{"id":117069,"date":"2022-12-09T10:00:46","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T15:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=117069"},"modified":"2022-12-08T17:17:36","modified_gmt":"2022-12-08T22:17:36","slug":"nikita-koloff-champion-in-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2022\/12\/09\/nikita-koloff-champion-in-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"From Suplexes to Salvation: NWA Legend Nikita Koloff is a Champion in Faith Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the mid-1980s, one of wrestling’s most reviled heels was the Russian Nightmare, Nikita Koloff<\/strong>. <\/span>This foreign menace came to the National Wrestling Alliance<\/strong> as a genetic masterpiece, built in a lab and trained by his Uncle Ivan. In the midst of the Cold War, this red invader was out to crush his supposedly inferior American opponents.<\/span><\/p>\n

The unstoppable Communist machine rolled right through the Carolina territory and captured the holy grail of patriotism in pro wrestling, the United States Heavyweight Title. Now, Koloff had the ominous hammer and sickle draped over one shoulder, and America’s Championship on the other. It was as if his winning the belt made us all feel dark and defeated inside.<\/span><\/div>\n

NWA Legend Nikita Koloff: A Champion in Faith<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The happy conclusion to this storyline saw the Nikita Koloff character become a ‘good guy’ <\/span><\/h3>\n
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This occurred shortly <\/span>after his former rival, Magnum TA<\/strong> was injured in a career-ending automobile accident. He would now dedicate his career to his fallen foe. Soon, he was teaming Dusty Rhodes<\/a><\/strong> and other babyfaces in their battles with The Four Horsemen<\/strong>. He and Rhodes would go on to capture the 1987 Crockett Cup<\/em><\/strong> along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the man behind the character was not actually a Russian ‘defector’.\u00a0 His name wasn’t even really<\/em> Nikita Koloff.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

He was Scott Simpson, born right here in the U.S.A. in Minnesota. <\/span>However, he played the character so convincingly by keeping kayfabe in public (even learning Russian phrases to use in public and promos), that he became Nikita almost instantly and overnight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Success came quickly for Koloff, who admits that he had little training when he stepped through the ropes for the first time<\/span><\/h3>\n

Ironically, that was one of the only requirements for the job. Jim Crockett, Jr.<\/strong>, the Mid-Atlantic<\/strong> promoter, simply stated that if Koloff tripped on the ropes when entering the ring, he would be fired immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

Koloff was height the height of his career in the mid-late 80s. He was considered one of the top contenders for Ric Flair<\/a>‘s<\/strong> NWA World Heavyweight Championship. They would clash in several main events, but Koloff never ascended to the top of the mountain.<\/span><\/p>\n

He would take a lot off when his wife, Mandy, was stricken with Hodgkin’s Disease. Nikita left behind wrestling to care for her. Sadly, she passed away on June 14, 1985. Needless to say, it left a huge void in the big man’s soul, one that would eventually be filled by faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

After another run in the ring, now with Crockett spinoff World Championship Wrestling<\/strong>, he would leave wrestling to pursue a much higher calling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Nikita<\/p>\n

In 1993, he became a born-again Christian<\/span><\/h3>\n

He had received a loud and clear message, so he responded. According to Nikita Koloff, it’s the greatest awakening that anyone can experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

With show business out of the way, it was time to find out God’s plan for him. He found it his ability to discuss the highs and lows of his own fame. How self-destructive it can be, and that his only peace was found through his beliefs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, he decided to share his story of salvation with anyone willing to listen. He began to go on the road, hoping to touch as many lives as he could, in honor of his Savior.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Bible defines a champion as:\u00a0 ‘One who has gone through the battles of life and has prevailed. Champions are men whose spiritual armor are blood-stained and battle-tested<\/b>. They are men who have faced failures, defeats, and success in life’s struggles and are still standing in Christ<\/em>.’<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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If anyone fits that description, it’s Nikita Koloff. Once a champion in the squared circle, he’s now a champion for God. <\/span><\/div>\n

He’s even been joined by fellow wrestling contemporaries who found a new life. Both Sting<\/strong> and Lex Luger<\/strong> have been involved, and many people within the industry respect what Koloff is doing now. He’s trying to open their eyes and change lives. one person at a time, if need be.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s a wonderful message even those who are non-believers can take a lot of inspiration from Koloff’s ‘spiritual shoot interview. Which is more or less what it is… His real perspective on things from his life. Right there. Brutally and honestly out in the open.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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