Bruno Sammartino Was Hospitalized For Two Months Prior Passing, Larry Zbyszko Comments

As noted, pro wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino passed away this week at age 82. Chris Cruise told Dan Gelston of the Associated Press that the WWE Hall Of Famer was hospitalized for two months prior to his death.

Also in the AP piece on Sammartino, his longtime friend and protégé, fellow WWE Hall Of Famer Larry Zbyszko spoke with Gelston about the heat he had back in the day for turning heel on Sammartino, which led to the infamous “Showdown at Shea” between the two in a steel cage match.

“I was getting my car smashed, I had to hide in trunks,” said Zbyszko. “I was going down the highway in a new Cadillac with the windows smashed, the mirrors hanging, the lights are out. It was a different time, a different day. My god, the riots… People hated me for 20 years after that match.”

Zbyszko, who spent much of his own WWE Hall Of Fame induction speech putting over how much Sammartino meant to his career, closed out his comments to Gelston by doing the same, crediting “The Living Legend” for the influence he had on his career.

“Everything I learned was from Bruno,” said Zbyszko. “He was my mentor.”

Check out the complete piece on Bruno Sammartino from the Associated Press at APNews.com.

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