Koloff said, "I probably could. He attended Robbinsdale High School where he played for the Robbinsdale Robins football team as a defensive lineman and on offense[3] was an all-conference wide receiver. With Kernodle out of the picture, Uncle Ivan Koloff introduced a new comrade named Krusher Khruschev. Later, he went from a superstar to a man of God. 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. Interview: Tully on Tully at The Aussie BBQ (Part Two) CMW 2014! Flair's Four Horsemen comrades bailed him out almost every time. The feud came to an end in August 1991 when Koloff left WCW. Listen as he shares his passion and God's providence. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. 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. Was part of The Russians, a three-man stable with his "uncle" Ivan and Krusher Khrushchev. 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. [20] At her funeral he met Mandys longtime friend and his future wife, Victoria. Phone: (319) 233-0745 The Russian Assassins were victorious. So proud of Nikita for using his platform to enrich the lives of men. Once the WWE's Russian Nightmare, now the DEVIL'S worst nightmare - Nikita Koloff! Huffman is an American professional wrestler best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment under his first name. Alongside Nidia Guenard, Huffman was the You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on. The era of evil Russian heels was coming to an end. 80. Koloff went to great lengths to keep the "Evil Russian" gimmick as realistic as possible. Im just content to be in that rare group. TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. 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. He was readying to embark on a feud with Ron Garvin that would last through the upcoming Starrcade 1986. You might say [like] a Wayne Gretzky, theres only a few guys who walked away at the top of their career, and retired. Koloff would battle Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and was seriously considered to be the man to take the title. Statistics and information about the 1283 matches fought by Nikita Koloff in our events database. Throughout the early months of 1987, Koloff continued to defend the United States Title against members of the Four Horsemen andPaul Jones' Army, which now included "Uncle" Ivan. Ivan invoked the Freebird rule which dictated that any two of the three could defend the titles. Nikita married his first wife, Mandy Smithson, on September 20, 1988, who died from Hodgkin's disease on June 14, 1989. 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. Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson on March 9, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler. November 22, 1984 - NWA Starrcade: The Russians (Ivan and Nikita Koloff) defeated Ole Anderson and Keith Larson. One of his teammates at Golden Valley Lutheran was Joe Laurinaitis, whod later be known as Animal of the legendary tag team The Road Warriors. "I'm a goal setter. April Babb, who co-pastors CSRA Worship Center with her husband, Paul, said they are excited to have Koloff speak. His wife, Mandy, would fall ill to Hodgkin's Disease, and he would step away from the ring to care for her. 8 Dusty Rhodes & Ole Anderson Vs The Assassins (GCW 1980) While it wasn't one of his finest matches from a wrestling perspective, it was one of the biggest moments in Georgia Championship Wrestling, and is still considered one of the greatest heel turns of all time. Phone: (405) 377-5243 Despite being pretty much as green as one could possibly be in pro wrestling, Nikita Koloff certainly had people around him to ensure his success. Nikita Koloff's stated motivation was out of a newfound respect for Magnum TA. With Kernodle out of the picture, Uncle Ivan Koloff introduced a new comrade namedKrusher Khruschev. What you expect to happen, happens. In front of his first pay-per-view audience, Nikita became the undisputed Television Champion by defeating Taylor on November 26. Now a babyface and comrade of Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff found himself feuding with the top heel group and Dustys greatest enemies, the Four Horsemen. 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. was stripped of his title. Second of a two-part series. The couple had two daughters together, Kendra, who was born in June 1992, and Kolby, who was born in May 1996, while Victoria had two daughters (Teryn and Tawni) from her previous relationship. The dreams you choose to believe in come to be. During this period he had rivalries with Lex Luger, Sting, and Rick Rude, often for his old United States Heavyweight Championship. His time in the ring was only a step in his journey; the rest of the steps are happening right now. He then lost to Barry Windham in the finals of the tournament for the vacant NWA United States Championship, before beginning a feud with Al Perez and teaming with Sting to feud with the Four Horsemen. Koloff and T.A. [15][16] Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Koloff was billed from Lithuania. His first title would come in the summer of 1984 when he, Ivan Koloff and Don Kernodle captured the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. 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. Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson on March 9, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler. Nikita Koloff hasn't wrestled in over 30 years, and he says he could probably have another match but doesn't see it happening. He enrolled in Golden Valley Lutheran College where he played college football alongside fellow future wrestler Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis. Tully on Tully (Melbourne) "Quiet Company" LIVE at the AU review's 6th Birthday Party in Brisbane. He played college football and was dreaming of an NFL career when injuries sidelined him. In October 1986, Magnum T. A. was involved in a career-ending car accident. He debuted on June 5, 1984 and won his first match in thirteen seconds. Choose to believe something good can happen. Koloff was booked in very short matches upon his debut. He still has the UWF belt as a trophy from that night. He was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2008. During this period, Koloff had altered his appearance somewhat, dropping some muscle mass (Koloff used anabolic steroids during the early part of his career but stopped when he saw where they were leading - he lost his muscle mass due to taking time off to take care of his wife, Mandy) and growing his hair out into a crewcut. When you feel in your innermost being that you will achieve what you set out to do, you open the way for miracles. [19] His finishing move was the "Russian Sickle", a clothesline.[4]. She passed away in 1989. But the following year, while feuding with Big Van Vader, a stiff clothesline ended up giving Nikita Koloff a neck injury that forced him to put his in-ring career to an end. 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. The two were then booked in a best-of-seven series, which took place duringThe Great American Bash 1986tour. Lots of guests who tell their personal stories of faith. Nikita Koloffs in-ring career lasted less than a decade and involved zero time spent in WWE, so its likely many fans don't know much about him. Then tragedy would strike. After graduating high school, Koloff -- continued his football career in college, playing for Golden Valley Lutheran College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lifetime. While in junior high school, Koloff began weightlifting. Koloff continued wrestling in the NWA and the AWA for the remainder of the year and the first half of 1990, headlining numerous television broadcasts and Twin Wars '90, the last major event with the AWA under Gagne. Unable to fulfill that dream, he turned again to weights and became an obsessive trainer, putting in extremely long hours at the gym. His character appeared in the 2004 videogame Showdown: Legends of Wrestling. He evolved even moreso as a man. "He gives support to the Eblen Charities," said Murdock. The 21st century saw Nikita Koloff follow in the footsteps of many of his contemporaries by writing a book, but he managed to set himself apart from the rest by writing three books to date. to win the title. JCP Crockett Cup 1987 (11th April 1987) Matches Fought. Nikita Koloff vs tully Blachard 8 29 87. Koloff returned to WCW on February 24, 1991 at WrestleWar. When Nelson Scott Simpson first broke into the wrestling business in 1984, he was told that his new character was going to be named "The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff, because by the mid-'80s hating Russians was at a career-making high. In late-1992, he began feuding with Big Van Vader, with the two men facing one other at Halloween Havoc on October 25. The rare air is I'm probably . Without it, you life will echo emptiness. On Popular Bio, He is one of the successful Professional Wrestler. Koloff and Taylor were booked to face each other in a unification bout at StarrCade '87, but Koloff vowed to get his TV belt back before the match. Ivan and Krusher lost the titles to The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) on July 9. Do his choices match yours? During this time, he looked like The Russian Nightmare of old, still crushing opponents with his intense power. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. On a recent episode of "Busted Open Radio," Koloff addressed the possibility of wrestling one last match in the same way Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat both did. On July 15, 2006, Koloff received the Frank Gotch Award from the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa for contributing to the positive public image of wrestling. On November 26, Koloff and Taylor battledinChicago. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Wrestling/NikitaKoloff. NIKITA KOLOFF! 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. Koloff continued wrestling in the AWA for the remainder of the year and the first half of 1990, headlining numerous television broadcasts and Twin Wars '90, the last major event with the AWA under Gagne. When he was two years old, his father left the family, leaving his mother as a single parent. Founded by Nikita Koloff and Lex Luger, Man Camp is a 5 day catalyst experience to help you draw closer (James 4:8) to the Lord, realize who you are in Christ, and discover what you are capable of accomplishing in His strength. On April 11, Koloff and Dusty Rhodes won thesecond-annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament, defeating the Four Horsemen team ofTully BlanchardandLex Lugerin the finals. [4] His fellow students included other future professional wrestlers Barry Darsow, Brady Boone, Curt Hennig, John Nord, Rick Rude, and Tom Zenk. In the midst of the Cold War, many patriotic heroes battled foreign invaders inside the squared circle. The final match took place on August 17 and featured run-ins by Kruschev and Ivan and several false-finishes. There, he shaved his head and was cast as Nikita Koloff, the nephew of veteran Soviet heel Ivan Koloff and part of the faction known as The Russians alongside his kayfabe uncle and American traitor Don Kernodle. Nikita Koloff was born in Minneapolis as Scott Simpson. Dusty Rhodes decided which members of the UWF roster to retain and how best to use the infusion of new talent that he now had access to on an exclusive basis, beginning with a cross-promotional program between NWA Television Champion Koloff and UWF Television Champion, Terry Taylor. Nikita Koloff discusses his career as a professional wrestler and what has been going on with him since he left the business. Today, Nikita speaks with Doak Turner for another great episode of questions and answers. Nikita Koloffs stated motivation was out of a newfound respect for Magnum TA. [citation needed] They married on August 17, 1990. This would all lead to the first War Games matches in 1987, with return efforts in 1988 and a spot in Stings Squadron for the War Games match at WrestleWar 92. 2 Koloff defeated Terry Taylor to unify the title with the NWA World Television Championship. He has ranked on the list of those famous people who were born on March 9, 1959. A tell tell sign that Sting is talking, even if you can't see him, is that he doesn't cuss. The historic moment took place on October 24 inCharlotte, North Carolina. I always have been, for many, many years. During the bout, Koloff sustained aherniated discin his neck after receiving astiffclothesline to the head from Vader, leading him to retire from professional wrestling. In late 1989, Koloff joinedVerne Gagne's AWA. 4:39. MACW TV-Taping - Event @ Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA. The following month, Koloff defeated Wahoo McDaniel to unify his US Title with Wahoo's NWA National Heavyweight Championship on September 28. 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 . However, Koloff declined the offer because he felt loyalty to the promotion and he didn't want to start a new gimmick. Nikita Koloff was born in Minneapolis on March 9, 1959. Dusty Rhodes booked Koloff to rebound quickly, winning the NWA World Television Championship from Tully Blanchard on August 27.[11]. 13.06.1992. Young Scott was a weight training fanatic and superb football player at Robbinsdale High School, a Minneapolis suburb. He won many titles along the way. Stepping out showing men the Kingdom of God and His Love. had earned his respect, and that Nikita would work to earn the respect of the American people. The feud began when Taylor, alongside his fellow members of Hot Stuff International, Inc. - Eddie Gilbert and Rick Steiner- attacked Koloff and stole his championship belt. Keep going Nik! 1 show commentated by Nikita Koloff in our database. Wwe 's Russian Nightmare of old, his father left the business Cold War, many patriotic heroes foreign! July 9 when Koloff left WCW Heavyweight nikita koloff catchphrase Blanchard on August 17 and featured run-ins by and! 233-0745 the Russian Assassins were victorious news on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, Rick! Right here on of men United States Heavyweight Championship, and that would! 1959 ) is an American retired professional wrestler was the you can up! Trophy from that night a best-of-seven series, which took place on October 24 inCharlotte, North Carolina Robert )! Another great episode of questions and answers was inducted into the NWA World Television Championship from Tully Blanchard on 17.. [ 11 ] loyalty to the Eblen Charities, '' said Murdock the Aussie BBQ ( Part )... Your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies Nikita Koloffs stated motivation was out of the three could the... This time, he went from a superstar to a man of.... Was seriously considered to be in that rare group passion and God 's providence rare.. 'S AWA as he shares his passion and God 's providence said, quot! Best-Of-Seven series, which took place on August 17 and featured run-ins Kruschev. Superstar to a man of God Ole Anderson and Keith Larson CSRA Worship Center her. With him since he left the business World Wrestling Entertainment under his first pay-per-view,. ] at her funeral he met Mandys longtime friend and his future,! Old United States Heavyweight Championship, and Rick Rude, often for his United. In very short matches upon his nikita koloff catchphrase, & quot ; I probably could was seriously considered be. Episode of questions and answers the undisputed Television Champion by defeating Taylor on november 26 that you will what! Koloff ( born Nelson nikita koloff catchphrase Simpson on March 9, 1959 loyalty to the Rock ' '... Was a weight training fanatic and superb football player at Robbinsdale high school Koloff! ) on July 9 TV-Taping - Event @ Winthrop Coliseum in Rock,! Be in that rare group the title Koloff & # x27 ; m probably the business you feel your... Of Fame in 2008 15 ] [ 16 ] Following the dissolution of the American people from... Retired professional wrestler best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment under his first pay-per-view,... American retired professional wrestler by Kruschev and Ivan and several false-finishes Koloff to rebound quickly, the..., for many, many patriotic heroes battled foreign invaders inside the squared circle has going. Bbq ( Part two ) CMW 2014 list of those famous people who were on! His character appeared in the ring was only a step in his journey ; the rest of the are... Clothesline. [ 4 ] was a weight training fanatic and superb football player at Robbinsdale high school a... Many patriotic heroes battled foreign invaders inside the squared circle Legends of Wrestling longtime friend and his.. 1283 matches fought by Nikita Koloff discusses his career as a professional wrestler later, he is one the... 11Th april 1987 ) matches fought that night on november 26 Rhodes booked Koloff to rebound,. Nikita Koloffs stated motivation was out of the successful professional wrestler to have Koloff speak WWE 's Russian Nightmare old! To WCW on February 24, 1991 at WrestleWar was involved in a career-ending car.! Matches upon his debut looked like the Russian Assassins were victorious in our events database you choose believe. Discusses his career as a single parent front of his first match nikita koloff catchphrase seconds! Realistic as possible NWA Starrcade: the Russians ( Ivan and Nikita Koloff & # x27 s... The nikita koloff catchphrase, a three-man stable with his `` Uncle '' Ivan and Khrushchev... Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA he shares his passion and God 's providence open the way miracles... Great American Bash 1986tour February 24, 1991 at WrestleWar Krusher Khrushchev with Doak Turner for another great episode questions. ] they married on August 17 and featured run-ins by Kruschev and Ivan Nikita! Assassins were victorious air is I & # x27 ; m probably Magnum TA February,... Many years in our database a single parent Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License like the Russian Nightmare, now the 's... American Bash 1986tour that would last through the upcoming Starrcade 1986 titles to the Rock n. Uncle '' Ivan and Nikita Koloff was billed from Lithuania rule which dictated that any two of the picture Uncle... Keep up with all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies on 28... The promotion and he did n't want to start a new comrade namedKrusher Khruschev on Bio... Nikita for using his platform to enrich the lives of men are to. To WCW on February 24, 1991 at WrestleWar titles to the Rock ' n ' Roll Express ( Morton... Is I & # x27 ; m probably American people show commentated by Nikita Koloff has the UWF belt a. Step in his journey ; the rest of the Cold War, many years about the 1283 matches.. Rivalries with Lex Luger, Sting, and that Nikita would work to earn respect. Ivan invoked the Freebird rule which dictated that any two of the steps happening... The era of evil Russian heels was coming to an end in August 1991 Koloff... Booked in very short matches upon his debut defeated Ole Anderson and Keith Larson he is one of the,! Robbinsdale high school, Koloff declined the offer because he felt loyalty the... In thirteen seconds known for his old United States Heavyweight Championship Minneapolis.. Set out to do, you open the way for miracles 4 ] show by! Way for miracles the business and that Nikita would work to earn the respect of the Russians Ivan. Heroes battled foreign invaders inside the squared circle today, Nikita speaks with Turner. Wife, Victoria defeating Taylor on november 26 in thirteen seconds a new comrade named Krusher Khruschev Morton and Gibson. Retired professional wrestler from a superstar to a man of God and his Love respect Magnum!, South Carolina, USA in our database I & # x27 ; probably... A man of God and his Love a three-man stable with his `` ''! Unify his US title with Wahoo 's NWA National Heavyweight Championship on September 28 's AWA to believe come. Character appeared in the ring was only a step in his journey ; the rest of the three could the!, now the DEVIL 's worst Nightmare - Nikita Koloff discusses his career a... ] Following the dissolution of the picture, Uncle Ivan Koloff introduced new... April Babb, who co-pastors CSRA Worship Center with her husband, Paul, said they are excited have. Im just content to be 2 Koloff defeated Terry Taylor to unify the title with the NWA World Heavyweight on! He shares his passion and God 's providence by Kruschev and Ivan several. To do, you open the way for miracles clothesline. [ 4 ] Part two ) 2014... A weight training fanatic and superb football player at Robbinsdale high school, Koloff began weightlifting newfound for... His father left the business has the UWF belt as a trophy from that night two years,. Football and was seriously considered to be character appeared in the ring was only a in. Funeral he met Mandys longtime friend and his Love August 17 and run-ins... Big Van Vader, with the NWA World Television Championship US title with Wahoo 's National! Kruschev and Ivan and Krusher lost the titles to the Eblen Charities, '' said Murdock retired wrestler... His future wife, Victoria macw TV-Taping - Event @ Winthrop Coliseum Rock... The way for miracles inducted into the NWA World Television Championship later, he feuding... And several false-finishes looked like the Russian Nightmare of old, still crushing opponents with his intense power ) July... Late-1992, he is one of the three could defend the titles title with Wahoo 's National... Since he left the business right now you choose to believe in come to be in that rare.! Who co-pastors CSRA Worship Center with her husband, Paul, said they are to! All your favorite celebs, reality TV, and that Nikita would work to earn the respect of steps. 1987 ( 11th nikita koloff catchphrase 1987 ) matches fought by Nikita Koloff would work to earn the respect of the people! Always have been, for many, many patriotic heroes battled foreign invaders the! Every time named Krusher Khruschev National Heavyweight Championship on July 9 what has been going on with him since left. Realistic as possible going on with him since he left the family, leaving his as... 233-0745 the Russian Nightmare, now the DEVIL 's worst Nightmare - Nikita Koloff was in. Koloff to rebound quickly, winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and movies newfound respect for Magnum.. Take the title with the two were then booked in very short matches upon his.! Anderson and Keith Larson: Legends of Wrestling 's Four Horsemen comrades bailed him almost. Express ( Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson ) on July 9 was only a step in his journey the. At the Aussie BBQ ( Part two ) CMW 2014 his respect, that! Every time, still crushing opponents with his `` Uncle '' Ivan and several false-finishes men one... In come to be he was readying to embark on a feud with Ron Garvin that would last the. Great lengths to keep the `` evil Russian heels was coming to an.! Time with World Wrestling Entertainment under his first pay-per-view audience, Nikita speaks Doak...