Former pro wrestler Nikolai Volkoff runs for office as a Republican in Baltimore County

[wideminded]

Evening though my son is a wrestling addict, I was never attracted to it. However, I always thought that the way Nikolai Volkoff urged the audience to salute the Russian flag and sing the Russian national anthem was a classic and hilarious way of generating "heat".

[Vision]

I'll be voting for him

[elcid1970]

Volkov displayed the Soviet flag and sang the Soviet national anthem. Red star and hammer-and-sickle. Nothing Russian and everything communist about that. He sought to inspire hatred of the USSR, an imperialist entity that nearly destroyed everything that was truly Russian. Volkov did not want people to hate him for being Russian.

[Rakkasan1]

if 'Governor Turnbuckle' can win MN, anything can happen.

[Thoro]

Volkov displayed the Soviet flag and sang the Soviet national anthem. Red star and hammer-and-sickle. Nothing Russian and everything communist about that. He sought to inspire hatred of the USSR, an imperialist entity that nearly destroyed everything that was truly Russian. Volkov did not want people to hate him for being Russian.

This snippet from his site pretty much sums that up:

"I became a professional wrestler and immediately became a top draw around the world known as the "bad guy" that fans paid to see wrestle top stars such as Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, and so many more, I sold out every major arena in the world and became a household name almost over night. I portrayed a Russian sympathizer to show the world what the evils of communism meant and just how bad communism is. I was not always in agreement with such a terrible character but after speaking with my manager Freddie Blassie, I agreed to portray the evils to show what was wrong with a very depressing and disheartening government. However, I was actually living the "American Dream" while building what would be a Hall Of Fame WWE career."

I loved Nikolai. He was one of the true great big bads back when the WWF was truly G-rated.

[EveningStar]

Yes.

[wideminded]

Nothing Russian and everything communist about that.

Good point. I should have been more careful to make the distinction between Russian and Soviet.

Volkov did not want people to hate him for being Russian.

I think people always loved Volkoff and knew it was just an act. According to his website, he was born in Yugoslavia.

[EveningStar]

The Sheik (real name: Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri) was originally a fine amateur wrestler and not one to mess with.

[EveningStar]

Yes, I remember Solie. Great announcer, but overrated by the WWF-haters.

[EveningStar]

He sure did. Before he became Volkoff, he was one of The Mongols.

[Dog]

I do..

[last american]

Shows the mentality of the average american... don't vote for someone because of their credentials, track record and stance on issues... vote for them because they grapple sweaty men.

[Nonstatist]

Only In America.

This is Mfume's old seat. He's as likely to win as the Iron Sheik is of coming back into the ring.

[elcid1970]

And onw of the late, great good guys was Wahoo McDaniels.

[VOATNOW1]

Shows the mentality of the average American... don't vote for someone because of their credentials, track record and stance on issues... vote for them because they grapple sweaty men.

His credentials, track record, and stance on issues is that bad?

[AppyPappy]

He was a former bodyguard to the Shah

[EveningStar]

I heard that years ago. Someone even said he saw him in a photo with the Shah.

[cincinnati65]

Yeah, but do you remember Mr. Wrestling II and his atomic kneelift?

[cincinnati65]

I remember when Hacksaw Jim Duggan was in a bloodfeud with the Iron Sheik. You just knew that in or out of the ring, these guys didn't like each other. Their matches were so intense and the interviews were just over the top. This was at the height of the first go round with the U.S. and Iraq, I think.

Then, I heard the two of them got busted smoking weed in the same car.......

[EveningStar]

I do. :)