![Bruno Sammartino wins the WWWF Championship for the very first time after defeating Buddy Rogers in just 48 seconds at Madison Square Garden on May 17, 1963. [Photo: Pro Wrestling Illustrated]](https://prowrestlingstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bruno-Sammartino-and-Buddy-Rogers-e1690825398645.jpg)
Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers – The 1963 WWWF Title Screwjob
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This important moment in professional wrestling history between Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers all but marked the end of one career and launched another.
Description
Legend claims that promoters dragged Buddy Rogers out of his hospital bed just days before his May 17th, 1963 title bout against Bruno Sammartino, forcing him into the match after suffering a heart attack six weeks before. Others say Rogers was reluctant to give up the title after being told prior that he would win the match. It wasn’t until he got in the ring that Sammartino told him in no uncertain terms that it was HE who was going over that day. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way!" Just 48 seconds later, Bruno Sammartino was the new champ, and a hero was born. Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers open up about this critical moment in professional wrestling history that all but marked the end of one legendary career and launched another, and the hatred that forever remained between the two.
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