Bruno Sammartino & Vince McMahon

[Providence Peep]

2013 WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino recently appeared on The NB Show and talked about meeting with Vince McMahon during WrestleMania 29 weekend:

“The private meeting that took place was at MSG that evening [of the Hall of Fame],” Bruno said. “His son-in-law Triple H and Stephanie [McMahon] came to my dressing room, I had my own dressing room, and they asked me, you know, Vince is waiting in his dressing room down the hall and if I minded going over there. I went. Stephanie opened the door and I went in and she shut the door so Vince and I were alone.

“He was standing toward the back of the room. And as I came in I was waiting for him to make the first move to see what he was going to say before I responded. And actually as I walked in he looked at me and he smiled and said ‘Bruno, welcome home’ just like that. And I said ‘Well Vince I’m glad to be home, but we both know the situation and what brought me back home. I have been very critical of you.’ I told him right to his face, ‘You know I have been very critical of you, but I also will recognize the fact that you have made drastic changes and for that I applaud you. But for all these years, I did not like what happened to the business that I spent 25 years in and the turns it took; drugs, nudity, etc.’ Vince said, ‘Well Bruno, I know you were always very outspoken about what you believed, I hope now you are satisfied of the changes. They are in the past, we want to go forward and we want to do a better and better product. And we are very happy that you are back.’

“He did say this to me which I appreciate, ‘When it was the World Wide Wrestling Federation you were the main reason for this organization to become as big as it did. So we want this (HOF Induction) to happen and we’re thrilled that it has happened.’ And that was it. So I said, ‘Thank you. As long as things stay that way and keep moving forward with improving the product. At this stage of my life there is not much I can do to contribute, but if there is something, especially with young talent, I’d be willing to do that. As long as the product gets better and better.’ And that was it basically.”

[Juan]

Cool beans

[Volare]

Nice little read there sir.

[Shisen Kopf]

Sammartino takes his rasslin, very, very seriously. He must have been beside himself during the attitude era. He probably is just mad b/c his son was garbage and Vince Wouldn't want crap like that in his ring.

[Shadrick]

So BECAUSE OF BRUNO, I WONT BE ABLE TO SEE KAITLYNS TITS ON WWE TV EVER?

Fuck him! Rassle Rassle! Wooooo!

[Theo Dious]

On Mark Madden and Superstar Billy Graham:

“They’re both a couple of pathetic idiots, especially this guy Madden, who never has anything good to say about anything or anybody.”

Particularly for the Madden aspect here, I love Bruno with a mad passion after reading this.

[whiteyford]

Still don't get why they paid a fortune, reportedly, to get Bruno into the HOF. I get having him in adds legitimacy to a predetermined sports biased HOF but I don't see him making them money in any capacity.

[Theo Dious]

Yeah, if there was an actual building to charge admission to and sell things at it'd be different.

[itsmeJD]

Still don't get why they paid a fortune, reportedly, to get Bruno into the HOF. I get having him in adds legitimacy to a predetermined sports biased HOF but I don't see him making them money in any capacity.

He gives Trips a hard-on, that's why, now shut up and get to the Batman debate.

[James Steele]

He is the foundation for the empire Vince built on after bought from his father. For the WWE, Bruno Sammartino is a huge deal and has to be in their Hall of Fame. It'd be like Babe Ruth not being in the Baseball Hall of Fame because of politics.

[Theo Dious]

It'd be like <s>Babe Ruth</s> Pete Rose not being in the Baseball Hall of Fame because of politics.

JUST SAYING.

[Bad News Gertner]

Would love to see him on the Legends Roundtable if they decide to do it again.

[Theo Dious]

Who Pete Rose? Yeah that would kick ass. :shifty:

[whiteyford]

He is the foundation for the empire Vince built on after bought from his father. For the WWE, Bruno Sammartino is a huge deal and has to be in their Hall of Fame. It'd be like Babe Ruth not being in the Baseball Hall of Fame because of politics.

Just don't get why they paid him a huge fee, why not wait till he's dead, not like he's still a draw.

[James Steele]

Just don't get why they paid him a huge fee, why not wait till he's dead, not like he's still a draw.

It may not have been special or important to us, but I imagine several in WWE and long-time NY territory fans felt that Bruno being inducted in Madison Square Garden was a special moment like few others.

[James Steele]

I hope Lanny Poffo pulls his head out of his ass and lets them induct Randy Savage next year.

[whiteyford]

I think seeing Sammartino go in might help that, especially seeing the kind of money on the table, although the big issue was he wanted in as well supposedly.

[James Steele]

I thought he wanted his father to go in. Either way, neither of them are Hall of Famers. Macho Man is one of the biggest stars of all time.

[whiteyford]

Remember reading the Poffo family was to go in as a group or not at all.

[James Steele]

Which is fucking stupid. It was stupid that Terry and Dory Funk went in together and that was on the other end of the spectrum.

Terry and Dory deserved their own inductions because of their individual legacies (especially Terry). Randy and his father are the only ones in the family who really deserves to go in the Hall of Fame. Lanny accomplished fuck all. Randy is such a big star that he deserves to get all the spotlight on him during the induction. Angelo Poffo would be somewhat of a stretch for the WWE Hall of Fame.

[Alvin Hobbs]

Did Lanny accomplish less than Cokehead B. Ware?

[whiteyford]

Yes, yes he did.

[Alvin Hobbs]

How sad :nono:

[whiteyford]

Thanks for your take?

[James Steele]

Koko B Ware was in WWE for 8 years and was actually over. He was also a major star in his old territory. He was the mid 80s/early 90s version of Kofi Kingston.

[whiteyford]

Never got the 'but Koko is in it already' bit.

[Alvin Hobbs]

I understand it. Koko never really stood out anywhere. I'm sure he was a solid worker to have on your roster, but when he was still wrestling and you were about to watch a show he was advertised to wrestle on did you ever think "man I can't wait to see Koko B. Ware!" I certainly didn't, maybe you did, to each his own I guess.

[whiteyford]

Not every guy in the HOF is a main event guy, Koko was a draw, both in the WWF and the territories.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Sammartino takes his rasslin, very, very seriously. He must have been beside himself during the attitude era. He probably is just mad b/c his son was garbage and Vince Wouldn't want crap like that in his ring.

Bingo.

[Alvin Hobbs]

Not every guy in the HOF is a main event guy, Koko was a draw, both in the WWF and the territories.
Yeah I know not all of them are main eventers, but I just can't think of one match that I was really looking forward to when it comes to Koko. I can think of something I wanted to see from everyone else in the HOF not in the celeb wing.

Brush me up on some great Koko moments and memories since I'm not well versed on him.

[whiteyford]

I can think of something I wanted to see from everyone else in the HOF not in the celeb wing.



James Dudley, "Baron" Mikel Scicluna and Antonino Rocca. You can think of something you wanted to see from those three HOF inductees but not Koko?

[Alvin Hobbs]

You're right I haven't watched them, dunno the Dudley guy. But I just looked him up and it looks like he was really the benchmark for African American managers in wrestling, so I can see why he'd be in there.

I can tell you when I'd be at my grandpa's as a kid watching wrestling in the 90s that my grandpa would tell me what garbage it was, wasn't the good ol' days and he'd always mention Antonio Rocca as his favorite. And he's also talked to me about Baron Mikel Scicluna on occasion (obviously not just talking about him since you gotta breakdown every word I say, he'd come up when talking about old wrestlers I'd never heard of that he enjoyed watching because they stood out.)

So no, I didn't wanna see anything from then, but I know my grandpa wanted to see them wrestle, so I can see why they're in there too, because I'm sure if one old person's talking about them that there are quite a few other old people talking to their kids about them.

[whiteyford]

Exactly, everyone's in there for a reason. Koko had a parrot.

[Alvin Hobbs]

Jake Roberts had a much more memorable snake and he's not in there. :roll:

[whiteyford]

Jake is also a barely functioning crack head 90% of the time so there's that.

[ron the dial]

jake the snake is better than koko b. ware even at his most cracked out.

[Alvin Hobbs]

Jake is also a barely functioning crack head 90% of the time so there's that.
Not anymore.

[whiteyford]

jake the snake is better than pretty much everyone even at his most cracked out.

[whiteyford]

Not anymore.

Yeah, a few months under constant supervision doesn't make him a changed man, same reason Scott Hall isn't in yet or even getting the nostalgia appearances on Raw.

[Heisenberg]

Scott Hall is nWo, he'll get appearances before Jake.

[Alvin Hobbs]

Yeah, a few months under constant supervision doesn't make him a changed man, same reason Scott Hall isn't in yet or even getting the nostalgia appearances on Raw.
That's what I don't get. The dude tries to clean up his act, yet he can never do good enough. But I bet if he died of a drug overdose he'd be in the hall of fame within 3 years of it.

[Theo Dious]

Yeah, a few months under constant supervision doesn't make him a changed man, same reason Scott Hall isn't in yet or even getting the nostalgia appearances on Raw.

Pretty sure Scott was offered the chance to appear at HBK's HOF induction but declined on the basis that it would be a damn bad idea for him to be in that environment.

[Ruien]

Wasn't Koko one of the first black wrestlers to mean something?

[DaveBrawl]

Antonino Rocca
I don't know what it is about him but my Dad, who hates wrestling, brings up Rocca every so often like I would Bret Hart. Just for the backbreaker alone. It just seems to fascinate him.

Don't have the heart to show him Lex Luger and the rack.

[XL]

Wasn't Koko one of the first black wrestlers to mean something?

Dunno about that. Guys like JYD and Ernie Ladd were around before Koko. I'd say he was one of the first high flyers on the national stage.

[Seth82]

James Dudley, "Baron" Mikel Scicluna and Antonino Rocca. You can think of something you wanted to see from those three HOF inductees but not Koko?

http://www.wwe.com/superstars/antoninorocca

Rocca is/was a legend in the biz.

He was a huge star for the old Capitol Wrestling Corporation - the precursor to WWE/WWF/WWWF.

http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/pictures/a/antoniorocca/04.jpghttp://www.marcatrevigiana.it/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Antonino-Rocca.jpg

Before it was ever known as WWE, Antonino Rocca was the top Superstar in the company. Back then, it was simply the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, and Rocca was the star of the show, drawing packed houses throughout the Northeast for Vincent J. McMahon.

The reasons were simple. He was the most dynamic performer the business had ever seen up to that point. His arsenal of aerial maneuvers would be considered amazing even by today's standards; back then, he was a legitimate phenomenon. Hurricanranas, flying dropkicks, victory rolls and flying body presses dazzled 1950s audiences used to seeing athletes who almost never left their feet. His signature move, the Argentine Backbreaker (known to newer fans as the Human Torture Rack) also brought crowds to a frenzy.

The ethnic factor also played a big part. Rocca was of Italian heritage and hailed from Latin America, making him a drawing card for two of the New York area's largest populations. His fan following was passionate, as is evidenced by the famous riot that erupted at Madison Square Garden on a night in 1957 when Rocca was busted open by Dick the Bruiser.

Rocca began his career as a teenager, training under the legendary Stanislaus Zbyszko. In the United States, he began his career in Texas, but was quickly brought to New York in the late 1940s by Joseph "Toots" Mondt, the kingpin of wrestling in the Big Apple. Mondt shared Rocca with other promoters in the region, including a newcomer from Washington, D.C. named Vincent J. McMahon. Eventually, McMahon managed to convince Rocca to join his troupe full-time. This, along with his use of television, allowed McMahon to gain enough leverage to become the major player in the territory.

Although Rocca never held a World Championship, it really didn't matter. In arenas like Madison Square Garden, he was such a big deal that his matches were always main events, even if the NWA World Champion was also competing on the card; the Argentine acrobat was the man the people came to see. During this period, only Gorgeous George was a bigger star, and on the East Coast Rocca was the uncontested king.

[Seth82]

Dunno about that. Guys like JYD and Ernie Ladd were around before Koko. I'd say he was one of the first high flyers on the national stage.

even before them there was huge names like Bobo Brazil and Sailor Art Thomas.

so no Koko wasn't one of the first to mean something.

[Ruien]

No one likes you anyways Seth! Geez. Just kidding.

Did any of them go to TNA's Slammiversary as a groomsman in the wedding for "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal?

Eat it!

[whiteyford]

Rocca is/was a legend in the biz.


I wasn't disputing that, simply asking why three, largely unknown names to modern fans were more recognizable and deserving of a place than Koko, who was a draw in the 80s on a national/global level rather than a regional one. Ignoring the fact entirely that it's based on who they want in rather than who is most deserving of course.

[Seth82]

Rocca should definitely be in the HOF. He may be somewhat unknown to modern fans but he is deserving of it far more than Koko imo.

Koko was a solid undercard performer in Memphis and WWF.

[whiteyford]

Yeah but you still live in the '50s, but with more openly available man on man shenanigans.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Still can't believe Heracles and Theseus aren't in the hall of fame

[whiteyford]

You joke but I could see it happening when Vince finally goes senile.

[The Snake]

That's what I don't get. The dude tries to clean up his act, yet he can never do good enough. But I bet if he died of a drug overdose he'd be in the hall of fame within 3 years of it.

That's any type of Hall of Fame tho. I'm one of the bigger Jake The Snake fans. In my mind he was probably the biggest draw in the company that didn't main event. Hopefully he stays clean for another couple years and the give him the nod.

It's kind of hypocritical to write him out of history over drugs, considering a lot of the guys already in the Hall weren't exactly clean, just chose a more discrete or embraced poison. Some people don't see it that way. If they're really serious about being PG from now on, then that works doubly against him.

[Seth82]

Yeah but you still live in the '50s, but with more openly available man on man shenanigans.

I hardly live in the 50s. I am somewhat of a wrestling historian.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Oh come on Seth, you're definitely biased towards the older generations. I've never seen you even say a single word about anything post-1990 with regards to wrestling. You probably think some random territory mid carder is more deserved of a hall of fame place than someone like John Cena.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

That's not a bad thing by the way, we all have our preferences, but you're definitely not a fair and neutral judge on something like this.

[Theo Dious]

Koko was ONE of the first black mainstream wrestlers AND he was a big part of the WWF expansion period in the 80s. Regardless of who did better at what time, he's got bigger name recognition with a lot of fans than the likes of Ernie Ladd or Bobo Brazil.

[Seth82]

Oh come on Seth, you're definitely biased towards the older generations. I've never seen you even say a single word about anything post-1990 with regards to wrestling. You probably think some random territory mid carder is more deserved of a hall of fame place than someone like John Cena.

I may not comment on anything post 1990 but I am a fan.

I've been a fan of CM Punk for a long time now. I watch the ppvs every month as well. I also am a fan of The Shield.

you're right I do chime in when it concerns mostly territory wrestlers. I just have a deep appreciation for the territories and want to correct any mistakes or preconceived notions and etc.

I just found it humorous and shocking that people think Koko Ware is more deserving than the legendary Antonino Rocca to be in the HOF.

Rocca was THE star of New York and the Capitol Wrestling Corporation before Bruno's era.

Koko at best was a solid midcarder. I did like Koko's work as a tag team with Norvell Austin in the PYT Express.

http://kentuckyfriedwrestling.com/theword2/wp-content/uploads/pytexpress.jpg

[Theo Dious]

Wow, they really let their Souls Glo back then.

[whiteyford]

Nobody is saying Koko is more deserving, the whole point of the quote you replied too was that I found it hard to believe that anyone not born before the advent of colour television could think of something they wanted to see from someone like that ahead of Koko, who had a parrot. But again, to play devils advocate, globally recognised star trumps regional star, not that shocking an opinion really.

[The Snake]

Koko at best was a solid midcarder. I did like Koko's work as a tag team with Norvell Austin in the PYT Express.


his vocals in Piledriver alone are HoF worthy :yes:

[whiteyford]

I guess its along the same lines of Foley deserves to be the headliner over Sammartino, valid arguments could be made for both sides, simply a matter of opinion.

[Heisenberg]

Koko B Ware won me over with his parrot. I was a kid back then, kids love parrots. Brilliant motherfucking formula, checkmate.



nWo?

[whiteyford]

The parrot was now.

[Heisenberg]

I want Rick Martel in the Hall of Fame, one of the best heels of my childhood

[James Steele]

Antonio Rocca, Bobo Brazil, and Ernie Ladd are already in the WWE Hall of Fame.

[Seth82]

Nobody is saying Koko is more deserving, the whole point of the quote you replied too was that I found it hard to believe that anyone not born before the advent of colour television could think of something they wanted to see from someone like that ahead of Koko, who had a parrot. But again, to play devils advocate, globally recognised star trumps regional star, not that shocking an opinion really.

well count me as someone who wasn't born before color tv that'd rather watch Antonino Rocca than watch Koko.

Rocca and Miguel Perez were a damn good tag team. Koko's main draw was the damn parrot.

[Alvin Hobbs]

Antonio Rocca, Bobo Brazil, and Ernie Ladd are already in the WWE Hall of Fame.
VERY true

[James Steele]

well count me as someone who wasn't born before color tv that'd rather watch Antonino Rocca than watch Koko.

Rocca and Miguel Perez were a damn good tag team. Koko's main draw was the damn parrot.

Racist.

[Alvin Hobbs]

Yeah Seth that really wasn't cool :nono:

[Seth82]

Racist.

huh?

what part of that was racist?

[Alvin Hobbs]

Where you said you wouldn't watch tv with colored people on it dude...

[Seth82]

Where you said you wouldn't watch tv with colored people on it dude...

dude I didn't mean it that way. I meant I'd rather watch Rocca's matches than Koko's matches.

I'm not racist whatsoever dude.

[Alvin Hobbs]

I hope it just came off that way accidentally and you're not a racist. I'll give you another chance pal