WWE History Vol. 2: The magnificent career of Bruno Sammartino

Reigning supreme for over seven years

Bruno is the longest reigning champion in WWE history.

Despite legends to the contrary, Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers never had a proper rematch for the championship.

The closest they came was a two out of three falls tag team bout that saw Sammartino team with Bobo Brazil and Rogers teaming with Handsome Johnny Barend. Rogers would pin Sammartino for the final fall, gaining some measure of revenge before he was forced to retire.

Sammartino actually lost his first title defense to none other than WWE Hall of Fame member Gorilla Monsoon - by a disqualification. This, of course, meant the title did not change hands.

During his lengthy reign, Sammartino would defeat every villain set up before him, always managing to hang on to his title belt. Some of his defenses ended in time limit draws, and some in DQ, but he always put on a dominating performance. Bill Watts, the original Sheik, and George "The Animal" Steele were some of the men he faced during his epic reign.

But all good things must come to an end, and the time would come when Sammartino would face his Waterloo.