Yesterday, July 29, departed this life 70-year-old wrestler Josip Peruzovic recognized in the United States.
Peruzovic, better known as Nikolai Volkoff, Bepo Mongol, born in 1947 in Croatia, which was then part of socialist Yugoslavia. Even in his childhood began to do the heavy lifting. In the late 1960’s, after emigrating to Canada, started wrestling, and then moved to USA, where he joined World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). In the ring, Peruzovic often acted image of a Russian villain.
I always loved our conversations backstage … Nikolai Volkoff was so special to my dad and the entire Hart family. We will miss you, Nikolai. My thoughts and condolences go out to Nikolai»s family. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/WfMd4FDowb
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) July 29, 2018
The most popular wrestler brought collaboration with the Iron Sheik with the Iranian Hossein Vaziri. They both acted in the role of healers — negative characters. Before each match, the Sheik shouted: «Iran number 1, Russia number 1», and Volkoff sang the Soviet national anthem, what really irritated the audience. In the midst of the cold war, wolves, clothes with Soviet symbols and Soviet flag in hand, was in professional wrestling one of the most hated figures.
Sad to hear the passing of @WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff
Celebrate his life
Watch his greatness on @WWENetwork and all please rise as he sings the Russian National Anthem pic.twitter.com/0m5US6D0tw
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) June 29, 2018
In 2005, Peruzovic became a member of the WWE Hall of fame. Even in retirement, the wolves appeared frequently on variety shows, where he performed the anthem of the Soviet Union and Russia.
«My best friend. My partner. My brother wrote on Twitter, the Iron Sheik. — I trusted him with my life. He took care of me when I was broken. I’ll miss you always.»
WE HAVE TO WEAR WIGS & DISGUISES WHEN WE WENT TO RESTAURANT BECAUSE EVERYBODY HATED US. NIKOLAI SAY NO MORE EATING OUT SO HE MAKE FOOD IN HOTEL ROOM. VINCE TELL US “YOU HAVE THE WHITE HOT HEAT”. ONCE NIKOLAI SING THE ANTHEM WE DIDNT EVEN HAVE TO WRESTLE. I MISS HIM #NIKOLAIVOLKOFF 💔 pic.twitter.com/oMsPLhMFyr
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) July 30, 2018
The last of his days a wrestler has held on a farm in Glen Armagh (MD). He recently left the hospital after treatment of congestive heart failure.
Yesterday was another former wrestler — 46-year-old Brian Lawler, the son of another famous soldier — Jerry the King Lawler. Lawler, Jr., hanged himself in prison Tennessee, where he was serving a sentence for drunk driving.
