Part 6

Learn about the wrestling careers of Bruno Sammartino, Eddie Gilbert, and Hulk Hogan in League of Legends Part 6. Details on championships and key matches.

Bruno Sammartino

Bruno Sammartino's career began at age 16. He teamed with Larry "the Ax" Hennig to win the AWA Tag Team titles, becoming the AWA's most successful team of the 1960s. His major opportunity came on May 23, 1973, when he defeated Dory Funk, Jr. for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. He lost and regained this title a total of 8 times through the 1970s and into the 1980s. He participated in the first NWA-WWWF cross-promotional event, drawing with WWWF champion "Superstar" Billy Graham in a one-hour match. He lost the title to Ric Flair in 1984 before moving to the WWF, where he found little success. He later managed the Kolossal Kongs to the championship in WCW in the early 1990s and now promotes his own federation, the WLW.

"Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert (R.I.P.)

Eddie Gilbert's first match was on April 20, 1979. He teamed with his father, Tommy Gilbert, to win the WWC Tag Team Championship. After wrestling in Tennessee, he joined the WWF, where WWF Champion Bob Backlund mentored him. He then moved to Mid-South wrestling and joined Jimmy Hart's "First Family," defeating Jerry Lawler for the Mid-Southern International belt. He earned the nickname "Hot Stuff" in the UWF and feuded with Sting throughout the 1980s. He returned to the USWA in 1990, rekindling his feud with Jerry Lawler and capturing the USWA Tag titles with Brian Christopher in 1994, holding them for one week. Gilbert's last match was on February 17, 1995, in Humacao, Puerto Rico. He passed away shortly after from a heart attack.

Hulk Hogan

Terry Bollea began in the NWA as Sterling Golden, capturing his first title. Vincent J. McMahon brought him to the WWF in 1979 and renamed him "Hulk Hogan." Hogan debuted at Madison Square Garden, pinning Ted DiBiase. On August 9, 1980, he first clashed with Andre the Giant, whom he famously slammed. Managed by "Classy" Freddy Blassie, Hogan's career took off. In 1983, he challenged the Iron Sheik for the WWF Championship, winning in just over 5 minutes and holding the title for over 3 years. At the first Wrestlemania, he and Mr. T defeated Rowdy Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. He retained his title at Wrestlemania II by slamming King Kong Bundy in a steel cage match despite injured ribs. At Wrestlemania III, he slammed and legdropped Andre the Giant (520+ lbs) to retain his title. Later that year, a paid-off referee awarded Andre the win on "The Main Event," leading to a vacant title. Hogan and Andre were both disqualified in Round 2 of the Wrestlemania IV tournament. Hogan formed the "Mega Powers" tag team with Macho Man, but distrust led to Hogan challenging and regaining the belt from Macho Man at Wrestlemania V. At Wrestlemania VI, the Ultimate Warrior took the title from Hogan. Hogan won the Royal Rumble the next year, and then regained the title at Wrestlemania VII. He later clashed with the Undertaker at the 1991 Survivor Series.