The wrestling world lost a larger than life figure earlier this week, with news that the legendary Bruno Sammartino had passed away.
This got me pondering his place in history. I think some of this depends on your age and your exposure to Sammartino. For the kids watching today, they may only know the name, and barely. Even for myself, at 40, my knowledge of Sammartino makes me no expert. But I recognize he was a larger than life figure who was Hulk Hogan before there was a Hogan. He was the equivalent of say, Austin, The Rock, or dare I even say, John Cena (though I think it’s not right to mention those two together, so I will try not to do so again).
So…here’s a fun Open Season topic: Is Bruno the best? Or, where is his rank in history? I make two cases, and then I open the floor up to you, the readers.
He’s the best
I think his name is as revered as anyone else in the industry. I’ve heard so many stories and read so many others about his career and his performances, it seems there was no one in the wrestling business he didn’t know or work with. I think that, based on all that, he very well could be. It’s fun to imagine how he would fare today with much more exposure and with even more talents than ever before. But I think regardless, his was a once in a lifetime kind of career.
He’s not the best…but no one is.
Honestly, this is where I land. Partly because I did not grow up watching him day in and day out, so I lack that perspective. Partly because I think this is an impossible argument. Much like arguing who the best in a particular sport is (Jordan or LeBron? Gretzky or Crosby? Ruth or McCovey or anyone? Manning or Marino?), it’s highly subjective. There are going to be people supporting each possible candidate, and outside of relying solely on statistics, there is almost never going to be a decisive winner. Case in point…I started watching when Hogan was big. But, I liked the technicians, so I gravitated to Bret Hart as one of my faves. I think Hart is better, but that Hogan meant more to where things are today. In that same vein, I saw Chris Jericho from his earliest days in ECW (like in front of a few hundred fans at a school gym in Glenolden, PA). You knew right away that he was going to be a great one, and he is. But, what about Flair? Or Rollins? The Miz? Point is, every generation has great ones. Some better than others, but likely all deserve acknowledgement and should be in the discussion.
For me, Sammartino is among the very best and always will be. I don’t think anyone would dispute that. He has earned all the praise and accolades. May he rest in peace.
WNZ readers, do you consider him to be the best ever? Or do you favor the second opinion?
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