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Nikolai Volkoff

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

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1

Spotlight in History

  • 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
  • 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
  • 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
  • 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
  • 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title

Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12

  • 09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
  • 09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
  • 09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 09-08 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 09-08 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
  • 09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
  • 09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
  • 09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-09
  • Mike Clancy Sep 9th Today!
  • Rancid Sep 9th Today!
  • Mr. Wrestling II Sep 10th
  • Les Mayne Sep 10th
  • Owen Sep 10th
  • Trevor Murdoch I Sep 10th
  • Vivian St. John Sep 10th
  • Kool Ade Sep 10th
  • Vic Nichols Sep 11th
  • Summer Thunder Sep 11th
  • Adrian Dell Sep 12th
  • Montego Seeka Sep 12th
  • Bounty Hunter Sep 12th
  • Bash Sep 12th
  • Bob Kenaston Sep 12th
  • Danni Bee Sep 12th
  • Animal Sep 12th
  • N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th
  • American Anarchy Sep 12th
  • Danny Little Bear Sep 13th
  • Bobby Starr Sep 13th
  • K. P. Moore Sep 13th
  • Poder Oriental Sep 13th
  • Angelina Love Sep 13th
  • Waddy Young Sep 14th
  • Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
  • Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
  • Bernie D Sep 14th
  • Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
  • Korvin Sage Sep 15th
  • Daniel King Sep 15th
  • Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
  • L. C. Green Sep 15th
  • Haru Sonada Sep 16th
  • Jim Cornette Sep 17th
  • Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
  • Jake Swayze Sep 17th
  • Rex Mori Sep 17th
  • Dick Brower Sep 17th
  • Bill Irwin Sep 17th
  • Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
  • Titan Yin Sep 18th
  • Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
  • Billy Robinson Sep 18th
  • Angel Reed Sep 18th
  • Adam Asher Sep 19th
  • Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
  • Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th
  • Boz Sep 20th
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th
  • Bishop Simon Sep 20th
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th
  • Pepper Martin Sep 20th
  • Joey Stixx Sep 20th
  • Ricky Morton Sep 21st
  • Connor Jones Sep 21st
  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
  • Doug Somers Sep 22nd
  • Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
  • Harley D Sep 22nd
  • Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
  • Satine Sep 22nd

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