Josip Peruzović

from Split, PR Croatia, FPR Yugoslavia

Image of Josip Peruzović

Biography

Josip Hrvoje Peruzović better known by his ring name of Nikolai Volkoff, was a Croatian-American professional wrestler who was best known for his performances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Although the Volkoff character was often portrayed as a villainous Russian, Peruzović originated from Yugoslavia. In the 1970s, he was Bepo of the Mongols tag team, one of the masked Executioners and feuded with Bruno Sammartino over the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship as Volkoff. In the 1980s, he was known for teaming with The Iron Sheik, with whom he won the WWF Tag Team Championship at the inaugural WrestleMania event, and later with Boris Zhukov as The Bolsheviks. In 1990, he turned face and embraced America, briefly feuding with Zhukov and newly-turned Iraqi sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter. In 1994, after a hiatus, he returned as a destitute and desperate character, exploited by Ted DiBiase as the first member of his Million Dollar Corporation.

Timeline

2021Aged 74

  • Poster for Daisy Derkins and the Dinosaur Apocalypse

    Self (as Nikolai Volkoff)

2019Aged 72

  • Poster for 350 Days

    Self

2018Aged 71

  • Poster for WrestleMassacre

    Randy's Father

2017Aged 70

  • Poster for Sweet Daddy Siki

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for Cool As Hell 2

    Nikolai

2014Aged 67

2009Aged 62

  • Poster for WWE: Allied Powers - The World's Greatest Tag Teams

    Nikolai Volkoff

  • Poster for WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event

    Nikolai Volkoff

2008Aged 61

  • Poster for Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II

    Nikolai Volkoff

2007Aged 60

  • Poster for Terror in the Pharaoh's Tomb

    Count Zarkoff

  • Poster for Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1

    Nikolai Volkoff

2006Aged 59

2005Aged 58

2002Aged 55

2001Aged 54

  • Poster for WWE WrestleMania X-Seven

    Nikolai Volkoff

1999Aged 52

  • Poster for Heroes of Wrestling

    Nikolai Volkoff

1992Aged 45

  • Poster for WWE Royal Rumble 1992

    Nikolai Volkoff

1990Aged 43

1989Aged 42

  • Poster for Hulk Hogan: Real American

    Nikolai Volkoff

  • Poster for The Brains Behind the Brawn

    Nikolai Volkoff

  • Poster for Demolition: Witness the Power

    Nikolai Volkoff

1988Aged 41

1987Aged 40

1986Aged 39

1985Aged 38

1984Aged 37

1980Aged 33

  • Poster for NWA The Last Tangle in Tampa

    Nikolai Volkoff

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