The Complete History of the WWE Championship - Part 1

Bruno Sammartino (May 11, 1963 - January 18, 1971)

Bruno Sammartino: The longest reigning WWE Champion in history

One name is synonymous with the WWE Championship more than any other. That name is Bruno Sammartino.

Having established his WWWF Championship as a World title, Vince McMahon Sr. looked to replace his flashy, box office sensation World Champion, Buddy Rogers, with a younger, stronger model.

Sammartino was the perfect fit. The Italian American was a four year pro in 1963. A former state powerlifting champion, Sammartino was immensely strong and powerful.

He lifted the title from Rogers on May 17, 1963 in just 48 seconds. Rogers had been hospitalized that day and made it out of his hospital bed just long enough to be crushed by Sammartino's over the shoulder backbreaker finisher. With 19,000 fans looking on at Madison Square Garden, Sammartino became the main man.

His reign would be far more successful than Rogers's short run - far more successful.

Sammartino's first WWWF title reign lasted a whopping seven years and eight months. That is a record that will never be broken.

Sammartino was a box office smash and contested hugely successful title matches with the likes of Gorilla Monsoon, Giant Baba, Boris Malenko, Killer Kowalski, Freddie Blassie, The Sheik, Gene Kiniski and many, many others.

Sammartino sold out Madison Square Garden repeatedly and amazingly his reign would have lasted even longer had McMahon Sr. had his way.

The WWWF Champion had become weary of the grind and the grueling 29 day per month schedule. He was also having serious back issues. He needed to drop the belt. Reluctant but understanding, McMahon Sr. acceded to his champion's request and permitted Sammartino to drop the strap to Ivan Koloff.

The longest WWE Championship reign in history was finally over.