Bruno Sammartino Ranked No. 1 as the 'Greatest Good Guy in Wrestling History'

While the consensus is that heels are more entertaining to watch in wrestling, the baddies need the good guys because the universe (or, rather, sports entertainment) craves balance.

To celebrate the oft-overlooked heroes of the wrestling world, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) compiled a list of the 50 greatest good guys to step into the ring. Can you guess who took the crown for the top spot? None other than Bruno Sammartino, the professional wrestler who held the title of WWE (then WWWF-World Wide Wrestling Federation) Heavyweight Champion for a whopping seven years, eight months, and one day. He still holds the record for the longest men's world title reign to this day. He also reclaimed the title a second time later in his career, holding it for 1,237 days.

Born on Oct. 6, 1935, in Pizzoferrato, Abruzzo, Italy, Sammartino moved to the US at 15. Because of his small frame, Sammartino was seen as an easy target for bullies and began weightlifting to bulk up. At 24 years old, Sammartino set a world record for bench pressing, and got his break when a wrestling promoter spotted him on a local Pittsburgh TV show, where he performed strongman stunts.

By the time he fought "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers in 1963, Sammartino was already considered a rising star in wrestling. "The Strongest Man in the World" beat Rogers, who was the inaugural winner of the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship, in an astonishing 48 seconds. After that, Sammartino became a fixture at Madison Square Garden, selling out the arena multiple times.

Sammartino was well-known for his signature "bear hug" finishing move. In addition to being dubbed "The Strongest Man in the World" and "The Italian Strongman," the pro wrestler also earned the title "The Living Legend."

As WWE puts it, Sammartino's "popularity was unrivaled during his tenure in WWE, and that support led him to one of the most successful careers in WWE history."

Do you agree with Bruno Sammartino's ranking as the greatest good guy in wrestling history?

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 1:34 PM.