Following the news of WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino passing away at the age of 82, below are social media reactions from the pro wrestling world:
I will always have an enormous amount of respect & admiration for Bruno Sammartino. I can’t thank him enough for always being kind to me & taking time to have a genuine conversation. Condolences to his family & loved ones.
— ShinigamE (@WWEBigE) April 18, 2018
Nothing today can happen without what he did back then. Rest in power and thank you Bruno Sammartino. pic.twitter.com/JEuHPUh3fJ
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) April 18, 2018
Very saddened by the news of Bruno Sammartino’s death. The term Legend gets thrown around a lot, no one in wrestling deserves it more than Bruno #RIP
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) April 18, 2018
Bruno Sammartino is a wrestling Legend
Honored to have had many conversations with him
When I was w/him I knew I was w/pure class & greatness
Celebrate his life watch 1of his matches today
I was humbled he even knew my name
I’m very sad pic.twitter.com/RfD1XIQYo9
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) April 18, 2018
RIP to Bruno Sammartino – as much a legend as there has ever been. https://t.co/Qu3gkhmP18
— Sam Roberts (@notsam) April 18, 2018
WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino has passed away at age 82. https://t.co/B8nUabP0oh
— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2018
Bruno Sammartino is one of the all-time greats. We’re diminished by his loss, but so much better because he was here. pic.twitter.com/wLgWCYPFcT
— Rob Schamberger (@robschamberger) April 18, 2018
Devastating news for the wrestling world. An Icon amongst Icon’s, Bruno Sammartino has passed away. RIP Bruno. My thoughts and prayers are with his family today.
— Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) April 18, 2018
Very saddened to hear of the passing of Bruno Sammartino. Walter”Killer” Kowalski always spoke so highly of him. An absolute legend in our industry in every sense of the word. They just don’t make men like that anymore. Godspeed sir. 😢
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) April 18, 2018
Now that its breaking, I must add some words about the true Living Legend- Bruno Sammartino. 2day marks the passing of a true GIANT of my biz. So proud to have known him, learned from him, and called him a friend. RIP Bruno- the greatest ever! IMHO 🤟😔
— Shane Douglas (@TheFranchiseSD) April 18, 2018
A very sad day in our industry, the legend Sammartino has passed away. Great tribute by @bullyray5150 on Sirius radio #RIPBrunoSammartino #ThankYouBruno
— Bill DeMott (@BillDeMott) April 18, 2018
Growing up, my grandfather Stu Hart would ALWAYS talk about Sammartino and what an incredible wrestler he was. I’m so grateful I had the chance to meet Bruno and tell him how much he meant to my grandfather and the entire Hart family. We will all miss you, Bruno. 🙏♥ pic.twitter.com/Dclu5hMGa6
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) April 18, 2018
Bruno Sammartino was the king. Pittsburgh fam and the greatest. Long live his legendary status. What a great man.
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) April 18, 2018
Thank you @TripleH for bridging the gap between Bruno Sammartino and the WWE. It was good to see him come back home and we all owe you gratitude for doing so.
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) April 18, 2018
Bruno Sammartino, the longest-reigning WWE champion in history and one of wrestling’s most iconic stars, has died at 82. https://t.co/dg1R5QFNhB pic.twitter.com/VqSTmoyn0v
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 18, 2018
Bruno Sammartino was an illustration of Strength, and the exemplification of Class. Thank you Bruno for being the definition of a real man #RIPBruno 👊 #WWE
— CFO$ (@CFOSofficial) April 18, 2018
Bruno was a true champion. He was known for his love of his family, this business, and our country.
A huge loss. My prayers are with his family. #RIPBrunoSammartino https://t.co/qC84FJx99w
— AJStyles.Org (@AJStylesOrg) April 18, 2018
Forever a champion. Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/f3ywW4opje
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) April 18, 2018
Bruno is indirectly responsible for where I am today. Growing up in Pittsburgh, he was my father’s hero, and sparked my dad’s passion for the business that he passed on to me.
I was lucky enough to spend some time with Bruno, and the man exemplified class. #RIPBruno
— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) April 18, 2018
#RIPBrunoSammartino pic.twitter.com/eec1xaGvQm
— Zack Ryder (@ZackRyder) April 18, 2018
Rest In Peace Bruno Samartino. It was an honor meeting you and talking how many times we could have sold out MSG together back in the day. #RIPBrunoSammartino pic.twitter.com/Df7TgfBDnR
— Rusev (@RusevBUL) April 18, 2018
#RIPBrunoSammartino What a life he lived! God speed Mr Sammartino https://t.co/ZGrgoUkEch
— Brian G. James (@WWERoadDogg) April 18, 2018
The wrestling world has lost another Legend today 😢 #RIPBrunoSammartino
— Flip Gordon (@TheFlipGordon) April 18, 2018
A man who embodied what a wrestling world champion is.
A man who personified what coming to America means to so many.
Celebrate this man’s life and contributions.#RIPBrunoSammartino pic.twitter.com/BdT0sHWaYP
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) April 18, 2018
He was born in the same part of Italy (Abruzzo) as my mom and dad. #RIPBrunoSammartino 🙏 https://t.co/pWhEOB11Ic
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) April 18, 2018
Bruno is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever. My father’s favorite wrestler. He’s impacted many generations of superstars and will continue to do so. My thoughts are with his friends and family.
— LarsWWE (@LarsSWWE) April 18, 2018
#RIPBrunoSammartino https://t.co/urJslZFePQ
— Smackdown Womens Champion (@CarmellaWWE) April 18, 2018
#RIPBrunoSammartino
— Bobby Roode (@REALBobbyRoode) April 18, 2018
RIP Bruno,thank you for loving and living our business,only love HH
A post shared by Hulk Hogan (@hulkhogan) on
Sorry to hear of the passing of the legendary #BrunoSammartino. One of my favorite episodes of #TalkIsJericho was chatting with him in his favorite Italian restaurant (at his insistence) in Pittsburgh a year and a half ago. He was a great guest and was in such amazing shape that he looked like he could still kick my ass!! A true gentleman, pioneer and inspiration….THANK YOU BRUNO!
A post shared by Chris Jericho (@chrisjerichofozzy) on
#RIPBrunoSammartino https://t.co/uSHZvqCN0p
— Alexa Bliss (@AlexaBliss_WWE) April 18, 2018
My hometown hero, Bruno Sammartino has passed. I grew up watching Bruno. He was an amazing performer, who made his Pittsburgh natives proud. He was a champion’s champion. I got to know Bruno in his latter years, after he retired from the then WWWF. He carried himself with dignity, and was always courteous to his fans. A true role model and hero. We will miss you Bruno. #itstrue
A post shared by Kurt Angle (@therealkurtangle) on
R.I.P. Bruno Sammartino
A post shared by Al Snow (@therealalsnow) on
It’s truly sad to say goodbye to one of the most ILLUSTRIOUS performers of all time. Thank you for INSPIRING & MOTIVATING an UNCOUNTABLE number of people with your amazing story & successes, Bruno Sammartino. https://t.co/MFDwTKe9sP
— #WOKEN Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) April 18, 2018
Bruno Sammartino was a legend. He was the American Dream personified. From his childhood in Italy hiding from Nazis to selling out Madison Square Garden 188 times as the biggest star of professional wrestling, he was a hero in every stage of his life. pic.twitter.com/29KDwT3gcA
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) April 18, 2018