE HQ in Stamford, CT last Friday as the company wants to induct him into their Hall of Fame. Backlund was actually scheduled to be inducted in 2004 but pulled out. We are told that Backlund has not yet accepted the honor for 2013.

WWE has reached out to James "Kamala" Harris about being inducted into the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame class Wrestlemania weekend. Kamala, worked as a main eventer in his house show run with Hulk Hogan in 1986 and 1987 as well as Undertaker's opponent at Summerslam '92 in Wembley Stadium. He was later turned into a comedic undercard babyface. Outside of WWF, he also had big runs in Memphis and several other territories and worked in WCW as a member of Kevin Sullivan's Dungeon of Doom. He is a worthy inductee.

The word within WWE HQ over the last week is that they hope to again reach out to Bruno Sammartino to ask him to accept being inducted into the Hall. It was believed by one source that HHH was going to offer to personally travel to Pittsburgh to talk to Bruno. It should be noted that when they first asked Bruno and he turned it down, Sammartino noted during an interview with me that he couldn't see himself going in as long as Vince McMahon was around.

source: pwinsider.com

Rumor Mill - Bruno Sammartino At WWE Event Tonight

F4WOnline reports that there has been talk that Triple H may be meeting with Bruno Sammartino later today in Pittsburgh, the site of tonight's RAW / SmackDown taping. Bruno is from the area, and his name has been at the top of the list of possible headliners for the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame. The plan was for Bruno to appear at TV tonight, and if things don't go well, then the company will look to go with someone else to headline. Other names floated recently include Mick Foley and Triple H.

Bruno has felt disrespected by the company due to "past financial injustices," and would only agree to be inducted if those matters were rectified.

WWE Working On Celebration

WWE will be facing a major project in 2013 as they prepare to celebrate their 50th anniversary. It would really be the anniversary of the WWE Title, which took the name in early 1963 when it was announced on TV that Buddy Rogers had won a tournament in Brazil to become the new Worldwide Wrestling Federation world champion. This came when Vince McMahon Sr. and those who worked with him in the Northeast withdrew from the NWA over their decision to take the title off Rogers and put it on Lou Thesz. Rogers was first billed as WWWF Champion around May 1963 on TV but most remembrances of the title date back to May 17th, 1963 when Bruno Sammartino beat Rogers in 48 seconds at Madison Square Garden to begin an almost eight-year reign.

For the celebration in 2013, WWE already had a DVD planned and other ideas are being discussed to go along with it.

source: wrestling observer newsletter

WWE Hall of Fame Discussions Begin

WWE Hall of Fame discussions have started. According to a source, Bruno Sammartino remains at the top of the list. Others that key officials have discussed include Mick Foley, Triple H, The Freebirds, Regis Philbin (in the celebrity wing), Bob Backlund, Larry Zbyszko, Sid Vicious, Earthquake John Tenta and Paul Heyman. The feeling is the timing isn't right for Heyman, since he is penciled in to be a major part of one of the marquee WrestleMania 29 matches and as a heel, it would create an awkward atmosphere.

Vince McMahon has not commented on the suggested entries, but should be deciding who is going in within the next several weeks.

According to a source close to Bruno, he has not closed the door to a possible induction. He apparently would agree to be inducted ONLY if the money is right, which be believes is about respect and to rectify "past financial injustices." Bruno feels that WWE has not been fair with him in the past with royalties related to the marketing of his merchandise and action figures, and that the situation must be addressed before he would consider being inducted.

Bruno is also adamant that any deal that he makes to enter the WWE Hall of Fame is made independent of any financing or distribution deal for the potential theatrical film to be made of his life. He would like for that movie to be made, but is financially "very comfortable" and would not be heartbroken if it is not.

Bruno is said to be open to talking to Triple H at any time, and has always been open to take his calls. The source also noted that Bruno has never told Triple H not to call him and never will.

source: wrestlinginc.com

This Day In Wrestling History

Mayor Bosse and the Sheriff of Evansville, IN confiscate the $2,756 in ticket sales from the previous night's match on the basis that they believe the Stecher-Lewis match was "not on the square" and was in fact "rigged." Mayor Bosse then proclaims that there would be no more wrestling in Evansville. Show promoter W. F. Barton is left with just $13 after the incident and claimed to owe $400 to the wrestlers.
October 21, 1915

All Japan Pro Wrestling holds it's first ever show at Machida City Gym in Tokyo, Japan. The show is headlined by a two out of three fall tag team match, with Bruno Sammartino & Terry Funk defeating Giant Baba & Thunder Sugiyama. Funk pinned Sugiyama to win the first fall, Sugiyama pinned Funk to win the second, and Baba & Sugiyama were counted out in the final fall.
October 21, 1972

Ernie Ladd defeats Carlos Colon in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the WWC North American Heavyweight Title.
October 21, 1974

Ken Patera defeats Tony Atlas to win his second NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.
October 21, 1978

Bret Hart, ending months of rumors and speculation, signs a 20-year contract with the World Wrestling Federation, turning down a lucrative offer from WCW. As part of the agreement, which will see Hart become a part of the WWF office following his in-ring career, Bret is allowed to go into the ring during a live edition of Raw and discuss his decision. Hart does not blast WCW (as some within WWF were hoping), but does reveal that he is staying with the WWF. One year later, Vince McMahon would be asking Bret to drop the WWF Title to Shawn Michaels at the Survivor Series and releasing him from the contract, beginning the most famous story in wrestling history, the Montreal Screwjob.
October 21, 1996

Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeats Marc Mero the WWF Intercontinental Title, his first title in WWF/E.
October 21, 1996

Chris Jericho defeated The Rock for the WCW Heavyweight title.
October 21, 2001

Triple H simulated sex with a mannequin while dressed as Kane, in the infamous Katie Vick necrophilia skit.
October 21, 2002