Nikolai Volkoff facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nikolai Volkoff
Volkoff in 2015
Birth name	Josip Hrvoje Peruzović
Born	(1947-10-14)October 14, 1947 Split, PR Croatia, FPR Yugoslavia
Died	July 29, 2018(2018-07-29) (aged 70) Glen Arm, Maryland, U.S.
Children	2
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Nikolai Volkoff Bepo Mongol Boris Breznikoff Executioner #3
Billed height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Billed weight	313 lb (142 kg)
Billed from	Moscow, Russia Soviet Union Mongolia (as Bepo Mongol)
Trained by	Stu Hart Newton Tattrie
Debut	1967

Josip Hrvoje Peruzović (born October 14, 1947, died July 29, 2018) was a famous professional wrestler. Most people knew him by his ring name Nikolai Volkoff. He was from Yugoslavia (now Croatia) and later became an American citizen. He was best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), which is now WWE. In the WWF, he often played a "bad guy" character, called a heel, who pretended to be from the Soviet Union.

In the 1970s, Peruzović wrestled as Bepo of the Mongols, a tag team. He also wrestled as one of the masked Executioners. As Volkoff, he had big matches against Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship. In the 1980s, he teamed up with the Iron Sheik. They won the WWF Tag Team Championship at the very first WrestleMania event. Later, he formed another team called The Bolsheviks with Boris Zhukov.

In 1990, Volkoff changed his character and became a "good guy," or face. He pretended to leave the Soviet Union and become an American. He briefly had a rivalry with Boris Zhukov and Sgt. Slaughter. In 1994, he returned to the WWF as a character who had lost everything. He was "hired" by Ted DiBiase as the first member of his Million Dollar Corporation. Volkoff continued to wrestle in different places until he passed away in 2018.

Nikolai Volkoff's Early Life

Growing Up in Yugoslavia

Josip Peruzović grew up in Socialist Republic of Croatia, which was part of Yugoslavia at the time. His parents were Ivan and Dragica. His brother, Luka Peruzović, became a famous Croatian football player. Josip was part of the Yugoslavian weightlifting team.

Moving to Canada and Training

In 1967, after a weightlifting competition in Vienna, Austria, Peruzović moved to Canada. He began training to become a professional wrestler in Calgary. His trainers included Stu Hart and Newton Tattrie. In 1970, he moved to the United States to continue his wrestling career.

Nikolai Volkoff's Wrestling Career

Starting Out (1967–1970)

When Peruzović started wrestling in Calgary, he met Newton Tattrie, also known as Geeto Mongol. Tattrie became his mentor and trained him. They formed a tag team called The Mongols. They wrestled in different places like NWA Detroit and the International Wrestling Association. They even won tag team championships together.

First Time in WWWF (1970–1971)

In 1970, Peruzović joined Vince McMahon Sr.'s World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), which is now WWE. He wrestled as Bepo Mongol, managed by "Captain" Lou Albano. As part of The Mongols, he and Geeto Mongol won the WWF International Tag Team Championship. After losing the title, Peruzović left the WWWF and started wrestling on his own as "Nikolai Volkoff."

Returning to WWWF (1974–1980)

Volkoff came back to the WWWF in 1974. He had a memorable match at Madison Square Garden against the legendary champion Bruno Sammartino. In 1976, he wrestled as a masked Executioner and won the World Tag Team Championship. However, the title was later taken away. He then went back to being Nikolai Volkoff. During this time, he pretended to be from Mongolia. He had a big rivalry with Bruno Sammartino, selling out arenas. Volkoff became known for crushing fresh apples with one hand to show his strength. He also had a rivalry with Bob Backlund when Backlund was champion.

Wrestling in Other Places (1972–1984)

In late 1974, Volkoff moved to the AWA. There, he wrestled as Boris Breznikoff, managed by Bobby Heenan. He used a similar "bad guy" character. From 1977 to 1983, he wrestled in Japan for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling. In 1983, Volkoff also wrestled for "Cowboy" Bill Watts in the Mid-South region.

Second Return to WWF (1984–1990)

Teaming with the Iron Sheik

Volkoff with the Iron Sheik and their manager, Freddie Blassie

In 1984, Volkoff returned to the WWF. He teamed up with the Iron Sheik, and they were managed by Freddie Blassie. Before every match, Volkoff would sing the national anthem of the Soviet Union. Then, the Iron Sheik would say "Iran number one, Russia number one" and spit when he said "USA." This made the crowd boo them even more, as they were playing "foreign bad guys."

This team won the WWF Tag Team Championship from the U.S. Express at the first WrestleMania in 1985. After losing the title a few months later, Volkoff wrestled more in single matches. He challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship several times. Volkoff also had a rivalry with Corporal Kirchner. Their feud ended when Kirchner defeated Volkoff at WrestleMania 2. In 1986, Freddie Blassie retired, and Slick became Volkoff's new manager. Volkoff and the Iron Sheik then had a long rivalry with Jim Duggan.

The Bolsheviks Tag Team

In late 1987, Volkoff formed a new tag team called The Bolsheviks with Boris Zhukov. They were also managed by Slick. They had a rivalry with the Powers of Pain and lost to them at the first SummerSlam in 1988. The Bolsheviks often lost their matches and became a comedy team. They are famous for losing to the Hart Foundation in just 19 seconds at WrestleMania VI.

In 1990, The Bolsheviks broke up. Volkoff surprised everyone by singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" (the American national anthem) before a match. The crowd cheered loudly, and Volkoff became a "good guy."

Becoming a Good Guy (1990; 1992)

After becoming a good guy, Volkoff supported America. This led to a rivalry with Sgt. Slaughter, who was playing an Iraqi supporter. Slaughter teamed up with the former Iron Sheik, who was now called Colonel Mustafa. Volkoff's team defeated Slaughter's team at the 1990 Survivor Series. Volkoff then left the WWF at the end of 1990. He made a short return in 1992 to compete in the Royal Rumble match.

Wrestling in Other Promotions (1991-1994)

After leaving WWF, Volkoff wrestled for different independent wrestling companies. He defeated his former partner Boris Zhukov in 1991. He also wrestled in Puerto Rico and had a match against the Iron Sheik in 1993.

Eastern Championship Wrestling (1992–1993)

In 1992, he wrestled for Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW). He had a rivalry with Vladimir Markoff. He also had matches against the ECW Champion Don Muraco and Jimmy Snuka.

Third Return to WWF (1993; 1994-1995)

One-Night Appearance (1993)

Volkoff in 2009

Volkoff made a brief return to the WWF in July 1993. He won a match against Barry Horowitz.

The Million Dollar Corporation (1994–1995)

In 1994, Volkoff returned to the WWF full-time. He played a character who had fallen on hard times. He was forced to work for Ted DiBiase and his Million Dollar Corporation. DiBiase treated him badly, making him wrestle tough matches and even changing his name to "Nickel & Dime" Volkoff. He had to wear a sign that said "Property of the Million Dollar Man." Volkoff's last WWF match was in December 1994. His final appearance was in May 1995, helping to chase away Ted DiBiase. After this, Volkoff wrestled less often.

Later Years and Retirement (1995–2018)

Volkoff made a few special appearances in WWE. In 1997, he was shown as a homeless character on Shotgun Saturday Night. He also took part in a special battle royal match at WrestleMania X-Seven in 2001.

In 2005, Volkoff was honored by being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Jim Ross inducted him. In 2007, he appeared on Raw in a comedy segment called "WWE Idol," where he sang the Soviet national anthem. He also appeared on Raw in 2008 and 2010 with the Iron Sheik.

Volkoff in 2015

Volkoff continued to make appearances at wrestling events and autograph signings. In 2013, he sang "God Bless America" at a baseball game. He also sang the Soviet national anthem at a show in New Jersey. In 2014, he appeared on an "Old School" episode of Raw and sang to Big E. Langston. He also appeared backstage with Rusev and Lana, singing the Soviet national anthem.

Volkoff in 2008

In 2015, Volkoff teamed with the Sandman in a tag team match. In 2016, he sang the American national anthem at a wrestling show. He wrestled his last match in Canada in June 2016. On May 5, 2018, at 70 years old, Volkoff wrestled his final match. He teamed with Jim Duggan to win a tag team match.

Nikolai Volkoff's Personal Life

Volkoff (right) with Paul Orndorff

Josip Peruzović met his wife, Lynn, in 1970, the same year he became an American citizen. He was known as a dedicated family man. He also worked with the Baltimore County Police Athletic League to help kids. He even worked as a code enforcement officer in Baltimore County.

Politics

In 2006, Peruzović tried to become a state delegate in Maryland. He ran as a Republican but was not successful.

Nikolai Volkoff's Passing

Josip Peruzović passed away at his home on July 29, 2018. He was 70 years old. He had recently been in the hospital for dehydration and other health issues.

Other Appearances

• Volkoff is a character in several video games, including Legends of Wrestling (2001) and WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain (2003).
• In 2007, a cartoon called Homestar Runner featured a character dressed as Nikolai Volkoff for Halloween.
• In 2016, Volkoff released a comic book series about his life called "Nikolai."
• In 2018, Volkoff appeared in a horror movie called WrestleMassacre.

Championships and Awards

Volkoff was a one-time WWF Tag Team Champion with The Iron Sheik

Nikolai Volkoff won many championships and awards during his wrestling career:

• Championship Wrestling from Florida
  • NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ivan Koloff
• Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• National Wrestling Federation
  • NWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Geeto Mongol
• Maryland Championship Wrestling
  • MCW Hall of Fame (Class of 2009)
• Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
  • NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chris Markoff
• Mid-South Wrestling
  • Mid-South North American Championship (1 time)
• New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2013
• NWA Detroit
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (1 time) – with Boris Volkoff
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Ranked among the top 500 wrestlers many times.
• World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment
  • WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with the Iron Sheik
  • WWWF International Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Geto Mongol
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2005)
  • Slammy Award (2 times)
    • Most Ignominious (1986)
    • Best Personal Hygiene (1987) with Boris Zhukov and Slick