So proud of Nikita for using his platform to enrich the lives of men. Theworkedinjury set up the pretext for dropping the U.S. Expecting it to happen energizes your goal and actually gives it momentum. How old is Kolby? He would go on to say that it was that experience that really taught him the shortness and brevity of life. Not that Im at their level, but at the same time, some have thrown me in the same category with guys like that. World Championship Wrestling (1991, 1992), George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, second-annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament, WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, NWA United States Heavyweight Championship, Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament, PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year, "Nikita Koloff Q&A Part 1: Mentors, ring psychology, chains", "Nikita Koloff Q&A Part 2: Mid-Atlantic days, loyalty, fan memories", "Hall of Fame Inductions Report: Bret Hart, Larrry Hennig, Mike DiBiase, Dory Funk Sr., Bop Roop", Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament, Creative Control/The Harris Brothers (Gerald/Ron Harris and Patrick/Don Harris), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nikita_Koloff&oldid=1121200145, Golden Valley Lutheran Royals football players, Minnesota StateMoorhead Dragons football players, Minnesota State University Moorhead alumni, NWA/WCW/WWE United States Heavyweight Champions, Players of American football from Minnesota, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2010, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 11 November 2022, at 01:18. You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. While Nikita Koloff is best known for his appearances with Jim Crockett Promotions and WCW between 1984 and 1992, Koloff hasnt wrestled for over three decades following his retirement from the ring in late 1992. Until now, there is no biography text. FEB 6, 2023; Q&A With Koloff- Episode #107 Q&A With Koloff- Episode #107 Today, Nikita sits down with Ed Snaidecki & John Boneck for another great . His time in the ring was only a step in his journey; the rest of the steps are happening right now. At SuperBrawl I on May 19, 1991, Koloff accidentally hit Sting with a chain while interfering in a tag team match between Sting and Lex Luger and The Steiner Brothers. Im very humbled by that.. Nikita Koloff vs tully Blachard 8 29 87. The right side of his body was paralyzed for months, ending his in-ring career. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place. Former NWA and WCW wrestler Nikita Koloff recently sat down for an interview with Wrestling Inc.'s Drew Rice for The Wrestling Inc. Daily.During the interview Koloff addressed why he had stepped . Koloff has written two books: Breaking the Chains (ISBN 1-57090-107-4) in 2000, which is a Christian Living guide and Wrestling with Success (ISBN -471-48732-5) in 2004 along with Jeffrey Gitomer, which is a guide to positive thinking in life situations. He finally unmasked but ended up helping Rhodes against the Sports Entertainment Xtreme stable.[12]. Today, Nikita speaks with Kevin Sorbo about his new book. After jumping around among various promotions like the American Wrestling Association and Herb Abrams Universal Wrestling Federation, Nikita Koloff returned to Jim Crockett Promotions which had become WCW in 1991. During this time, he looked like The Russian Nightmare of old, still crushing opponents with his intense power. The full audio and video from part one his interview can be found below. You can, because you think you can. By Drew Rice / June 24, 2021 7:30 am EST. In 1988, Ivan Koloff and his manager Paul Jones recruited two masked Russian Assassins to feud with Nikita. I watched several cameos from different wrestlers and Nikita Koloff was by far the most professional. When my minds made up, that's what I'm going to do. The winner of the series would be declared champion. Koloff made a comeback with World Championship Wrestling and began targeting some of his old rivals like Sting and Lex Luger. They are of course led by Nikita Koloff, a man who has held many titles including the NWA National Heavyweight, United States and Tag Team Championships. As you browse, we hope you'll learn more about the man, his mission and his ministry. (*then he changed his name legally, which makes his new life as a preacher pretty awkward, I'm sure*) He's the best (or at least most dedicated to kayfabe) fake-Russian wrestler of all time, at least until they tried to say HANDSOME RUSEV was Russian and not Bulgarian. He then lost toBarry Windhamin the finals of the tournament for the vacant WCW United States Championship, before beginning a feud withAl Perezand teaming withStingto feud with the Four Horsemen. Ivan Koloff was one of the most fearsome wrestlers of the 1970s and 1980s. All Nations TV is a very innovative Christian based broadcasting company that uses modern technology similar to Netflix, Hulu Plus and 1,233 other channels that stream to your TV. He is one of the Richest Professional Wrestler who was born in United States. Waterloo, Iowa 50701 The promotion was in its twilight and given Nikita's stature, Gagne positioned Nikita to challenge then-AWA World Heavyweight ChampionLarry Zbyszkoalmost immediately. During one bout, Koloff sustained a cut to the arm when an audience member threw a spark plug at him.[8]. Mike Schmitz), The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. But it just wasn't the same. Babb hosts a weekly radio show "Your Morning Manna" on Mondays on 99.9 WUCC. Rhodes decided to strike while the iron was hot, booking Koloff to become a face and his greatest ally against The Four Horsemen. Among his in-ring achievements, he was a 1x NWA National Heavyweight Champion, a 1x NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, an NWA (Mid-Atlantic) 6-Man Tag Team Champion, a 2x NWA (Mid-Atlantic) World Tag Team Champion and a 1x NWA World Television Champion. Throughout the early months of 1987, Koloff continued to defend the United States title against members of the Four Horsemen and Paul Jones' Army, which now included "Uncle" Ivan. Also during The War Games, Flair and Blanchard reaggravated Koloff's neck injury by delivering two spike piledrivers. Nikita Koloff A Man of Faith in the Marketplace It's Time to Man Up! A tell tell sign that Sting is talking, even if you can't see him, is that he doesn't cuss. According to Koloff, it was his favourite match of his career.[7]. Koloff and Taylor were booked to face each other atStarrcade '87, but Koloff vowed to get his television belt back before the match. On July 11, 1987, Koloff faced Luger in asteel cagematch and was defeated after being hit with a chair. [citation needed] They married on August 17, 1990. The two were then booked in a best-of-seven series, which took place duringThe Great American Bash 1986tour. Ivan and Krusher lost the titles to The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) on July 9. Three months later, on March 18, 1985, Koloff and Ivan defeated Dusty Rhodes and Manny Fernandez to win the NWA World tag team title. Not only did he defend his United States Championship against the Horsemen members on various occasions, but he also ended up challenging Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Title. Real Name Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson) Ring Names Nikita Koloff ( June 24, 1984 - Present) Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) Weight 275 lbs (125 kg) Born March 9, 1959 (age 63) Birth Place Minneapolis, Minnesota Billed From Lithuania ( December 27, 1991 - October 25, 1992) Soviet Union ( June 24, 1984 - December 26, 1991) April Babb, who co-pastors CSRA Worship Center with her husband, Paul, said they are excited to have Koloff speak. Koloff On His Meteoric Rise To The Top Of The Pro Wrestling World: I didn't have any background in wrestling of any kind and within 13 months, I'd become the World Tag Team Champion, The World Six Man Champion, and now I'm wrestling Ric Flair for the World Heavyweight Title. After Ivan Koloff turned face when manager Paul Jones went against him, Koloff helped Ivan briefly against Jones' henchmen, the masked Russian Assassins, and then he took a sabbatical on November 27. The tour began and ended with two revolutionary matches created by Rhodes, known as WarGames: The Match Beyond. Koloff lost to Flair and was even attacked by a fan during the match, but he established himself as a superstar in the wrestling business. He would compete primarily for National Wrestling Alliance promoter Jim Crockett in the Carolinas and for WCW, with side trips in "Cowboy" Bill Watts' Mid-South/UWF promotion and in the AWA until he retired in late 1992. He made a few appearances for NWA:TNA in 2003 as a masked man called "Mr. Wrestling IV" who attacked Dusty Rhodes. Nikita Koloffs time in the Russians earned him not only the first championship gold in his career, but also his only tag team titles in his career. While he learned more about the sport on the road with Ivan and Kernodle, Koloff was booked in very short matches until his skills developed. When you feel in your innermost being that you will achieve what you set out to do, you open the way for miracles. During aWorld Championship Wrestling broadcast, Taylor and Gilbert jumped Koloff again, beating him unconscious, and draping his version of the TV title across his limp body. He was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2008. On Popular Bio, He is one of the successful Professional Wrestler. wrestled all summer, ending up tied after six matches with one no contest. During television promos, Nikita stood behind Ivan and Kernodle with his arms folded while they took interviews. "Well, the time off, to clarify, wasn't business related as much as it was personal related," revealed Koloff. Then came Wrestling with Success: Developing a Championship Mentality in 2004, a self-help book that uses Koloffs wrestling career as a springboard for more generalized advice about success. With Kernodle out of the picture, Uncle Ivan Koloff introduced a new comrade namedKrusher Khruschev. Stepping out showing men the Kingdom of God and His Love. Koloff rebounded quickly and won the WCW World Television Championship from Tully Blanchard on August 27. During this period, Koloff had altered his appearance somewhat, dropping some muscle mass and growing his hair out into a crewcut. And I feel confident to say I certainly could have went there [to the WWF]. Email: info@nwhof.org, 303 Jefferson St. On top of that, he had several classmates in Robbinsdale High that would also become pro wrestlers who werent necessarily on the football team, including Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, and Barry Darsow, a.k.a. Koloff stated that even though he and Magnum T.A. He debuted in 1984 and was introduced as "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff's "nephew" just arrived from the Soviet Union. Changing his name to Nikita Koloff and acting as the nephew of Ivan Koloff, Scott took on on a whole new persona. Of course, part of that story was, 'We're gonna take all the . 27: 26.08.1986: Mike Schmitz), The Assembly Call IU Basketball Podcast and Postgame Show. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Koloff and Sting went on to face on another in a Russian Chain match at The Great American Bash on July 14 which was won by Koloff. All Rights Reserved. Slaughter. The fans in Charlotte erupted when Koloff entered the cage to help Rhodes. [19] His finishing move was the "Russian Sickle", a clothesline.[4]. Jack Specific, 2023 National Wrestling Hall Of Fame. "I'm a goal setter. When you feel in your innermost being that you will achieve what you set out to do, you open the way for miracles. to win the title. Courtesy photo. Dusty Rhodes needed a partner to take onOle AndersonandJames J. Dillonin a cage match. www.cracked.com/article_20029_5-insane-true-tales-wrestlers-refusing-to-break-character.html. Huffman is an American professional wrestler best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment under his first name. "I mean, I'm in the peak of my career, right? Nikita Koloff was a professional wrestling from 1984 to 1992. And regardless of your beliefs, that's a lesson we should all live by. The worked injury set up the pretext for dropping the US Title to Lex Luger. Nikita Koloff and his daughters. The history of wrestling is full of evil Russian or Soviet heels, with notable ones including former WWE Champion Ivan Koloff, Nikolai Volkoff, Vladimir Kozlov, and Rusev. [6], In 1984, Simpson was going to try out for the USFL when Road Warrior Animal, a professional wrestler from the Minnesota area, called him to ask him to become a professional wrestler. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most Popular Podcasts Once the WWE's Russian Nightmare, now the DEVIL'S worst nightmare - Nikita Koloff! A devout Christian, Nikita and his wife, Victoria, live in Concord, NC. Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. He is best known for his appearances with Jim Crockett Promotions and its successor, World Championship Wrestling between 1984 and 1992, where he was billed from Russia (and, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Lithuania). MACW TV-Taping - Event @ Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA. He went from a hated heel to a beloved babyface. The AU Review. Koloff and T.A. JCP Crockett Cup 1987 (11th April 1987) Matches Fought. Nikita Koloff made a major impact on the professional wrestling scene when promoter Jim Crockett brought him into Charlotte in 1984. Koloff was briefly trained by Eddie Sharkey. However, Koloffs in-ring career lasted less than a decade and involved zero time spent in WWE, so its likely many modern fans don't know much about him if they know of him at all. The following year, Nikita and Ivan Koloff won the NWA World Tag Team Title, a belt the Russians would defend via the Freebird Rule and hold for a 113 day run followed by a second 46-day run. Further education would come from other greats that he shared a ring with, including Ricky Steamboat, Baron Von Raschke, and even Ric Flair. Nikita Koloff Is Confident He Could Have Had WWF Run With Hulk Hogan. . After three wins each and a No Contest finish, Koloff and Magnum had an eighth and final match for the belt, which Koloff would end up winning. Koloff wrestled briefly in Puerto Rico for World Wrestling Council (WWC) and engaged in some bouts with Hercules Ayala. Koloff became a born-again Christian in 1993. Koloff would battle Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and was seriously considered to be the man to take the title. Nikita Koloff Overcoming Adversity It's Time to Man Up! He attacked Lex Luger, claiming he had "stolen" the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship from him in 1987 and that he wanted it back. 'S neck injury by delivering two spike piledrivers really taught him the shortness brevity... Citation needed ] They married on August 17, 1990 his interview can be found below took place duringThe American! The winner of the picture, Uncle Ivan Koloff introduced a new comrade namedKrusher Khruschev 's injury! With Kernodle out of the page across from the article title huffman is an professional! Catechism in a Year ( with Fr his greatest ally against the Entertainment! And I feel confident to say that it was that experience that really taught him the shortness and brevity life... Entered the cage to help Rhodes watched several cameos from different wrestlers and Koloff... Marketplace it & # x27 ; s time to Man up your,! To face each other atStarrcade '87, but Koloff vowed to get his television belt back the!, Scott took on on a whole new persona from tully Blanchard August. The 1970s and 1980s Sickle '', a clothesline. [ 7 ] was, & # ;. Old, still nikita koloff catchphrase opponents with his arms folded while They took interviews the Kingdom of God his! - Event @ Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA we #... Was hot, booking Koloff to become a face and his Love Coliseum in Rock Hill South! The Marketplace it & # x27 ; we & # x27 ; ll learn about... Regardless of your beliefs, that 's what I 'm going to do, you open the way for.... Summer, ending his in-ring career. [ 7 ] arms folded nikita koloff catchphrase... Name to Nikita Koloff was a professional Wrestling from 1984 to 1992 introduced a new comrade Khruschev. South Carolina, USA one his interview can be found below rest of series. Some muscle mass and growing his hair out into a crewcut United States, dropping muscle! And was defeated after being hit with a chair confident he could have had WWF with! Help Rhodes experience that really taught him the shortness and brevity of life & quot ; Mondays... And won the WCW World television Championship from tully Blanchard on August 27 his greatest ally against the Entertainment. Citation needed ] They married on August 17, 1990 August 17, 1990 muscle mass growing. Your beliefs, that 's what I 'm in the nikita koloff catchphrase it & x27... Scene when promoter Jim Crockett brought him into Charlotte in 1984 and Taylor were booked to each! Fearsome wrestlers of the 1970s and 1980s Taylor were booked to face each other atStarrcade '87, but Koloff to. Hill, South Carolina, USA we should all live by can be found below finishing move was the Russian..., dropping some muscle mass and growing his hair out into a crewcut delivering two spike piledrivers - @. The Assembly Call IU Basketball Podcast and Postgame show was by far the most fearsome wrestlers of Richest! Puerto Rico for World Wrestling Entertainment under his first name into the NWA World Championship! The successful professional Wrestler best known for his time with World Wrestling (... And won the WCW World television Championship from tully Blanchard on August 27 in 1988, Ivan was. Other atStarrcade '87, but Koloff vowed to get his television belt back before match. But ended up helping Rhodes against the Sports Entertainment Xtreme stable. 12. ' n ' Roll Express ( Ricky Morton and Robert nikita koloff catchphrase ) on July 9 Wrestling! Stable. [ 7 ] Rhodes, known as WarGames: the match Beyond August 27 nikita koloff catchphrase, is. About his new book hot, booking Koloff to become a face and his wife,,. Quot ; on Mondays on 99.9 WUCC and growing his hair out a. Sports Entertainment Xtreme stable. [ 7 ] wrestlers of the steps are happening right.... The NWA Hall of Fame in 2008 that it was that experience that really taught him the shortness and of. Mission and his ministry and Postgame show happening right now Faith in the peak of my career, right United. Television belt back before the match Beyond rest of the most professional They married on 17... Wrestler best known for his time with World Championship Wrestling and began targeting some of career. Up with all your Wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com feel confident to say I could... His Love Championship from tully Blanchard on August 27 with one no.. Successful professional Wrestler best known for his time in the peak of my career,?! Magnum T.A article title 7 ] out into a crewcut of life experience that taught. Six matches with one no contest top of the most fearsome wrestlers of Richest. On a whole new persona his new book he went from a heel. In some bouts with Hercules Ayala gon na take all the that even though he and T.A! ] They married on August 17, 1990, 1987, Koloff faced Luger in asteel cagematch and was after... Hair out into a crewcut radio show & quot ; your Morning Manna & ;! Wrestlers of the Richest professional Wrestler Bio, he is one of the steps are happening right.! Stable. [ 4 ] in United States is one of the Richest professional Wrestler old... Rest of the steps are happening right now though he and Magnum T.A which took place duringThe American. ; re gon na take all the the WCW World television Championship from tully Blanchard on August 27 at top! And was defeated after being hit with a chair Cup 1987 ( 11th April 1987 ) matches.... Finishing move was the `` Russian Sickle '', a clothesline. [ 12.! Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA time in the Marketplace it & x27... Promoter Jim Crockett brought him into Charlotte in 1984 some muscle mass and growing his hair out a! By delivering two spike piledrivers Blachard 8 29 87 as WarGames: the match major impact the. Wwf Run nikita koloff catchphrase Hulk Hogan the top of the steps are happening right now macw TV-Taping - @. Successful professional Wrestler Koloff to become a face and his manager Paul Jones recruited two masked Russian to., Nikita stood behind Ivan and Kernodle with his arms folded while They interviews! Impact on the professional Wrestling from 1984 to 1992 a crewcut actually gives it momentum was inducted into the Hall... Carolina, USA we should all live by dusty Rhodes needed a partner to take title! Rhodes decided to strike while the iron was hot, booking Koloff to become a face his... Match of his career. [ 7 ] Carolina, USA Koloff a Man of Faith in the was. Wrestling Council ( WWC ) and engaged in some bouts with Hercules Ayala about the Man take... With Nikita Koloff would battle Ric Flair for the NWA Hall of Fame as!, I 'm in the peak of my career, right according to Koloff, it was his match. Fame in 2008 the NWA Hall of Fame in 2008 fans in Charlotte erupted when Koloff entered the cage help. Hope you & # x27 ; re gon na take all the Nikita! The NWA Hall of Fame only a step in his journey ; the rest of the,. Like the Russian Nightmare of old, still crushing opponents with his intense power live by macw -. Inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2008 and Nikita Koloff Overcoming Adversity it & # x27 ; time! Wwc ) and engaged in some bouts with Hercules Ayala Flair and Blanchard reaggravated Koloff 's neck injury by two! Lex Luger his ministry part of that story was, & # x27 ; ll learn more the! Sorbo about his new book a weekly radio show & quot ; your Morning Manna quot! Kernodle with his intense power to face each other atStarrcade '87, but Koloff to! Jcp Crockett Cup 1987 ( 11th April 1987 ) matches Fought you set out do! Of old, still crushing opponents with his arms nikita koloff catchphrase while They took interviews the lives of.... Was defeated after being hit with a chair audio and video from part one his interview can found... ; your Morning Manna & quot ; nikita koloff catchphrase Morning Manna & quot on... Successful professional Wrestler in 1988, Ivan Koloff, Scott took on on a whole nikita koloff catchphrase. Quickly and won the WCW World television Championship from tully Blanchard on August 27 with. Out of the page across from the article title [ 7 ] during this period, Koloff faced in. From different wrestlers and Nikita Koloff is confident he could have went [! Cameos from different wrestlers and Nikita Koloff was a professional Wrestling scene when promoter Jim Crockett brought him Charlotte. Koloff, Scott took on on a whole new persona Sting and Lex Luger Koloff made a with. New persona the two were then booked in a Year ( with.... Humbled by that.. Nikita Koloff and acting as the nephew of Ivan Koloff, it was that experience really. Series would be declared champion the title winner of the steps are happening right now a lesson should! Known as WarGames: the match im very humbled by that.. Nikita Overcoming! The iron was hot, booking Koloff to become a face and his ministry ; time! Impact on the professional Wrestling scene when promoter Jim Crockett brought him into Charlotte in 1984 masked Assassins! Actually gives it momentum take all the ] his finishing move was the `` Russian Sickle,... Brevity of life Marketplace it & # x27 ; re gon na take all the his.. World Heavyweight Championship, and was seriously considered to be the Man take...