Ivan Koloff (1942-2017)

Ivan Koloff was a true legend in the world of professional wrestling. In this never before seen interview from January 2004, I talk with Mr. Koloff about his "nephew" Nikita and how his relationship with the novice from Minnesota eventually led to Uncle Ivan's most important relationship. I hope this exclusive tribute to "The Russian Bear" will reveal the true heart of one of wrestling's most hated villains.

[@wyattblackwood3927]

It is so crazy to hear him talk like this after years of watching him in his Russian bear character. Definitely one of the great wrestlers in the Golden Age and what I consider the best age of wrestling.

[@jamesconsiglio2709]

My thoughts exactly I really thought he was Russian ??? Even Nikita had a good accent.

[@apachewolf4106]

WWE, put Ivan Koloff in the HOF. He was a legend in his own time.

[@fuzzynuts8129]

I had the honor of meeting Ivan at a Walmart in Suffolk, Va. He was doing meet and greets for a charity he was a part of. At the time, he said he was living in N.C. and a devout Christian. He was a sweet guy. R.I.P. 😥

[@finch45lear]

One of the best heels in WWWF history. I saw him wrestle many times at The Philadelphia Spectrum . I had great times with my friends there and have plenty of good memories. Thanks Ivan and RIP.

[@steelcastle5616]

He (Ivan Koloff, the Russian Bear!) should have made it into the WWE HoF before many of those who are already in.

[@vanillaguerilla5250]

Steel Castle absolutely No matter who he wrestled it was very entertaining Effortless tactician

[@jasondavis2303]

Agreed got to be in the top 20 of all time world champ tag team champ 6 man champ

[@joemead3537]

I agree 100% he deserved to be a 1st round HOFer especially considering he was a wwwf champion by beating Bruno Samartino in New York at Madison Square Garden for the title

[@mikebritt8934]

Why would anyone give this a thumbs down. This testimony made my day and will be with me the rest of my life

[@49erMinded]

I feel you. There are too many lame brainless haters on here that's all.

[@keithwayne4572]

I really admire this man that he can speak out about his relationship with christ. Awesome...R.I.P

[@joerichards2616]

I got to meet the man in the Philly airport around 1987. He was very accommodating for pics and we had a nice little conversation. At the time, I was young and had a decent build. I don't know if he was just messing with me or not, but he was sure that he had wrestled me in Pittsburgh a few years before. I wish that were the case. RIP Uncle Ivan.

[@andymassingham]

Every match is marked on this man. I saw him a Maple Leaf Gardens in ‘81 against Pat Paterson. Ivan’s head bounced off the guard rail and blood shot strait up about five feet. Everybody freaked out. Lots of folks in the front row got showered.

[@jasonmorgan951]

That was so touching 😇 Nikita felt the power and inviting Ivan to church and eventually being saved is so beautiful..RIP IVAN KOLOFF

[@Kevin-cy4qn]

I met Ivan, during, or around this time, of his dedication to The Lord, & HE WAS/IS THE REAL DEAL! U can tell, that kinda Love, is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT thing, form "A Work" in the Pro Wrestling Business!! Ivan, is at peace RT NOW, & I KNOW WHERE HE WENT WHEN HE PASSED!! RIP Ivan Koloff The Russian Bear!

[@HermanSays]

Had me fooled for years. I always though his accent was legit....great wrestler and performer.

[@fredericbarclay7468]

Sounds like Ed Asner,I suppose. Wonder why he's not in the HOF.

[@tyusreginald6646]

I met Ivan some years ago at an autograph session! He was definitely a changed man. Very soft spoken but strong in his conviction.RIP Ivan🤼☝️

[@joecangiano6855]

He wrestled bob backlund in a local show in Brooklyn in the in the early 80s My brother got picked to hold the American flag in the ring when backlund came into the ring he was about 9 or 10 when Kolof came to the ring he slammed a huge chain against the ring my brother thru the flag and ran out of the arena I almost pissed my self laughing it was a great memory

[@Skywalker567]

Great story! Where in Brooklyn?

[@lip931]

I met Ivan back in the mid 80's at the Pittsburgh Civic arena. He was just a true class act.

[@MrJabezw]

I was fortunate to have met once at a Walmart autograph signing, he was very nice and he was very happy that I knew a lot about his career. We spoke for a long time.

[@wiseguysoutdoors2954]

He absolutely should be in the HOF!! HHH, make it happen!!! Just look at the light in his eyes, and his radiant countenance. He wouldn't fall for something fake. He knew that what he experienced that day, wasn't kayfabe, but the real deal!!!

[@FireitupBedford]

This guy was one class act....

[@noezrider6361]

I met Ivan twice. Once at my work, about 1990. He was selling nuts and bolts out of his big blue Caddy with "R.Bear" license tag. Nice as ge could be. Then again with his ministry, he was at Walmart in Fayetteville NC mid 90s. When I was a young kid I couldn't stand him. As I grew up and "learned" about wrassln' I respected him. A super dude!

[@alicesmith6750]

I got an autograph from him in Fayetteville, N.C at Walmart on Skibo rd back then.

[@noezrider6361]

@@alicesmith6750 That's where I saw him.

[@denniscatanese4846]

R.I.P. Sir. And thank you.

[@30907bng]

Thank you for all the memories you provided as a child & fan of yours growing up ."Uncle" Ivan Koloff r.i.p my friend the russian bear.

[@lionessroarsjohnson2684]

I met him once. He was really nice.

[@donsmeltzer4083]

Ivan Koloff was a great heel in both the NWA and WWF. One of my favourite memories was his feud with Jimmy Valiant for the NWA TV Championship. They had some great matches in Maple Leaf Gardens. RIP Russian Bear, and thanks for all the great entertainment.

[@charlesjohnson3534]

I booed 'Uncle Ivan' on Saturday & Sunday nites on WTBS in ATL...I actually met him at the Beaufort, SC Walmart when I was stationed at MCAS Beaufort (1999-02)...he was doing a book signing 'Wrestling with God'...A very inspirational man once you talk with him...

[@fransiscoscaramanga674]

i can't believe this man is not in the wwe hall of fame.....................bullshit! shame on you vince..

[@Eduardo-lt2op]

I remember at the time I saw Ivan Koloff was the most hated man in wrestling and boy he was the top heel in all of wrestling and sure he defeated Bruno Sammartino to take that WWWF Championship. I really believe that he should be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. God Bless You Ivan Koloff.

[@dannyelrod9607]

If you loved him or hate him one true legend R.I.P. Russian Bear

[@joemead3537]

One of the best wwwf champions of all time with one of the most memorable matches of all time with his win over Bruno Samartino at Madison Square Garden for the title at a time that no body beats Bruno!

[@jorv1971]

Great Wrestler. Even Better Person.

[@CarlosSanchez-bg4wf]

You the best uncle Ivan great memories

[@davidcoleman9317]

Truly Uncle Ivan was made a better Man through JESUS CHRIST.I got to meet him in the locker room and he was a Sweet Sweet Soul. RIP.

[@jamesondancy2183]

My brain can’t process him not talking like a Russian! Legend!! It was very exciting when Nikita first started wrestling and Ivan was a perfect partner!

[@jonburrows2684]

Now I'm gonna have to find a clip with him talking in the Russian accent

[@49erMinded]

I swear the only old school wrestler who was actually Russian was Nikolai Volkoff

[@HansGruberfan]

Volkoff was actually from Yugoslavia.

[@dadaevan]

Ivan was said to be a sweetheart of a guy. RIP

[@studbourbon798]

He's been here so long he lost his Russian accent.

[@strothermartin5368]

I worked security at the Capitol Centre in Landover Md. I met him A REAL GENT!

[@JasonQuinn-qq4om]

This is the first time I have ever heard Ivan Koloff speak in his real voice. How in the world is he not in the WWE Hall of Fame?

[@williesnyder2899]

The Minnesota History Museum put on a play on the life of Baron von Raschke a few years ago. It was GREAT!! I talked to Jim afterwards and shook The Claw

[@freedomisntfree2089]

I met him a few times.. absolute gentleman, really nice guy. He enjoyed talking to people, and he remembered people.. He sold his own merchandise and gave all the profit to a charity fundraiser for kids, Once he was a bad guy in the ring but in reality he was a good guy.

[@christopherbako]

He looks exactly like my grandpa 😊 Love seeing his face. My grandpa was also an alcoholic. But he eventually with the fear of losing his wife..He stopped immediately. She had enough.

[@Shazamg6]

RIP Ivan, thanks for the memories...

[@jeffwalker8101]

I watched Ivan on television when I was a child.Im so thankful for his testimony I 🙏 on utube. I'm a born again chirstian and so thankful that one day I will see him in heaven.Hes my brother in Christ.🙏

[@purdhupley7864]

His voice is so different. Sounds almost like a whole different person

[@jimbrown5091]

Uncle Ivan...I think this is the 1st time I heard him out of gimmick.

[@dannyagundez9639]

Ivan and Nikita Koloff great NWA World Tag Team Champions.

[@tmar0075]

Great interview...let him speak without interruption..just the way it should be!!..

[@johnwilkerson2195]

Awesome man grew up watching him rip sir

[@MrNatural73]

A True Class Act.

[@ylatupa]

Scared me as a little kid. Sounds nothing like the Russian bear in real life. Best heel of all times !

[@user-oj5oo8wh6n]

Miss this guy true legend

[@TheRealMightyHokie]

I was BLOWN away by this interview. I remember looking him up on that new-fangled thing they called the "worldwide web" in 1997 or so. His site had audio of him saying something like "This is the Russian Bear, Ivan Koloff, and welcome to my site." He was using his real voice which was shocking because while I figured he wasn't a Soviet monster, I figured he was at least Russian, haha. I'm so happy he because Born-Again. I won't drone on and on about it, but even an atheist could be happy for the guy. Even if you don't believe that God is real, you should make you happy that Koloff did and it made his life better and more peaceful. He seems like a really nice guy. But man, my Reaganite butt hated this guy in the 80s! Total mark!

[@seanberry1969]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@billxmas889]

He definitely didnt try and make Bank off the lord , Like Creflo DiBiase , sorry I meant Ted .

[@schuey999]

Wonderful guy.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

legend

[@brucecombs5687]

He really did look Russian, and the pointy beard gave him an eerie sort of Vladimir Lenin look. Back when he was drinking heavily, he could have called that "staying in character" LOL!

[@49erMinded]

🤣🤣😆😂🍾🍺

[@johnfawcett1464]

Definitely Ivan should be in the H.O.F. let's go Vince let it go what ever stupid grudge you have let it go!!!!!!!

[@KayFabe87]

Loved Ivan & Nikita as a young fan in the 80's, but they had the least convincing Russian accents ever. The gruff, raspy delivery had no trace of a Russian sounding accent. Nikolai Volkoff's was more accurate since he was from Bosnia and could speak some Russian so the accent was legit. Either way; Great memories. RIP Ivan.

[@lacyrider72]

Amen

[@keithwayne4572]

He is really not in the Hall of Fame? But Mil Mascaras is, wow

[@TeeKoon]

Wikipedia : Koloff was named as a defendant in a 2015 lawsuit filed by WWE after they received a letter from him indicating that he intended to sue them for concussion-based injuries sustained during his tenure with them. He was represented by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who is involved in several other lawsuits involving former WWE wrestlers. The lawsuit was dismissed in September 2018.

[@MrPowerlyte]

It is Great for me to finally hear this man in his natural voice.

[@liljo911xxx]

RIP.....

[@jasondavis2303]

I never new he was that scared up former world champ tag team champ 6 man champ got to be top 20 of all time

[@metrobailey550]

RIP Ivan

[@lanenordgren7641]

The Russian bear. Legend.

[@JeffB1961]

RIP

[@jamesearlcash1758]

On April 25th 1983 Ivan Koloff was being lead to the ring by his then manager Classy Freddie Blassie, I was sitting in the second row by the ring steps and I was booing him as his name was being announced. When he reached the steps and was about to walk up on them he stopped look me right in my face a yelled out fuck you. I then returned the sentiment and we went back and forth just before he stepped into the ring to face Bob Howdy Doody Backlund for the then WWF Championship belt. Three months prior to that I heard the 'Wild Samoans' speaking english cursing at Andre the Giant in the ring when they weren't supposed to know how to speak it. lol I can see now that he wasn't a Russian and although I never got to meet him I still have that in my memories. RIP Oreal Donald Perras AKA Ivan Koloff The Canadian Russian Bear. lol

[@FingerBreakerWu]

Was there a legit “evil” Russian wrestler in the 80s? They were all very convincing. Ivan most of all. RIP and thanks for the memories!

[@HansGruberfan]

Even Nikolai Volkoff from the wwf. wasn't a Russian. Was born in Croatia.

[@williesnyder2899]

I remember him from the AWA...

[@vanillaguerilla5250]

Hall of famer

[@Dan.50]

L-E-G-E-N-D ! !

[@anthonystanley2763]

This man live exactly 2 miles from my house

[@blacquesjacques7239]

Not anymore .

[@zumaanandrade3961]

The best to do it

[@poppyreads736]

My ex is friends with Ivan’s daughter. Wish I could’ve met him.

[@mikebritt8934]

Ivan I wish I would have met you in life and hope to meet you in God's kingdom

[@coreysmorgan8488]

You can hear a little bit of the Canadian Accent here

[@dandrson7903]

It's weird to hear his actual voice

[@philaman1972]

Unreal. Here I was a 13 year old kid in 1985 watching Ivan and Nikita - in their gruff personas - denounce the USA and annihilate jobbers on TV. Talk about talented people!

[@NicoTineman]

I don't recall that Ivan was a bleeder.. but look at the deep scars on his head! The only deeper scars I can think of are are on Abdullah the Butcher.

[@boysrback5690]

Looks like a few of those were from Abby and his fork..

[@joshephand5538]

I alway thought he was real Russian, look at all the scars on his forehead, he must love his job as a wrestler

[@TheFoodieCutie]

It seems like he was the original, and Ivan VOLKOFF was the 80s copy? Nikita koloff said in a recent interview that the WWE didn’t pick him up, probably because they already had The “Volkoff” guy. The whole things confusing because there’s Ivan’s and nikitas and Nikolai’s... two different organizations, who knows!

[@bigran_outbound2262]

Koloff could Go😁👊

[@MsSmitty9]

THE RUSSIAN BEAR. It’s sad the way KAYFABE IS No longer. Why is he not in the Hall of Fame ?!!!

[@myklaaron7879]

Man......Dorton Arena....i cooked his breakfast at wafflehouse 10-20 yrs ago. He was an awesome dude.

[@larry45044]

does he ever talk about baron von rashke- those two were great!! THE AXIS POWER!!!!LOL

[@Landis_Grant]

Baron Fritz Von Rashke

[@jonburrows2684]

Crap! I always thought that he was really Russian. I fount out he was born in Montreal Canada. I tell you...Wrestling is almost as fake as CNN

[@GeraldGreenfield-gn9dc]

Nothing could match CNN's Deplorableness!

[@pls2028]

Actually, no...he was born in a small rural town, near Ottawa. He grew up on a farm in a large French-Canadian family...

[@clinttorres2508]

Yup...nothings as fake as CNN...they've got biased phony "news coverage" cornered

[@mikecarey1885]

Mr Koloff was born in Canada

[@KIEV7385]

You don't Participate in a Lawsuit against your Former Employer and expect to be Awarded by Them in return......

[@starwars518]

Strange not hearing the Russian accent

[@terryrayls5056]

I AM SOOOOOOOO VERY HAPPY FOR YOU IVAN ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR BEST DECISION YOU EVER MADE 😀 JESUS CHRIST IS MY SAVIOR AND BEST FRIEND I LOOOOOOOOOOVE HIM SOOOOOOOO VERY MUCH WITH ALL MY HEART ❤❤❤

[@WFCaxeman]

Wow! Literally just now seen this and found out he's American. So of all the so-called Soviets to have wrestled the only legit one is Nikolai Volkov. Legends all of them!

[@zumaanandrade3961]

Yep. Nikolai was crazy. He was a power lifter and when he started wresling he was old. Nikolai and the Sheik lived in Queens NY. So they met in the gym end of story.

[@zumaanandrade3961]

Yep. Nikolai was crazy. He was a power lifter and when he started wresling he was old. Nikolai and the Sheik lived in Queens NY. So they met in the gym end of story.

[@HansGruberfan]

Technically Nikolai was from Yugoslavia not Russia.

[@HansGruberfan]

Ivan Kioloff was from Montreal, Canada not The Usa.

[@iliannachev2882]

The original Koloff in wrestling was a Bulgarian and he was known as Dan Koloff, aka The Bulgarian Lion. He won the Diamond Belt twice. His active time in the U.S. was 1915-1930. He actually wrestled a bear for a whole hour, until he got a chance to get a hold of a rifle and shoot it. When they examined the bear afterwards, they found marks on the bear’s neck from Koloff’s hands! He was also famous for being able to bend a train rail around his neck...

[@Bootlegger718]

I hate to be the bearer of good news, but Ivan didn't die. He lives in North Carolina. He did get really sick, and it didn't look good, but he made it.

[@chadk890]

Liar

[@michaelallanrubin2376]

Ivan died unfortunately

[@doug1278]

I used to love to hate him 😄

[@BlusMusic2]

He doesn’t sound Russian 🤣

[@jonburrows2684]

He lost the accent over the years. He got americanized

[@williesnyder2899]

No longer a “Godless Communist”... Ironic.

[@areguapiri]

Tired of all these wrestling stories ending with this that church, religion nonsense.