WWE History Vol. 2: The magnificent career of Bruno Sammartino

Canadian wrestling champion and return to the US territories

"Whipper" Billy Watson, Bruno Sammartino's first tag team partner, with whom he won the NWA International tag team championship.

Sammartino was drafted into Toronto promoter Frank Tunney's regional territory. Frank Tunney knew that the Toronto-Ontario area had a huge amount of population of Italian descent. He believed that Sammartino could fill seats in arenas. It turns out he was right.

Bruno quickly became a draw, teaming up with local hero Whipper Billy Watson to capture the International Tag Team Championship.

This first taste of championship gold would not be Bruno's last.

His popularity began to soar, and the American promotions took notice. Vince McMahon Sr. and his business partner, Toots Mondt, paid off Bruno Sammartino's fine, allowing him to work in the USA once again. He was recruited into the burgeoning WWWF, the precursor to the WWF and then WWE, with the express purpose of giving the new promotion prestige.

Sammartino would soon be elevated to greatness.