WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino has died aged 82
The Italian star - who once held the WWE Championship for nearly eight years, which is the longest reign of all time - died peacefully after battling various health issues over the last few months
20 April 2018
Sanmmartino - who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 - had his wife Carol Sammartino and their two children by his side at the time of his death.
Sanmmartino is widely regarded as a legend of the industry, having defeated Buddy Rogers in 1963 to become the second-ever WWE Champion and selling out Madison Square Garden in New York City an incredible 187 times.
Tributes to the wrestling star have already started pouring in, with Triple H describing Sanmmartino as a "true icon" and admitting to being devastated by his passing.
He wrote on the micro-blogging website: "Devastated to hear the passing of a true icon, legend, great, honest and wonderful man...
"A true friend...and one of the toughest people I've ever met.
"My thoughts are with his entire family. #RIPBrunoSammartino
#AmericanDream (sic)"
Fellow WWE legend Hulk Hogan also paid tribute to the Italian, thanking him for his contribution to the sport.
The Hulkster wrote: "RIP Bruno,thank you for loving and living our business,only love HH (sic)"
Meanwhile, the WWE also hailed Sanmmartino's impact on the wrestling industry, describing the former champion - who was raised in the small Italian mountain town of Abruzzi - as the embodiment of the "American dream".
In a statement posted on the official WWE website, the company said: "WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino passed away at age 82.
"The story of Bruno Sammartino is the story of the American dream."
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