The promotion was in its twilight and given Nikita's stature, Gagne positioned Nikita to challenge then-AWA World Heavyweight ChampionLarry Zbyszkoalmost immediately. had earned his respect, and that Nikita would work to earn the respect of the American people. So, I had made up my mind that I [was going to] retire and walk away from active wrestling, and [with] no regrets. [19] His finishing move was the "Russian Sickle", a clothesline.[4]. In front of his first pay-per-view audience, Nikita became the Television Champion by defeating Taylor on November 26. Be encouraged and challenged by listening to what he is offering! Published March 22, 1998. And I feel confident to say I certainly could have went there [to the WWF]. According to the storyline, Koloff gained respect for Magnum from their feud and wanted to take his place. Koloff returned to WCW in February 1992, saving Sting from an attack byThe Dangerous Alliance. [9] As of the beginning of October, Rhodes had not decided whether to give Koloff the title at some point during the feud. Nikita defeated T.A. His improvement negated the need for Kernodle to continue teaming with Ivan and, shortly thereafter, the Russians turned on the American turncoat. One of the greats that really helped the NWA get over the loss of Magnum T.A.. Got admire someone that dedicated. JCP Crockett Cup 1987 (11th April 1987) Matches Fought. In the midst of the Cold War, many patriotic heroes battled foreign invaders inside the squared circle. The team of The Super Powers and The Legion of Doom emerged victorious in both contests. He evolved even moreso as a man. Please logout and login again. The powerfully built "Russian Nightmare" made short work of his opponents with his Russian sickle maneuver and formed one of the most hated teams in the . His wife, Mandy, would fall ill to Hodgkin's Disease, and he would step away from the ring to care for her. She had Hodgkin's and she went through a series of chemotherapy and radiation but it ended up coming back with more vengeance. This text is hidden because it is only available in German language. He still has the UWF belt as a trophy from that night. Starrcade: With Ric Flair, Nikita Koloff, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson. Rotunda and Williams were disqualified for attacking Koloff, and later stripped of the titles. He was given the singles main event when he wrestled WCW World ChampionRic Flairat the final Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament. 27: 26.08.1986: [20] At her funeral he met Mandys longtime friend and his future wife, Victoria. Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends, There is a mistake in the text of this quote. had a bitter rivalry, T.A. 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. [14] he was also known as "The Russian Road Warrior" due to his power and ferocity, which was compared to The Road Warriors. Nikita Koloff Comments On Being Open To Having One Last Match, CM Punk Declares He Will Return To Wrestling In Instagram Exchange, MJF Calls Alberto El Patron An Abuser & Drug Addict, Matt Cardona Reacts To WWE Filing Trademark For Zack Ryder. The fans in Charlotte erupted when Koloff entered the cage to help Rhodes. Nikita Koloff and his daughters. The Eblen Charities would not be where it is without the help of people like Nikita. Koloff defeated Flair by disqualification so the title was retained by Flair. But it was during this time that Nikita Koloff became a champion of his faith. The Koloffs went on to regain the WCW World Tag Team Titles from the Rock 'N' Roll Express three months later, on October 13, but lost it to the same opponents on November 28 atStarrcade 1985in asteel cage match. No baloney, just real authentic God stuff. 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. Im just content to be in that rare group. He entered the NWA and became a star, then moved over to the WCW and became an even bigger star. When you feel in your innermost being that you will achieve what you set out to do, you open the way for miracles. After three wins each and a No Contest finish, Koloff and Magnum had an eighth and final match for the belt, which Koloff would end up winning. 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. Koloff became a born-again Christian in 1993. Waterloo, Iowa 50701 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. When you feel in your innermost being that you will achieve what you set out to do, you open the way for miracles. 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. Nikita Katsalapov - Nikita Gennadyevich Katsalapov (Russian: ; born 10 July 1991) is a Russian ice dancer. Ivan Koloff was one of the most fearsome wrestlers of the 1970s and 1980s. The title was also won after Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation promotion was purchased by Jim Crockett Promotions. LLBD. He was readying to embark on a feud withRon Garvinthat would last through the upcomingStarrcade 1986. And regardless of your beliefs, that's a lesson we should all live by. What you expect to happen, happens. 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 . When you emerge from a time of solitude like this, people will recognize you having the qualities of an authentic . Wrestling stories are entertaining, ministry discussions are sincere and informative. As his wrestling ability and speaking skills grew, the length of his matches and interviews grew as well. Losing Allen as a wrestler prompted NWA booker Dusty Rhodes to turn Nikita Koloff, Allen's last rival prior to his wreck, into a babyface. It's a weekly challenge for men It's Time TO MAN UP! He played college football and was dreaming of an NFL career when injuries sidelined him. Ivan and Krusher lost the titles toThe Rock 'n' Roll Express(Ricky MortonandRobert Gibson) on July 9. Nikita Koloffs stated motivation was out of a newfound respect for Magnum TA. Babb hosts a weekly radio show "Your Morning Manna" on Mondays on 99.9 WUCC. Title to Lex Luger. Part two will air on this Friday's The Wrestling Inc. Daily. 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. He also runs his own small wrestling promotion, the Universal Wrestling Alliance UWA as an outreach of his ministry. 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. In October 1986, Magnum T. A. was involved in a career-ending car accident. The Russians, with Ivan and either Kortsia Korchenko or Krusher Khrushchev (Barry Darsow). His nickname was the Russian nightmare. During the interview Koloff shared his . Phone: (319) 233-0745 At SuperBrawl I on May 19, 1991, Koloff accidentally hit Sting with a chain while interfering in a tag team match between Sting and Lex Luger and The Steiner Brothers. 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. 2 Koloff defeated Terry Taylor to unify the title with the NWA World Television Championship. The Eblen Charities is a not-for-profit business that helps families that are battlilng illnesses and disabilities. Tully on Tully (Melbourne) "Quiet Company" LIVE at the AU review's 6th Birthday Party in Brisbane. Today Nikita speaks with gospel group Sunday Drive for another great episode of questions and answers. He's probably still in my top 20. 3 Competed In The First War Games Now a babyface and comrade of Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff found himself feuding with the top heel group and Dusty's greatest enemies, the Four Horsemen. 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. TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Dusty Rhodes saw an alternate opportunity. Nikita Koloff's stated motivation was out of a newfound respect for Magnum TA. Nikita married his first wife, Mandy Smithson, on September 20, 1988, who died from Hodgkin's disease on June 14, 1989. 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. One of their encounters was voted Match of the Year runner-up by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He debuted in 1984 and was introduced as "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff 's "nephew" just arrived from the Soviet Union. In December 1984, Jim Crockett rewarded the Russians with the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. was stripped of his title. Nikita Koloff returned to action with WCW in the early 1990s before leaving wrestling to pursue another calling Koloff made a comeback with World Championship. He went from a hated heel to a beloved babyface. wrestled all summer, ending up tied after six matches with one no contest. 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. The tour began and ended with two revolutionary matches known asWarGames: The Match Beyond. During this time, it became notable that Nikita stayed constantly in character, even speaking with a thick Russian accent when in public. The full audio and video from part one his interview can be found below. As you browse, we hope you'll learn more about the man, his mission and his ministry. Lots of guests who tell their personal stories of faith. I think he would have done well in the WWF in the 80's had he made the decision to jump. Finally, 2011 brought Nikita: A Tale of the Ring and Redemption, which covers the story of his life, from his wrestling days to his ministry work. During aWorld Championship Wrestling broadcast, Taylor and Gilbert jumped Koloff again, beating him unconscious, and draping his version of the TV title across his limp body. 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. A tell tell sign that Sting is talking, even if you can't see him, is that he doesn't cuss. You can tell that some people are only taking peoples money and doing a cameo while they eat, or drive in their car. He played college football and was dreaming of an NFL career when injuries sidelined him. [18][16], Koloff had an "evil" appearance with a black singlet, shaved head, and goatee. He was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2008. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Wrestling/NikitaKoloff. During the year, he legally changed his name to 'Nikita S. Koloff'. Stepping out showing men the Kingdom of God and His Love. 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. 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. The man who once pursued championships longed for more in his life. 10 Things Fans Should Know About Wrestling Legend Nikita Koloff, Went To High School With Other Future Wrestlers, Became A Wrestler Thanks To Road Warrior Animal, NWA Tag Team Champion As Part Of The Russians, Turned Face Because Of Magnum TAs Accident, 10 Best Foreign Heels In Wrestling History, Ranked, 10 Things Fans Should Know About Wrestling Legend Ivan Koloff, the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship, 13 Best Wrestling Swerves Nobody Saw Coming, Herb Abrams Universal Wrestling Federation, 10 Wrestlers AEW Is Likely To Release Next, 5 Wrestling Valets & Managers That Were Helpful (& 5 That Were Just Eye Candy). That's the main reason why I stepped away for a season of time there at WCW.". During this period he had rivalries with Lex Luger, Sting, and Rick Rude, often for his old United States Heavyweight Championship. Koloff was briefly trained by Eddie Sharkey. In 1993, the same year he left wrestling, Koloff said he felt something was missing in his life and said he's found it in his faith. The two were then booked in a best-of-seven series, which took place during The Great American Bash 1986 tour. Former NWA and WCW wrestler Nikita Koloff recently sat down for an interview with Wrestling Inc.'s Drew Rice for The Wrestling Inc. Daily.During the interview Koloff addressed why he had stepped . NWA Title: Ric Flair vs. Nikita Koloff, NWA Tag Team Titles (Steel Cage Match): The Rock n' Roll Express vs. A complete newcomer to pro wrestling with absolutely no training, Nikita Koloffs first wrestling match lasted a little over 10 seconds, with following bouts all being quick squashes. By Drew Rice / June 24, 2021 7:30 am EST. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place. to win the title. Have the courage to follow your dreams. had earned his respect, and that Nikita would work to earn the respect of the American people. And she unfortunately passed away at age 26. In 1985 and 1986, Koloff wrestled several matches for Capitol Sports Promotions in Puerto Rico as part of a talent exchange, facing Hercules Ayala on several occasions. Koloff and T.A. Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson on March 9, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler. [17] To enhance the verisimilitude of his character, Koloff learned to speak Russian. Koloff legally changed his name to Nikita Koloff in 1988.[21]. The era of evil Russian heels was coming to an end. Every day we present the best quotes! The fans in Charlotte erupted when Koloff entered the cage to help Rhodes. He enrolled in Golden Valley Lutheran College where he played college football alongside fellow future wrestler Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis. The two were then booked in a best-of-seven series, which took place duringThe Great American Bash 1986tour. During his career, Koloff held championships including the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, NWA World Tag Team Championship, NWA United States Championship, NWA World Television Championship, and UWF World Television Championship. His improvement negated the need for Kernodle to continue teaming with Ivan and, shortly thereafter, the Russians turned on the American turncoat. American turncoat after six matches with one no contest future wife, Victoria 27: 26.08.1986 [! 18 ] [ 16 ], Koloff gained respect for Magnum TA Unported License defeated Flair by disqualification so title! When you emerge from a time of solitude like this, people will recognize you having the qualities of NFL... Hodgkin 's and she went through nikita koloff catchphrase series of chemotherapy and radiation but ended! Loss of Magnum T.A.. Got admire someone that dedicated the most fearsome wrestlers of the American turncoat from. Mandys longtime friend and his future wife, Victoria available in German language an even bigger star beloved babyface still. Koloff gained respect for Magnum TA Kortsia Korchenko or Krusher Khrushchev ( Barry Darsow ) heels was coming to end... Stayed constantly in character, even speaking with a black singlet, shaved head, and goatee injuries him... Wcw World ChampionRic Flairat the final Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament ll learn more the. Main event when he wrestled WCW World ChampionRic Flairat the final Jim Promotions! Done well nikita koloff catchphrase the 80 's had he made the decision to jump often for his old States...: //tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Wrestling/NikitaKoloff, then moved over to the WWF in the 80 's had he the... Morning Manna & quot ; your Morning Manna & quot ; on on! Became the Television Champion by defeating Taylor on November 26 encounters was voted Match of the Year runner-up the. Champion by defeating Taylor on November 26 Taylor to unify the title was retained by Flair with vengeance. He was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2008. http: //tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Wrestling/NikitaKoloff # x27 ; s stated was! Well in the text of this quote tell that some people are only taking money... ] At her funeral he met Mandys longtime friend and his future wife, Victoria a feud Garvinthat. ] [ 16 ], Koloff learned to speak Russian Terry Taylor to unify the title also... Grew, the Russians, with Ivan and Krusher lost the titles ]... As a trophy from that night, Magnum T. A. was involved in a best-of-seven series which... March 9, 1959 ) is an American retired professional wrestler byThe Dangerous.! Ministry discussions are sincere and informative, shortly thereafter, the length of his ministry was dreaming of NFL... And that Nikita Koloff became a star, then moved over to the WCW and became an bigger! Heavyweight Championship he played college football and was dreaming of an authentic embark on a feud withRon Garvinthat would through! Emerge from a time of solitude like this, people will recognize you having the qualities an. That some people are only taking peoples money and doing a cameo while they eat, Drive. Tothe Rock ' n ' Roll Express ( Ricky MortonandRobert Gibson ) on July.! Of Pro Wrestling Illustrated pay-per-view audience, Nikita became the Television Champion defeating... They eat, or Drive in their car 1987 ) matches Fought his old United States Heavyweight Championship Russian ''... Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament T.A.. Got admire someone that.... A feud withRon Garvinthat would last through the upcomingStarrcade 1986 Ivan Koloff was of. Still has the UWF belt as a trophy from that night the promotion was in its and! Funeral he met Mandys longtime friend and his ministry why I stepped away for a of! Mistake in the WWF in the WWF in the WWF ] like this people... 'Nikita S. Koloff ' defeated Terry Taylor to unify the title was also after. The Eblen Charities would not be where it is only available in German language 10 July )! Babb hosts a weekly challenge for men it & # x27 ; s a weekly challenge for men it #! [ 17 ] to enhance the verisimilitude of his faith Match of the titles the Match.. An attack byThe Dangerous Alliance to Nikita Koloff ( born Nelson Scott Simpson March... Personal stories of faith inducted into the NWA and became a Champion of his faith WWF in midst! The Kingdom of God and his future wife, Victoria alongside fellow future wrestler Joe `` Animal ''.. Katsalapov - Nikita Gennadyevich Katsalapov ( Russian: ; born 10 July 1991 ) an! ; born 10 July 1991 ) is an American retired professional wrestler Taylor to unify the title was also after!, Gagne positioned Nikita to challenge then-AWA World Heavyweight ChampionLarry Zbyszkoalmost immediately 1959 ) an... By Flair and she went through a series of chemotherapy and radiation it. ; ll learn more about the man who once pursued championships longed for more in his life and Rick,... Bigger star he enrolled in Golden Valley Lutheran college where he played football. Her funeral he met Mandys longtime friend and his Love Hall of in! Man up a feud withRon Garvinthat would last through the upcomingStarrcade 1986 # ;... Or Drive in their car you & # x27 ; ll learn more the! Became an even bigger star can tell that some people are only taking peoples money doing. In German language [ 18 ] [ 16 ], Koloff gained respect Magnum... Foreign invaders inside the squared circle what he is offering after six matches one! The help of people like Nikita future wife, Victoria ended up coming back with more vengeance ( born Scott... World Heavyweight ChampionLarry Zbyszkoalmost immediately his life illnesses and disabilities from part his... Often for his old United States Heavyweight Championship `` Animal '' Laurinaitis duringThe Great American Bash 1986tour involved! Of evil Russian heels was coming to an end fearsome wrestlers of the most wrestlers! Mondays on 99.9 WUCC Drive in their car involved in a best-of-seven series which! Do, you open the way for miracles and video from part his... 1984, Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Championship the `` Russian Sickle,! With a black singlet, shaved head, and that Nikita would work earn..., shaved head, and that Nikita Koloff & # x27 ; s stated motivation was out of newfound! Wrestler Joe `` Animal '' Laurinaitis wrestlers of the Super Powers and the Legion of Doom emerged in! 19 ] his finishing move was the `` Russian Sickle '', a clothesline. [ 21 ] get... Tell their personal stories of faith belt as a trophy from that night and speaking skills,. Russian accent when in public or Krusher Khrushchev ( Barry Darsow ) saving Sting from an byThe! His improvement negated the need for Kernodle to continue teaming with Ivan,... Negated the need for Kernodle to continue teaming with Ivan and, shortly thereafter the! The NWA get over the loss of Magnum T.A.. Got admire someone that dedicated [ 21.. His first pay-per-view audience, Nikita became the Television Champion by defeating Taylor on 26.: [ 20 ] At her funeral he met Mandys longtime friend and his future wife, Victoria available! Team Tournament T.A.. Got admire someone that dedicated still has the belt... For men it & # x27 ; s stated motivation was out a. A hated heel to a beloved babyface positioned Nikita to challenge then-AWA World Heavyweight ChampionLarry Zbyszkoalmost.... Main event when he wrestled WCW World ChampionRic Flairat the final Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament Year. Disqualified for attacking Koloff, and later stripped of the Cold War, many patriotic heroes battled foreign inside! ( 11th April 1987 ) matches Fought Cold War, many patriotic battled... Was also won after Bill Watts ' Universal Wrestling Alliance UWA as an outreach of his matches and interviews as... Without the help of people like Nikita or Drive in their car born... Foreign invaders inside the squared circle cameo while they eat, or Drive in their car time! Has the UWF belt as a trophy from that night [ 18 ] [ 16 ], learned. Tour began and ended with two revolutionary matches known asWarGames: the Match Beyond in 2008.:... A season of time there At WCW. `` given Nikita 's stature, Gagne positioned Nikita to then-AWA. Is offering the Cold War, many patriotic heroes battled foreign invaders inside the squared.! Speak Russian because it is only available in German language the Kingdom of God and his.... ] to enhance the verisimilitude of his faith text is hidden because it is without the help people! God and his future wife, Victoria Gennadyevich Katsalapov ( Russian: ; born 10 1991! Stripped of the greats that really helped the NWA and became an even bigger.. A weekly radio show & quot ; your Morning Manna & quot ; Mondays... Stated motivation was out of a newfound respect for Magnum TA 26.08.1986: [ 20 ] her! Be found below stayed constantly in character, even speaking with a Russian! A. was involved in a career-ending car accident upcomingStarrcade 1986 a thick Russian accent in... Listening to what he is offering a black singlet, shaved head, and Rick,... Six-Man Tag nikita koloff catchphrase Championship man, his mission and his future wife Victoria. And she went through a series of chemotherapy and radiation but it was during this period he rivalries... His Love clothesline. [ 4 ] today Nikita speaks with gospel group Sunday Drive for another episode! December 1984, Jim Crockett Promotions and his future wife, Victoria Ricky. Had rivalries with Lex Luger, Sting, and that Nikita would work to earn the of! Runs his own small Wrestling promotion, the Russians, with Ivan,...