Arnold Schwarzenegger has loved professional wrestling ever since he was a teenager. In his WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, he recalled a few moments of how muscular pro-wrestlers motivated him to work out back then.

Moreover, when Arnie won his third Mr. Olympia, one of the judges’ physiques impressed him. That judge was a WWE legend and Schwarzenegger became a lifelong fan of his since then.

The WWE legend was none other than the longest reigning WWE Champion Bruno Sammartino. ‘The Living Legend’ was the judge at the 1969 Mr. Universe competition. Since then, Arnold Schwarzenegger became a fan of Sammartino and later, a friend. Schwarzenegger often used to watch him wrestle and Sammartino came to see The Austrian Oak at various competitions as well.

Moreover, in a recently resurfaced rare picture, fans could see Sammartino giving some tips to Schwarzenegger. Also, the 1981 Mr. Universe winner Franco Columbu was sitting with them in this photo. Looking at it, it seems the WWE legend was giving some valuable advice to The Governator.

Arnie had impressed Sammartino too at the 1969 Mr. Universe competition. In his WWE Hall of Fame speech, Schwarzenegger claimed Sammartino might have helped him win the competition.

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The Styrian Oak once revealed how Sammartino told him to do a bicep pose. He was the head judge and wanted Schwarzenegger to win.

It was a friendship where both the stars respected and were impressed by each other’s work. The Terminator actor had said that he had never seen anyone as powerful as Bruno Sammartino.

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Once Schwarzenegger and Sammartino became friends, Arnie often visited wrestling arenas to watch his favorite wrestler in the ring. However, every time Sammartino had a match, it awed Schwarzenegger. In his 2015 WWE Hall of Fame speech, he recalled a scenario.

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The actor reminisced about how The Living Legend squatted 750lbs and he can deadlift 800lbs. In the ring, Samartino picked up a 400lbs over his head and carry him through the ring, and threw him down outside the ring. 

Even after Sammartino retired, both stayed great friends. Also, when the WWE legend returned to the company, Arnie inducted him into the WWE Hall of Fame.

The 7-time Mr. Olympia said their friendship grew strong ever since they first met. Apart from Sammartino, Arnold Schwarzenegger is also friends with The Rock, Superstar Billy Graham, Hulk Hogan, etc.

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