10 Things You Didn't Know About Nikolai Volkoff

7. His Hilarious Iron Sheik Airport Story

The most consistently fruitful period of Nikolai Volkoff's career in the WWF came when he teamed with The Iron Sheik as Freddie Blassie's foreign connection. Together, Nikolai and Sheik won the WWF Tag-Team Titles by beating The U.S Express at WrestleMania. That 78-day reign is one Volkoff remembered fondly.

Hanging out with Sheik generally was a riot, even away from the ring, as one story he told the Two Man Power Trip Of Wrestling podcast last year attests.

Post-show, Nikolai made his way to the airport himself. Some of Sheik's Iranian friends were in the country, and they were keen to catch up with their WWF superstar mate. Volkoff understood, and (after agreeing to travel alone) the last thing he expected was to see Sheiky baby roll up to the departure lounge 10 minutes before take off in his wrestling gear.

Yes, Sheik was in full grappling garb, including those patented boots with the curled-up toe. He repeatedly shouted, "Stop the plane! Stop the plane!", and his appearance caused quite the commotion. Spotting the potential for disaster, Nikolai stepped in, explained who Sheik was, called him a friend and saved him from being tackled by cops.

Hilarious.