It wasn't just the Italian community that supported Bruno. I think he appealed to immigrants in the Northeast in general. I grew up in a very blue collar, immigrant, city where the Portuguese were the majority immigrant group. They also saw Bruno as one of their own along with the Irish.
Really liked the way James Dillon defended Bruno and refused to insult him, Bruno was a gentlemen, but could beat the shit out of you, just ask Antonio Inoki, Gorilla Moonsoon and Bill Watts, just how bad Bruno could beat you up.
JJ Dillon has it best..."Success is what they achieved at the box office". Wrestling is entertainment FIRST. So all these smarks trying to put Flair over Hogan are idiotic. No one put asses in the seats like Hogan did. Sammartino preceded him, but Hogan to it to another level and did it for THREE companies. No one has ever been top dog like THAT quite like Hogan was.
I don't understand how some of you guys reason. Why all the hate for Nick Bockwinkel, a bona fide legend in the wrestling business?! Is it because he said he was a better champion than Bruno?! This is ridiculous. Bockwinkel has pride, Bruno has pride, so why the villification for these guys?!
Bruno is apparently being villified for standing up for what he believed was right, so I don't comprehend why there are so many detractors on this page about the man. He didn't like the direction of the sports entertainment, it had nothing to do with hating wrestling. If anything he was one of Superstar Billy Graham's biggest supporters, and Graham was anything but a wrestler.
@jonbap426 Yeah I agree and these guys have it all wrong Bruno wasn't upset that the wwf didn't have a spot he purely just didn't like the direction wrestling was headed in and quite frankly I agree. The sport of Pro Wrestling that I loved has been dead for many years and he saw that and the bottom line was it was Vince Mcmahon jr that was the catalyst for the death and he saw it coming. Cheers to you Bruno.
They each know exactly why Bruno is upset with the WWWTF - Yet not one will voice it - Except Dillon. Bruno made it clear that when Vince went soft porn (sort of) and did the Sexual Chocolate transsie thing - and the Kiss My Ass Club - those things had nothing to do with wrestling. He's right. And he felt VKM had cheapened the sport(?). I think there may be some issue with the dismissal of his son David. Bruno has never said such. He said Vince ruined if as a family product. Right again.
wwe would never have survived if it remained a family product . im frustrated with wwe myself . but when i sit back and try to put myself in creatives shoes i realise damn how do they do it . its so complex to please the range of the audience.bruno is just so old school please get off your high horse.
Since they showed Patterson/Backlund in a cage I'll say that I always hated WWE cage matches with a passion. Usually not as bloody as their counterparts and the idea of winning by running away from your opponent ASAP defeats the whole purpose of the cage IMO.
Bruno's bigges issue was when they started w/ the DIva's wearing next to nothing and the stuff DX was doing. However, even before that in the early '90's he was already on Larry King giving Vince the business about teh whole steroid controversies that were springing up. Another rumor was that Vince let his son go (because he wasn't very good) and that upset him. One year Vince sent shane to try and convince him to go into the HOF and Bruno absolutely refused.
Bruno doesn't hate the wresting Business he hates this "Sports Entertainment" crap Vince shoved down our throats for the past 30 years he hates the fact that guys like Hogan can be considered greats yet can't wrestle a lick let alone do a 30-60 min match wrestling is an afterthought in todays sports entertainment world
pat patterson and nick bockwinkle are full of shit!. they know the REAL reason bruno is bitter. because VINCE McMAHON jr. is a lieing , using, piece of shit. he used bruno by making him come out of retirement to wrestle with his son david at wrestlemania. that was the only way he would give david a push. plus all the steroid abuse and the soft porn bullshit wwe is doing.
@MrMferg240 exactly...Michael Hayes is full of shit too...Bruno could connect with the audience in a way like nobody else at the time, which is why he made it in NYC for as long as he did...Bruno also was not a fan of the more soft-core porn style that wrestling was made into
I'm so glad JJ Dillon was the voice of reason...you don't have to be a technical genius in order to qualify as a great champion--you have to be able to connect with the audience in one way or another
@miggy25 these guys, patterson, bockwinkle, hayes, are all yes men. bruno sold out arena's around the world, japan, he even sold out of all things a bull arena with 40.000 people. he wrestled in ST.LOUIS, LOSANGELES, all over, he was not just a big name in the northeast. and he could wrestle technically if need be, but that's not what his fans wanted. he would have kicked the living shit out of bockwinkle if they went for real.
Bruno drew big, big money for a long, long time. He carried the company for many years as champ, and made the McMahons a lot of money. Not only that, he did put people over--in the WWWF and in Japan.
He does not need to wear a HOF ring for him to be a Hall of Famer. His career speaks for itself.
The WWE Hall of Fame is a work. Plain and simple. Some boys get a kick out of it but it's all a work. There's other hall of fames more worthy of being concerned about.
Bruno was NOT that great. Was "great" in New York and that was it. Everyone one "new" him because he held the title for 20 years. But never went out of the New York territory. Look what happend after Vince jr. bought the company. Lost the belt and ushered in the rock n roll era. Like Hayes said he was basically not "current" with how the buisness was changeing.
@blueberrywine69 He was a big draw in Toronto before he one the title because of the large Italian communtiy as he was in other cities that had large Italian populations in places like St Louis he didn't get over.I never thought he was much of a wrestler but i was spoiled i grew up watching guys like Thesz and Watson.
@blueberrywine69 Your timeline is way off. Bruno dropped the belt to Superstar Graham in '77 when Vince Sr. was still in charge. By the time Vince Jr. took over in 1982, Backlund was the champion.
@darksideart68 I agree; this is WWE propaganda-if Bruno hates the business so much why the hell does he do so many interviews and so many fanfests? He does not hate the business, just hates Vince McMahon-by the way, anyone who does not think women's wrestling should be other than T&A should hate him as well-look at the way he treated Wendi Richter, Mickie James, Lita, Molly Holly-and now no talent bimbo Kelly Kelly is champ?
Wow, JJ really taking a stand and pretty much saying no matter how much WWE wants it employees to. Hes not gonna sit there and bash one of his idols that helped him succeed in the business.
@MrOldschool416 Right-why and how was Bockwinkel better-interesting that Bruno could wrestle almost as a heel style. Patterson is full of shit he knows why Bruno is so bitter.
@MrOldschool416 WWE has asked him. Bruno said no several times. there is a clip on YT. look up why Bruno explains why he is not in WWE HOF or something like that. he has accepted offers and gone in to other HOF. physical buildings in Amsterdam, NY and Waterloo, IA which (and this is a guess) mean more to him than WWE online HOF
It wasn't just the Italian community that supported Bruno. I think he appealed to immigrants in the Northeast in general. I grew up in a very blue collar, immigrant, city where the Portuguese were the majority immigrant group. They also saw Bruno as one of their own along with the Irish.
Rushlimpballs 4 days ago
I'm not Italian, I'm Indian, but I luv Bruno, I did not care about his race
oldjms1965 4 days ago
Really liked the way James Dillon defended Bruno and refused to insult him, Bruno was a gentlemen, but could beat the shit out of you, just ask Antonio Inoki, Gorilla Moonsoon and Bill Watts, just how bad Bruno could beat you up.
oldjms1965 4 days ago
JJ Dillon has it best..."Success is what they achieved at the box office". Wrestling is entertainment FIRST. So all these smarks trying to put Flair over Hogan are idiotic. No one put asses in the seats like Hogan did. Sammartino preceded him, but Hogan to it to another level and did it for THREE companies. No one has ever been top dog like THAT quite like Hogan was.
cbaldwinjr 2 weeks ago
I don't understand how some of you guys reason. Why all the hate for Nick Bockwinkel, a bona fide legend in the wrestling business?! Is it because he said he was a better champion than Bruno?! This is ridiculous. Bockwinkel has pride, Bruno has pride, so why the villification for these guys?!
jonbap426 1 month ago
Bruno is apparently being villified for standing up for what he believed was right, so I don't comprehend why there are so many detractors on this page about the man. He didn't like the direction of the sports entertainment, it had nothing to do with hating wrestling. If anything he was one of Superstar Billy Graham's biggest supporters, and Graham was anything but a wrestler.
jonbap426 1 month ago
@jonbap426 Yeah I agree and these guys have it all wrong Bruno wasn't upset that the wwf didn't have a spot he purely just didn't like the direction wrestling was headed in and quite frankly I agree. The sport of Pro Wrestling that I loved has been dead for many years and he saw that and the bottom line was it was Vince Mcmahon jr that was the catalyst for the death and he saw it coming. Cheers to you Bruno.
7Boogiewoogie 3 weeks ago
They each know exactly why Bruno is upset with the WWWTF - Yet not one will voice it - Except Dillon. Bruno made it clear that when Vince went soft porn (sort of) and did the Sexual Chocolate transsie thing - and the Kiss My Ass Club - those things had nothing to do with wrestling. He's right. And he felt VKM had cheapened the sport(?). I think there may be some issue with the dismissal of his son David. Bruno has never said such. He said Vince ruined if as a family product. Right again.
SeanMBryans 1 month ago
@SeanMBryans
wwe would never have survived if it remained a family product . im frustrated with wwe myself . but when i sit back and try to put myself in creatives shoes i realise damn how do they do it . its so complex to please the range of the audience.bruno is just so old school please get off your high horse.
kedordu 1 month ago
Since they showed Patterson/Backlund in a cage I'll say that I always hated WWE cage matches with a passion. Usually not as bloody as their counterparts and the idea of winning by running away from your opponent ASAP defeats the whole purpose of the cage IMO.
CreepyTheButcher 1 month ago
Bruno's bigges issue was when they started w/ the DIva's wearing next to nothing and the stuff DX was doing. However, even before that in the early '90's he was already on Larry King giving Vince the business about teh whole steroid controversies that were springing up. Another rumor was that Vince let his son go (because he wasn't very good) and that upset him. One year Vince sent shane to try and convince him to go into the HOF and Bruno absolutely refused.
stevedrums 2 months ago
Bruno doesn't hate the wresting Business he hates this "Sports Entertainment" crap Vince shoved down our throats for the past 30 years he hates the fact that guys like Hogan can be considered greats yet can't wrestle a lick let alone do a 30-60 min match wrestling is an afterthought in todays sports entertainment world
Kingdan24 2 months ago
pat patterson and nick bockwinkle are full of shit!. they know the REAL reason bruno is bitter. because VINCE McMAHON jr. is a lieing , using, piece of shit. he used bruno by making him come out of retirement to wrestle with his son david at wrestlemania. that was the only way he would give david a push. plus all the steroid abuse and the soft porn bullshit wwe is doing.
MrMferg240 4 months ago
@MrMferg240 exactly...Michael Hayes is full of shit too...Bruno could connect with the audience in a way like nobody else at the time, which is why he made it in NYC for as long as he did...Bruno also was not a fan of the more soft-core porn style that wrestling was made into
I'm so glad JJ Dillon was the voice of reason...you don't have to be a technical genius in order to qualify as a great champion--you have to be able to connect with the audience in one way or another
miggy25 4 months ago
@miggy25 these guys, patterson, bockwinkle, hayes, are all yes men. bruno sold out arena's around the world, japan, he even sold out of all things a bull arena with 40.000 people. he wrestled in ST.LOUIS, LOSANGELES, all over, he was not just a big name in the northeast. and he could wrestle technically if need be, but that's not what his fans wanted. he would have kicked the living shit out of bockwinkle if they went for real.
MrMferg240 4 months ago
Bruno drew big, big money for a long, long time. He carried the company for many years as champ, and made the McMahons a lot of money. Not only that, he did put people over--in the WWWF and in Japan.
He does not need to wear a HOF ring for him to be a Hall of Famer. His career speaks for itself.
SmilingSynic 5 months ago
The WWE Hall of Fame is a work. Plain and simple. Some boys get a kick out of it but it's all a work. There's other hall of fames more worthy of being concerned about.
amichanmizuno 5 months ago
He was not that great a broadcaster? Come on Gene, BRUNO SAMMARTINO WAS A TERRIBLE BROADCASTER!
lildwayne21 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Bruno was a headliner and a draw not only all over the Northeast-NY, Boston, Baltimore, and Philly but wherever he wrestled and including Japan.
RPenta 6 months ago
Bruno was NOT that great. Was "great" in New York and that was it. Everyone one "new" him because he held the title for 20 years. But never went out of the New York territory. Look what happend after Vince jr. bought the company. Lost the belt and ushered in the rock n roll era. Like Hayes said he was basically not "current" with how the buisness was changeing.
blueberrywine69 7 months ago
@blueberrywine69 He was a big draw in Toronto before he one the title because of the large Italian communtiy as he was in other cities that had large Italian populations in places like St Louis he didn't get over.I never thought he was much of a wrestler but i was spoiled i grew up watching guys like Thesz and Watson.
MrKeon1414 6 months ago
Comment removed
RPenta 6 months ago
@blueberrywine69 bruno worked in California a nd st louis too you need to do some research please don't make false statements about a great man!
oldschool6804 4 months ago
@blueberrywine69 Your timeline is way off. Bruno dropped the belt to Superstar Graham in '77 when Vince Sr. was still in charge. By the time Vince Jr. took over in 1982, Backlund was the champion.
DoubleTalkingJive 3 months ago
Bruno was a great champion. He could wrestle and could brawl. Hes the peoples champion and always will be, regardless of what some may say.
darksideart68 8 months ago 5
@darksideart68 I agree; this is WWE propaganda-if Bruno hates the business so much why the hell does he do so many interviews and so many fanfests? He does not hate the business, just hates Vince McMahon-by the way, anyone who does not think women's wrestling should be other than T&A should hate him as well-look at the way he treated Wendi Richter, Mickie James, Lita, Molly Holly-and now no talent bimbo Kelly Kelly is champ?
RPenta 6 months ago
Wow, JJ really taking a stand and pretty much saying no matter how much WWE wants it employees to. Hes not gonna sit there and bash one of his idols that helped him succeed in the business.
jghor23 9 months ago 2
the Bruno vs Von Erich match is on YT by itself, and someone thought the match ended early. c/o the way VE head hits the mat after the kick - ouch!
eatpigsnot 10 months ago
i dont care what botwinkle says bruno was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy bigger then him bruno just became bitter thats all there is say
MrOldschool416 10 months ago
@MrOldschool416 Right-why and how was Bockwinkel better-interesting that Bruno could wrestle almost as a heel style. Patterson is full of shit he knows why Bruno is so bitter.
RPenta 6 months ago
BRUNO SHOULD BE IN THE WWE HALL OF FAME bottom line
MrOldschool416 10 months ago 8
@MrOldschool416 WWE has asked him. Bruno said no several times. there is a clip on YT. look up why Bruno explains why he is not in WWE HOF or something like that. he has accepted offers and gone in to other HOF. physical buildings in Amsterdam, NY and Waterloo, IA which (and this is a guess) mean more to him than WWE online HOF
eatpigsnot 10 months ago