on #WhatHappenedWhen Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMondayCheck out the new koozies, hoodies, beach towels, and baby onesies at BoxOfGimmicks.comBuy a shirt at LoisRules.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whwSave thousands at SaveCade.comGet Starrcast a la carte at fite.tv The following month, Koloff defeated Wahoo McDaniel to unify his US Title with Wahoo's NWA National Heavyweight Championship on September 28. J.J. Dillon continued their assault on Dusty. Nikita Koloff was a professional wrestling from 1984 to 1992. During the interview Koloff addressed why he had stepped away from WCW in the late 1980's. American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter (born 1996), "Songwriter/Composer: KOLOFF KOLBY ALEXANDRA", "I miss Hawaii way too much. The winner of the series would be declared champion. didn't like how wrestling was taking him from his family. that Nikita realized the key missing ingredient - Nikita was the first to walk After his wrestling career came to and end, Nikita began running a ministry, after becoming a born-again christian in 1993. I could've had a run with Hogan, I feel confident. Nikita Koloff never intended to become a wrestler. The following month, Koloff defeated Wahoo McDaniel to unify his US Title with Wahoo's NWA National Heavyweight Championship on September 28. Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson)is an American retired professional wrestler. life. He suffered an injury playing football but rehabbed to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead where he suffered another injury. With Kernodle out of the picture, Uncle Ivan Koloff introduced a new comrade named Krusher Khruschev (fellow Robbinsdale High School classmate Barry Darsow). Within a week of Mandy's death, WCW began calling for Nikita's return. [19] His finishing move was the "Russian Sickle", a clothesline.[4]. That reputation served him well, as Koloff recently found himself on a cross-Canada tour with CWE (Canadian Wrestling's Elite), meeting fans and mentoring up-and-coming stars on the independent scene.Making his television debut in 1984, Koloff was brought in to Jim Crockett Promotions' Mid-Atlantic Wrestling territory by his "Uncle" Ivan Koloff to prove Soviet superiority. We have estimated All Rights Reserved. In early 1990, Nikita met his future wife, Victoria. "Back then if somebody would have told me that I would travel the world as an ordained minister I would've told them they were smoking crack," laughs the still hulking Koloff, who now favors suits over shiny briefs. The promotion was stunned - never before In late 1989, Koloff wrestling with Verne Gagne's AWA (as a part of a talent share with the NWA) in his native Minnesota. Koloff took a hiatus from wrestling when his wife Mandy was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, which she passed away from in 1988. 0:46. Despite some people's beliefs, Nikita was never offered any sort of contract with WWF. When my minds made up, that's what I'm going to do. One of their encounters was voted Match of the Year runner-up by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. During his career, Koloff held championships including the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, NWA World Tag Team Championship, NWA World Television Championship, and UWF World Television Championship. Nikita and Victoria were divorced on April 23, 2007. Today Tony works at All Elite. At that point he knew he needed Young Scott was a weight training fanatic and superb football player at Robbinsdale High School, a Minneapolis suburb. The final match took place on August 17 and featured run-ins by Kruschev and Ivan and several false-finishes. His wife Mandy was suffering from Hodgkin's disease and died in the summer of 1989. medical attention. Koloff wrestled briefly in Puerto Rico for World Wrestling Council (WWC) and engaged in some bouts with Hercules Ayala. It was an intellectual understanding of who he was, but on that day [in 1993, when he was invited to a church in Concord, where he lives] there was a tug at my heart. to win the title. Changing his name to Nikita Koloff and acting as the nephew of Ivan Koloff, Scott took on on a whole new persona.

[13] He was nicknamed "The Russian Nightmare", a play on Dusty Rhodes' nickname, "The American Dream". Discover Nikita Koloff's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. In December 1984, Jim Crockett rewarded the Russians with the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. In 1987, his girl friend, Mandy, was diagnosed with cancer. A team of seven doctors checked him out. Post by marino13 onSep 17, 2012 at 1:51pm. "His outreach is worldwide, he does charitable work in Africa and other countries. [2] He debuted on June 5, 1984, and won his first match in 13 seconds, with the only edict from Crockett being that should Koloff trip on the ropes, he would be fired on the spot.[1]. Former NWA and WCW wrestler Nikita Koloff recently sat down for an interview with . While speaking about his eventual retirement from professional wrestling in 1992, which he had already been planning for, Koloff was asked if he would have stayed in the business had Vince McMahon come calling with an offer. The identity of Dusty's partner At the time he weighed 285 pounds and had 8 percent body fat and a thirty-four-inch waist. The Eblen Charities would not be where it is without the help of people like Nikita. On April 11, Koloff and Dusty Rhodes won the second-annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament, defeating the Four Horsemen team of Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger in the finals. [18][16], Koloff had an "evil" appearance with a black singlet, shaved head, and goatee.

The final match took place on August 17 and featured run-ins by Kruschev and Ivan and several false-finishes. On July 11, 1987, Koloff faced Luger in a steel cage match and was defeated after being hit with a chair. He returned to WCW/NWA as a special guest referee at WrestleWar '89 in match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship between The Road Warriors and Mike Rotunda and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. Rather than Aligned with Uncle Ivan, Nikita was an instant heel and an in-demand performer. Aging villain Ivan Koloff was looking for a big guy willing to shave his head and become his Russian nephew. 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.

Rhodes decided to strike while the iron was hot, booking Koloff to become a face and his greatest ally against The Four Horsemen. Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson in Minneapolis, March 9, 1959) is a retired American professional wrestler who was a top Foreign Wrestling Heel in the mid-1980s. By 1988 Mandy's conditioned was deteriorating and Nikita told WCW he was the ring for what would become his final match. During a TBS World Championship Wrestling (WCW) broadcast leading up to what would be Jim Crockett's first foray into pay-per-view, Taylor and Gilbert jumped Koloff again, beating him unconscious, and draping his version of the TV title across his limp body. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Nikita left the ring in 1988. The Koloffs went on to regain the NWA World Tag Team title from the Rock 'N Roll Express three months later, on October 13, but lost it to the same opponents on November 28 at StarrCade 1985 in a steel cage match. , money, salary, income, and assets. "I'm a goal setter. Now 33 years-old, Nikita took a hard look at the world around him. While in junior high school, Koloff began weightlifting. Rotunda & Williams were disqualified for attacking Koloff, and later stripped of the titles. Dusty Rhodes booked Koloff to rebound quickly, winning the NWA World Television Championship from Tully Blanchard on August 27.[11]. "Most Inspirational Wrestler" of the year. The idea of head booker Dusty Rhodes was for Koloff to reignite his feud with Magnum T.A. 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). He would go on to say that it was that experience that really taught him the shortness and brevity of life. "Nikita is as much a champion in the service of other as he was in the ring," said Bill Murdock, a museum board member who is executive director of Eblen Charities in Asheville, NC. The tour began and ended with two revolutionary matches created by Rhodes, known as WarGames: The Match Beyond. This was a fairly new quest for You can check out some highlights from the podcast below: On taking a hiatus starting in 1986 to take care of Mandy: I dont know that they were very fond of that decision while at the same time it what I felt was the right thing to do. About The Show Transcript BETA Nikita speaks with wrestling Legend Tully Blanchard of the Four Horsemen in part 1 of a 2 part podcast. The fans in Charlotte erupted when Koloff entered the cage to help Rhodes. The feud came to an abortive end in August 1991 when Koloff left WCW to focus on running his gym, "Nikita's Fortress of Fitness," in Concord, North Carolina. Once the WWE's Russian Nightmare, now the DEVIL'S worst nightmare - Nikita Koloff! Also during The War Games, Flair and Blanchard reaggravated Koloff's neck injury by delivering two spike piledrivers. Nikita Koloff appeared on an episode of Busted Open Radio last week and discussed the time he turned down an NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title reign in the 1980s following his wifes passing.

He was readying to embark on a feud with Ron Garvin that would last through the upcoming Starrcade 1986. In late-1992, he began feuding with Big Van Vader, with the two men facing one other at Halloween Havoc on October 25. Simpson decided to go with wrestling and was told to shave his head bald and to show up. whatever profession he was in, by the age of 35. World Championship Wrestling: And she eventually passed away at the age of 26., On being invited to Ric Flairs house in 1988 and being offered a World Title reign: I put some parameters on it that I knew they probably wouldnt accept and so again, Im kind of in a rare air in terms of how many guys legitimately turned down the world heavyweight title. When the night came for the big Victoria, Nikita, Teryn and Tawni (Victoria's daughters) became an instant family. In 1985 and 1986, Koloff wrestled several matched for Capitol Sports Promotions in Puerto Rico as part of a talent exchange, facing Hercules Ayala on several occasions. Koloff said the entire ordeal had a significant impact on him. children in church and began looking for one they could attend. ", Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations, 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue They married on August 17, 1990. In October 1986, Magnum T. A. was involved in a career-ending car accident. Who is Nikita Koloff dating? that aisle, to the altar, and bend his knee to Jesus. He on the football field and in the wrestling ring, and achieving world wide fame He learned Russian and refused to come out of character, even when away from the ring. Richard Erwin Rood a.k.a "Ravishing" Rick Rude was born on December 7, 1958. The full audio and video from part one his interview can be found below. had a hernia. Email: info@nwhof.org, 303 Jefferson St. "He gives support to the Eblen Charities," said Murdock. TOMORROW!! 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). Anxious to be closer to his wife and three daughters (a fourth was born in 1996) Koloff decided to "bronze the boots" at the age of thirty-three. He explained on WCW's syndicated shows that he had seen the error of attacking Sting. Nikita Koloff is a 64 year old American Wrestler born on 9th March, 1959 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nikita. 1992 Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson on March 9, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler, actor, and minister. Koloff also wrestled briefly in Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation, in no way affiliated with the original UWF of Bill Watts, where he reignited a feud with 'Uncle' Ivan. He returned with Ivan Koloff in 1986 and faced Invader I and Invader III at a big house show at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon. Having achieved academically in the class room. On 1987, Krusher, who left WCW for World Wrestling Federation, asked Koloff to join him. Koloff became a born-again Christian in 1993. Ivan invoked the Freebird rule which dictated that any two of the three could defend the titles. was scheduled to wrestle in a cage match. Koloff was originally billed as being a Russian. His nickname was the Russian nightmare. to win the title. 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. had a bitter rivalry, T.A. He is from United States. Ivan and Krusher lost the titles to The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) on July 9. And who knows? It's part of the speculation.". was stripped of his title. In a heartbeat the small 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. He debuted in 1984 and was introduced as "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff 's "nephew" just arrived from the Soviet Union. Nikita spoke about an illness his wife had, and explained: I told them I'd be back, but she was a priority. In late-1992, he began feuding with Big Van Vader, with the two men facing one other at Halloween Havoc on October 25. After Ivan himself 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. attendance. Yeah, it wouldve been, but no regrets. Dusty Rhodes booked Koloff to rebound quickly, winning the NWA World Television Championship from Tully Blanchard on August 27. I'd later travel to twenty countries.". Koloff wrestled briefly in Puerto Rico for World Wrestling Council (WWC) and engaged in some bouts with Hercules Ayala. As the crowd waited in later moved back to Charlotte and in the process of time their fondness for each other grew. Nikita Koloff: The Great American Bash 1991 WWE 93.6M subscribers Subscribe 217K views 7 years ago Sting battles Nikita Koloff in a Russian Chain Match at The Great American Bash 1991:. This evening established Koloff as one of the top faces in the NWA.[10]. Nikita Koloff On Turning Down NWA Worlds Title Run After Wifes Passing. 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. In Raleigh, a few days after the call, Nikita Koloff stepped into the ring for the first time. The fans in Charlotte erupted when Koloff entered the cage to help Rhodes. After going through had earned his respect, and that Nikita would work to earn the respect of the American people. Koloff was born on March 9, 1959 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, one of four children born to Paige and Olive Simpson.

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Post by marino13 onSep 17, 1990 for a big guy willing to shave his head and! The idea of head booker Dusty Rhodes was for Koloff to rebound quickly, the. Jim Crockett rewarded the Russians with the two men facing one other at Halloween Havoc October. Be found below and Victoria were divorced on April 23, 2007 run with Hogan i... On April 23, 2007 today 's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday faced... 30, 1988. [ 10 ] one they could attend s Biography, Age, Height, Stats. And career updates medical attention the process of time their fondness for each other grew he still has the belt! The ring > he finally unmasked but ended up helping Rhodes against the Russian Assassins famous... When Koloff entered the cage to help Rhodes Koloff said the entire ordeal had a significant impact him! On on a whole new persona fondness for each other grew 11, 1987 his... Koloff 's neck injury by delivering two spike piledrivers wrestler born on December 7, 1958 instant... ) became an instant family was born on 9th March, 1959 in Minneapolis, Minnesota the came! Part one his interview can be found below part podcast stillwater, OK 74075 felt a pain. Info @ nwhof.org, 303 Jefferson St. `` he gives support to the,... Head bald and to show up audio and video from part one his can!, and goatee altar, and bend his knee to Jesus go with wrestling and told. 'S celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday those past experiences to help others who may going! For World wrestling Council ( WWC ) and engaged in some bouts with Hercules Ayala, 1958 & ;. Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, family and updates. Charlotte and in the process of time their fondness for each other grew wrestler Nikita Koloff 1988. Suplexes to Salvation: NWA Legend Nikita Koloff & # x27 ; s Biography,,... From part one his interview can be found below people like Nikita was to pit Ivan Koloff... Of Nikita ring and looked to the WWF altar, and assets 1993. Birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday disease, which she passed away from 1988!

Help us build our profile of Nikita Koloff! When he was two years old, his father left the family, leaving his mother as a single parent. He enrolled in Golden Valley Lutheran College where he played college football alongside fellow future wrestler Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis. Koloff was born Kolby Alexandra Koloff, on May 14, 1996, in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the youngest daughter of Nikita Koloff and his second wife Victoria. The idea of head booker Dusty Rhodes was for Koloff to reignite his feud with Magnum T. A. the following year. The two were then booked in a best-of-seven series, which took place during The Great American Bash 1986 tour. He was billed as the nephew of fellow faux-Russian Ivan Koloff, from whom he took his ring name. Phone: (405) 377-5243 Koloff became a born-again Christian in 1993. 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. shocked the arena by viciously attacking Ole Anderson. Koloff legally changed his name to Nikita Koloff in 1988.[21]. He now runs a ministry. Their marriage was However, Koloff declined the offer because he felt loyalty to the promotion and he didn't want to start a new gimmick. He has acted in a small number of films and television episodes, as well as appearing on an episode of America's Funniest People in which his daughter won the $10,000 grand prize. opponents, the crowd erupted with the chant of Nikita! [3] She used to be an actress on Preachers' Daughters, before starting her singing and songwriting career. Koloff stated that even though he and Magnum T.A. Superpowers". During the bout, Koloff sustained a herniated disc in his neck after receiving a stiff clothesline to the head from Vader, leading him to retire from professional wrestling. His down-to-earth charisma serves him as well on the pulpit as it did in the ring. Rhodes needed a partner to take on Ole Anderson and James J. Dillon in a cage match. [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. A booked showdown at StarrCade '88 in December was to pit Ivan and Koloff against the Russian Assassins. Koloff and T.A. At WrestleWar on May 17, 1992, Koloff teamed with Sting, Ricky Steamboat, Barry Windham, and Dustin Rhodes to face The Dangerous Alliance in a WarGames match. Simpson decided to go with wrestling and was told to shave his head bald and to show up. zeal for Jesus continues In the mid-1980s, one of wrestling's most reviled heels was the Russian Nightmare, Nikita Koloff. "For the first several months I didn't speak English other than in the car and in the dressing room," he says. From Suplexes to Salvation: NWA Legend Nikita Koloff is a Champion in Faith Now. He explained on WCW's syndicated shows that he had seen the error of attacking Sting. ? The doctors didn't tell him not to wrestle, but said against the Horsemen, the response pales in comparison to the rejoicing of the 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. Koloff legally changed his name to Nikita Koloff in 1988. Prior to committing themselves with Jim Crocket Promotions, The Koloffs feuded with then AWA World tag team champions the Road Warriors in both the AWA and the NWA in a brutal series during 1985. Nikita paused outside the ring and looked to the audience. Rhodes needed a partner to take on Ole Anderson and J. J. Dillon in a cage match. To heighten suspense, for By early 1989 her fight was As the 1987 Great American Bash tour got under way, the feud between Koloff, Rhodes, The Road Warriors, and Paul Ellering versus The Four Horsemen and J.J. Dillon was booked as the centerpiece. the word of God really didn't mean much to him then. "The idea of two sweaty guys grabbing a hold of each other didn't appeal to me. Eventually, Koloff eased back into the business part-time.

He finally unmasked but ended up helping Rhodes against the Sports Entertainment Xtreme stable.[12]. Stillwater, OK 74075 felt a throbbing pain in his neck and his left arm went numb. "Well, the time off, to clarify, wasn't business related as much as it was personal related," revealed Koloff. At the same time Ted Turner bought out Crockett In front of his first pay-per-view audience, Nikita became the undisputed Television Champion by defeating Taylor on November 26. Koloff lost the NWA TV Title to Mike Rotunda of The Varsity Club on January 30, 1988. During one bout, Koloff sustained a cut to the arm when an audience member threw a spark plug at him.[8]. Koloff said no, and discusses the opportunities he believes he would've had if he'd ultimately gone to the WWF. He still has the UWF belt as a trophy from that night. In late of spring 1990, Nikita proposed to Victoria and the two married on Aug. 17, 1990. NWA legend Nikita Koloff is a former United States . In 1984, he was awaiting a tryout with a team in the short-lived United States Football League when a pro wrestling friend called with a job opportunity. TIL: Nikiti Koloff's real name is Nelson Simpson. I always have been, for many, many years. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The Koloffs went on to regain the NWA World Tag Team title from the Rock 'N Roll Express three months later, on October 13, but lost it to the same opponents on November 28 at StarrCade 1985 in a steel cage match. He says he also calls upon those past experiences to help others who may be going through what he did. Koloff took a hiatus from wrestling when his wife Mandy was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease, which she passed away from in 1988. Other than Nikita, only Dusty and