OHMYGOSSIP — WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino has died aged 82. The Italian star – who once held the WWE Championship for nearly eight years, which is the longest reign of all time – died peacefully after battling various health issues over the last few months. Sanmmartino – who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 – had his wife Carol Sammartino and their two children by his side at the time of his death. Sanmmartino is widely regarded as a legend of the industry, having defeated Buddy Rogers in 1963 to become the second-ever WWE Champion and selling out Madison Square Garden in New York City an incredible 187 times. Tributes to the wrestling star have already started pouring in, with Triple H describing Sanmmartino as a “true icon” and admitting to being devastated by his passing. He wrote on the micro-blogging website: “Devastated to hear the passing of a true icon, legend, great, honest and wonderful man… “A true friend…and one of the toughest people I’ve ever met. “My thoughts are with his entire family. #RIPBrunoSammartino #AmericanDream (sic)” Fellow WWE legend Hulk Hogan also paid tribute to the Italian, thanking him for his contribution to the sport. The Hulkster wrote: “RIP Bruno,thank you for loving and living our business,only love HH (sic)” Meanwhile, the WWE also hailed Sanmmartino’s impact on the wrestling industry, describing the former champion – who was raised in the small Italian mountain town of Abruzzi – as the embodiment of the “American dream”. In a statement posted on the official WWE website, the company said: “WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino passed away at age 82. “The story of Bruno Sammartino is the story of the American dream.”