Nikita Koloff
Aliases - none
Athletic background - Football (Moorhead University)
Teachers - Eddie Sharkey
Professional background - JCP/NWA(`84-`88), WCW(`90-`92)
Groups - The Russians
Peak Years - `85-`88
Career Highlights - n/a
Finisher(s) -
- Russian Sickle (Lariat)
Favorites -
- Bearhug
- Bodyslam
- Overhead Forearm
- Shoulder Block
- Punch
Ringwork Rating -
move set - 4
science - 2
aerial - 0
power - 8
strikes - 5
Intangible Rating -
entertainment - 5
selling - 4
bumping - 4
carrying - 4
heat - 7
legacy - 3
Serious Injuries - Neck
Place in History - Nikita Koloff was a lot of different things: the typical jacked-up 80s wrestler, a top star largely because of his gimmick, a hard-pushed youngster who never fulfilled his push. Ivan Koloff had been one of the premier heels of the 70s because he was a talented big man (especially large for the time) and he played the role of a Soviet heel. Nikita, the supposed kin of Ivan, continued that legacy as an even bigger menace from the USSR. While Nikita's size was impressive, so much so that he eventually had to become a babyface in the territory of monster faces. Being big and muscular is good for getting over, however few big men are good workers...Nikita Koloff included. Koloff was pushed hard right into the top spot, but he just didn't improve much. The Russian bounced back and fourth as a midcard heel and a top face, but neither role really made him. Finally injuries payed their toll and Nikita bowed out in the early 90s.