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Nikita Koloff

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Nikita Koloff
Koloff, circa 1988
Birth nameNelson Scott Simpson[1]
Born(1959-03-09)March 9, 1959(age 65)[1]
Minneapolis, Minnesota,U.S.[1]
Alma materMinnesota State University Moorhead[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Mr. Wrestling IV
Nikita Koloff[1]
Billed height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1]
Billed weight275 lb (125 kg)[1]
Billed fromRussia
Lithuania
Trained byEddie Sharkey[2]
DebutJune 24, 1984[1]
RetiredNovember 8, 1992

Nikita Koloff(bornNelson Scott Simpsonon March 9, 1959) is an American retiredprofessional wrestler.He is best known for his appearances withJim Crockett Promotionsand its successor,World Championship Wrestlingbetween 1984 and 1992, where he was billed from Russia (and, following thedissolution of the Soviet Union,Lithuania). During his career, Koloff heldchampionshipsincluding theNWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship,NWA World Tag Team Championship,NWA United States Championship,NWA World Television Championship,andUWF World Television Championship.He was inducted into theGeorge Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Famein 2006 and theNational Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fameof 2008.

Early life[edit]

Koloff was born on March 9, 1959, inMinneapolis,Minnesota,one of four children born to Paige and Olive Simpson. When he was two years old, his father left the family, leaving his mother as a single parent. When Koloff was 10, his family relocated to the suburb ofRobbinsdale.While in junior high school, Koloff began weightlifting. He attended Robbinsdale High School where he played for the Robbinsdale Robinsfootballteam as adefensive linemanand on offense[3]was an all-conferencewide receiver.[4]His fellow students included other future professional wrestlersBarry Darsow,Brady Boone,Curt Hennig,John Nord,Rick Rude,andTom Zenk.[5]

Koloff graduated from high school in 1977. He enrolled inGolden Valley Lutheran Collegewhere he playedcollege footballalongside fellow future wrestlerJoe "Animal" Laurinaitis.He suffered an injury playing football but rehabbed to play forMinnesota State University Moorheadwhere he suffered another injury.[6]

Professional wrestling career[edit]

Jim Crockett Promotions (1984–1989)[edit]

"The Russian Nightmare" (1984–1986)[edit]

In 1984, Simpson was going to try out for theUSFLwhenRoad Warrior Animal,a professional wrestler from theMinnesotaarea, called him to ask him to become a professional wrestler. Simpson decided to go with wrestling and was told to shave his head bald and to show up.Jim Crockett, Jr.,the promoter of theNWA'sJim Crockett Promotions,renamed him "Nikita Koloff", the Russian Nightmare, and teamed him with "uncle"Ivan KoloffandDon Kernodle,a turncoat American. Koloff was briefly trained byEddie Sharkey.[2]He debuted on June 5, 1984, and won his first match in 13 seconds, with the only edict from Crockett being that should Koloff trip on the ropes, he would be fired on the spot.[1]

Koloff wrestled briefly inPuerto RicoforWorld Wrestling Council(WWC) and engaged in some bouts withHercules Ayala.He returned withIvan Koloffin 1986 and facedInvader IandInvader IIIat a bighouse showat Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium inBayamon.

While he learned more about the sport on the road with Ivan and Kernodle, Koloff was booked in very short matches until his skills developed. During television promos, Nikita stood behind Ivan and Kernodle with his arms folded while they took interviews. As his wrestling ability and speaking skills grew, the length of his matches and interviews grew as well. His improvement negated the need for Kernodle to continue teaming with Ivan and, shortly thereafter, the Russians turned on the American turncoat. Koloff went to great lengths to keep the "Evil Russian" gimmick as realistic as possible. He learned Russian and refused to come out of character, even when away from the ring.

With Kernodle out of the picture, Uncle Ivan Koloff introduced a new comrade namedKrusher Khruschev(fellow Robbinsdale High School classmateBarry Darsow). In December 1984, Jim Crockett rewarded the Russians with theNWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.Three months later, on March 18, 1985, Koloff and Ivan defeatedDusty RhodesandManny Fernandezto win theNWA World tag team title.Ivan invoked theFreebird rulewhich dictated that any two of the three could defend the titles. Ivan and Krusher lost the titles toThe Rock 'n' Roll Express(Ricky MortonandRobert Gibson) on July 9.

Prior to committing themselves with Jim Crocket Promotions, The Koloffs feuded with thenAWA World tag team championsthe Road Warriors in both the AWA and the NWA in a brutal series during 1985. One of their encounters was voted Match of the Year runner-up by the readers ofPro Wrestling Illustrated.The feud was often fought in steel cage Russia chain matches, with lights-out stipulations. The Russian 'chain match', using thicker chains than normal chain matches, was considered a Nikita Koloff specialty.

Continuing to improve, Koloff became a big enough heel to get a match against NWA World ChampionRic FlairatThe Great American Bash 1985on July 6. Koloff lost to Flair and was even attacked by a fan during the match, but he established himself as a superstar in the wrestling business. According to Koloff, it was his favourite match of his career.[7]

The Koloffs went on to regain the NWA World Tag Team title from the Rock 'N Roll Express three months later, on October 13, but lost it to the same opponents on November 28 atStarrCade 1985in asteel cage match.

In 1985 and 1986, Koloff wrestled several matches forCapitol Sports PromotionsinPuerto Ricoas part of a talent exchange, facingHercules Ayalaon several occasions. During one bout, Koloff sustained a cut to the arm when an audience member threw aspark plugat him.[8]

In spring of 1986, Koloff started one of the biggest, most anticipated feuds in the history ofJim Crockett Promotionswhen he attackedNWA United States Heavyweight ChampionMagnum T. A.Following an incident where Magnum hit on-screen NWA PresidentBob Geigelfor demanding an apology after T.A. started a brawl with Nikita during a contract signing (which started when the Koloffs berated Magnum's mother, who was present), T.A. was stripped of his title. The two were then booked in a best-of-seven series, which took place duringThe Great American Bash 1986tour. The winner of the series would be declared champion. Koloff and T.A. wrestled all summer, ending up tied after six matches with one no contest. The final match took place on August 17 and featured run-ins by Kruschev and Ivan and several false-finishes. Nikita defeated T.A. to win the title.

The following month, Koloff defeatedWahoo McDanielto unify his US Title with Wahoo'sNWA National Heavyweight Championshipon September 28. He was readying to embark on a feud withRon Garvinthat would last through the upcomingStarrcade 1986.The idea of headbookerDusty Rhodes was for Koloff to reignite his feud with Magnum T. A. the following year. The plan called for T.A. to defeat Ric Flair for theNWA World Championshipat StarrCade 86; after a short program of rematches with Flair, T. A. would begin a long program with Koloff that ran throughThe Great American Bash Tour of 1987.[9]As of the beginning of October, Rhodes had not decided whether to give Koloff the title at some point during the feud.

Feud with The Four Horsemen (1986–1987)[edit]

In October 1986, Magnum T. A. was involved in a career-ending car accident. Dusty Rhodes saw an alternate opportunity. The Soviet PremierMikhail Gorbachevhad been growing in popularity throughout the country with his political reform ofGlasnostandPerestroika.The era of evil Russian heels was coming to an end. Rhodes decided to strike while the iron was hot, booking Koloff to become a face and his greatest ally againstThe Four Horsemen.The historic moment took place on October 24 inCharlotte, North Carolina.Rhodes needed a partner to take onOle AndersonandJ. J. Dillonin a cage match. The fans in Charlotte erupted when Koloff entered the cage to help Rhodes. Koloff stated that even though he and Magnum T. A. had a bitter rivalry, T.A. had earned his respect, and that Nikita would work to earn the respect of the American people. This evening established Koloff as one of the top faces in the NWA.[10]

Immediately after his face turn, Koloff resumed his quest for Ric Flair's NWA World Title and came very close to winning it on several occasions. Flair's Four Horsemen comrades bailed him out almost every time.[9]The two fought to a double disqualification at StarrCade '86 on November 26. After StarrCade, Koloff was firmly established as one of the NWA's most popular stars. On 1987, Krusher, who left the NWA for the World Wrestling Federation, asked Koloff to join him. However, Koloff declined the offer because he felt loyalty to the promotion and he didn't want to start a new gimmick.

Throughout the early months of 1987, Koloff continued to defend the United States title against members of the Four Horsemen andPaul Jones' Army,which now included "Uncle" Ivan. In March, as part of his ongoing feud with Ivan andDick Murdoch,Koloff's neck was "injured" by a Murdochbrainbusteron the concrete floor (of course this was a work). On April 11, Koloff and Dusty Rhodes won thesecond-annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament,defeating the Four Horsemen team ofTully BlanchardandLex Lugerin the finals.

As the1987 Great American Bashtour got under way, the feud between Koloff, Rhodes,The Road Warriors,andPaul Elleringversus The Four Horsemen and J. J. Dillon was booked as the centerpiece. The tour began and ended with two revolutionary matches created by Rhodes, known asWarGames: The Match Beyond.The team ofThe Super PowersandThe Legion of Doomemerged victorious in both contests.

Also during The War Games, Flair and Blanchard reaggravated Koloff's neck injury by delivering two spike piledrivers. Theworkedinjury set up the pretext for dropping the US Title to Lex Luger. On July 11, 1987, Koloff faced Luger in asteel cagematch and was defeated after being hit with a chair. This ended Koloff's reign of nearly 11 months, which still stands today as the fifth longest U.S. title reign in the more than 33-year history of the title. Dusty Rhodes booked Koloff to rebound quickly, winning theNWA World Television Championshipfrom Tully Blanchard on August 27.[11]

Various feuds (1987–1989)[edit]

In the fall of 1987, Jim Crockett Promotions acquiredBill Watts'Universal Wrestling Federation(UWF). Dusty Rhodes decided which members of the UWF roster to retain and how best to use the infusion of new talent that he now had access to on an exclusive basis, beginning with a cross-promotional program between NWA Television Champion Koloff andUWF Television Champion,Terry Taylor.The feud began when Taylor, alongside his fellow members of Hot Stuff International, Inc. -Eddie GilbertandRick Steiner- attacked Koloff and stole his championship belt. Koloff and Taylor were booked to face each other in a unification bout atStarrCade '87,but Koloff vowed to get his TV belt back before the match. During aTBSWorld Championship Wrestling(WCW) broadcast leading up to what would be Jim Crockett's first foray intopay-per-view,Taylor and Gilbert jumped Koloff again, beating him unconscious, and draping his version of the TV title across his limp body. On November 26, Koloff and Taylor battled in what would be the only NWA/UWF unification bout at theUIC PavilioninChicago.In front of his first pay-per-view audience, Nikita became the undisputed Television Champion by defeating Taylor on November 26. He still has the UWF belt as a trophy from that night.

Koloff lost the NWA TV Title toMike RotundaofThe Varsity Clubon January 30, 1988. During this period, Koloff had altered his appearance somewhat, dropping some muscle mass (Koloff usedanabolic steroidsduring the early part of his career but stopped when he saw where they were leading - he lost his muscle mass due to taking time off to take care of his wife, Mandy) and growing his hair out into a crewcut. He was given the singles main event when he wrestled NWA World ChampionRic Flairat the final Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament. Koloff defeated Flair by disqualification so the title was retained by Flair. He then lost toBarry Windhamin the finals of the tournament for the vacant NWA United States Championship, before beginning a feud withAl Perezand teaming withStingto feud with the Four Horsemen. During the year, he legally changed his name to 'Nikita S. Koloff'.

In the fall of 1988, Koloff was quickly losing interest in professional wrestling for personal reasons. His wife Mandy was suffering fromHodgkin's diseaseand died in the summer of 1989. After Ivan himself turned face when manager Paul Jones went against him, Koloff helped Ivan briefly against Jones' henchmen, the masked Russian Assassins, and then he took a sabbatical on November 27. A booked showdown atStarrCade '88in December was to pit Ivan and Koloff against the Russian Assassins. Koloff's departure resulted in theJunkyard Dogsubstituting for him as Ivan's partner. The Russian Assassins were victorious.

Eventually, Koloff eased back into the business part-time. He returned to WCW/NWA as a special guest referee atWrestleWar '89in match for theNWA World Tag Team ChampionshipbetweenThe Road WarriorsandMike Rotundaand"Dr. Death" Steve Williams.Rotunda & Williams were disqualified for attacking Koloff, and later stripped of the titles.

Despite some people's beliefs, Nikita was never offered any sort of contract with WWF. He met Vince McMahon only twice: first time while working out in a gym inLas Vegas, Nevada(they shook hands and said "hello" ) and again at Road Warrior Hawk'sfuneral.

AWA and Various promotions (1989–1990)[edit]

In late 1989, Koloff began wrestling withVerne Gagne's AWA (as a part of a talent share with the NWA) in his native Minnesota. The promotion was in its twilight and given Nikita's stature, Gagne positioned Nikita to challenge thenAWA World Heavyweight ChampionLarry Zbyszkoalmost immediately. Koloff continued wrestling in the NWA and the AWA for the remainder of the year and the first half of 1990, headlining numerous television broadcasts and Twin Wars '90, the last major event with the AWA under Gagne. Koloff also wrestled briefly inHerb Abrams'Universal Wrestling Federation,in no way affiliated with the original UWF of Bill Watts, where he reignited a feud with 'Uncle' Ivan.

World Championship Wrestling (1991-1992)[edit]

Koloff returned to WCW on February 24, 1991, atWrestleWar.He attacked Lex Luger, claiming he had "stolen" the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship from him in 1987 and that he wanted it back. AtSuperBrawl Ion May 19, 1991, Koloff accidentally hitStingwith a chain while interfering in a tag team match betweenSting and Lex LugerandThe Steiner Brothers.Koloff and Sting went on to face on another in aRussian Chain matchatThe Great American Bashon July 14 which was won by Koloff. The feud came to an abortive end in August 1991 when Koloff left WCW to focus on running his gym, "Nikita's Fortress of Fitness," inConcord, North Carolina.

Koloff returned to WCW in February 1992, saving Sting from an attack byThe Dangerous Alliance.He explained on WCW's syndicated shows that he had seen the error of attacking Sting. AtWrestleWaron May 17, 1992, Koloff teamed with Sting,Ricky Steamboat,Barry Windham,andDustin Rhodesto face The Dangerous Alliance in a WarGames match. Koloff went on to feud withRick Rudeover Rude'sWCW United States Heavyweight Championship.In late-1992, he began feuding withBig Van Vader,with the two men facing one other atHalloween Havocon October 25. During the bout, Koloff sustained aherniated discin his neck, leading him to retire from professional wrestling. Koloff worked some house shows against Rick Rude and Vader until his last match losing to Vader on November 8.

Retirement (1992–present)[edit]

Koloff became aborn-again Christianin 1993. He now runs a ministry. He also runs his own small wrestling promotion, the Universal Wrestling Alliance UWA as an outreach of his ministry.

He made a few appearances forNWA:TNAin 2003 as a masked man called "Mr. Wrestling IV" who attackedDusty Rhodes.He finally unmasked but ended up helping Rhodes against theSports Entertainment Xtremestable.[12]

On July 15, 2006, Koloff received theFrank GotchAward from theGeorge Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fameat the International Wrestling Institute and Museum inWaterloo, Iowa,for contributing to the positive public image of wrestling.

On March 3, 2024, Koloff was shown in the crowd during Sting's retirement match atAEW'sRevolutionalongsideMagnum T.A.andScotty Riggs.[13]

Professional wrestling persona[edit]

Koloff was originally billed as being a Russian. He was billed as the nephew of fellow faux-RussianIvan Koloff,from whom he took hisring name.[14]He was nicknamed "The Russian Nightmare", a play onDusty Rhodes' nickname, "The American Dream".[15]he was also known as "The Russian Road Warrior" due to his power and ferocity, which was compared toThe Road Warriors.[16][17]Following thedissolution of the Soviet Union,Koloff was billed fromLithuania.[18]To enhance the verisimilitude of his character, Koloff learned to speakRussian.[19][17]

Koloff had an "evil" appearance with a black singlet, shaved head, and goatee.[6]His character has been described as "wrestling's equivalent of theDragocharacter inRocky IV...big, strong, scary and Russian.[20]His finishing move was the "Russian Sickle", aclothesline.[4]

Other media[edit]

Koloff has written three books. He has acted in a small number of films and television episodes, as well as appearing on an episode ofAmerica's Funniest Peoplein which his daughter won the $10,000 grand prize. His character appeared in the 2004 videogameShowdown: Legends of Wrestlingas well as the 2021 game Retromania Wrestling.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Breaking the Chains(2002)
  • Wrestling with Success: Developing a Championship Mentality(2004) - with Jeffrey Gitomer
  • Nikita: A Tale of the Ring and Redemption(2011) - with Scott Teal

Filmography[edit]

Year Film Role Notes
2007 Stuck in the Past Bartender
2009 C Me Dance Biker
2013 Preacher's Daughters Himself Reality series
2018 Pastor Greg's Reboot - Hope for Christmas Jake Short film

Personal life[edit]

Nikita married his first wife, Mandy Smithson, on September 20, 1988. She died fromHodgkin's diseaseon June 14, 1989.[21]At herfuneralhe met Mandy’s longtime friend and his future wife, Victoria.[citation needed]They married on August 17, 1990. The couple had two daughters together, Kendra, who was born in June 1992, andKolby,who was born in May 1996, while Victoria had two daughters (Teryn and Tawni) from her previous relationship. Nikita and Victoria were divorced on April 23, 2007.

Koloff legally changed his name to Nikita Koloff in 1988.[22]

Nikita is a member of a religious group called Fellowship of the Sword and serves as an East Coast representative.

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

1Koloff defeatedWahoo McDanielto unify the title with theNWA United States Heavyweight Championship.The title was also won afterGeorgia Championship Wrestlingwas purchased byJim Crockett Promotions.
2Koloff defeatedTerry Taylorto unify the title with theNWA World Television Championship.The title was also won afterBill Watts'Universal Wrestling Federationpromotion was purchased by Jim Crockett Promotions.

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefghijklmnBonham, Chad (2001).Wrestling with God.David C. Cook.p. 120.ISBN978-1-58919-935-4.
  2. ^abKlein, Greg (2012).The King of New Orleans: How the Junkyard Dog Became Professional Wrestling's First Black Superstar.ECW Press.p. 128.ISBN978-1-77041-030-5.
  3. ^"Nikita's Biography".NikitaKoloff.com.RetrievedOctober 22,2019.
  4. ^abWard, Marshall (December 20, 2017)."Nikita Koloff Q&A Part 1: Mentors, ring psychology, chains".Canoe.com.Archived fromthe originalon December 25, 2017.RetrievedOctober 22,2019.
  5. ^Johnson, Steven; Oliver, Greg (16 November 2010).The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels.ECW Press.p. 207.ISBN978-1-55490-284-2.
  6. ^abKluck, Ted (2009).Headlocks and Dropkicks: A Butt-Kicking Ride Through the World of Professional Wrestling: A Butt-Kicking Ride through the World of Professional Wrestling.ABC-CLIO.pp. 73–76.ISBN978-0-313-35482-3.
  7. ^Greenberg, Keith Elliot (2000).Pro Wrestling: From Carnivals to Cable TV.Lerner Publications.p. 69.ISBN978-0-8225-3332-0.
  8. ^Ward, Marshall (December 20, 2017)."Nikita Koloff Q&A Part 2: Mid-Atlantic days, loyalty, fan memories".Canoe.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 29, 2018.RetrievedNovember 4,2019.
  9. ^abCawthon, Graham (2013).the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 3:Jim Crockett and the NWA World Title 1983-1989.CreateSpace.ISBN978-1494803476.
  10. ^Miller, Dean (2017).The WWE Book of Top 10s.DK.p. 39.ISBN978-0-241-31440-1.
  11. ^Mudge, Jacqueline (2013).Lex Luger.Infobase Publishing.p. 14.ISBN978-1-4381-4649-2.
  12. ^Hornbaker, Tim (2007).National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Professional Wrestling.ECW Press.p. 356.ISBN978-1-55490-274-3.
  13. ^"Magnum TA, Nikita Koloff, DDP, Lex Luger, More Attend AEW Revolution For Sting's Final Match | Fightful News".www.fightful.com.Retrieved2024-03-05.
  14. ^Hornbaker, Tim (2017).Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers.Sports Publishing.pp. 892–893.ISBN978-1-61321-875-4.
  15. ^Koloff, Nikita;Gitomer, Jeffrey (2004).Wrestling with Success: Developing a Championship Mentality.Wiley.p. 46.ISBN978-0-471-68010-9.
  16. ^Hofstede, David (1999).Slammin': Wrestling's Greatest Heroes and Villains.ECW Press.p.93.ISBN978-1-55022-370-5.
  17. ^abLaurinaitis, Joe;Wright, Andrew William (2011).The Road Warriors: Danger, Death, and the Rush of Wrestling.Medallion Press. p. 107.ISBN978-1-60542-153-7.
  18. ^Freedman, Lew (2018).Pro Wrestling: A Comprehensive Reference Guide.ABC-CLIO.p. 148.ISBN978-1-4408-5351-7.
  19. ^Horton, Aaron D. (2018).Identity in Professional Wrestling: Essays on Nationality, Race and Gender.McFarland & Company.p. 105.ISBN978-1-4766-3141-7.
  20. ^Kleinberg, Adam; Nudelman, Adam (2005).Mysteries of Wrestling: Solved.ECW Press.p. 14.ISBN978-1-55022-685-0.
  21. ^The Wrestler, October 1989 issue, p.55.
  22. ^Quinn, Tim (June 2001)."Interview: Nikita Koloff".Puroresu.com.RetrievedOctober 21,2019.
  23. ^"Hall of Fame Inductions Report: Bret Hart, Larrry Hennig, Mike DiBiase, Dory Funk Sr., Bop Roop".Pro Wrestling Torch.July 6, 2006.RetrievedAugust 27,2018.
  24. ^"WWE United States Championship".RetrievedMay 25,2020.
  25. ^DiBiase, Ted(2009).Ted DiBiase.Simon and Schuster.p. 231.ISBN978-1-4165-5920-7.

External links[edit]

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