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WWE Hall OF Famers To Appear AT Peoria Rivermen Game

Posted: Feb 21st 2008 By: CMBurnham

Peoria Rivermen President/CEO Bart Rogers announced today that World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame stars George "The Animal" Steele, Nikolai Volkoff and Sergeant Slaughter will appear and sign autographs on Saturday, March 1 when the Rivermen face off against the Lake Erie Monsters at 7:00 PM.

"Who didn't grow up watching these guys make the WWE what it is," Rogers said, rhetorically. "These three legends highlighted and signified the glory years of the WWE some 20 years ago. It's going to be a fantastic trip down memory lane for guys like myself and those rabid current fans.

Steele, Volkoff and Slaughter will sign autographs on the main concourse from 6-8:30 PM.

Steele, whose real name is Jim Myers, was a crazy "heel," bad guy, who routinely tore up the turnbuckle with his teeth after entering the ring and used the stuffing as a weapon. He would also stick out his green tongue (an effect accomplished by eating green Clorets breath mints). Steele had a hunched posture reminiscent of the classic character Igor from the movie Frankenstein, and would only utter a word or two during interviews with one them usually being "Duh..." In 1994, Steele made his professional acting debut as Swedish wrestler-turned-actor, Tor Johnson, in Tim Burton's Ed Wood.

Volkoff, whose real name is Josip Peruzovic, was a classic heel, playing a communist villain in the WWE during the Cold War period. He was best known for singing the Russian National Anthem prior to each of his matches to rile up the American fans. He also held the World Tag Team Championship with the Iron Sheik in 1985.

Slaughter, whose real name is Robert Remus, will be making a return appearance to Carver Arena after appearing two seasons ago. Slaughter played a classic "face," good guy, during the early-to-mid-1980's as part of the aforementioned Cold War period. He captured his only WWE Championship in 1991 by defeating the Ultimate Warrior in Royal Rumble. Slaughter was also made famous after his likeness was used to create the wildly-popular G.I. Joe Sgt. Slaughter figurines from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero towline series.

In addition, it is Peoria Air National Guard Team Poster Night for the first 5,000 fans. The team will also wear special Flag Jerseys to be auctioned off after the game to benefit Children's Hospital of Illinois.

Tags: WWE, Nikolai Volkoff, Sgt. Slaughter