Welcome to another eWrestlingNews Question of the Day!
On this day in wrestling history, 54 years ago, Bruno Sammartino’s record-long world championship reign of 2,803 days came to an end when he lost the title to Ivan Koloff. Even though Koloff lost the title a few weeks later, and Sammartino would eventually win it back and hold it for another 1,237 days. It’s a feat no one has been able to top, even with Roman Reigns putting up a valiant effort with his 1,316 day Universal Championship run.
My question for you today is “Do you think Sammartino’s record should ever be broken?”
Remember to answer with your response in the comments below.
As far as my answer…
I have no attachment to Sammartino personally, and if I’m being honest, any real fandom of that generation whatsoever, but even I have to admit sometimes, you just don’t mess with something that is a cornerstone.
This is such a long title reign that I first off just can’t see being replicated logistically, even if WWE would want to. To have one champion last 7 and a half years in the modern era just won’t fly. People will get too bored with it. They did with Roman and that was only half the time.
But even if WWE wanted to, I think it would likely come off rather cheap. You’d have to find someone who is so incredibly popular and sustainable that nobody turns on them for all those years, as you could always pull the plug in year 6 or something. That’s what would have happened if WWE had tried doing this with John Cena, for example. As popular as he was, he couldn’t sustain the same type of response for nearly 8 years like Sammartino did, as it was just a different era where people weren’t as exposed, believed more in wrestling as a legitimate sport, and, let’s face it, had less going on as an alternative.
Bonanza and many of the other super long running television shows from decades ago wouldn’t have gone on as many seasons if there were hundreds of channels, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Netflix and all the streaming options available to compete with just the same.
If by some chance WWE did strike gold and someone was so popular that they were rivaling prime Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin territory, and WWE was conscious of it as it was happening, then sure, go as long as you can and see what happens, as you don’t owe it to Sammartino to keep that record in tact for all eternity. I just don’t think it should be a planned thing, as opposed to something that happens naturally.
What do you think? Drop your thoughts below!
