Undertaker's Streak vs. Bruno's First Title Reign

[thelonewolf527]

I remember reading a few times what Madison Square Garden was like in 1971 the day that Ivan Koloff pinned Bruno Sammartino to win the WWWF Title, ending Bruno's 8 year long reign. They said the moment Koloff got the pin, the crowd was stunned into such complete silence that you could hear a pin drop. Looking back at last night, I think 43 years later, we witnessed the next closest thing to such a moment. It's pretty amazing to think that even in 2014, there was something that could compare to the sheer shock of the unstoppable Bruno Sammartino losing his title.

[Ken: The Hero of WWE]

I would like for wrestling to have more sheer shock moments. Cue Vince Russo. (just kidding)

[sportatorium]

They wouldn't even hand Koloff the belt for fear of what could happen. Very similar & apt comparison. The only other I can think of offhand was when Austin Idol beat Jerry Lawler in the cage for his hair in Memphis. Cops had to escort Idol, Tommy Rich & Heyman to the back.

[Starshine]

Yea,h I heard the guys on the LAW compare the two events. It's kind of crazy to think how big Sammartino was back then. He might have been the only guy missing from Mania's opening yesterday.

[Citizen Snips Has Left]

Sammartino's was probably more crushing because that was the main event. They said people were just staggering out of the Garden in a daze. At least at Mania, you had Bryan winning the title to look forward to at the end of the night.

[slaughterama]

Bruno was 36 years old, in his peak, the biggest draw, and was seemingly unbeatable during an 8-year title run. They wouldn't hand Koloff the belt and waited to announce him as the winner for fear of what the crowd would do. Koloff had to be rushed out of the ring and then the arena. Police feared there would be riots.

A lot of jaws dropped at Mania.