5 things you didn't know about the WWE Championship

#1 After winning the championship, Ivan Koloff didn’t receive it in the ring

Bruno Sammartino vs Ivan Koloff

Bruno Sammartino is undoubtedly one of the most iconic wrestlers in WWE history. He did a lot of big things for the company during his time, and this is why everyone respects him.

However, during the early days of his career, he was suspended in US many territories for not attending shows. Sammartino at the time didn’t work for Vince McMahon Sr. until 1963, when the latter requested him to wrestle. McMahon also paid for his suspension fee, which was only $500.

Bruno agreed to return but demanded a title match against then-champion Buddy Rogers.

He won the championship by defeating Rogers in mere 48 seconds. Sammartino then continued his reign for next 2803 days (7.6 years approx) before getting defeating by Ivan Koloff.

Even though Koloff won the championship that night, the announcer didn’t give the title to him in the ring as he feared that fans would get into a rampage.

Bruno was so famous that time and this is why many of the fans in the arena even started to cry just because of his title loss. However, he later won it again in 1973 and this time continued his reign for more than 3 years.