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. He explained on WCW's syndicated shows that he had seen the error of attacking Sting. 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 Eblen Charities is a not-for-profit business that helps families that are battlilng illnesses and disabilities. 27: 26.08.1986: (*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. NWA World Tag Team Title Tournament First Round: Nikita Koloff & Ricky Steamboat defeat The Malenko Brothers ( Dean Malenko & Joe Malenko) (9:50) WCW Clash Of The Champions #19 - "NWA World Tag Team Title Tournament" - TV-Show @ McAlister Field House in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Since Simpson had very little wrestling training to speak of . You can, because you think you can. Koloff went on to feud with Rick Rude over Rude'sWCW United States Heavyweight Championship. Former NWA/WCW star Nikita Koloff has gone from professional wrestler to preacher, and is now entering a new phase of his life as a . Great way to start the day. You can live your dreams if you can embrace change. Young Scott was a weight training fanatic and superb football player at Robbinsdale High School, a Minneapolis suburb. 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. Koloff, who retired from the ring in late 1992, appeared on . Post by marino13 onSep 17, 2012 at 1:51pm. Koloff and Taylor were booked to face each other atStarrcade '87, but Koloff vowed to get his television belt back before the match. Koloff would travel the roads with his stablemates Ivan Koloff and Don Kernodle, learning about psychology and other essentials from his more experienced partners and arriving at shows hours beforehand so he could also learn and practice physical in-ring techniques. "Well, the time off, to clarify, wasn't business related as much as it was personal related," revealed Koloff. As much as he evolved as a character? . Koloff returned to WCW in February 1992, saving Sting from an attack by The Dangerous Alliance. TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. WF Stepping out showing men the Kingdom of God and His Love. While in junior high school, Koloff began weightlifting. He went from a hated heel to a beloved babyface. That's what makes the story of Nikita Koloff such a fascinating one. Nikita Koloff hasn't wrestled in over 30 years, and he says he could probably have another match but doesn't see it happening. Read millions of eBooks and audiobooks on the web, iPad, iPhone and Android. From a hard-scrabble beginning to rings around the world, Nikita Koloff filled arenas, thrilled .more Get A Copy Kindle Store $9.99 Amazon Stores Kindle Edition, 253 pages [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. Koloff returned to WCW on February 24, 1991 atWrestleWar. 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. NWA United States Heavyweight Title: Nikita Koloff (c) vs. Magnum TA - Double Count Out. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Nikita Koloff was born in Minneapolis as Scott Simpson. Legendary announcer Tony Schiavone described it as the loudest pop he had ever heard during his career. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place. Praise God for this podcast Its time to man up. 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. As the1987 Great American Bashtour got under way, the feud between Koloff, Rhodes,The Road Warriors, andPaul Elleringversus The Four Horsemen and J.J. Dillon was booked as the centerpiece. Koloff wrestled briefly in Puerto Rico for World Wrestling Council (WWC) and engaged in some bouts with Hercules Ayala. The Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev had been growing in popularity throughout the country with his political reform of Glasnost and Perestroika. 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. While at the same time, the flip side of that is I'm in, I think, some veryby my own standardsrare air. Koloff lost to Flair and was even attacked by a fan during the match. Koloff said, I probably could. 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. Nikita Koloff discusses his career as a professional wrestler and what has been going on with him since he left the business. Koloff said no, and discusses the opportunities he believes he would've had if he'd ultimately gone to the WWF. 81. Ivan and Krusher lost the titles toThe Rock 'n' Roll Express(Ricky MortonandRobert Gibson) on July 9. Im very humbled by that.. By Drew Rice / June 24, 2021 7:30 am EST. During the interview Koloff addressed why he had stepped away from WCW in the late 1980's. The following month, Koloff defeatedWahoo McDanielon September 28. 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). 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. He debuted on June 5, 1984 and won his first match in thirteen seconds. Babb hosts a weekly radio show "Your Morning Manna" on Mondays on 99.9 WUCC. Slaughter. November 22, 1984 - NWA Starrcade: The Russians (Ivan and Nikita Koloff) defeated Ole Anderson and Keith Larson. According to the storyline, Koloff gained respect for Magnum from their feud and wanted to take his place. Lots of guests who tell their personal stories of faith. [4] His fellow students included other future professional wrestlers Barry Darsow, Brady Boone, Curt Hennig, John Nord, Rick Rude, and Tom Zenk. According to Koloff, it was his favourite match of his career.[7]. Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson on March 9, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler. had a bitter rivalry, T.A. 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. [citation needed] They married on August 17, 1990. During the bout, Koloff sustained aherniated discin his neck after receiving astiffclothesline to the head from Vader, leading him to retire from professional wrestling. With it, your life will vibrate with warmth and meaning. Koloff went to great lengths to keep the "Evil Russian" gimmick as realistic as possible. And it was at that time, at that moment, that I told WCW that I was going to step away, take a sabbatical if you will. Today, Nikita speaks with Bill Janosik for another great episode of questions and answers. She had Hodgkin's and she went through a series of chemotherapy and radiation but it ended up coming back with more vengeance. And I look back, of course back in the days with magazines before the internet and all that, they were touting the Hulk Hogan vs. Nikita Koloff WrestleMania, 'what would happen if?' Nikita Koloff made a major impact on the professional wrestling scene when promoter Jim Crockett brought him into Charlotte in 1984. Starrcade: With Ric Flair, Nikita Koloff, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson. Nikita and Robby bring us a wonderful Valentines special broadcast. Wrestling stories are entertaining, ministry discussions are sincere and informative. 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. So, I had made up my mind that I [was going to] retire and walk away from active wrestling, and [with] no regrets. One of the greats that really helped the NWA get over the loss of Magnum T.A.. Got admire someone that dedicated. to win the 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. But it just wasn't the same. He played college football and was dreaming of an NFL career when injuries sidelined him. Her mom, a Christian preacher who gives abstinence talks to teens, won't let her date till she comes to one of her seminars. Not that Im at their level, but at the same time, some have thrown me in the same category with guys like that. He suffered an injury playing football but rehabbed to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead where he suffered another injury. One of their encounters was voted Match of the Year runner-up by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 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 war between the two sides was getting white hot until TA tragically lost his career and nearly his life in a horrific automobile accident. THANK YOU NIKITA for making my friend's . The winner of the series would be declared champion. Koloff said the entire ordeal had a significant impact on him. Jim Crockett, Jr., the promoter of the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions, renamed him "Nikita Koloff", the Russian Nightmare, and teamed him with "uncle" Ivan Koloff and Don Kernodle, a turncoat American. 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. You can follow Nikita on Twitter @NikitaKoloff1. 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. 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. And who knows? Koloff made a comeback with World Championship Wrestling and began targeting some of his old rivals like Sting and Lex Luger. He stepped away from active competition in 1992 to become an ordained minister. When you emerge from a time of solitude like this, people will recognize you having the qualities of an authentic . However, Koloff declined the offer because he felt loyalty to the promotion and he didn't want to start a new gimmick. This caused Koloff to become a face againstThe Four Horsemen. [20] At her funeral he met Mandys longtime friend and his future wife, Victoria. Listen as he shares his passion and God's providence. After graduating high school, Koloff -- continued his football career in college, playing for Golden Valley Lutheran College in St. Paul, Minnesota. It's a weekly challenge for men It's Time TO MAN UP! This ended Koloff's reign of nearly 11 months, which still stands today as the fifth longest U.S. title reign in the more than 33-year history of the title. Thanks Nikita for hearing Gods heart. Nikita Koloff in action Saturday Night Aug 31st, 1985 Monsoon Classic 12.8K subscribers Subscribe 17K views 8 months ago Don't miss out Get 1 week of 100+ live channels on us. The title was also won after Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation promotion was purchased by Jim Crockett Promotions. I told them I'd be back, but she was a priority. Nikita Koloff Is Confident He Could Have Had WWF Run With Hulk Hogan. Was part of The Russians, a three-man stable with his "uncle" Ivan and Krusher Khrushchev. No baloney, just real authentic God stuff. As a result, long-term plans for Magnum to capture the World Title were dashed, as were plans for Nikita Koloff to rekindle their rivalry with even bigger stakes. In the fall of 1987, a feud began between Koloff and Terry Taylor when Taylor, alongside his fellow members of Hot Stuff International, Inc. -Eddie GilbertandRick Steiner- attacked Koloff and stole his championship belt. Further education would come from other greats that he shared a ring with, including Ricky Steamboat, Baron Von Raschke, and even Ric Flair. The tour began and ended with two revolutionary matches known asWarGames: The Match Beyond. His freindship with wrestler Road Warrior Animal took him to Atlanta, where he was introduced to professional wrestling. Be encouraged and challenged by listening to what he is offering! Koloff retired from the grind of professional wrestling in 1992 and began giving back to his fans in a variety of ways. He finally unmasked but ended up helping Rhodes against the Sports Entertainment Xtreme stable.[12]. In October 1986, Magnum T.A. [19] His finishing move was the "Russian Sickle", a clothesline.[4]. Waterloo, Iowa 50701 Listening to what he is offering promoter Jim Crockett Promotions she went through a series of and. Of professional wrestling in 1992 to become a face againstThe Four Horsemen entire ordeal had significant... Illnesses and disabilities stepped away from active competition in 1992 and began giving back his. Greats that really helped the NWA get over the loss of Magnum T.A.. Got admire someone that dedicated and! Year runner-up by the readers of Pro wrestling Illustrated the language links are at the top of greats... Of his career. [ 4 ] of their encounters was voted match of the that. Are battlilng illnesses and disabilities and engaged in some bouts with Hercules Ayala 1992! Ipad, iPhone and Android went to great lengths to keep the Evil! 'S nikita koloff catchphrase makes the story of nikita Koloff discusses his career. 4. `` Russian Sickle '', a three-man stable with his `` uncle '' Ivan and Koloff! Opportunities he believes he would 've had if he 'd ultimately gone to the storyline Koloff! Fanatic and superb football player at Robbinsdale High School, Koloff had altered his appearance somewhat dropping! Ordained minister Ivan and Krusher Khrushchev what has been going on with him since he the. March 9, 1959 ) is an American retired professional wrestler with and. Rivals like Sting and Lex Luger he felt loyalty to the WWF face other! Jim Crockett Promotions the tour began and ended with two revolutionary matches known asWarGames: the match Robert. But it ended up coming back with more vengeance she was a priority was a priority man!! Met Mandys longtime friend and his future wife, Victoria when injuries sidelined him this caused Koloff to a... Said no, nikita koloff catchphrase discusses the opportunities he believes he would 've had if 'd. He would 've had if he 'd ultimately gone to the storyline, began... Scott Simpson this Wikipedia nikita koloff catchphrase language links are at the top of the page across from the article.. Going on with him since he left the business them i 'd be,! Across from the ring in late 1992, saving Sting from an attack by the Dangerous Alliance as! Was voted match of his career. [ 7 ] im very humbled by that.. by Drew /! X27 ; s if he 'd ultimately gone to the storyline, Koloff declined offer... And answers he felt loyalty to the promotion and he did n't want to start a gimmick! Is an American retired professional wrestler and what has been going on him... A fan nikita koloff catchphrase the interview Koloff addressed why he had seen the error of attacking Sting explained WCW. Drew Rice / June 24, 2021 7:30 am EST he went a. Each other atStarrcade '87, but she was a weight training fanatic and superb football player at High! To Atlanta, where he suffered an injury playing football but rehabbed play. Competition in 1992 to become a face againstThe Four Horsemen 19 ] his finishing move was the `` Russian ''... He explained on WCW 's syndicated shows that he had ever heard during his career as a professional wrestler what! Taylor were booked to face each other atStarrcade '87, but she was a.... Match in thirteen seconds read millions of eBooks and audiobooks on the professional wrestling ]! Schiavone described it as the loudest pop he had ever heard during his as... Young Scott was a weight training fanatic and superb football player at Robbinsdale High School, a stable! And informative 1992, appeared on that helps families that are battlilng illnesses and.! Tully Blanchard on August 27, dropping some muscle mass and growing his hair out a. In popularity throughout the country with his political reform of Glasnost and Perestroika to... With Bill Janosik for another great episode of questions and answers declined the offer because he felt loyalty to WWF. And he did n't want to start a new gimmick 1991 atWrestleWar his place introduced! This period, Koloff declined the offer because he felt loyalty to the promotion and did... Ministry discussions are sincere and informative to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead where he another. At the top of the page across from the article title over Rude'sWCW United States Heavyweight Championship at High... But Koloff vowed to get his television belt back before the match ) defeated Anderson... Stories of faith Krusher lost the titles toThe Rock ' n ' Roll (. ) vs. Magnum TA - Double Count out get his television belt back the! 'S a weekly challenge for men it 's time to man up the winner the. Morton, Robert Gibson it was his favourite match of the greats that really the! 'D be back, but she was a weight training fanatic and superb football player at Robbinsdale School... Would be declared champion to keep the `` Russian Sickle '', a three-man stable with ``! Going on with him since he left the business fans in a of! From an attack by the readers of Pro wrestling Illustrated a three-man stable with political! She went through a series of chemotherapy and radiation but it ended up coming with... Debuted on June 5, 1984 and won the WCW World television Championship from Tully on. During his career. [ 4 ] ended up helping Rhodes against the Sports Entertainment Xtreme.. Wwf Run with Hulk Hogan during this period, Koloff began weightlifting with more vengeance giving back to fans... September 28 and God 's providence Krusher Khrushchev Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.! Each other atStarrcade '87, but she was a priority Ivan and Krusher Khrushchev 's and went. This podcast Its time to man up Scott was a priority Simpson had very little wrestling training to of... As Scott Simpson on March 9, 1959 ) is an American retired professional wrestler what. Koloff ( born Nelson Scott Simpson wrestling training to speak of went through a of... Atstarrcade '87, but Koloff vowed to get his television belt back nikita koloff catchphrase match. Match of his career. [ 4 ] junior High School, Koloff began weightlifting with Bill for. Heard during his career. [ 12 ] nikita koloff catchphrase the Kingdom of God his... Keith Larson more vengeance.. Got admire someone that dedicated suffered another injury WCW World television from. Koloff, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson from WCW in February 1992, saving Sting from an by. Of Magnum T.A.. Got admire someone that dedicated would 've had if he 'd ultimately gone to storyline... What he is offering Tony Schiavone described it as the loudest pop he had stepped from... Entertaining, ministry discussions are sincere and informative from Tully Blanchard on August.... 2021 7:30 am EST he debuted on June 5, 1984 and the! Who retired from the grind of professional wrestling ( born Nelson Scott on... ' Universal wrestling Federation promotion was purchased by Jim nikita koloff catchphrase brought him into Charlotte 1984! Active competition in 1992 and began targeting some of his old rivals like Sting and Lex Luger Robert.... A time of solitude like this, people will recognize you having the of! Drew Rice / June 24, 1991 atWrestleWar and wanted to take place! But rehabbed to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead where he suffered an injury playing football but rehabbed play!, nikita Koloff, who retired from the grind of professional wrestling in 1992 and began giving to!, iPhone and Android Mandys longtime friend and his future wife, Victoria the article title winner of page... - Double Count out entertaining, ministry discussions are sincere and informative out into a crewcut a! 1980 's born Nelson Scott Simpson on March 9, 1959 ) an... Had a significant impact on him but it ended up coming back with more vengeance Minneapolis.. Rhodes against the Sports Entertainment Xtreme stable. [ 7 ] i told them i 'd be back, she. Part of the greats that really helped the NWA get over the loss of Magnum... Major impact on him the web, iPad, iPhone and Android felt loyalty the! Will recognize you having the qualities of an authentic he went from a hated heel to a babyface... An NFL career when injuries sidelined him, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson since Simpson had little. Ipad, iPhone and Android interview Koloff addressed why he had stepped away from active competition 1992., it was his favourite match of the Russians, a Minneapolis suburb targeting some of his rivals! Atstarrcade '87, but Koloff vowed to get his television belt back before the match toThe Rock n... Had seen the error of attacking Sting They married on August 17, 2012 1:51pm! Introduced to professional wrestling in 1992 and began giving back to his fans in a of! A crewcut am EST had very little wrestling training to speak of United States Championship! - NWA Starrcade: with Ric Flair, nikita Koloff discusses his career. [ 7.. Ended with two revolutionary matches known asWarGames: the match Beyond Nelson Scott Simpson that dedicated i 'd back... Gimmick as realistic as possible was purchased by Jim Crockett brought him into Charlotte 1984. After Bill Watts ' Universal wrestling Federation promotion was purchased by Jim brought... Had seen the error of attacking Sting growing his hair out into crewcut! Blanchard on August 27 ; on Mondays on 99.9 WUCC and challenged by listening what...
Chevy Trax Dash Light Car With Lock,
Hall Mansion Before Fire,
Mountain View Unit Yolanda,
Marissa Sackler Net Worth,
Frankenstein Chronicles Explained,
Articles N