Today's rabid professional wrestling fans might "look down" upon former World Wrestling Federation champion Bruno Sammartino for his refusal to accept induction into the World Wrestling Entertainment hall of fame.

But the Pittsburgh strongman, who has been retired from wrestling for 17 years, should be respected for adhering to his belief that pro wrestling should be clean enough for children to watch. He is to be admired for taking the stand that that is not now always the case.

It is a fact that, some of the antics, as well as the sexual references and foul language that currently are part of pro wrestling, make many parents uncomfortable about watching or attending wrestling events.

"I would wonder where my principles are if I accepted (the WWE's invitation)," Sammartino said.

Specifically, Sammartino says he believes today's wrestling is vulgar and profane. He said he completedly stopped watching wrestling after seeing Stone Cold Steve Austin chugging a can of beer and cursing on television. He also said he was sickened to hear that younger wrestlers were hooked on cocaine, pain killers and steroids.

In 2002, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum inducted Sammartino, who held the WWF title for 11 years in two separate reigns in the 1960s and '70s. But the former champion made an important statement at that time also by boycotting the induction ceremony.

Today's professional wrestling should listen to what people such as Sammartino are saying. The day could come when pro wrestling "goes overboard" and inflicts serious damage to itself.

There are some days when fans suspect that the WWE is closer to that day than it is willing to recognize or acknowledge.