Sammartino rejects Hall of fame

[The Decemberists 0]

Bruno Sammartino was invited to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania XX weekend, but politely declined the offer

 

1wrestling

 

I would've liked to have seen him there, but good on him for saying no. I mean after being ingnored for 20 odd years who can blame him?

[cawthon777 0]

I could have called this one.

 

It has nothing to do with being ignored, it's that he and Vince clash on so many levels. Bruno is the (very) old school, Vince is the sports entertainment. Bruno coming back would - from a historical perspective - way overshadow Superstar Billy Graham or Bret Hart, for that matter, making their WWE return.

 

Bruno thought the WWF was trash when he left in 87! Imagine what he thinks of it now.

[haVoc 0]

Hopefully Bret turns it down as well.

[Slickster 0]

I think Vince should induct him in absentia as a sign of goodwill. Then, maybe Bruno will be willing to tape an induction speech later and they can air it on RAW or something.

[Guest Loss]

I think Vince should induct him in absentia as a sign of goodwill. Then, maybe Bruno will be willing to tape an induction speech later and they can air it on RAW or something.

I don't even think Bruno would agree to that. I think he wants the least amount of association possible, not only with WWE, but with current wrestling as a whole.

 

Check this page for an interview with Bruno in October of '97 that shows just how much he hates today's wrestling scene.

[Guest Choken One]

Hopefully Bret turns it down as well.

Bret is a different beast then Bruno…Bruno keeps his word and doesn’t whore himself out to anyone that listens. Bret is a hypocrite on many levels, Bret WANTS to come back but wants to dictate how it’s done. He wants control of the inevitable Bret Hart DVD…

Bruno sticks by his word.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

October of 97? That's even before SurSer 97 and all the crap that took place afterwards. No doubt his views on the matter are probably alot worse than in the article by this point.

[Slickster 0]

Bruno Sammartino (Speaker) If it was for the WWWF that I represented for all those years, but I don't consider myself a part of the WWF. It's a different organization and I don't like what it represents. I really would not like to be inducted in it and wouldn't want to be present anyway. I don't take it seriously. Look at the Hall of Fame. It's a joke. How can you get inducted. In Baseball or Football there are 360 writers that vote. In the WWF it's McMahon that decides. I was World Champion for 12 years, and yet Bruno Sammartino (Speaker) there are people in that Hall of Fame that never headlined one arena. One of the really nice people in the Hall of Fame, and I don't want to say bad things about him, but Johnny Rodz is in the Hall of Fame. He never headlined. To be in the Hall of Fame, you should have achievements and stats that qualify you to be in it. Look at some of the names and wonder how they made it into the Hall of Fame and you will see like I see that's it's a joke. I have no desire to be any part of it.

 

[caboose 0]

StudlyTC (Prodigy Member) What would happen if you were inducted to the WWF Hall of Fame? Would you stiff Vince and no-show? Or would you let bygons be bygons and forget about the past?

 

Bruno Sammartino (Speaker) How could you let bygones be bygones when feelings are so strong on both sides. I know how they feel about me, and they know how I feel about what they have done. How do you just show up and shake hands. It would be so ingenuine. I couldn't do that.

 

I guess that pretty much sums it up.

[Guest Choken One]

Here is what I don’t get, It’s not bringing Bruno Sammantino in is going to do Big business anyways, So The fact Vince invited him clearly shows that he has respect for his legacy, It’s not like Vince is USING Bruno here, You’d think Bruno would recognize that WMXX is about the history MSG and great wrestling, you’d think he’d at least respect that.

[DCMaximo 0]

It would be nice if there was an unofficial hall of fame, run by the fans. Then it wouldn't be "Vince exploiting Bruno" or anything cynical, just fans showing their respects to the greats of the sport.

[jester 0]

I have a hard time believing Vince wanted Bruno to be there just because it would be a nice thing.

 

"So Bruno, we'll have this nice ceremony and a quick reel showing the highlights of your career. I will declare you a true legend of the business and shake your hand.

 

Then Randy Orton will come out...."

[Guest Trivia247]

that doesn't stick it to Vince.....I doubt Vince could care less...

 

it sticks it to all us wrestling fans who would enjoy seeing the past of the industry be honored ....

[Guest Loss]

It would be nice if there was an unofficial hall of fame, run by the fans. Then it wouldn't be "Vince exploiting Bruno" or anything cynical, just fans showing their respects to the greats of the sport.

There is the WON Hall of Fame, of which Bruno was inducted some time ago. He obviously doesn't consider the WWWF and WWE to be the same company -- and they are radically different -- so he thinks it would be an inappropriate induction. He'll probably be inducted posthumously, once he's not alive to protest it.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

I'd like to see Bruno go just because the chances of him punching Vince in the face are very good. That would be classic.

[Guest Banders Kennany]

How could turn down the chance of being regarded in the same breath as guys like James Dudley and probably the Brooklyn Brawler?

[Guest MikeSC]

I'd like to see Bruno go just because the chances of him punching Vince in the face are very good. That would be classic.

C'mon, let's not paint Bruno out to be a saint here.

 

He's pissed at Vince because Vince wouldn't push his talentless hack of a son, David, to any degree.

 

THAT is the basis of the problem.

-=Mike

[AndrewTS 0]

I see Bruno's point. WWWF and WWE are not the same company as far as I'm concerned either. Plus, it isn't as if Bruno is an important part of the Wrestlemania legacy. Bruno's career is all pre-WM and wrestling-oriented.

 

I wonder if he was interested at all though--then probably Vince brought up the Playboy angle or something.

 

He's pissed at Vince because Vince wouldn't push his talentless hack of a son, David, to any degree.

 

Does David have a son? I'm sure he'd push him today. He'd be a perfect fit for Evolution....

[Guest Repo Man Reborn]

Bruno thought the WWF was trash when he left in 87!

You mean to say Bruno frowned on HHH humping a mannequin full of wet noodles?

 

 

 

What is he looking for a Bockwinkle-Rogers classic?

[Guest Repo Man Reborn]

That would funny when Randy tries to give Bruno the RK-Blow and Bruno breaks his arm.

 

 

Damn, Cowboy Bob must have pictures of Vince and Shawn or something.........

[Austin3164life 0]

I admire Bruno's pride after so many years, but there comes a time when you should put pride aside, in my opinion. Bruno Sammartino needs to be in the WWF Hall of Fame. He was THE ticket for the (then) WWWF, especially at MSG no less.

[AndrewTS 0]

I have a hard time believing Vince wanted Bruno to be there just because it would be a nice thing.

 

"So Bruno, we'll have this nice ceremony and a quick reel showing the highlights of your career.  I will declare you a true legend of the business and shake your hand.

 

Then Randy Orton will come out...."

Yes, and then Randy will be covered and walking in a pool of Bruno's vomit after he realizes why he was brought to WMXX, and never get to do his stupid legend killer schtick.

Randy's gimmick is just a ripoff of Larry Zabisco's (No, I don't care how his name is actually spelled), anyway. Hell, that makes two Evolution members ripping off Larry, maybe they should induct him.

 

That would funny when Randy tries to give Bruno the RK-Blow and Bruno breaks his arm.

 

I don't doubt he could. Bruno's still in great shape, last I heard. Knowing what Stu could do until recently, I'm sure Bruno's capable of the same.

[Guest Goodear]

Zbyszko is the proper spelling if anyone does care.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Zbyszko is the proper spelling if anyone does care.

As if anyone cares LOL.

 

Anyway, I have no real feeling towards Bruno Sammartino. Sure, he's probably the biggest legend in wrestling history, but I never actually saw him wrestle untl years later on tape, so I never felt "Damn this guy is the greatest".

[Boner Kawanger 0]

I would pay $50 for the Hall of Fame Inductions if everyone inducted went up, punched Vince in the face, and gave a speech.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

I would pay $50 for the Hall of Fame Inductions if everyone inducted went up, punched Vince in the face, and gave a speech.

Greg Valentine: (punches Vince) I did it because it feels so good (kicks Vince in mouth afterwards)

[Guest Anglesault]

The only reason I'm even a little bit against the Legends ceremony is that it just SCREAMS Randy Orton appearence.

 

Now, if he comes out and they just beat the holy hell out of him, culminating with Foley Sockoing him to the mat, that would be okay.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

The only reason I'm even a little bit against the Legends ceremony is that it just SCREAMS Randy Orton appearence.

 

Now, if he comes out and they just beat the holy hell out of him, culminating with Foley Sockoing him to the mat, that would be okay.

$100 says if they feed a Legend to him, it's Chico Santana. The guys Wrestlemania record speaks on his prosecution.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Figures.

[Guest Anglesault]

Vince: Here's what's gonna happen Bruno. You're gonna be the last star to come out. After a few minutes, Evolution's music will hit and Randy Orton will come out. Now, we have to ask you to please, please PLEASE not make it obvious and adjust your hearing aid. That really is the reaction that one of our most pushed stars is getting. Now, he's gonna come in and RKO Billy Graham and Bobby Heenan. You'll charge him, but he'll fell you with one punch and...

 

*click*

 

Vince: Bruno? Bruno?