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Blacklisted
Bruno Sammartino was a star in the making, but his ego nearly ended his career before it had truly begun.
In 1961, Sammartino began to feel frustrated with his role in the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the promotion which would eventually become the WWE we know today. Vince McMahon Sr. would grant Bruno his release to go work in California for regional promoter Roy Shire.
However, what happened next is up for debate. Bruno missed two bookings in the interim of his journey to California. Because of this, he was suspended in those territories. Bruno believes that Vince McMahon Sr. double booked him on purpose for revenge, but there's no evidence of this.
Whatever the case, Shire chose to honor the suspension of the other territories, and Sammartino was out of work. He would be forced to return to Pittsburgh and perform manual labor for his living.
But that, of course, is not the end of Bruno's story. Not by a long shot.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
