Bios
Nikolai Volkoff
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 315 lbs
From: Moscow, Russia
Birthday: Oct 14th
Pro Debut: 1968
Aliases: Bepo Mongol, Big O, Boris Breznikoff, Executioner #3, Joe Croatian, Joe Peruzovic, Super Destroyer
Feds Worked For: MSW, TSW, AWA, NWA, WWE, WWF, WWWF, All Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), Allied Powers Wrestling Federation (PA), Atomic Championship Wrestling (PA), Ballpark Brawl (NY), Big Bear Promotions (Canada), Big Time Wrestling (MI), Billtown Championship Wrestling (PA), Bloody Rage American Wrestling League (NY), Brew City Wrestling (WI), Central Canadian Championship Wrestling (Canada), Championship International Wrestling (MI), Championship Pro Wrestling (WV), Championship Wrestling from Florida (FL), Classic Championship Wrestling (OH/PA), Combat Zone Wrestling (NJ), Destination One Wrestling (IN), Devastation Wrestling Federation (NJ), East Coast Pro Wrestling (NJ/NY/PA), East Coast Wrestling Association (DE/NJ/PA), Eastern Championship Wrestling (PA), EWA, Forgotten Championship Wrestling (NY), Georgia Championship Wrestling (GA), Great North Wrestling (Canada), Gulf Athletic Club (TX), Hardcore Hustle Organization (NJ), Heroes and Legends Wrestling (IN), Heroes of Wrestling (MS), House of Pain Wrestling Federation (MD/PA/WV), Impact Zone Wrestling (AZ/NM), Independent Professional Wrestling Alliance (VA), International Championship Wrestling (ME/NJ/NY/VT), International Wrestling (Canada), International Wrestling Cartel (PA), Japan Wrestling Association (Japan), Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (PA), Lucky Pro Wrestling (MA), Maple Leaf Wrestling (Canada), Mid Eastern Wrestling Federation (MD), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), National Wrestling Federation (NJ/NY/OH/PA/DC), National Wrestling League (MD/PA/VA/WV), National Wrestling Superstars (NJ), New Breed Wrestling (NY), New Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), Northern Championship Wrestling (Canada), NWA Championship Wrestling America (NJ/PA), NWA Big Time Wrestling (TX), NWA Hollywood (CA), NWA Jersey (NJ), NWA New Jersey/New York (NJ/NY), NWA Over the Top (NJ/PA), NWA Shockwave (NJ), Pacific Northwest Wrestling (OR/WA),Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling (PA), Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling Alliance (PA), Pennsylvania Premiere Wrestling (PA), Pioneer Wrestling Alliance (PA), Powerhouse Wrestling (MA), Pro Wrestling Entertainment (PA), Rice Pro Wrestling, Southern Championship Wrestling Florida (FL), St. Louis Wrestling Club (MO), Stampede Wrestling (Canada), Super Pro Wrestling (PA), Susquehanna Wrestling Organization (PA), Trans World Wrestling Federation (CT/MD/NJ/PA), Ultimate Wrestling (NY), United Pro Wrestling Association (NC/NJ), United States Wrestling Federation (MA), Universal Wrestling Federation (CA/FL/ND/NV/NY/SC), World Wide Wrestling Alliance (PA), World Wrestling Council (Puerto Rico), World Xtreme Wrestling (FL/PA), Wrestling Fan Xperience (Canada), WWSA
Finisher: Russian Bear Hug
Signature Moves: Body Slam, Backbreaker
Career Highlights: -APWF 2000 Champion
-HoPWF Tag Team Champion (w/ Morgus the Maniac)
-MSW North American Champion
-NWA (Chicago/Indianapolis) World Tag Team Champion (4x; all w/ Boris Volkoff)
-NWA (Detroit) World Tag Team Champion (w/ Geeto Mongol)
-NWA Florida Tag Team Champion (w/ Ivan Koloff)
-NWA Georgia Champion
-NWA Macon Tag Team Champion (w/ Brute Bernard)
-NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champion (w/ Chris Markoff)
-NWA Pacific Northwest Champion
-NWF Tag Team Champion (w/ Geeto Mongol)
-WWA Champion
-WWF World Tag Team Champion (w/ The Iron Sheik)
-WWWA Champion
-WWWF International Tag Team Champion (2x; both w/ Geeto Mongol)
Affiliates: Boris Volkoff, The Iron Sheik, Boris Zhukov, Geeto Mongol, Chris Markoff, Ivan Koloff, Krusher Darsow, Super Destroyer, Korstia Korchenko, Bobby Heenan, Lou Albano, Freddie Blassie, Slick, Ted DiBiase, Irwin R. Schyster, Bam Bam Bigelow, The Undertaker, Kama, King Kong Bundy, Psycho Sid, Tatanka, The 1-2-3 Kid, The Ringmaster, Xanta Klaus, Bushwacker Butch, Bushwacker Luke, Tito Santana, Jim Duggan, Executioner #1/Killer Kowalski, Executioner #2/John Studd, Alfred Hays, Tony Angelo
Notable Feuds: Barry Windham, Mike Rotundo, Bugsy McGraw, Cpl. Kirschner, Davey Boy Smith, Dynamite Kid, Jim Brunzell, Jay Strongbow, Junkyard Dog, S. D. Jones, Gorilla Monsoon, B. Brian Blair, Sgt. Slaughter, Dusty Rhodes, Bruno Sammartino, Johnny Weaver, Bushwacker Luke, Bushwacker Butch, Ivan Putski, Jerry Brisco, King Konga/The Barbarian, The Warlord, Jim Nelson/Boris Zhukov, Victor Rivera, Tony Garea, Dominic DeNucci, Giant Baba, Jim Powers, Paul Roma, Blackjack Mulligan, Manny Fernández, Bobo Brazil, Lanny Poffo, George Steele, Scott McGhee, Dick Murdoch, Mike Graham, Tito Santana, Seiji Sakaguchi, Paul Jones, Jumbo Tsuruta, Prince Tonga/King Tonga/Haku, Jim Duggan, Jacques Rougeau, Raymond Rougeau, André the Giant, Terry Taylor/Dr. Feel Good, Jack Brisco, Dan Spivey, Manuel Soto, Masked Superstar/Super Machine/Ax, Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, Jay Youngblood, Antonio Inoki, The Tonga Kid/Tama, Mikel Scicluna, Dewey Robertson/The Missing Link, Pete Sánchez, José Gonzales, José Luis Rivera/Conquistador #1, Hillbilly Jim, Steve Keirn/Skinner, Koko B. Ware, Hulk Hogan, Kenny Casanova
Other Facts: -Real name was Josip Nikolai Peruzovic. Volkoff was his mother's maiden name.
-Sometimes billed from Siberia
-Was actually born in Croatia to a Russian mother and a Croatian/Italian father.
-Achieved fame as an amateur wrestler and body builder in his native Yugoslavia
-Became an official United States citizen in 1970. He fled his native country at 19 and chose his wrestling character to educate Americans about the evils of communism, which he calls "the worst shape of capitalism."
-Boasted a 64 inch chest and 23 inch biceps. He could crush an apple in one hand and used that gimmick while feuding with Bruno Sammartino.
-Sang Russian National Anthem before his matches. This was a gimmick given to him by Bill Watts while he was in MSW and he carried it into the WWF.
-Was Al Farat's 1st professional opponent
-Former member of The Million Dollar Corporation
-Opened a wrestling training center in Baltimore, MD in 2004
-Appeared in the movie "Terror in the Pharaoh's Tomb" in 2007
-Served as a Baltimore County Code inspector
-Became a vegetarian late in his life
-Ranked #260 in the 1991 PWI 500
-Ranked #224 in the 1992 PWI 500
-Ranked #312 in the 1993 PWI 500
-Ranked #134 in the 1994 PWI 500
-Ranked #226 in the 1995 PWI 500
-Ranked #330 in the 1996 PWI 500
-Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005
-Passed away July 29, 2018 at the age of 70. He had recently spent time in the hospital for extreme dehydration among other things and it is unclear exactly what led to his death.
Supplemental Information
Latest News
Making History pt 1: Riley Grinn wins the 2024 Ryder Herring Memorial Cup Tournament
Sometimes talent surprises you in the ring. The show astonishing accomplishment at y... Read More
Grappling With Tragedy: Jean ‘Black Venus’ Kirkland
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred t... Read More
EC3 Opens Up About His Time In WWE, Being NWA Champion, What’s Next For Him, More
In the latest exclusive interview with PWMania’s Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell), E... Read More
Spotlight in History
- 1959 Frankie Kovacs & Jerry Miller def. Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
- 2013 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 2013 Hurricane Ross def. Billy Ray for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 2019 Michael Duplanti def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Champion
- 2019 Big Smooth def. Hurricane Ross for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
Week of Sun 06-02 to Sat: 06-08
- 06-02 1979 The Spoiler became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 06-02 2007 Damien Morte def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 06-02 2007 Lady Venom became the SWCW Womens Champion
- 06-02 2007 Prophet def. Dexter Hardaway for the SWCW Sooner Xtreme Champion
- 06-02 2010 Michael Barry def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-02 2010 Saints of the Damned (Draven Cross & Sage) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the BYEW Tag Team Champion
- 06-02 2010 Death Row [2nd] def. Rick Russo for the BYEW Caution Champion
- 06-02 2012 Brandon Walker became the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 06-02 2012 The Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. The Franchise Players (Rick Russo & Les Mayne) for the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 06-02 2012 Drake Gallows def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 06-02 2017 Cody Burns def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Champion
- 06-02 2019 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & Mascara La Parka/MLP) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the ASP Tag Team Champions
- 06-02 2019 Brock Landers def. Adam Patrick for the ASP Inter-County Champion
- 06-02 2019 Erica became the ASP Women's Champion
- 06-02 2024 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. Mr. Nasty & Eddie LeVaughn for the WFC Tag Team Champions
- 06-02 2024 Thrash def. Tim Rockwell for the WFC Heavyweight Champion
- 06-03 1968 Fritz Von Erich def. Spoiler #1 for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 06-03 1968 Danny Hodge & Lorenzo Parente def. Jack Donovan & Ron Reed for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 06-03 1969 Baron Von Raschke became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-03 1980 David Von Erich def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 06-03 2016 Brock Landers def. Terry Pantera for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 06-03 2016 C. J. Ward became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
- 06-03 2017 The Pinnacle (Anthony Andrews & Shawn Hendrix) def. Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Duke Swellington) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 06-04 1937 Ray Villmer became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 06-04 1981 Kerry Von Erich def. Ernie Ladd for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 06-04 1981 The Spoiler became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-04 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-04 1986 The Von Erichs (Kevin Von Erich & Lance Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
- 06-04 2002 Billy & Chuck def. Rikishi & Rico for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Champion
- 06-04 2004 Justin Lee def. Brian Lakewood for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 06-04 2010 The Foreign Legion (Boris Saarikoski & Dutch Hagen) def. The Old School Express (Jason Jones & Jake Boulder) for the MWA Tag Team Champions
- 06-04 2021 Warren Powers def. Father Padge for the EPW Internet Television Champion
- 06-04 2022 Tommy Dean def. Mr. Nasty for the CPW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-04 2022 Phoebe def. Killista for the CPW Women’s Champion
- 06-04 2022 Mascara Purpura def. Double D for the CPW 918 Champion
- 06-05 1975 Dick Murdoch def. Danny Miller for the TSW North American Champion
- 06-05 1997 Generation X (Zane Morris & Ian St. James) became the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
- 06-05 2009 El Super Colibri became the MWA MAX-Division Champion
- 06-05 2010 Rick Russo def. 3rd Rail for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-05 2021 Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) became the CPW Tag Team Champions
- 06-05 2021 Tommy Dean def. Double D for the CPW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-06 1966 Fritz Von Erich def. Brute Bernard for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 06-06 1972 Tom Jones & Ivan Putski def. The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 06-06 1981 Jake Roberts def. The Grappler for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
- 06-07 1969 Jose Lothario def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 06-07 2008 Ky-ote Johammed def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
- 06-07 2008 Mo'Body Gillespie def. Ky-ote Johammed for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
- 06-07 2013 Bobby Starr def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Champion
- 06-07 2013 Ignition def. Super Skunk Ape, Jr. for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 06-07 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Michael York for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
- 06-07 2014 Steven Sterling def. Sam Stackhouse for the ComPro Showtime Champion
- 06-07 2014 Jake O'Brien def. The Canadian Red Devil for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
- 06-07 2014 Terry Montana def. Ignition for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 06-07 2014 Havoc def. Buster Cherry for the SWCW All-American Champion
- 06-07 2014 Rick Russo def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Luchadore Champion
- 06-07 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 06-07 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 06-07 2014 Terry Pantera became the BPPW Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 06-08 1959 Frankie Kovacs & Jerry Miller def. Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
- 06-08 2013 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 06-08 2013 Hurricane Ross def. Billy Ray for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-08 2019 Michael Duplanti def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Champion
- 06-08 2019 Big Smooth def. Hurricane Ross for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- Michele Leone Jun 8th Today!
- Mustafa Bin Akbar Jun 8th Today!
- Eddie Sullivan Jun 8th Today!
- Rick Vyper Jun 8th Today!
- Jamie Jun 9th
- Jim Barnett Jun 9th
- Jeff Wolfenbarger Jun 9th
- Dick Listener Jun 9th
- Dutch Savage Jun 9th
- Mark Wilson Jun 9th
- Dick Dunn Jun 10th
- Largus RagnaBrok Jun 10th
- King Parsons Jun 11th
- Mathmagician Jun 11th
- J. D. Richards Jun 11th
- Magnum T. A. Jun 11th
- Steven Dane Jun 12th
- Rolling Thunder Jun 12th
- Stan Pulaski Jun 12th
- Baby Blimp Jun 12th
- Deuce Rodriguez Jun 12th
- D'Licious Jun 12th
- Zac Royal Jun 12th
- Lady Sensacion Jun 12th
- John Pfanz Jun 13th
- Mikey D Jun 13th
- Chandler Hopkins Jun 13th
- Bill Ash Jun 13th
- Geronimo Jun 13th
- Dustin Heritage Jun 13th
- Neo Genesis Jun 13th
- Buzz Sawyer Jun 14th
- Jaxon Stone Jun 15th
- Trey the Bae Jun 15th
- Lilith Grimm Jun 15th
- Sean Ryan Jun 15th
- Brad Armstrong Jun 15th
- Paul Linam Jun 15th
- Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th
- Jef Tiger Jun 16th
- Paul Jones Jun 16th
- Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th
- Chuck Hinds Jun 16th
- Brock Landers Jun 16th
- Ted Arcidi Jun 16th
- Talos Jun 17th
- Rob Justice Jun 17th
- Mario Galento Jun 17th
- Ray Martinez Jun 17th
- Johnny Angel Jun 18th
- Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
- Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
- Cam the CODA Jun 18th
- Bad Boy Jun 18th
- Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
- Andy Dalton Jun 18th
- Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
- Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
- Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
- Mike Two Jun 19th
- Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
- Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
- Billy the Kid Jun 19th
- Professor Ito Jun 20th
- Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
- David Kyzer Jun 20th
- Jon Cross Jun 20th
- Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
- Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
- Rick Russo Jun 21st
- Super Star Jun 21st
Current Champions
Empire Pro Wrestling
All-American Champion
Rick Russo
- Heavyweight Champion: Kevin James Sanchez
- Tag Team Champions: The Saints of Pro Wrestling
- Internet Television Champion: Badger James
- International Champion: Tank Bryson
Top Viewed Bios
