Nikita Koloff on Ivan Koloff & his Death
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2024
- Nikita Koloff on Ivan Koloff & his Death
Legendary WCW/NWA/AWA competitor "The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff discusses how his longtime tag team partner and friend Ivan Koloff helped him become successful. He also talk about Ivan's 2017 death that occurred to to liver disease which he had for more than 10 years prior to his passing according to reports. Unfortunately he could not afford proper medical care.
www.TheHANNIBALTV.com
Patreon: www.patreon.co...
Facebook: / great-north-wrestling-...
Twitter @GNWWrestling
Instagram: / gnwrestling
![[DRIP] ‘CLIK CLAK’ PREVIEW](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bcxkcOSbpac/mqdefault.jpg)
Proves my point. The fact that Ivan Koloff isn't in the WWE Hall of Fame is a disgrace. He gave his all to the business and deserves that honor.
Jeff Patton yes should be in the HOF. WWF champ in a golden age.
Koloff is one of the pioneers of the wrestling business and one of the all time greatest heels. He should definitely be in the Hall of Fame.
@@AngelRodriguez-xt4zx agreed
There's only a certain group of people I think they care about. Stars like this won't ever get in but we know them and we love what they did !
The WWE HoF in general is a disgrace, it's basically just whoever is a marketable name and/or kissed up to Vince enough that he ended up loving them till this day and Ivan was certainly no kissass
The Russian Sickle was the most awesome clothesline move I ever saw. I was a huge fan of Nikita Koloff. Thank you, Mr. Koloff, for the memories.
I saw nikki turn a jobber over 3 times in the air one night in greenwood sc lol never seen a clothesline like it since
Ivan didn't have a sad ending. He had a victorious ending! God bless Ivan Koloff, and Nikita.
He was in a lot of pain
He was in a lot of pain
@@georgeelmerdenbrough6906 I think it's the spiritual part that's being referenced he believes in Christ
I went to high school with Ivan's son Donald in the late 1980's. Ivan used to pick him up in a white car, I think a Monte Carlo with a personalized license plate "R BEAR". Growing up in East Charlotte NC we used to see these wrestlers often. Magnum TA, Flair, Ricky Steamboat the Rock and Roll Express just to name a few. Man I miss those days.
Funny you mention the tag. Some friends and I were driving home from an event at the old Omni in Atlanta and we stopped at a conveinent store. We pulled up behind a car that had the R BEAR tag from NC. I said "Dudes, That is Ivan Koloff's car!!" We went in and he and Paul Jones were inside getting some adult beverages. They were very nice and polite and smiled and shook our hands. Very cool.
I didn't know the Russian Bear had died. I used to see him up in Roanoke, Va with Boogie Woogie man, Jimmy Valiant. It was pitiful! Both of them looked so bad. Jimmy more so than Ivan.
I had the privilege of meeting Ivan Koloff back in 2012. He was a very nice guy. He smiled, we talked, he gave me a autograph with a smile. The guy was a class act, he loved the fans and the fans loved him.
I can attest to Ivan's physical deterioration over the last years of his life. I live in the town he settled down to after his career ended. I saw him many, many times at local restaurants, and especially at the grocery store I help manage. Ivan went from coming in frequently with his wife (and sometimes their granddaughter), to not seeing him for long stretches, to coming in occasionally. For years he used a cane to assist his ability to walk, but those last few years he had to use the motorized mart cart to get around. Sometimes you could see he was hurting, but Ivan never complained. I miss seeing Ivan go by me, saying, "How's it going, brother?" or "Hey, brother." or "Good to see you, brother." Always called guys "brother." Must be a pro wrestler thing... I never did mention to him that I saw him perform live in the early 80's when he was with Georgia Championship Wrestling. I didn't want to be a fanboy, even though it probably wouldn't have bothered him. My favorite Ivan memory was the night he was shopping with his granddaughter and he stopped his mart cart to make a phone call. All of the sudden I heard Ivan use a voice I'd only heard him use on tv. He's speaking in his "Russian accent." I couldn't believe it, I got to personally witness Ivan Koloff speak as "The Russian Bear!" Rest easy, brother...
Thanks for sharing this intimate look into Ivans later years.
WOW......AMAZING STORY. WHERE DID HE RETIRE BEFORE HE PASSED?
Ivan retired to Winterville, NC, the only suburb of Greenville. It's in eastern NC about halfway between Raleigh and the Atlantic.
Was just near there last week in Plymouth. I picked up at Weyerhaeuser. ( truck driver). They were some good wrestlers back in the day. Glad he knew the Lord.
positively_broad_st you did? I lived in Greenville reported for WITN7
I had the privilege of meeting Ivan at a local event at my High School a few years before his passing. He was very sincere about expressing his Christian beliefs and it was an honor to shake his hand.
My wife Rebecca and I met Ivan in Boone NC just a few years before he died. We talked for quite a while. He asked how long I've been watching wrestling. When I told him I have been watching wrestling since the days of Big Bill Ward, Rip Hawk and Swede Hansen, The Flying Scotts, George Becker, I remember when the Briscoe brothers first came on TV. The heavyweight champion was Dory Funk Jr. Ivan said, You have been watching for a long time. He autographed a really cool picture of him and Nikita...To Mike and Rebecca, Ivan Koloff, John 3:16.
Thanks for all the memories Ivan. Rest in Peace
Mike Pardue ✌
Nikita's honesty is deep and refreshing. His respect for his mentor is obvious. The fact that he helped open Ivan's heart to Christ is a testament not only to the Lord, but to the both of them as well. They are proof that it is never too late. Ivan = HOF
Ivan Koloff was a helluva man. Very Underrated as an important part in wrestling history.
He sounds weird with an American accent, that's a tribute to the strength of his character and the amount of effort he put into it.
He is American..Minnesota native
He sure had me fooled when i used to watch wrestling back in the eighties
Rick Stone lyhilbh
Arn Anderson tells a story where he was with him on a plane flying to/from an event. When Scott/Nikita started to mouth off about something Arn said something to the effect of "Lighten up, it's just us guys, we all know you're just Scott from Minnesoter."!!
Agreed. When I was 12 I was petrified of Nikitta Koloff. Its weird to hear him speak naturally. He was one of my favorite wrestlers.
Never forget I was able to meet Ivan at an autograph signing while serving in the military in North Carolina. Great man he was so nice. RIP uncle Ivan
Always loved the Nikita koloff and Magnum TA matches
I was coming back from myrtle beach gosh like 1990. We were in wadesboro nc. We passed this beat up old like chevett just beat all to hell. I’m in passenger seat. I look over. It’s uncle Ivan. I’m like wow. Guy wrestled for like 25 years and he’s dirt poor. I reach in back seat. Grab a notebook. I write uncle Ivan on it. Hold it up to the window. He looks over. Gave that big Russian smile he had. Gave a thumbs up. I’ll never forget that moment.
I'll never forget when Nikita gave the Russian Sickle to David Crockett during an interview segment. He dropped him like a bad habit. It's one of the first shocking moments that I ever saw in Professional Wrestling. What a moment.
I met Ivan at an autograph session where I worked. I got to spend some time with him. Wonderful guy. Wonderful guy.
I always loved seeing Nikita koloff wrestle, he was 1of my top 5 wrestlers that I admire ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,
I got a chance to meet Ivan at an autograph signing for the grand opening of a Value City Furniture store and yes, he did have his Bible with him.
He was so humble and gracious, and I was grateful for the opportunity to thank him for all the years of entertainment he provided to us.
They say The Guys who play Heels are usually The Nicest Wrestlers
I met Ivan and talked to him awhile.. he was a great guy!
RIP Ivan koloff. True legend.
His forehead isn’t as scared up as a lot of old wrestlers.
Then he talks about his testimony. Wow! This week I am 20 years sober thank you Jesus!
Thank you Lord I love hearing testimonials
Scott Simpson AKA Nikita Koloff attended Robbinsdale High School where he played for the Robbinsdale Robins football team as a defensive lineman and on offense and was an all-conference wide receiver. His fellow students included other future professional wrestlers Barry Darsow, Brady Boone, Curt Hennig, John Nord, Rick Rude, and Tom Zenk.
Ivan was a top notch pro, one of the best of the best. He knew the ring and he knew how to work the crowd, plus the mic, RIP Uncle Ivan
Ivan was a beast. one of my favorite wrestler s in 80s . very underrated! old school tough guy. r.i.p.. thanks Nikita for memories!
Give them both credit! They had that gimmick down cold! All Nikita had to say was 'Magnum TA go dowwwwnnn
This is the first time I'm hearing him without the Russian accent.
Me too
I sat down and talked to Ivan about 7or8 years before he died, it was like talking to my grandfather, he was really nice, when I told him what I remembered about him his eyes lit up, he loved to hear about his fans stories, I confessed that I don't watch wrestling anymore, I just don't like it, he thought for a moment and said yeah its not for the family anymore.
I ran into Ivan Koloff at the Walmart in Greenville, NC, back in the late 1990s when he was winding up his autograph session as I walked in after getting off work that night. Then wound up being sat in the booth next to him at a restaurant in the same town a few months later. Everyone in and around his home town of Winterville, NC, could probably tell you tons of stories.
Nikita still looks in good shape. You go brother.
Nikita Koloff made a huge impact in wrestling having only wrestled for 8 years.
I love this guy! This man must be responsible for hundreds if not thousands of people finding Jesus just by the calmness of his voice and sincerity in that voice can be sensed, I mean look at me writing this comment never meeting Nikita but I can sense his sincerity. Great interview!
Barack Smith Thank you for that useless opinion troll and it didn’t take long for an idiot to take a positive comment and making a stupid comment, congratulations troll!
@@JamesSmith-sw3nk How do you know, dude? I think evidence points towards a creator than away from one. Keep your opinions to yourself man. What harm does it do you?
NacheMan my friend he is a troll and I run a channel with over 8500 subs and know a troll and how to check if a channel is a troll and this troll is 100% a troll
Barack Smith shut your mouth, and smile, JESUS LOVES YOU
NacheMan ask ISIS about Religion if it does harm or not
Once again u have Great 👍 interviews Hannibal 😊 glad to hear Nikita’s stories after all these years.
Absolutely, keep them coming please!!!
I remember meeting Ivan in 2000 at a walmart. Very nice down to earth guy. Didnt mind if you asked him about wrestling and would talk to you about injuries. We talked about Nikita who you can tell he cared for. We talk about things they where doing outside of wrestling and just day to day life. He was one of the nicest people you could ever meet in a walmart.
I remember as a kid i worked so hard to talk like Nikita. The voice the face the words "uncle ivan". It was all great better than anything tom cruise could say. Production wise it left a lot to be desired. But wrestler wise it was amazing and they where the attitude area before anything the WWE did. The talent was so good back then. Back when the promos weren't scripted and you could get into it.
This is so amazing. Ernie Ladd, George the Animal, Sting, Luger, Nikita, Undertaker, Molly Holly, Road Warriors, Shawn Michael's, Dibiase, so awesome. Heaven is our home, amen.
Sting isn't dead though?
@@chrisbussen9593 He's talking about their faith.
Nikita Koloff my all time favorite wrestler growing up
I met and spoke with Ivan several times when he moved to Winterville NC in the late 90s! I would talk with him about matches he had in the late 70s! When he would see me, He would always point at me with a smile and say now that man is a pro wrestling fan right there! Miss seeing him around! Rest well friend! 🙏
Nikita was one of my favorites in the 80's. He was built like Goldberg just a powerhouse.
I went to college in the same town Ivan lived in his retirement and talked to him a few times. He was such a nice guy.
My sister and I met Ivan Kolloff at The Swansboro Civic Center. Even in his late 60s He stole the show.
Wow? He doesn't actually talk like Cookie Monster!! Who knew??
Love the NWA brother.
I suspect there aren't a lot of Russians in Minnesota. I could be wrong.
Randall Floyd lol omg ... honestly neither him or Ivan sounded Russian when you think about it
I was such a Nikita fan. Think of how green he was and he did amazing programs with magnum and flair and everyone else. That’s a testimonial to the talent he worked with. I miss those days so much. 605 on the superstation
I WAS FORTUNE TO MEET MR. KOLOFF IN MY HOMETOWN OF GREENVILLE, NC AND JUST A FEW MOMENTS I TALKED TO HIM WAS VERY PRECIOUS.
I need to get back down to Greenville and hit up B's barbecue again.
Ivan was a nice guy and nice family man.He would always pose for a picture.
I met Ivan at Walmart signing in NC in the late 90’s. I took a photo with him that is hanging on my wall today. He was super kind and it was funny to see him speak out of character. Happy he found peace in the later part of his life.
This was my DUDE! Love watching him perform.
I had the opportunity to meet Ivan Koloff not long before his death. I was really impressed with his love for Jesus and the change that God brought his life. Many times I tell this story to people about meeting him by random chance in a Walmart here in Raleigh NC. I walked past him sitting at a table and caught him out of the corner of my eye. I instantly knew who he was and I put on the brakes and backed up and I said excitedly "You are Ivan Koloff!" He gave me a great big smile and extended his hand, I shook his hand & his hands were like stone! Oh my! Possibly one of the strongest individuals I have ever shook hands with. His hand shake was one you would never forget. He was a really nice guy. He shared with me about his ministry for Christ called Bear-Witness. What a great guy! We talked about Nikita and wrestling and all kinds of stuff. I just thought I would share this with you guys!
I knew he wasn't actually Russian, but this is the first time I heard him speak out of character. I wished his career had been longer.
Boris Zhukov wasn't Russian either.I don't think Nikolai Volkoff was Russian either.
Ivan was one of the best in the business.RIP,you are sorely missed.
Me and my friend ran into Ivan in the parking lot of what was the Philadelphia Spectrum in the early 80's or late 70's. We asked if we could carry his bags. He said no thank you with the Russian accent. He never broke character. Seemed like a nice guy.
I met Ivan in 1989, and he was indeed a very nice man.
Not that he didnt appreciate the offer, but he had no idea if you would run off with it. GOD BLESS HIM, HE WAS A GREAT CHRISTIAN NOW IN HEAVEN..
I met Nikita a long time ago at a small town venue and was impressed with his demeanor. Met Ivan Koloff several times and he was always a gentleman to me and my family,
Interesting how Nikita had never been around wrestling growing up as he says since, being from Robbinsdale High School, class of 1977, he went to high school with more professional wrestlers than probably anyone. Khrusher Khruschev, the partner who replaced Don Kernodle on the Ivan/Nikita team, was one of his classmates, as were Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, and Tom Zenk. Verne Gagne started the Robbinsdale wrestling legacy decades earlier.
That's what WWE needs. Less script. Less performance center. And more veterans taking guys and training them in psychology, and mechanics.
I met Ivan in the early 90s at a National Guard Armory in NC.=(
What city. Wilmington?
some of these guys in character are hands down better actors than most in hollywood.
Nikita is part of an exclusive group of workers that are so good at being a heel that they get over too much to keep them heel. Amazing to learn from this interview just how green Nikita was when first getting on TV.
I got to meet Ivan a couple of times. A really great guy.
Nikita was a beast...
I the late 80's I went to the Philadelphia Civic Center to watch wrestling. Afterwards I went out back to see the wrestlers getting into the limousines. When everyone left the area, fans and wrestlers, the back door was still wide open. I was the only person still around. So I thought, why not. So I poked my head in the door to look around. As soon as I looked inside I was looking eye to eye with Nikita Koloff. He was leaning on the wall with a gym bag strapped over his shoulder waiting for his cab to pick him up. Our eyes locked and I wasn't sure who was more surprised, Ivan or me. Since I didn't know at the time that wrestling was fake, and knew that he was the bad guy from Russia, I got scared and was afraid to even say hello, let alone ask for an autograph. He was huge and I didn't want to upset him. So I QUICKLY got my head out of the doorway and left. Now I'm kicking myself in the ass that I didn't try to talk with him while he waited for his cab. I'm guessing that he would have gave me his autograph , shook my hand and let me talk with him inside the doorway until his cab showed up. I really wanted to be a wrestler back then and had many questions about wrestling and how to get started. I wish I had known that these guys are good people just trying to make a living for their family and that they are not what you see on television. I met the four horsemen a little later when Barry Windham was with them. I got all their autographs including JJ Dillon. They were all nice except for Tully Blanchard. He was an arrogant, egotistical, narcissistic jerk. And when I asked him "how can I be a wrestler" , he flat out said " you can't." At the time I was lifting weights and getting pretty big. I really wanted to learn about the business and how someone can get started. His curt answer really left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Earlier in the day I met JJ Dillon in street clothes ( jeans )-( kind of a disguise ), buying some pizza to go with his beer. I was shocked to run into him and said hello. He turned to me and said hello back. I said that I really love wrestling and the four horsemen. I asked him if I could shake his hand. He put his hand out and said " sure, why not". He shook my hand with a grip, and smile, of sincerity. I felt so honored to be able to meet him and be treated so warmly. He never once gave the impression that he was being bothered or in a hurry to move on. I saw him later that night with his signature suit and cowboy hat during the match. And I felt privileged to have met him outside the arena and see the side of JJ Dillon that most wrestling fans never get to see. I'll never forget that moment in my life. It's amazing how someone can leave such an impression on another person just by the way you treat them. He was humble and kind. I wish I could tell him this years later or that he would somehow see this post. It would REALLY mean a lot to me for him to know this. How his kindness left a lasting impression on me many years later. Truly a good man. 🕊️🙏♥️
One of my favorite wrestlers of all time.
He was awesome in the WWF. I’ll never forget him attacking Pat Patterson. Great times and great memories.
Ivan Koloff is a iconic Wrestling Hall of Famer who transitioned from being the WWF heavyweight champion to being part of the rising of Mid-Atlantic wrestling
Thanks for this! RIP Ivan.
I stayed in Winterville for a short period of time. Ivan lived in a nice doublewide trailer and I noticed a car that had a license plate that read RBEAR. So one day I was riding through and I seen him doing push-ups off his car. I hollered out to him that he looked like Ivan Koloff. He laughed and said I don’t look that ugly do I? I knew it was him. Some off my friends said I was lying but I knew especially years later on the internet it said he lived in Winterville. He didn’t want someone bothering him I’m sure because weeks later I seen him in his car and it didn’t have the RBEAR on his license plate anymore.
Love your work with Magnum his crash was a real shock to us all and when you switch to tagging with him was one of the best heal turn I ever saw ,it was emotional being a logger and getting many injury's myself I halve a Broken neck to and I new , but I was a new Christian and praying for you and him was part of my early walk I received Jesus in 1979 . Keep the good work up Come up to Del Norte Co CA Give your Testimony God Bless Ivan and you and family
Great, met him last year in Winston salem starcade picture, t shirt,saved man, that God for Ivan’s salvation
Ivan was my favorite wrestler in the 80s and remains my favorite. RIP Sir...
Nikita was the man, except for when he turned good & grew out his hair. He didn't seem as tough as a good guy with hair. I think he looked & acted more tough as a bald bad guy. I saw an interview with Stone Cold once & he said that he wanted to have that Nikita look so he shaved his head & grew a goatee. It obviously worked for him.
Met Ivan when he wrestled at a car dealership in Spartanburg. Sc with Sally Sprouse.
Why people think you have to be rich at the end of your life to have been a success is not how you measure success if you are happy and at peace you are a success in my book .rip ivan one of the best wrestilers ever
I met ivon and his wife in a Walmart in hopemills one time.they were doing a promo of him there.i got a chance to talk to him but mainly his wife about health problems and health care.they were both top of the line people.
Loved watching this guy when I was a kid, they were great.
RIP Ivan I loved hating you as a wrestler but a great man you were. Thanks for the memories
RIP Uncle Ivan.. He did a good thing by bringing his nephew Nikita to the United States for a better life.. Just as Ivan left Russia for the US a few decades earlier, he recognised his nephews athletic talent, and knew it could work.. Nikita barely spoke a word of English in 1985; now he is fully assimilated and speaks perfect English....
Lol. Kayfabe is a beautiful thing
He and Vladimir were both blessed to have been mentored by Koloff. The Russian athlete is superior and the proved it.
Boris Zhukov too
@@Bestline7 Ivan from Montreal, Nikita from Minneapolis and Boris from Roanoke. The only ones who were "close" to being Russian was Nikolai Volkov who was from Croatia and Rusev from Bulgaria but I'm not sure if Rusev has been bulled from Russia? Then there was Boris Alexiev (Santino Marella) Ontario, Canada, Alexis Smirnoff from Quebec, Canada, Soldat Ustinov another from Minneapolis. But some people can't see the yellow kayfabe Kool-Aid that they are drinking.
@mark dp....lol great post....made my day!!
thank god he learned how ta talk English finally!, his russian accent killed me!, ivan koloff was a real man!, rest in paradise ivan!!!
He sounded just like the Cookie Monster!😁😁😁😂
Met Ivan at the Walmart in West Columbia. Tragic that such an icon is not more recognized and was not financially set during his life.
The Walmart in Wilson, NC is where I met Ivan back in the late '90s. Got my picture taken with him.
Ivan deserves to be in The Hall of Fame. He's not there because he like many others sued WWE for getting Concussions. Because of that Lawsuit McMahon refuses to put him in there. But shame on Vince because this man Ivan Koloff and many others made him a Billionaire and he should have at least put him in because after a 9 year run he was the one that was chosen to defeat Bruno Sammartino and that alone speaks volumes. You will always be considered a great CHAMPION to me. Rest in Peace Uncle Ivan.
He is right Ivan, was a wrestling machine, a top notch wrestling machine.
Ivan was a great villain and a tough guy!
Ivan was a class act, a pleasure to know him away from the business, RIP
walked in to Kmart in Goldsboro NC around 1997 to Find Ivan Koloff sitting behind a table. Didn't expect that, but I have to say I was a little disappointed he had no Russian accent ha!
Ivan retired to eastern NC. He lived about an hour from Goldsboro, in the Greenville area. I saw and talked with him many times around town.
@@positively_broad_st3780 I always saw him at Walmart in Nashville.
I was stationed in Goldsboro in 1997....
I say think you to Ivan Koloff a underrated wrestler .He was tuff as nails & I love his role with Barry Darsol & Nikita Koloff .Not every wresler can be baby face good guy .The Koloffs & Kerscheff.( Ivan& Nikita Russian nightmare & Berry Darsol (Demolition Smash)was awesome against the Road warriors( Hawk& animal)& American Dream Dusty Rhodes in 6 man tag matches.AEW need 6 man tag team title. There so many combinations of team or wrestlers that already have 3 men tagging up .Such as Hart Foundation (Davey boy Smith JR&Brian Pillnman Jr. Teddy Hart) & the Elite(Yongbucks&Kenny Omega) & Dynasty (MJF& Alexander Hammerstone & Richard Holiday) Flithy Tom Lawler& the Vonerich Brothers
Was always a fan of Nikita, I was about 12-13 years old sitting at O'Hare airport. Saw Nikita and wanted to say hi, he was so damn huge, scared the crap out of me and I never went to say hi. Wish I would have. Had I known then, these dudes were regular dudes.
I was a HUGE fan of these guys back in the day. I had a Nikita shirt! Also remember the late Nicolai Volkoff who I got to see in a couple of amazing dark matches in Tampa.
Nikita is the best wrestler in the video game Retro Mania Wrestling
He was always in shape, Such a good bad guy.
Got to meat Ivan grate guy funny and definitely a tough guy in every sense of the word
i was a regionalmgr for european health spas in the late 70'sand knew them both. great guys!
Ivan Koloff was a master, good instructor in the ring. He would break his opponent down and not go over board, just wrestling. If to get to mid level rank, Koloff would show what is required.
Nakita, u was a Man in ur day. U played it so well. I enjoyed it.
I went to the matches in the height of Nikita's run . I had third row seats right on the isle where they came to ring and he came down was close enough to pat him on the back and he was solid just solid as a rock , then Lex Luger came down and again close enough to pat him on the back and he felt really soft , puffy even so Nikita just seemed to be the real deal as far as conditioning he was just solid head to toe.
Very intelligent and down to earth
I’m dealing with liver cancer myself…not easy.
Good wrestling career i remember him and Magnun TA. Fighting for the champion ship other time😂 he still look good for his ages ..
Reason I checked this interview, because I saw him on the google news with 20 year's old picture😁 suddenly I saw old man 😊
Amen. I love hearing this.
Ivan was a great heel. He drew tremendous heat and the fans really hated him as the Russian bear. I'm so happy that ivan accepted Christ as his Lord and saviour.
When he said autograph signings at Walmart…that’s how I got mine and our pic. Met him the night before in huddle house. Even got up and came to my table because I was star struck lol
RIP Ivan K. 🙏
I hope that when Uncle Ivan goes into the WWE HoF, he gets inducted by Nikita