In a move that has been years in the making, WWE confirmed today that the legendary Bruno Sammartino will be inducted in the night before Wrestlemania, WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 6th in New York City. The WWE Hall of Fame 2013 Induction Ceremony will be held in the world-famous Madison Sqaure Garden, and besides Sammartino will also include honorees Micke Foley, Bob Backlund, and Trish Stratus.
Sammartino's induction has been in the works for many years, with Sammartino himself denying the honor both publicly and privately several times. Since the 1980's, Sammartino has been an outspoken critic of the WWE and it's boss/mastermind Vince McMahon. The two parties had a falling out in the 80's but WWE Chief Operating Officer Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Triple H) has reportedly been pursuing Bruno to accept his rightful place in WWE's Hall of Fame for months. There have been several reports noting Sammartino has agreed to the induction with several specific precautions which may or may not include him having no interaction with Vince McMahon in anyway during the day of the induction.
No matter how much bad blood has been built up between the two sides, Bruno Sammartino has been one of the biggest omission's from the WWE Hall of Fame. Sammartino was widely considered the biggest star in Pro Wrestling during the 60's and 70's. He holds the s untouched record of being the longest-reigning WWE Champion of all time, holding the title a total of 11 years over two different title reigns.
Sammartino's induction at MSG is particularly sentimental as he's widely credited with developing the New York market for Vince McMahon Sr's WWWF prior to the Vince McMahon Jr's WWF/WWE "Rock'n Wrestling" boom period of the 80's. It is currently unknown who will induct Bruno, but it is surely going to be emotional evening for fans of the Italian Superman.
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