Nikolai Volkoff Then and Now

Nikolai Volkoff Then

Nikolai Volkoff, born Josip Hrvoje Peruzović on October 14, 1947, in Glen Arm, Maryland, is a notable figure in professional wrestling whose early life and background were steeped in athleticism and cultural complexity. 

Growing up in the Socialist Republic of Croatia, then part of Yugoslavia, Volkoff’s upbringing was influenced by a rich heritage. 

His parents, Ivan and Dragica Peruzović, and his brother Luka Peruzović, a Croatian footballer, were integral to his early life. 

Despite his wrestling persona often emphasizing a Soviet background, his actual middle name was Hrvoje, and his mother’s maiden name was Tomašević, revealing his true Croatian heritage.

Volkoff’s athletic career began with weightlifting, where he was a member of the Yugoslavian weightlifting team. 

His journey took a significant turn in 1967 when he emigrated to Canada after participating in a weightlifting tournament in Vienna. 

In Canada, he trained under the renowned wrestling coach Stu Hart in Calgary, which marked the beginning of his transition from weightlifting to professional wrestling.

In the early 1970s, Volkoff moved to the United States and began making a name for himself in professional wrestling. 

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His wrestling character, Nikolai Volkoff, was inspired by a previous Soviet-themed persona played by fellow Croatian Steve Gobb, who had wrestled as Nicoli Volkoff in the 1960s. 

Josip Peruzović adopted and popularized this Soviet-themed character, which became a significant part of his wrestling career, contributing to his fame and success in American professional wrestling.

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Nikolai Volkoff Wrestling Career

Nikolai Volkoff’s wrestling career was marked by a series of notable achievements and character evolutions that showcased his versatility and adaptability in the industry. 

His journey began in Calgary, Alberta, in 1967, where he trained under the guidance of Newton Tattrie, a fellow wrestler who helped him transition from weightlifting to professional wrestling. 

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Volkoff’s early years in the ring saw him working in various National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territories, including NWA Detroit and the International Wrestling Association, where he captured tag team gold.

In 1970, Volkoff made his debut in Vince McMahon Sr.’s World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), initially wrestling as Bepo Mongol alongside Geeto Mongol, managed by “Captain” Lou Albano. 

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This team secured the WWF International Tag Team Championship but eventually lost the title, leading Volkoff to pursue singles competition under the name “Nikolai Volkoff.” 

His first stint in the WWWF saw him engage in high-profile feuds, including a memorable rivalry with Bruno Sammartino, which contributed to sold-out arenas and cemented his reputation as a formidable opponent.

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Volkoff’s career took him to the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in the mid-1970s, where he wrestled under the name Boris Breznikoff, and later to Japan, where he competed in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling. 

By 1983, he was wrestling in the Mid-South region under “Cowboy” Bill Watts before making a return to the revamped WWF in July 1984. 

During this period, he gained considerable notoriety as part of a team with the Iron Sheik, managed by “Classy” Freddie Blassie. 

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Their anti-American gimmick, highlighted by Volkoff’s singing of the Soviet national anthem, played a significant role in their success, culminating in their capture of the WWF Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania I.

In the latter part of the 1980s, Volkoff’s career continued to evolve with feuds against prominent figures like Hulk Hogan and Corporal Kirchner. 

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His teaming with Boris Zhukov to form the Bolsheviks provided entertainment but failed to secure any championships. 

The team’s comedic roles and eventual split allowed Volkoff to reinvent himself as a patriotic babyface, reflecting a dramatic shift from his previous persona.

Volkoff’s final years in the WWF saw him in various roles, including a sympathetic figure within Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Corporation. 

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His gimmick as “Nickel & Dime” Volkoff represented a fall from grace, emphasizing his status as a lowly member of the stable. 

Despite these changes, he remained a respected figure in the wrestling world. 

After his final WWF appearance in 1995, Volkoff transitioned to semi-retirement, leaving behind a legacy marked by his versatility, memorable feuds, and impact on professional wrestling.

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Nikolai Volkoff Wrestling Competition

• World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) / World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
• Bepo Mongol (1970)
• Nikolai Volkoff (1974–1976, 1984–1987, 1990, 1992–1995)
• Tag Team with Geeto Mongol
• Tag Team with Iron Sheik
• Bolsheviks (with Boris Zhukov)
• American Wrestling Association (AWA)
• Boris Breznikoff (1974–1977, 1989)
• New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) (1977–1983)
• All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) (1977–1983)
• Mid-South Wrestling (1983)
• Trans World Wrestling Federation (TWTF) (1991)
• World Wrestling Council (WWC) (1992)
• Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW) (1992–1993)

Nikolai Volkoff Wife and Children

Nikolai Volkoff was married to his wife, Lynn. Together, they had one child, a daughter named Daria Peruzović. 

Volkoff was known for keeping his family life relatively private, but he did share that his family was very supportive of his wrestling career throughout his life.

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Nikolai Volkoff Now

Nikolai Volkoff, whose real name was Josip Hrvoje Peruzović, passed away on July 29, 2018, at the age of 70. 

He died at his home shortly after being discharged from a Maryland hospital. 

His hospitalization had been due to dehydration and other medical complications, which were treated in the days leading up to his passing. 

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The wrestling community and fans mourned the loss of Peruzović, who had made a significant impact on the professional wrestling world with his memorable persona and contributions to the sport. 

His death marked the end of a storied career that had spanned several decades, leaving behind a legacy of wrestling excellence and a lasting impression on those who knew him and followed his career.

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