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Guest Arnold_OldSchool
Posted

I just saw him for the 1st time since 1988 on a VHS tape last night. He looked like he should've been used more than he was

Posted

If memory serves, he was so green he made Nikita Kolloff (who he was brought in to feud with) look like Ricky Steamboat. Methinks he wasn't able to pick up the skills necessary to stick around ... and big roid-filled guys are easily replaced.

 

I dug him though, I hated Nikita as a face ... I was rooting for Petrov in that feud.

Posted

From Obsessed with Wrestling (which I know isn't always accurate):

 

-John Nord (later became known as The Berzerker) was originally slated for the role of Vladimir Petrov, but it didn't come to fruition..

-Vladimir Petrov replaced Krusher Kruschev and teamed up with Ivan Koloff and was a member of Paul Jones' Army in JCP..

-1987: Vladimir Petrov was busted for drug possession and never wrestled again..

 

Hey, if we're talking about obscure '80s "Russians", whatever happened to Soldat Ustinov?

Posted

When I met him it was between 94-96 and he looked to still be in shape and was obviously doing promotional work for his career. But I dont really know if or where he was working at the time.

Guest Arnold_OldSchool
Posted

What about AWA's Russian Brute? Or was that Soldat repackaged? I was too young to remember

Posted

Some info I found for anyone who cares.

 

ivan-vladimir.jpg

 

Al Blake broke into wrestling in February 1987 for the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions. He was called Vladimir Petrov, "The Russian Assassin". He had been hired to go after Nikita Koloff for turning on Ivan Koloff. He was also brought in to replace Krusher Khruschev, who had left for the WWF (World Wrestling Entertainment).

 

He was big and had a shaved head and red beard. He looked menacing and Ivan Koloff told RF Video during a shoot interview that he once backed down his boss, Jim Crockett, Jr., with a cold stare.

 

Vladimir and Ivan feuded with Nikita for several months and had many "Russian Chain Matches". Petrov could never beat Nikita though. They were joined by Dick Murdoch in April and managed to "injure" Nikita's neck. Petrov and Ivan also had matches withe the Rock 'N Roll Express.

 

In late 1987, Ivan and Petrov became members of Paul Jones' stable. Petrov feuded with Ron Garvin but lost that feud too. He was clumsy and he did not get much of a push. Petrov also went to the Universal Wrestling Federation briefly to feud with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams over the UWF Title.

 

Near the end of 1987, Petrov disappeared from television and was not mentioned. He had been caught selling drugs and sent to prison.

 

In 1991, Blake wrestled in the WWF as himself. He was only used as a jobber and by 1992, he was retired for good.

 

 

Profile

Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)

Weight: 285 lb

Birthday: 1961

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Other Gimmicks: Vladimir Petrov

Managers: Ivan Koloff, Paul Jones

Trainer: Ivan Koloff

Finishing Maneuver: Russian Sickle Clothesline

 

 

Trivia

Al was a bouncer before becoming a wrestler.

As Vladimir Petrov, he helped Ivan defend the NWA United States Tag Team Titles that Ivan and Dick Murdoch had won together. Murdoch had been suspended and Ivan needed a partner. That was the closest that Al came to championship gold.

It was rumored that Al had Mafia connections, but that rumor does not appear to be true.

At one time, Al managed a supermarket in the Minneapolis area.

 

ivan-vladimir-murdoch2.jpg

ivan-vladimir-murdoch.jpg

ivan-vladimir-murdoch3.jpg

Posted

Nikolai Volkoff really was from Eastern Europe, if I'm not mistaken. I think he might have been from Yugoslavia or somewhere like that, though, not actually Russia. I think that's as close as it gets, though.

Posted
Nikolai Volkoff really was from Eastern Europe, if I'm not mistaken. I think he might have been from Yugoslavia or somewhere like that, though, not actually Russia. I think that's as close as it gets, though.

 

Lithuania, I believe.

Posted

Lithuania was part of the USSR until it withdrew in 1990. To play off of real life events, Nikita Koloff and Nikolai started to be billed as faces from Lithuania.

 

I believe Nikolai was from Yugoslavia, which splintered up and is now Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia and some other countries.

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