WWE: US Championship – A Legacy of Greatness DVD Review: 14 Interesting Observations
11. Art Imitating Life
Given that the United States Heavyweight Championship represents the United States of America and all it stands for, having a Russian Sympathizer go after the title at the height of the Cold War was a ballsy move by the NWA.
After Magnum T.A. won the title from Tully Blanchard in an I Quit Steel Cage Match at Starrcade 85, The Russian Nightmare Nikita Koloff challenged America's Heart Throb as the US went head-to-head with the Soviet Union.
The storyline claimed that the Soviet Union sent Koloff over to fight for them, while they were also sending over spies in real life.
A series of matches took place, and with the scores level at three-a-piece the rubber match saw Koloff win at Worldwide in August 1986.
This rivalry went further than the action inside the ring. At a time when many still believe that the pro wrestling business as a whole was real, it was also an incredibly brave move by all concerned.