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Koloff's Book More Historical Than Autobiographical

Koloff's Book More Historical Than Autobiographical

Posted: Apr 5th 2012 By: CMBurnham

The title of Nikita Koloff's autobiography -- NIKITA: A Tale of the Ring and Redemption -- is a bit misleading, mainly because the "redemption" aspect never really shows up, at least in the way of typical wrestling redemptions over drugs or alcohol. It indirectly refers to his personal redemption when he became a devout Christian as was the focus of Koloff's previous book, Breaking the Chains.

While the book does focus on Koloff's wrestling career, it should not be considered an autobiography. Just to be clear, that is not a negative critique. Rather, Koloff's book should be considered "Pro Wrestling History 101." Koloff definitely comes from the George Santanaya philosophy that "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." For anybody with the slightest interest in professional wrestling from the territorial days up to the beginning of the Monday Night Wars, this is a definite read.

Teaming with author William Murdock, who penned Jack Brisco's book as well, Koloff goes into considerable detail discussing the history of professional wrestling, as well as the history of the NWA title belts, with explanations of how and why certain belts were defended. Given that NIKITA is published by Crowbar Press, which has published other wrestling autobiographies such as ASSASSIN: The Man Behind the Mask, and ATLAS: Too Much, Too Soon, the historical aspect not doubt gets a greater emphasis than at a traditional publishing house.

Ever since George Orwell's 1959 book, the year 1984 was considered a landmark year in Western history: the Cold War was fortunately coming to a close and a new professional wrestling era commonly known as "Hulkamania" began. That same year, Nelson Scott Simpson gave up his dream of playing professional football and became Nikita Koloff. He didn't do it partway, either -- he legally changed his name to Nikita Koloff, learned to speak Russian and had his birthplace listed as Lithuania on his child's birth certificate.

Koloff's gimmick was simple: he was the nephew of former WWE (then known as the WWWF) Champion "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff, who had come to America for the purpose of taking Ric Flair's NWA title back to Russia. Thus, "The Russian Nightmare" was born.

For a man who never considered a career in professional wrestling, he ended up with a career most wrestlers would be envious of.

A singles champion in the NWA, WCW and UWF, as well as a member of NWA two and three-man tag team champions, Koloff squared off against and with some of the most legendary names in pro wrestling including "Nature Boy" Ric Flair for the Heavyweight title, Magnum T. A. for the U.S. title and "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes for the tag team titles. (It was Rhodes' idea for the "Russian Nightmare" nickname, a spin on his "American Dream" moniker.)

For me, the most fascinating part about Koloff's life was everything he did before coming Nikita Koloff. Simpson went to high school and played sports with legendary wrestlers including Demolition's Smash (Barry Darsow), "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig and "Ravishing" Rick Rude. In college, Simpson was recruited alongside and played football with Road Warrior Animal, the man who ended up getting him into the wrestling business.

Koloff also does a great job of translating the wrestling vernacular for those who do not live pro wrestling. There is a great balance of explaining wrestling concepts to newcomers without making knowledgeable people feel like this is a dumbed-down book. Even seasoned pros in wrestling history can learn a few things from this book. I had never heard of a match going "Broadway" before reading this and picked up some interesting tidbits of knowledge about the Lou Thesz era of pro wrestling.

Like so many pro wrestlers before him, Koloff's career was cut short due to an in-ring injury. Rather than risk permanent damage, after eight years in the business, Nikita quietly retired from pro wrestling to focus on his religion and fitness training. Koloff joined forces with Lex Luger, a man Koloff personally spoon-fed while Luger was paralyzed, to create the Power Hour and Total Package Fitness, both religious and health seminars. Koloff also runs the Koloff for Christ Ministries.

NIKITA: A Tale of the Ring and Redemption is a fascinating read, just not exactly what I expected when I picked it up.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
  • 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
  • 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo 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
09-12
  • N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th Today!
  • Bob Kenaston Sep 12th Today!
  • Montego Seeka Sep 12th Today!
  • Bounty Hunter Sep 12th Today!
  • Bash Sep 12th Today!
  • Adrian Dell Sep 12th Today!
  • American Anarchy Sep 12th Today!
  • Danni Bee Sep 12th Today!
  • Animal Sep 12th Today!
  • Angelina Love Sep 13th
  • K. P. Moore Sep 13th
  • Bobby Starr Sep 13th
  • Danny Little Bear Sep 13th
  • Poder Oriental Sep 13th
  • Waddy Young Sep 14th
  • Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
  • Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
  • Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
  • Bernie D Sep 14th
  • Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
  • Daniel King Sep 15th
  • Korvin Sage Sep 15th
  • L. C. Green Sep 15th
  • Haru Sonada Sep 16th
  • Jake Swayze Sep 17th
  • Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
  • Rex Mori Sep 17th
  • Dick Brower Sep 17th
  • Bill Irwin Sep 17th
  • Jim Cornette Sep 17th
  • Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
  • Angel Reed Sep 18th
  • Titan Yin Sep 18th
  • Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
  • Billy Robinson Sep 18th
  • Adam Asher Sep 19th
  • Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
  • Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
  • Bishop Simon Sep 20th
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th
  • Boz Sep 20th
  • Joey Stixx Sep 20th
  • Pepper Martin Sep 20th
  • Ricky Morton Sep 21st
  • Connor Jones Sep 21st
  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
  • Doug Somers Sep 22nd
  • Harley D Sep 22nd
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  • Satine Sep 22nd
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  • Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
  • O'Malley Sep 23rd
  • Connor Crunk Sep 24th
  • Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
  • John J. Bishop Sep 24th
  • Jason Bruce Sep 24th
  • Kai Fayden Sep 24th
  • Joe Jones Sep 24th
  • Len Rossi Sep 24th
  • Chief Mike Sep 25th
  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
  • Toots Estes Sep 25th
  • Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th

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