Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff Passes Away

GLEN ARM, MD — WWE Hall of Fame inductee Nikolai Volkoff, a barrel-chested giant who portrayed a Communist menace for much of his 50-year career, passed away Sunday at his Maryland home, days after being treated at an area hospital for dehydration and other medical issues. He was 70.

Several weeks ago, Volkoff (real name Josip Nikolai Peruzović) made one of his last public appearances at a Blitzkrieg! Pro Wrestling event at Mount Carmel Park in Enfield, coming to the ring at the beckoning of fellow 2005 WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy "The Mouth of the South" Hart.

During his introduction of Volkoff at that show, Hart made reference to the big man having "a bad sinus infection," but the Croatian-born legend entered the ring to a standing ovation and, in contradiction to his years of singing the Soviet national anthem prior to his matches, performed a rendition of "God Bless America" in honor of his adopted homeland (he had become an American citizen in 1970).

On Twitter, Hart wrote, "Was just with Nikolai a few weeks ago and had a great time - so shocked and saddened - what a loss."

Joey Eastman of Blitzkrieg! Pro said, "Being able to share a ring with someone like Nikolai is definitely a dream come true for me. He was such a pro and wanted to make sure that we gave fans a very entertaining segment on such a hot day."

Volkoff emigrated from Yugoslavia to Canada in 1967, then trained under the legendary Stu Hart for a career in professional wrestling. A year later, he joined the World Wide Wrestling Federation (now known as WWE) and performed as "Bepo Mongol," winning the WWWF International Tag Team Championship from Tony Marino and Victor Rivera in 1970 under the guidance of Hall of Fame manager "Captain" Lou Albano.

After leaving WWWF for a few years, the 6-foot-5, 313 lb. behemoth returned to the federation under the Nikolai Volkoff moniker in 1974. A memorable highlight of his career was appearing in the main event against champion Bruno Sammartino in a sold-out Madison Square Garden.

He wrestled in other promotions for a decade before returning to the renamed World Wrestling Federation in 1984. He teamed with another 2005 Hall of Famer, the Iron Sheik, and won the tag team titles at the inaugural Wrestlemania in 1985. On several occasions, he unsuccessfully challenged WWF champion Hulk Hogan, who later became another inductee of the Hall of Fame Class of 2005.

Volkoff entered a period of semi-retirement in the late 1990s, making occasional appearances on WWE television and independent shows.

WWE announced the superstar's passing online at www.wwe.com. A tribute to the late Hall of Famer is expected to air during WWE programming this week.

Photo courtesy of Beverly and Chris Walz
Video credit: Tanya Cornell, courtesy of Blitzkrieg! Pro Wrestling

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