benoit4hor 0 Report post Posted February 2, 2006 Does anybody know what ever happened to Vladimir Petrov(Al Blake)? He was an evil russian with Ivan Kolloff. He was a huge dude, but did he ever wrestler as any other gimmicks? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted February 2, 2006 I met him at a Wal-Mart once. Nice guy. Thats all I know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Arnold_OldSchool Report post Posted February 2, 2006 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted February 2, 2006 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dobbs 3K 0 Report post Posted February 2, 2006 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? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted February 2, 2006 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Arnold_OldSchool Report post Posted February 3, 2006 What about AWA's Russian Brute? Or was that Soldat repackaged? I was too young to remember Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pgi86 0 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 Was he really Russian? Any idea? Because his name sounds very Bulgarian to me and I would know, I`m from Bulgaria Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 I doubt he was Russian. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benoit4hor 0 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 Some info I found for anyone who cares. 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JMFabiano524 0 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 Funny tidbit: on the Britcom "The Brittas Empire," a Russian pianist character was named "Vladimir Petrov." Besides the Sickle, didn't he use a different finisher, called (naturally) the "Russian Hammer"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EdwardKnoxII 0 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 Question. Were there any "Russian" wrestlers really from Russia? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Arnold_OldSchool Report post Posted February 5, 2006 New japan's were I believe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dobbs 3K 0 Report post Posted February 5, 2006 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJMc 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2006 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wahoo Report post Posted February 7, 2006 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
