Josip Peruzović
Statistics
Ring name(s)	Nikolai Volkoff Bepo Mongol Boris Breznikoff
Billed height	188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Billed weight	143 kg (315 lb)
Born	October 14, 1947 (1947-10-14) (age 59) Croatia, (then Yugoslavia)
Resides	Glen Arm, Maryland
Billed from	Moscow, USSR
Debut	1967

Nikolai Volkoff (born Josip Peruzović in October 14, 1947) is a professional wrestler who is best known for his performances for the World Wrestling Federation. Although he portrayed a Russian as a wrestler, he originated from Croatia then Yugoslavia and had a mixed background which was not entirely Russian. Image File history File links Flag_of_Croatia. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in the Latin alphabet, Југославија in Cyrillic; English: South Slavia, or literary The Land of South Slavs) describes three political entities that existed one at a time on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century. ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the video game, see Pro Wrestling (video game). ... World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ... Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in the Latin alphabet, Југославија in Cyrillic; English: South Slavia, or literary The Land of South Slavs) describes three political entities that existed one at a time on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century. ...

Career

Peruzović grew up in Croatia, which was then part of the former Yugoslavia, a Communist country. His mother is Russian and his father was Croatian and Italian. He was on the Yugoslavian weightlifting team until 1967, when he defected to Canada while at a weightlifting tournament in Vienna, Austria. He received training in Calgary from the legendary Stu Hart, followed by his arrival in the United States in 1970. Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a classless, stateless social organization based on common ownership of the means of production. ... A weightlifter about to jerk 180 kg[1] Weightlifting is a sport in which competitors attempt to lift heavy weights mounted on steel bars called barbells, the execution of which is a combination of power, flexibility, technique, mental and physical strength. ... “Wien” redirects here. ... This article is about the Canadian city. ... Stewart Edward Stu Hart, CM (May 3, 1915 – October 16, 2003) was a Canadian amateur wrestler, professional wrestler, promoter and trainer. ...

As soon as he arrived, he began wrestling in the WWWF. Wrestling as Bepo Mongol, managed by Captain Lou Albano and partnered with Geto Mongol, he captured the WWWF International Tag Team Titles from Tony Marino and Victor Rivera on June 15, 1970. After losing the titles to Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler in a match that unified the WWWF International and WWWF World Tag Team Titles, Peruzovic went on to singles competition under the name Nikolai Volkoff. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ... Louis Albano (born July 29, 1933 in Carmel, New York), better known as Captain Lou, is an American professional wrestler and manager. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Grady Johnson, better known as professional wrestler Crazy Luke Graham, is a member of the legendary Graham family, a storyline family of wrestlers. ... Camille Tourville is a former professional wrestler better known as Tarzan Tyler. ... This article is about the tag team championship that is currently defended on the RAW brand of WWE. For SmackDown!s tag team championship, see WWE Tag Team Championship. ...

In 1974, he had what he considers to be the most memorable match of his life when he sold out Madison Square Garden wrestling against Bruno Sammartino. Volkoff chased the WWWF title for the majority of his early career and was always given a considerable amount of title shots from whoever was the current WWWF Champion. Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, known colloquially simply as The Garden, has been the name of four arenas in New York City, United States. ... Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino (born October 6, 1935), is a former professional wrestler, best known for being the longest-running champion of the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), holding the title across two reigns for over 12 years in total, as well as the longest World Heavyweight Championship reign in...

Late in 1974, Volkoff moved to the AWA where he wrestled under the name of Boris Breznikoff; managed by Bobby Heenan, he used the same gimmick with a different ring name. He reverted back to the Volkoff name in his WWWF return in 1976. Bobby The Brain Heenan (born Raymond Louis Heenan on November 1, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former American professional wrestling manager and commentator. ...

In the early 1980s, Volkoff wrestled for Cowboy Bill Watts in the Mid South region. In 1984, Volkoff returned to the now WWF and teamed with the Iron Sheik. They captured the WWF Tag Team Championship from The US Express (Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham) at WrestleMania I, on March 31, 1985. After losing the titles back to Rotundo and Windham three months later, Volkoff began to wrestle more in singles competition. He most notably feuded with Corporal Kirschner. According to the Sheik, their friendship ended over $2. Allegedly, Sheik wanted to tip a "welfare man" who helped transport them to the Las Vegas airport, but only had $100 bills. He asked Nikolai for $2.00, and Nikolai refused.[1] Bill Watts, (born May 5, 1939 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), is a former American professional wrestler and promoter. ... This article is about the year. ... Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (حسین خسرو وزیری), (born March 15, 1943 in Tehran, Iran) is a retired Iranian professional wrestler better known by his ring name The Iron Sheik. ... This article is about the tag team championship that is currently defended on the RAW brand of WWE. For SmackDown!s tag team championship, see WWE Tag Team Championship. ... The US Express was a professional wrestling tag-team made up of Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham. ... Lawrence Michael (Mike) Rotunda (born March 30, 1958), also known as Captain Mike Rotundo and Irwin R. Schyster, is a former American professional wrestler. ... Barry Windham (born July 4, 1960, Sweetwater, Texas) is a professional wrestler and the son of the infamous heel wrestler Blackjack Mulligan. ... WrestleMania (chronologically known as WrestleMania I) was the first WrestleMania professional wrestling event from the World Wrestling Federation, which took place on March 31, 1985 in New York, New York at the world-famous Madison Square Garden. ... March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (91st in leap years), with 275 days remaining. ... This article is about the year. ... Michael Kirchner (born September 7, 1957) is a former professional wrestler who is most remembered for his characters Corporal Kirchner (in the WWF) and Leatherface (in various Japanese promotions). ...

In late 1987, Volkoff was teamed with Boris Zukhov, another alleged Russian (actually an American), to form The Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks never held any titles together, and are perhaps best remembered for being defeated in 19 seconds by The Hart Foundation at WrestleMania VI. Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Bolsheviks were a tag team in the World Wrestling Federation from late 1987 until the spring of 1990. ... The Hart Foundation was a collective name used by various stables in the World Wrestling Federation. ... WrestleMania VI was the sixth WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event and the first to be held outside of the U.S. It took place on April 1, 1990 at the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario with an announced attendance of 67,678. ...

During the Cold War period, Volkoff played a communist villain who was one of the most hated men in professional wrestling. His act included angering fans by insulting America and singing the "Russian National Anthem" before each match. Although Peruzovic had originally sought to be the "good guy," he had a stellar career as one of the top "bad guys" in the business. With the Cold War ending, Peruzovic finally got his wish and was allowed to transform himself into the "good guy" he always wanted to be. Stated Peruzovic to his managers, "I told them, communism is over. I did my job. No more bad guy." For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a classless, stateless social organization based on common ownership of the means of production. ... In professional wrestling, a face or babyface is a character who is portrayed as heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analagous to villains. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In 1990, when The Bolsheviks split up, Volkoff became a fan favorite for the first time in his career. His gimmick was now that of a proud naturalized American citizen; this led to a feud with Sgt. Slaughter, who had recently began an Iraqi sympathizer gimmick. After this feud was over, Volkoff's popularity declined and he left WWF in 1992. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... This article is about the wrestler Robert Remus. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

In 1994, Volkoff again returned to the WWF and became a sympathetic heel by playing the whipping-boy of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation. Volkoff had (kayfabe) fallen on hard times and was forced to take a job working for Ted DiBiase and his new Corporation. As low man in the group he was forced to wrestle matches no one else wanted to or sent out to "soften up" opponents for other members of the stable as the sacrificial lamb of the group. The disrespect even extended to renaming him "Nickel & Dime" Volkoff and DiBiase forcing him to place a ¢ on his trunks where the Russian Sickle once was along with a sign on his ring attire that read "Property Of The Million Dollar Man". Following this last run in the WWF, Volkoff entered a semi-retirement. Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Million Dollar Corporation was a heel stable in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from April 1994 to May 1996 and was led and managed by the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase. ... In professional wrestling, kayfabe (pronounced KAY-fayb; IPA: ) refers to the portrayal of events within the industry as real, that is the portrayal of professional wrestling as not staged or worked. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ...

On February 3, 2005, Volkoff was announced as one of the inductees for the Class of 2005 into the WWE Hall of Fame. He was inducted on April 2, 2005 by Jim Ross in the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California. is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... WWE Hall of Fame logo, 2004-present. ... is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Gibson (formerly Universal) Amphitheatre is a theater located in Universal City, California, USA. It was originally built in 1972 as an outdoor venue, but was remodeled and converted into an indoor theater in 1982. ... Los Angeles and L.A. redirect here. ...

In 2006, Volkoff took part in the World Wrestling Legends pay-per-view 6:05 The Reunion. Managed by The Iron Sheik, he wrestled a match against "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. Before the match, he once again sang the national anthem of the Soviet Union and riled up the crowd. World Wrestling Legends (WWL) is a professional wrestling promotion that was founded by WrestleReunion coordinator Sal Corrente. ... James Stuart Duggan (born January 14, 1954), better known by his ring name Hacksaw Jim Duggan, is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its RAW brand. ...

Volkoff made his first appearance on WWE television in over 2 years on the August 13, 2007 edition of RAW as a contestant on WWE Idol, a parody of American Idol. Volkoff appeared alongside The Iron Sheik and Howard Finkel, although Volkoff was the only one who sang. Volkoff sang the Soviet Union national anthem, receiving boos from the crowd (despite being face) and was insulted by judge William Regal, although judges Mick Foley and Maria both praised the performance. In response, Sheik, who was also insulted, went on a tirade until both he and Volkoff were escorted out of the building by security. is the 225th day of the year (226th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... AMERICAN IDOL HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO DEATH OF SIMON ... Hossein Khosrow Vaziri (حسین خسرو وزیری in Persian), better known as The Iron Sheik (born on March 15, 1943 in Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian professional wrestler. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... William Regal as Goodwill Ambassador and Commissioner Darren Matthews aka William Regal (born May 10, 1965 in Staffordshire) is an English professional wrestler performing in World Wrestling Entertainment on the RAW brand. ... Michael Francis Mick Foley, Sr. ... Maria Kanellis (Born February 25, 1982)[1][2] better known simply as Maria, is an American professional wrestler, working for World Wrestling Entertainments RAW brand. ...

Personal life

Peruzovic has been married for 35 years and has two daughters.^[1]

Peruzovic is working as a code enforcement officer in Baltimore County, Maryland. He still wrestles independent shows occasionally.^[2] Code Enforcement (also known as Law enforcement) is the act of enforcing a set of rules, principles, or laws (especially written ones) and insuring observance of a system of norms or customs. ... For other uses of Baltimore, see Baltimore (disambiguation). ...

Political Involvement

He ran unsuccessfully in the 2006 Maryland Republican Primary for State Delegate in District 7 (representing parts of Baltimore & Harford County) in Maryland.[2]

In Wrestling

Finishing and signature maneuvers

• Russian Bearhug (Bear hug)
• Russian Backbreaker (Backbreaker)

Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by competitors to immobilize their opponents. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Managers

• Slick
• Bobby Heenan
• Ted DiBiase
• Tony Angelo
• Lou Albano
• Freddie Blassie
• Iron Sheik
• Nikita Breznikov

Kenneth Ken Johnson, better known to wrestling fans as Slick, is a former WWF manager of such wrestlers as the Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Butch Reed, Big Boss Man, Akeem, The Warlord, Paul Roma, and others. ... Bobby The Brain Heenan (born Raymond Louis Heenan on November 1, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former American professional wrestling manager and commentator. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Louis Albano (born July 29, 1933 in Carmel, New York), better known as Captain Lou, is an American professional wrestler and manager. ... Fred Blassie (February 8, 1918 – June 2, 2003), better known as Classy Freddie Blassie, was an American professional wrestler and manager born in St. ... Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (حسین خسرو وزیری), (born March 15, 1943 in Tehran, Iran) is a retired Iranian professional wrestler better known by his ring name The Iron Sheik. ...

Championships and accomplishments

• Championship Wrestling from Florida

• NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ivan Koloff

• Georgia Championship Wrestling

• NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling

• NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Chris Markoff

• Mid-South Wrestling

• Mid-South North American Championship (1 time)

• NWA Detroit

• NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (1 time) - with Boris Volkoff

• World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment

• WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2005)
• WWF World Tag Team Championship (1 times) - Iron Sheik (1)

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated

• PWI ranked him # 136 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
• PWI ranked him # 96 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with the Iron Sheik in 2003.

Other Titles Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office starting in 1961 when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion. ... The NWA Florida Tag Team Championship is the primary tag team title in NWA Florida. ... The NWA Florida Tag Team Championship is the primary tag team title in NWA Florida. ... Ivan Koloff is a professional wrestler. ... Georgia Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on U.S. cable channel TBS (Turner Broadcasting System). ... NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship The NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship was the major title in the Georgia Championship Wrestling professional wrestling promotion. ... NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship The NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship was the major title in the Georgia Championship Wrestling professional wrestling promotion. ... Jim Crockett Promotions was the name of a professional wrestling promotion owned by Jim Crockett, Jr. ... The NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship is the tag team title in the National Wrestling Alliances Mid-Atlantic territory. ... The NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship is the tag team title in the National Wrestling Alliances Mid-Atlantic territory. ... The Universal Wrestling Federation was a regional professional wrestling federation founded by Leroy McGuirk, and later owned by Bill Watts. ... The Mid-South North American Championship was the major singles title in Mid-South Wrestling from 1979 until the promotion became the Universal Wrestling Federation in 1986. ... National Wrestling Alliance logo The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is the largest governing body for a group of independent professional wrestling promotions and sanctions various NWA championships. ... The Detroit, Michigan version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1964 until 1980, when the Detroit promotion closed. ... The Detroit, Michigan version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1964 until 1980, when the Detroit promotion closed. ... World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ... WWE Hall of Fame logo, 2004-present. ... WWE Hall of Fame logo, 2004-present. ... This article is about the tag team championship that is currently defended on the RAW brand of WWE. For SmackDown!s tag team championship, see WWE Tag Team Championship. ... The World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title. ... Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (حسین خسرو وزیری), (born March 15, 1943 in Tehran, Iran) is a retired Iranian professional wrestler better known by his ring name The Iron Sheik. ... Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) is a professional wrestling magazine. ... Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (حسین خسرو وزیری), (born March 15, 1943 in Tehran, Iran) is a retired Iranian professional wrestler better known by his ring name The Iron Sheik. ...

• NWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Gito Mongol

External links

• Another Former Pro Wrestler Seeks Political Fortune, FoxNews.com, 03/25/2006
• Ex-wrestler finds code of conduct, Towson Times, 03/30/2005