Last Saturday, the man known as Ivan Koloff, the Russian Bear (born Oreal Perras, in 1942 in Montreal, Quebec) passed away at his home in Winterville, North Carolina.
Koloff had a legendary wrestling career that stretched 30 years, despite his many injuries.
Video remembrance, Here
Koloff’s life after wrestling, which was just as remarkable, Here
I grew up close to this business. Yes, it’s 100% theater (‘fake’ is an awful word). Despite their best attempts otherwise, injuries do occur. It takes a toll. The great Mexican-American wrestler, Cyclone Anaya, was injured many years ago in Houston, when a scene went wrong. It ended his career, but with the help of local promoter, the legendary Paul Boesch, and a number of his fellow wrestlers, Anaya opened a restaurant, the first of several.
Professional wrestling before it took off in the 90’s was a very nepotistic, close business. Every match, every feud a passion play of good versus evil.
Sadly HD-TV, over-promotion and a cast of steroid-fueled losers posing as talent has destroyed the illusion that pro wrestling once offered those willing to believe in the amazing powers of their heroes in the square circle!
Sad to see that “Ivan” is gone, but glad to see a post about him (thanks Dr. Tar). Pretty much everyone (including his “enemies” in the ring) thought a lot of him as a person. Growing up in rural GA before cable TV was wide spread, my brother and I loved to watch wrestling from the few “local” stations we could pick up, and Ivan Koloff was a big name back in the day and we loved to hate that mean ol’ rooskie (which was his “schtick” for most of his career).
Another “wrasslin” great also died a few days ago as well: George “The Animal” Steele. If you never had the pleasure of watching him in action, watch a couple of minutes of this video. Fast forward to about 1:00 minute to see him chewing on the turnbuckle and to about 3:40 to see his “unorthodox” style that made him famous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NLjgzCxjWw
The next link is to a “documentary” on his life (he was a teacher and coach for 25 years before he became a big name in “wrasslin”) and although it lasts almost an hour, it is well worth watching for anyone that enjoyed “wrasslin” back in the day, or for anyone that enjoys hearing a very touching Christian testimonial / life story from someone most people wouldn’t expect it from.
He starts the video off by saying “if you wonder why I’m so happy right now, if you’re watching this, I’m dead and I’m with Jesus now …. bye-bye”. It was quite interesting and touching for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcc1BNir33A
Pro wrestling and establishment politics, the only difference is the outfits they were and pay checks they get.
I remember watching “The Russian Bear” back in the day. In its own way, the WWF was good patriotic theater before they started pushing the demonic personas. RIP.