David Sammartino

David Lugogo Sammartino
Information
Ring names	Bruno Sammartino, Jr. David Lugogo David Sammartino
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	245 lb (111 kg)
Born	September 29, 1960
Birth Place	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Trainer	Bruno Sammartino
Debut	1980

David Lugogo Sammartino (born September 29, 1960 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American wrestler. He is best known for being the son of former World Wide Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino.

Career

Sammartino was trained by his father and debuted in 1980. Throughout 1981, Sammartino feuded with Larry Zbyszko (who had engaged in a bitter feud with Bruno Sammartino throughout 1980) on the independent circuit.

World Wrestling Federation (1984-1985)

Sammartino joined the World Wrestling Federation in September 1984, with his father as his manager. His most notable appearance with the WWF was at the inaugural WrestleMania event in Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on March 31, 1985. Accompanied by Bruno, Sammartino wrestled Brutus Beefcake in the fourth match of the night. The match ended in a double disqualification after Sammartino was thrown out of the ring by Beefcake and slammed by Beefcake's manager Johnny Valiant, prompting Bruno Sammartino to assault Valiant. Sammartino was later fired from the WWF after he was arrested for punching a fan who spat at him in New York. Bruno Sammartino later speculated that the fan was a plant hired by WWF owner Vince McMahon to provoke Sammartino in order to give the WWF an excuse to terminate his contract.

American Wrestling Association (1986)

In 1986, Sammartino joined the American Wrestling Association. On February 4, 1986 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sammartino unsuccessfully challenged Stan Hansen for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Universal Wrestling Federation (1990)

In 1990, Sammartino began wrestling for Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation in California.

World Championship Wrestling (1996)

Sammartino re-emerged in the mid-1990s in World Championship Wrestling, competing in the promotion's cruiserweight division. On the December 16, 1996 episode of WCW Monday Night Nitro, Sammartino challenged Dean Malenko for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship, but was defeated.

New York State Wrestling Federation (2000)

In 2000, Sammartino defeated Jimmy Cicero to win the New York State Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship in New Rochelle, New York.

Semi-retirement

Sammartino became estranged from his father after confessing that he had taken anabolic steroids.

Finishing and signature moves

• Figure four leglock
• Torture Rack

Championships and accomplishments

• New York State Wrestling Federation

• NYSWF Heavyweight Champion (1 time)

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated

• PWI Rookie of the Year (1981)
• PWI ranked him # 480 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003.