Monday Night Mayhem radio
Hosts: Big Mosh, Blade, and Chaz
Available at MondayNightMayhem.com.

 As Mosh and DFL begin to discuss the upcoming WWE Hall Of Fame Ceremonies next weekend, Blade asked Bruno Sammartino who he sees as a stand-out performer in today's era of wrestling. Bruno said that due to the "drastic change" that Vince McMahon has put on the wrestling business, he has been "appalled" at how it has turned—with the vulgarity, nudity, and the "Kiss My Butt" club segments. He added that he refuses to watch wrestling now, so he has "never seen (John) Cena," and only remembers "Shawn Michaels as a rookie when he was working with Verne Gagne," the two wrestlers who Blade mentioned as examples.
 
The Big Mosh then mentions Ring Of Honor, and the time where Bruno gave them the credit for bringing "real wrestling" to the current era. Mosh asked Bruno his opinion on how important it is to not have the "sports-entertainment" aspect of wrestling take over what wrestling really is, or in some cases should be. Bruno stated that he worked hard for over 20 years in the business, but does not know if he would want to be responsible for "carrying the torch" for today's era of wrestling. He added that if he was young and had children, he would not let his children watch wrestling the way it is today—using Vince McMahon's elite club as an example once again, as well as The Undertaker's Buried Alive and Casket Matches. "The wrestling that (he knows) and love is gone and dead." He said that he enjoyed his time at Ring Of Honor, and hopes they can continue to grow bigger and better as an alternative to the "garbage called WWE."
 
Mosh addressed the rumors of Bruno's son, David Sammartino, having the urge to get back into the wrestling business. Bruno said that to his understanding, David would like to be involved a little more with doing appearances and autograph signings, as well as possibly taking the next step since he has kept himself in great shape. He added that he does not know how interested he is in starting an all-out career, but thinks it could be a combination of signings, appearances, and maybe working a couple independents here and there.
 
DFL and Mosh noted that Bruno has done a fantastic job keeping himself in shape as well, and alluded to the WresleReunion II convention in Valley Forge, PA. At the event, there was a challenge between Bruno and Larry Zbyszko, that The Mayhem experienced live and ringside. Bruno laughed and compared the challenge to a "flush," coming and going rather quickly, and said when he left the ring he was not even sure as to what has just occurred. Bruno then mentioned that he is 72 years of age now, and things have changed greatly, all the way down to the ring itself. He then alluded to some injuries from competing on what felt like "concrete" in his career, including a time where he broke his neck and came very close to being paralyzed.
 
Mosh brought up how Bruno has gone on record to say that his time in wrestling is over, unlike some competitors over the past ten years or so, who have said their have retired...only to come back a few months or years later. He then asked Bruno when he knew it was time to "hang up the boots." Bruno mentioned a time in 1959 right after he first started wrestling, when he was against Gorgeous George, and the guys in the locker room told him "not to hurt the old man." After that match, he made a promise to himself that he was going to get out while he was still okay before he reached the point of being considered another "old man." He then mentioned his last couple of weeks in wrestling being in The Meadowlands in New Jersey, immediately followed by a ten-day tour of Japan, and he retired happy knowing that he was wrestling in front of sold-out arenas all the way until the end. In regards to his comeback in the mid-'80's, he said he only did it to help the draw since at the time "Hogan couldn't," and also to help out his son David's career. After he started seeing the drug use start, and other "crude" acts, Bruno said he was finished for good, because he simply did not want to be associated with it.
 
Also, in this near 40-minute interview, Bruno addresses the controversial topic of why he has lost respect for "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, the topic of his favorite arenas/stadiums he competed in throughout his career, his respect for the fans, and his latest venture of theatre in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

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