Bruno Sammartino Is Legend in Wrestling

UPI – April 18, 1981
By Chuck Moody

The man who is called ‘Professional Wrestling’s Living Legend’ would like to retire from the mat game, but Bruno Sammartinosays promoters around the world won’t let him.

‘The first time I really considered retirement was five years ago when I broke my neck in a championship match in Madison Square Garden against Stan Hansen,’ said Sammartino, who lives in Pittsburgh’s suburban North Hills. ‘I was told by neurosurgeons that I came within a millimeter of being paralyzed from the neck down.

Rocca, Pandemonium, Ceccolini Reign As ‘Rasslers Return to County Center

The Daily News – September 12, 1960
By Ed Croke

The sporting version of bargain day at S. Klein’s erupted in all of its pristine splendor at the Westchester County Center on Saturday evening as professional wrestling began the Autumn semester on a rather encouraging attendance note.

Some 4,000 devotees of the Symphony of Suet converged on the White Plains arena, causing the box office to post a “sold out” sign some 45 minutes before the initial bleat. Hundreds were turned away when ducats became as scarce as a 4F at an American] Legion convention, thus insuring “Gunsmoke” of a slight gain in the Trendex.

Rocca, Starr In Spotlight

Long Island Star-Journal – July 14, 1960

Another large crowd is expected at Madison Sq. Garden tomorrow night when Antonino Rocca and Ricki Starr, partners for the first time, wrestle Pampero Firpo and Dr. Jerry Graham in a battle – best two-out-of-three-falls to a finish.

Bruno Sammartino, 245-pound, 23-year old unbeaten Abruzzi strongboy and Italo Di Paolo, clever Italian, engage Chris and John Tolos, Canadian Greeks in the semi-final event while an added attraction introduce the Bavarian Boys, recently arrived from Berlin, against Wildman Jack Fargo and brother Sonny.

Rocca, Bavarian Teams Win

Long Island Star-Journal – November 16, 1960

Antonino Rocca and Miguel Perez defeated the Rebels in last night’s pro mat feature at Sunnyside Garden.  The Bavarian Boys won two of three falls from Pampero Firpo and Dr. Jerry Graham in another tag team match.

Bruno Sammartino won from Larry Simon, Karl Krauser beat Al Smith, Haystack Muldoon whipped Swede Hanson, Red Grupe defeated Tony Marino and Pao Yon Chong pinned Jose Romero.

Promoter Manny Heicklen announced that next week’s card will be the biggest of the season, with 20 wrestlers in action.

Rocca Will Team With Sammartino

Long Island Star-Journal – August 24, 1960

Promoter Walter Johnston has completed the wrestling card for Madison Square Garden Saturday night, when Bruno Sammartino, undefeated Abruzzi, Italy, strongboy and Antonino Rocca, Latin idol oppose Chris and John Tolas, Canadian Greeks, in the feature.

Ricki Starr, former ballet dancer, undefeated as a grappler, is once again paired with Miguel Perez, Puerto Rican favorite.  They meet Pampero Firpo, bewhiskered South American and Dr. Jerry Graham in the semi-final event while an added attraction brings together Ilio Di Paolo and Tony Marino, young Italian-American Up-Staters, against Mike and “Doc” Gallagher, Irish brothers from Boston.

Tolos Brothers Held To Draw At Sunnyside

Long Island Star-Journal – July 6, 1960

The Tolos brothers and the Bavarian Boys battled to a draw, and the combination of Dr. Jerry Graham and Pampero Firpo won two of three falls from Miguel Perez and Jose Romero in tag team matches at Sunnyside Garden last night.

Antonino Rocca disposed of Pat Kelly at 4:50 with his famed Argentine backbreaker hold, Ricki Starr won two straight falls from Larry Simon, Bruno Sammartino, Italian giant, beat Fritz Mueller of Germany.

Rocca, Starr On Mat Tonight

Long Island Star-Journal – July 16, 1960

Antonino Rocca, spectacular Latin grappler and Rick Starr, ex-ballet dancer, teamed for the first time, oppose Pampero Firpo and Dr. Jerry Graham in a grudge Australian tag-team match at air-conditioned Madison Sq. Garden tonight.

Bruno Sammartino, 23-year old strongboy undefeated in over 50 consecutive combats, paired with Italo Di Paolo, clever Italian upstate, oppose Chris and John Tolos, Greek brothers from Montreal, in another team battle.

An added attraction introduces the Bavarian Boys recently arrived from Berlin, against Wildman Jack Fargo and brother Sonny.

Sunnyside Cards Tag Team Tripleheader

Long Island Star-Journal – July 26, 1960

A tag team triple bill is on tap at Sunnyside Garden tonight with Antonino Rocca and Ricki Starr clashing with Pat Kelly and Chet Wallick in the featured 8:30 P. M. opening bout, which will not be televised.

Dr. Jerry Graham and Pampero Firpo will meet Negro stars Charley Robinson and King Badu, while the Bavarian Boys will tangle with Budy Cody and Al Smith.  All the team matches are best of three falls.

In supporting bouts, Fritz Mueller meets Jose Romero, Bruno Sammartino tests Miguel Torres and Waldo Erich debuts against Lou Albano.

Rocca Duo Wrestle In Garden Mat Test

Long Island Star-Journal – August 27, 1960

Antonino Rocca and Bruno Sammartino, spectacular unbeaten Latin combination, oppose Chris and John Tolas, Greek Villains, at Madison Square Garden tonight.

Ricki Starr, ex-ballet dancer and Miguel Perez, clever Puerto Rican are paired against Pampero Firpo and Dr. Jerry Graham in another tag team

Rocca Combine Beats Rebels

Long Island Star-Journal – October 31, 1960

Antonino Rocca and Miguel Perez won two of three falls to defeat The Rebel Brothers in the feature of Saturday night’s pro wrestling card at Sunnyside Garden.

The Bavarian Boys and the team of Jerry Graham – Pampero Firpo grappled to a draw, while Ricki Starr defeated Red Grupe when the latter was disqualified.  Rocca faces Grupe in tomorrow’s feature.

Bruno Sammartino scored over Pat Kelly, Pao Yon Chon beat Miguel Torres, Luther Lindsey whipped Al Smith and Tony Martino won from Jose Romero.