“When I Met Arnold”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Made a Very Special Person in His Life Anxious During Their First Meeting

Arnold Schwarzenegger and WWE go way back in time. He has appeared in the WWE multiple times. Arnold has always been an inspiration for the WWE Superstars and in some cases, it is vice versa. But WWE legend, who was a two-time world champion, got anxious while meeting the Terminator actor. 

The Italian-American pro wrestler, Bruno Sammartino, is a legend in WWE. But even the Italian Strong Man, couldn’t handle his anxiety while meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger. The deceased WWE legend, once talked about Arnold and his friendship with him while talking with Chris Jericho on the Talk Is Jericho podcast. 

Watch This Story: Top 10 Star-Studded Super teams of WWE

“I’m anxious to see [Arnold Schwarzenegger] because I had heard about him. Tommy had told me a lot about him and I’d seen pictures of him and thought — ‘wow, this guy!’ Because I knew the old-time bodybuilders […] these guys were really great in their day. And Arnold, when I met Arnold and when he posed, I was so impressed. I mean, the guy looked phenomenal […] And we hit it right off and became friends.”

Therefore, it just proves that even celebrities get nervous about their idols.

Bruno Sammartino- The living legend

Even though Bruno Sammartino passed away on April 18, 2018, at the age of 82. But he will always be a Living Legend to his fans. Sammartino is considered the greatest professional wrestler of all time. He held the World Heavyweight Championship title for more than 11 years in WWE( formerly WWWF). Which is a record in pro-wrestling history.

Bruno Sammartino went as a judge in the Mr. Universe contest when he first met Arnold Schwarzenegger. He said, “They were having a Mr. Universe contest and Tommy Minichiello because I had been in the weight lifting game as a weight lifter and all that — he asked me to be a judge and I said: ‘yeah I think I’d like that to see all these great body builders’ and Arnold had come to this competition in the ’60s and I got to meet Arnold.”

  “Actually Arnold was very nice to me.” Sammartino also went on to explain how humble Arnold Schwarzenegger was back in the day.  “He[Arnold] says, ‘in Austria, I used to go by the weight lifting magazine and the wrestling magazines and I used to always — you were everywhere!’ He says — ‘it’s so good- he was very nice like a fan, almost.”

Read More: “Look at This Guy Over Here”: Bodybuilding Legend Arnold Schwarzenegger Fell Head Over Heels in Love With Millionaire WWE Legend’s Physique

Bruno Sammartino and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s friendship lasted for decades. Their friendship started and remained in their particular interest in bodybuilding. Both of them have made a name for themselves in the USA, even after being an immigrant.