Professional wrestling icon Bruno Sammartino has died at 82.
Sammartino, who started his wrestling career in the late '50s, wrestled for Vince McMahon Sr.'s World Wide Wrestling Federation in the '60s, '70s and '80s. He held the WWWF Heavyweight Championship for a record eight years before losing the title to Ivan Koloff in 1971, but would later regain the championship in 1973. He would hold the title for another four years.
A rift grew between Sammartino and WWF after having learned he was shorted on his pay during his second title run in the early '80s, which would mark the beginning of the "Living Legend's" issues with WWF. The issue was sorted out, but problems persisted.
A rocky relationship between Sammartino and the WWF (now WWE) burdgeoned following his exit from the company in the late '80s, as he was an outspoken critic of current company executive Vince McMahon and WWE, lambasting the direction of the industry. Sammartino disliked the risque storylines and inclusion of steroids in wrestling, among other issues.
The long-standing feud between Sammartino and WWE was resolved in the early 2010s, culminating in a long-overdue WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2013.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time for his natural charisma and unique wrestling style, Sammartino was a star that transcended generations. He was one of the greatest, most marketable draws in professional wrestling history, selling out Madison Square Garden on numerous occasions.
He is survived by his spouse and three children.
