Former-WWE Star Nikolai Volkoff Has Died
He was 70 years of age.
WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff passed away earlier this morning, days after being released from a Maryland hospital where he had been treated for dehydration. He was 70 years of age.
Volkoff, born Josip Nikolai Peruzovic in Split, Croatia (then Yugoslavia), memorably portrayed an evil Bolshevik across a career spanning just under three decades. Notably, he claimed WWE Tag Team gold alongside fellow foreign menace The Iron Sheik at the first ever WrestleMania, defeating The U.S. Express (Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham) for the straps.
After initially starting out at Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling, Volkoff got his first big break in the industry under the guise of Bepo Mongol for Vince Sr.s WWWF. Paired with Newton 'Geeto Mongol' Tattrie, the duo captured the International Tag Team titles, before Bepo took a sabbatical from the company in 1971.
He returned three years later, assuming the Nikolai Volkoff moniker to battle erstwhile babyface champ Bruno Sammartino. Still billed from Mongolia, Volkoff helped Bruno sell-out arenas all through America's north-east.
After a brief sojourn to Minnesota's AWA, Volkoff made a second return to New York, this time with the hammer and sickle firmly emblazoned on his pysche. It was as the communist terror that Volkoff earned his greatest recognition, prominently featuring at the first three WrestleManias.
The end of the Cold War effectively killed the gimmick, as Volkoff transitioned into a babyface role for the first time in his career. But there was one last heel run left in him, when he was bought up by Ted DiBiase as muscle for his 1995 Million Dollar Corporation.
Volkoff was inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame in 2005.
WhatCulture.com would like to send our condolences to his family and friends.