As you’d imagine given his stature in and importance to the wrestling business, reflections on the passing of Bruno Sammartino from those within that business are flooding the internet today (April 18). Here are some of the many to hit shortly after the news of his death came out:
WWE’s official statement is here.
Remembering the legend... #RIPBrunoSammartino pic.twitter.com/okpnfhUtOk
— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2018
One of the finest men I knew, in life and in business. Bruno Sammartino proved that hard work can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. He will be missed. #RIPLivingLegend pic.twitter.com/PNDuQ31Phd
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) April 18, 2018
Devastated to hear the passing of a true icon, legend, great, honest and wonderful man...
— Triple H (@TripleH) April 18, 2018
A true friend...and one of the toughest people I've ever met.
My thoughts are with his entire family. #RIPBrunoSammartino #AmericanDream
RIP Bruno,thank you for loving and living our business,only love HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) 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
Forever a champion. Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/f3ywW4opje
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) April 18, 2018
ONLY 1 LEGEND BRUNO SAMARTINO. HE THE REAL OF THE REAL. MY HEART BREAK. HE TOUGHEST SHOOTER. MOST OVER LEGEND EVER. ONE DAY IN THE MSG WE BOTH BREAK 10 FOOTBALL PLAYERS BACK THEY TRIED TO MESS WITH HIM. FOREVER HE CALLED ME THE LEGEND. I LOVE HIM FOREVER. GOD BLESS YOU BRUNO pic.twitter.com/dHB5rg6t5O
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) 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
Bruno was a true champion. He was known for his love of his family, this business, and our country.
— AJStyles.Org (@AJStylesOrg) April 18, 2018
A huge loss. My prayers are with his family. #RIPBrunoSammartino https://t.co/qC84FJx99w
Growing up, my grandfather Stu Hart would ALWAYS talk about Bruno 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
Sad to hear that we lost a great one #BrunoSammartino today. Thoughts and prayer go out to his family.
— Dustin Rhodes (@Goldust) 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
#RIPBrunoSammartino What a life he lived! God speed Mr Sammartino https://t.co/ZGrgoUkEch
— Brian G. James (@WWERoadDogg) 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
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
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.
— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) April 18, 2018
I was lucky enough to spend some time with Bruno, and the man exemplified class. #RIPBruno
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
Bruno Sammartino is a wrestling Legend
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) April 18, 2018
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
R.I.P :-( https://t.co/aXmee8w81t
— $asha Banks (@SashaBanksWWE) 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
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 pic.twitter.com/eec1xaGvQm
— Zack Ryder (@ZackRyder) April 18, 2018
Saddened by the passing of the great Bruno Sammartino. I had only been wrestling a year when I met him, just south of Pittsburgh. It wasn't the "stars" of USCW that drew people out that night, it was the chance to just see Bruno in person & shake his hand. pic.twitter.com/Qkufw2gaDh
— Mike Quackenbush (@MikeQuackenbush) April 18, 2018
At Wrestlemania 30 I had the chance to meet Bruno Sammartino. He was the most vibrant and spirited person I met that week, and he shared with me invaluable wisdom about the business and life as a whole. He will be missed. #RIPBruno
— Dean Muhtadi (@MojoRawleyWWE) 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
A man who embodied what a wrestling world champion is.
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) April 18, 2018
A man who personified what coming to America means to so many.
Celebrate this man's life and contributions.#RIPBrunoSammartino pic.twitter.com/BdT0sHWaYP
#RIPBruno #BrunoSammartino I had the pleasure of meeting back in #2012 and talked wrestling with
— James Ellsworth (@realellsworth) April 18, 2018
Greatest champion ever pic.twitter.com/IS7ofcPqMO
One of the coolest things to ever happen to me in pro wrestling was to be featured on a poster with The Living Legend.
— Gregory Iron (@GregoryIron) April 18, 2018
He was the first pillar in constructing what would be known as the @WWE. Thankful to have gotten to shake his hand.
Rest In Power, Bruno.#RIPBrunoSammartino pic.twitter.com/3OJ3FJsRwm
Just found out bruno sammartino passed away.always a gentleman to me.even if I probably represented parts of wrestling that he didn't like,he was always polite to me.last saw in 2007 on a Darren wise show in Pa. #legend that paved the road for many.
— Missy Hyatt (@missyhyatt) April 18, 2018
I can't fathom he is gone. My tribute to him tonight. pic.twitter.com/ihEXVcEWOA
— Bill Apter (@apter1wrestling) 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
I will probably be saying what everyone else is saying and thinking but Bruno Sammartino was the first wrestler I ever heard about...like so many others, my immigrant grandfather watched him all the time ...Truly one of the absolute GREATEST. RIP ...
— Rosenberg Media (@Rosenbergradio) April 18, 2018