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Bob's Corner

This space is being dedicated to the history of professional wrestling.

For Previous installments of Bob's Corner Archives

This 2nd installment is dedicated to the
Legendary Nikolai Volkoff.

Nikolai was born in 1947 in Croatia, then part of Yugoslavia. His mother was Russian, father Croatian. He was a member of the Yugoslavian weightlifting team until 1967. In 67 he defected to Canada while at a competition in Vienna Austria.

He settled in Calgary where he began his training to be a Pro Wrestler under the Legendary Stu Hart.

In 1970 he arrived in the United States and began his career with the WWWF as Bepo Mongol. He had a partner wrestling with the name Geto Mongol. Managed by Captain Lou Albano they soon captured the International Tag team titles from Tony Marino and Victor Rivera.

After losing the titles to Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler Nikolai went on to singles competition using the name Nikolai Volkoff.

As Nikolai he was a natural heel in the United States. His many matches against Bruno Sammartino sold out venues wherever they were.

Late in 1974 Nikolai moved on to the AWA where he was managed by Bobby the Brain Heenan. He wrestled there under the name Boris Breznikoff. Same character with a different name. Same results. Nikolai sold out venues wherever he went.

In the 1980's Nikolai began teaming with The Iron Sheik. A wrestler from Iran also using his heritage to become a hated wrestler in the United States. The two of them together were just a natural fit.

At Wrestlemania 1 they won the WWF tag titles from The US Express, Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham. All of these matches were started with Nikolai singing the Russian national anthem. The crowds in some places were incited to near riot.

After a feud with The US Express, Nikolai and the Sheik both had feuds with such stars as Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Sgt. Slaughter. All of these feuds had US vs Russia or Iran implications and were selling out arenas all over the Country.

Something happened in the 90's. The crowds started cheering for Nikolai.

Nikolai has been hearing the cheers ever since. In 2005 Nikolai was inducted into the WWE hall of fame.

Nikolai also decided that his State needed another voice on the political front.

So in 2006 he ran unsuccessfully for State Delegate in District 7 which represents parts of Baltimore and Harford County in Maryland.

You will see Nikolai make special appearances at wrestling events and from time to time on WWE television. On Dec. 6th Nikolai will be appearing for the DWF at our location in Pennsauken New Jersey. Come out and say hi.

I'll be back next time with another installment of Bob's Corner