Josip Nikolai Peruzović (born October 14, 1947), better known by his ring name of Nikolai Volkoff, is a professional wrestler who is best known for his performances for the World Wrestling Federation. Although the Volkoff character is portrayed as Russian, Peruzović actually originated from Croatia and had a mixed background that was not entirely Russian.
Peruzović grew up in the Socialist Republic of Croatia, which was then part of the Yugoslavia, a Communist country. His mother is Italian and his father was Croatian. He was on the Yugoslavian weightlifting team until 1967, when he defected to Canada while at a weightlifting tournament in Vienna, Austria. He received training in Calgary from the legendary Stu Hart, followed by his arrival in the United States in 1970.
As soon as he arrived, he began wrestling in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) (currently known as WWE). Wrestling as Bepo Mongol, managed by "Captain" Lou Albano and partnered with Geto Mongol, he captured the WWF International Tag Team Titles from Tony Marino and Victor Rivera on June 15, 1970. After losing the titles to Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler in a match that unified the WWF International and WWF World Tag Team Titles, Peruzovic went on to singles competition under the name Nikolai Volkoff.
Terry Gene Bollea (born August 11, 1953), better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
Hogan enjoyed mainstream popularity in the mid 1980s through the early 1990s as the all-American character Hulk Hogan in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF—now WWE), and was notable in the mid-to-late 1990s as Hollywood Hogan, the villainous nWo leader, in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Following the closure of WCW, he made a brief return to WWE in the early 2000s before revising his heroic character by combining elements of his two most famous personas.
Hogan was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. He is a 12-time world champion being a six-time WWF/WWE Champion, six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, as well as a former WWE World Tag Team Champion with Edge. He won the Royal Rumble in 1990 and 1991, making him the first to win two consecutive Royal Rumbles. He was also the first WWE wrestler to win the WWE Championship three times. In his first reign as WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Hogan held the title for 469 days from July 17, 1994 to October 29, 1995—the longest ever reign for this championship.
Sylvester Ritter (December 13, 1952 – June 2, 1998) was an American professional wrestler and professional football player, best known for his work in Mid-South Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation as The Junkyard Dog (or JYD for short). Entering the ring with his trademark chain attached to a dog collar, to the music of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," JYD regularly headlined cards that sold out the Louisiana Superdome and other major venues. JYD was one of the most electrifying and charismatic wrestlers in the country, particularly during his peak in the early 1980s. JYD was most known for his head butt and upper-body strength, the latter of which saw him regularly body slam such large wrestlers as the One Man Gang, Kamala, and King Kong Bundy. The word "thump," which referred to JYD's power slam, was prominently displayed on his wrestling trunks.
Ritter played football at Fayetteville State University, twice earning honorable mention All-American status, and is a member of The Sports Hall Of Fame. He graduated with a political science degree and was selected by the Green Bay Packers organization, but knee and back surgery ended his football career. Also a member of Groove Phi Groove and All CIAA member Chet Grimsley who authored a book on their travels The White Golden Bull.
Plot
Also known as "The Canadian Crippler", Chris Benoit is a superstar in amongst the hallowed ranks of WWE. Rising from humble beginnings in the Stampede Wrestling game, Benoit has won over a huge legion of followers with his awesome displays of raw power. This release offers some highlights from his impressive career in the ring.
Keywords: character-name-in-title, entertainment, wrestling
Plot
The 5th Annual Royal Rumble battle royal, with the vacant WWF Title going to the winner, WWF Intercontinental Championship: The Mountie vs. Roddy Piper, WWF Tag Team Championship: The Leigon of Doom vs The Natural Disasters, The Beverly Brothers vs. The Bushwackers, The Orient Express vs. The New Foundation
Keywords: tv-special, world-wrestling-federation, wrestling
Gorilla Monsoon, Announcer: No one ever, in the history of the Royal Rumble, has drawn No. 1-5 and been there at the end.::Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: Oh, shut up!
[Ric Flair, Mr. Perfect and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan are celebrating Flair's title win in the Royal Rumble]::Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: We hate to say we told you so, but...::Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer, Mr. Perfect: We told you so!
[Rowdy Roddy Piper has just pulled Jake "The Snake" Roberts off of Ric Flair]::Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: I never thought I'd say this, but thank you Piper. It's a kilt. It's not a skirt, it's a kilt.::[Piper then nails Flair]::Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: You no good creep! You skirt-wearing freak! It's not a kilt, it's a skirt.
Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: You have to remember. Virgil once had that million dollar belt. Of course he stole it, but he still had it.::Gorilla Monsoon, Announcer: Oh, give me a break.::Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: Virgil entered at what, 23? I mean, who knows how many bags he's been through in the back?::Gorilla Monsoon, Announcer: Would you stop?
Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: I'm soaking wet. I need a drink. Hey you, stupid! Get me something with a kick!
Gorilla Monsoon, Announcer: The Barbarian doesn't like Flair.::Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: The Barbarian doesn't like anybody. When I managed him, he barely liked *me*.
Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: [Upon seeing Ric Flair come out #3 in the Royal Rumble] No!::Gorilla Monsoon, Announcer: Ohhhhh!::Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: Damn it!::Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, Announcer: Oh, you can kiss it goodbye, Brain!
Plot
WWF Title (Cage Match) The Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude, WWF Intercontinental Title: Mr. Perfect vs. The Texas Tornado, WWF Tag Team Titles (2 out of 3 Falls) Demolition vs. The Hart Foundation, Hulk Hogan vs. Earthquake, Randy Savage vs. Dusty Rhodes, Jake Roberts vs. Bad News Brown, Power & Glory vs. The Rockers, The Warlord vs. Tito Santana, The Orient Express vs. Nikolai Volkoff & Jim Duggan,
Keywords: african-american, american-dream, cage-match, canadian, ex-cop, former-communist, gulf-war, hulk-hogan, japanese-wrestler, macho-man
The Heat Returns
Plot
The first ever Royal Rumble battle royal, a staggered battle royal with a new participant every 2 minutes. Also: WWF Women's Tag Team Championship (2 out of 3 falls) : The Jumping Bomb Angels vs. The Glamour Girls, 2 our of 3 Falls Match: The Islanders vs. The Young Stallians, Ricky Steamboat vs. Rick Rude, & the contract signing for the Hulk Hogan/Andre the Giant rematch
Keywords: tv-special, world-wrestling-federation, wrestling
Plot
Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage vs. Ted DiBiase & Andre the Giant, WWF Intercontinental Title: The Honky Tonk Man vs. The Ultimate Warrior, WWF Tag Team Title: Demolition vs. The Hart Foundation, Don Muraco vs. Dino Bravo, The Rougeaus vs. The British Bulldogs, The Powers of Pain vs. the Bolsheviks, Bad News Brown vs. Ken Patera, The Junk Yard Dog vs. Ravishing Rick Rude, The Big Boss Man vs. Koko B. Ware, Hercules vs. Jake the Snake Roberts
Keywords: african-american, barbarian, board, bodyguard, bolshevik, bribe, british, brother-brother-relationship, bulldog, canadian
Plot
Hulk Hogan, Bam Bam Bigelow, Ken Patera, Don Muracco & Paul Orndorff vs. Andre the Giant, King Kong Bundy, Butch Reed, One Man Gang & Rick Rude. Strike Force, The Killer Bees, Jim Powers & Paul Roma, The British Bulldogs & The Rougeau Brothers vs. The Hart Foundation, The Islanders, The Bolsheviks, Greg Valentine & Dino Bravo. The Fabulous Moolah, Rockin' Robin, Velvet McEntyre & The Jumping Bomb Angels vs. Sherri Martel, Lelani Kai, Dawn Marie, Donna Christanello & Judy Martin. Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Brutus Beefcake, Jim Duggan & Jake Roberts vs. The Honky Tonk Man, Harley Race, Danny Davis, Ron Bass & Hercules
Keywords: african-american, bald-man, barber, bolshevik, british, brother-brother-relationship, bulldog, canadian, champion, demolition
Howard Finkel: [Hulk Hogan has been counted out] Ladies and gentlemen, as a result of a count out, Hulk Hogan has been eliminated. The Referees have instructed that if Hulk Hogan does not leave the ring and go back to the dressing room, he will award the bout to Andre The Giants team.