What Could Have Been
Chapter One: Nikita Koloff In the WWF!
#PWHS #Article #WhatCouldHaveBeen #WCHB #NikitaInWWF
Yes wrestling fans, here's another What if from Shea Heath, and it's a doozy! I know some of you wonder why I would take the time to write something like this! Well, it's really simple, I LOVE wrestling! And I like to ponder over what could have been, if so and so were in a wrestling promotion, how would they have done, if allowed to acheive top status. You may think it's irrelevant, but it's NOT! Not when you have a great imagination ready to burst with the pride of being a fan of Professional Wrestling! After all, what is a book? It's a story that comes from your imagination, and this is no different.
Nikita Koloff, we all should know who he is. He came into the NWA during the Crockett era, and dominated like no other. In his time there he won the NWA World Tag Team Titles with Uncle Ivan, Ivan Koloff, the man who shocked the world when he defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Title in 1971, ending Bruno's nearly 8 year run, the United States Heavyweight Title, and was the last NWA National Heavyweight Champion having won it on September 28th, 1986. It was then unified into the United States Heavyweight Title! He had a better year than most people did in their entire careers, in his first year with Crockett Promotions. By 1987, Nikita was still going strong having unified the NWA and UWF Televison Titles at Starrcade '87 against Terry Taylor, when Crockett Promotions bought Bill Watt's UWF, which was supposed to be a much bigger deal then it turned out to be. Now, here's the fun part for me. What if Nikita Koloff took an offer from Vince McMahon to come to the WWF in 1987 and feud with Hulk Hogan in main events across the country! What could have been? Let's find out shall we?
It's 1987, and Nikita Koloff, and Ivan Koloff, are upset with Jim Crockett over recent events. They felt stiffed on their paychecks, felt they should should of been paid more, for selling out various arena in the southern states NWA and Crockett Promotions operated their shows, and there were other factors, mainly Dusty Rhodes, but not him solely. So, they left. That's when Nikita got a call that would have changed his life forever.
"Hello?"
"NIKITA! How are you?"
"Good thanks. Who is this?"
"Vince McMahon."
"Vince McMahon? The owner of the WWF?"
"The one and only. I hear you have left Crockett."
"Yeah."
"Well,how would you like to work for us here at the World Wrestling Federation?"
"Well, I don't know. What do you hve planned for me?"
"Well, Nikita, how bout you come to Titan Towers and find out? Say, next Wensday?"
"Okay. I'll see ya then."
"Good. Bring Ivan with ya!"
With that Vince McMahon hung up. Now, the following Wednesday, both Nikita and Ivan went to Titan Towers to talk to Vince McMahon. A deal was made. Nikita would debut for the WWF right after Wrestlemania 3. Ivan would be his manager. Vince suggested that Ivan should wear a suit to make him look more elegant, more like royalty if you will. The plan was for Nikita to attack Hulk Hogan and in turn eventually lead up to a challenge for the WWF title on Saturday Night's Main Event. It was the Superstars taping, the first one after Wrestlemania, where Nikita debuted alongside Uncle Ivan.
April 1987: Week 1
Superstars Of Wrestling: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Barry Horowitz with the sickle. (6:46)
Afterwards, Nikita cuts a promo and states he's coming for Hulkamania, and he will destroy Hulkamania, and drape the Russian flag over his fallen corpse!
April 1987: Week 2
Superstars Of Wrestling: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Steve Lombardi (5:00 even)
Afterwards, Ivan Koloff states that Hogan still hasn't answered their challenge, and calls Hogan a coward. Then Nikita states, "Hogan! You duck me No More! I will crush you. You bow before Nkita!"
April 1987: Week 3
Superstars Of Wrestling: Mean Gene Okerlund interviews Hulk Hogan, and asks about Nikita's challenge. "Hulk Hogan, I've never known you to back down from a challenge! Will you accept Nikita Koloffs challenge?" "Well you know Mean Gene! This Nikita Koloff is a big tuff dude! But I've slammed the 8th wonder of the world brother! And so Nikita be careful what you ask for, cause you might not be able to handle, the awesome force that is Hulkamnia brother! So, Nikita, ask yourself one question Dude! What'cha gonna do when Hulk Hogan runs wild on you?"
Nikita and Ivan were not at the arena, but at Lady Liberty! A pre-taped segment airs! "Hulk Hogan, you are like America! Nothing more then a coward! You fight me! I crush you, Like Russia crush America! You have no Liberty, (said while pointing at Lady Liberty) only NIKITA! NIKITA DESTROY HULKAMANIA LIKE RUSSIA DESTROY AMERICA!"
Madison Square Garden
The first encounter: WWF World Heavyweight Title: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Hulk Hogan by DQ. (13:47)
Next Night, Rochester NY
WWF Title Match: Hulk Hogan beats Nikita Koloff by DQ after Ivan interferes. (15:08)
Tag Match with Ivan!: Baltimore Maryland: Nikita and Ivan Koloff beat Hulk Hogan and Ricky Steamboat. (18:48)
Week 4
Superstars Of Wrestling: In 2 weeks, it's official! Nikita Koloff will challenge Hulk Hogan for the WWF title on Saturday Night's Main Event! Nikta has a match and post match promo!
Nikita Koloff (w/ Ivan Koloff) beats Koko B. Ware (8:14)
Promo: "2 weeks, HULK HOGAN! 2 weeks, then I CRUSH Hulkamania! What you do when Nikitamania run wild on you?!"
Saturday Night's Main Event!!
WWF World Heavyweight Title: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Hulk Hogan after interference from Ivan and a sickle to the back of the head, to WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP! (16:16)
The people are shocked! But some cheered the title change! One night later, in LOs Angeles, Nikita has his first title defense!
LA Sports Arena: LA, California
WWF World Title: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Ricky The Dragon Steamboat. (20:33)
Second Defense: Chicago Illinois
Nikita Koloff beats Hulk Hogan by count-out! (17:07) Ivan was not there as he missed his flight!
Ivan Koloff decides to leave the WWF! Apparently Vince was really mad about the missed flight, and arguments got heated! This however, did not affect Nikita's title run!
Nikita held the title until the...
1988 Royal Rumble
WWF World Title
Hulk Hogan beat Nikita Koloff for the WWF Title! (19:29)
Nikita would lose the title but not his main event slot as he would start a war with...THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR!!
It would all come to head at Wrestlemania 4 in the WWF title Tournament!
Nikita Koloff beat The Ultimate Warrior by count-out (7:47)
Nikita made it all the way to the finals against Randy Macho Man Savage!
Randy Savage beat Nikita Koloff to win the WWF World Title! (12:24)
Nikita would war with Ultimate Warrior until...
SummerSlam
Ultimate Warrior beats Nikita Koloff. (13:38)
Nikita wants one more run with the title and has put up his career vs. Savage's title!
Saturday Night's Main Event!
Nikta Koloff beats Randy Savage to in the title! (22:52)
Nikta would lose the title one month later to Randy Savage, and with his contract up, he has decided to leave the WWF for now, but he has one more match at...
Madison Square Garden
Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage beat Nikita Koloff and Andre The Giant! (14:47)
What could have Been, a question that applies to a lot of situations! Sure it's a what-if, but so what?! It's a fact, according to Nikita, that he was offered a deal from McMahon to feud with Hogan! So who's to say Vince wouldn't of put the title on him? You know how he feels about guys with the body builder muscles!
Thanks for reading! Until next time, save me a seat at ringside!
Nikita Koloff, we all should know who he is. He came into the NWA during the Crockett era, and dominated like no other. In his time there he won the NWA World Tag Team Titles with Uncle Ivan, Ivan Koloff, the man who shocked the world when he defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Title in 1971, ending Bruno's nearly 8 year run, the United States Heavyweight Title, and was the last NWA National Heavyweight Champion having won it on September 28th, 1986. It was then unified into the United States Heavyweight Title! He had a better year than most people did in their entire careers, in his first year with Crockett Promotions. By 1987, Nikita was still going strong having unified the NWA and UWF Televison Titles at Starrcade '87 against Terry Taylor, when Crockett Promotions bought Bill Watt's UWF, which was supposed to be a much bigger deal then it turned out to be. Now, here's the fun part for me. What if Nikita Koloff took an offer from Vince McMahon to come to the WWF in 1987 and feud with Hulk Hogan in main events across the country! What could have been? Let's find out shall we?
It's 1987, and Nikita Koloff, and Ivan Koloff, are upset with Jim Crockett over recent events. They felt stiffed on their paychecks, felt they should should of been paid more, for selling out various arena in the southern states NWA and Crockett Promotions operated their shows, and there were other factors, mainly Dusty Rhodes, but not him solely. So, they left. That's when Nikita got a call that would have changed his life forever.
"Hello?"
"NIKITA! How are you?"
"Good thanks. Who is this?"
"Vince McMahon."
"Vince McMahon? The owner of the WWF?"
"The one and only. I hear you have left Crockett."
"Yeah."
"Well,how would you like to work for us here at the World Wrestling Federation?"
"Well, I don't know. What do you hve planned for me?"
"Well, Nikita, how bout you come to Titan Towers and find out? Say, next Wensday?"
"Okay. I'll see ya then."
"Good. Bring Ivan with ya!"
With that Vince McMahon hung up. Now, the following Wednesday, both Nikita and Ivan went to Titan Towers to talk to Vince McMahon. A deal was made. Nikita would debut for the WWF right after Wrestlemania 3. Ivan would be his manager. Vince suggested that Ivan should wear a suit to make him look more elegant, more like royalty if you will. The plan was for Nikita to attack Hulk Hogan and in turn eventually lead up to a challenge for the WWF title on Saturday Night's Main Event. It was the Superstars taping, the first one after Wrestlemania, where Nikita debuted alongside Uncle Ivan.
April 1987: Week 1
Superstars Of Wrestling: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Barry Horowitz with the sickle. (6:46)
Afterwards, Nikita cuts a promo and states he's coming for Hulkamania, and he will destroy Hulkamania, and drape the Russian flag over his fallen corpse!
April 1987: Week 2
Superstars Of Wrestling: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Steve Lombardi (5:00 even)
Afterwards, Ivan Koloff states that Hogan still hasn't answered their challenge, and calls Hogan a coward. Then Nikita states, "Hogan! You duck me No More! I will crush you. You bow before Nkita!"
April 1987: Week 3
Superstars Of Wrestling: Mean Gene Okerlund interviews Hulk Hogan, and asks about Nikita's challenge. "Hulk Hogan, I've never known you to back down from a challenge! Will you accept Nikita Koloffs challenge?" "Well you know Mean Gene! This Nikita Koloff is a big tuff dude! But I've slammed the 8th wonder of the world brother! And so Nikita be careful what you ask for, cause you might not be able to handle, the awesome force that is Hulkamnia brother! So, Nikita, ask yourself one question Dude! What'cha gonna do when Hulk Hogan runs wild on you?"
Nikita and Ivan were not at the arena, but at Lady Liberty! A pre-taped segment airs! "Hulk Hogan, you are like America! Nothing more then a coward! You fight me! I crush you, Like Russia crush America! You have no Liberty, (said while pointing at Lady Liberty) only NIKITA! NIKITA DESTROY HULKAMANIA LIKE RUSSIA DESTROY AMERICA!"
Madison Square Garden
The first encounter: WWF World Heavyweight Title: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Hulk Hogan by DQ. (13:47)
Next Night, Rochester NY
WWF Title Match: Hulk Hogan beats Nikita Koloff by DQ after Ivan interferes. (15:08)
Tag Match with Ivan!: Baltimore Maryland: Nikita and Ivan Koloff beat Hulk Hogan and Ricky Steamboat. (18:48)
Week 4
Superstars Of Wrestling: In 2 weeks, it's official! Nikita Koloff will challenge Hulk Hogan for the WWF title on Saturday Night's Main Event! Nikta has a match and post match promo!
Nikita Koloff (w/ Ivan Koloff) beats Koko B. Ware (8:14)
Promo: "2 weeks, HULK HOGAN! 2 weeks, then I CRUSH Hulkamania! What you do when Nikitamania run wild on you?!"
Saturday Night's Main Event!!
WWF World Heavyweight Title: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Hulk Hogan after interference from Ivan and a sickle to the back of the head, to WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP! (16:16)
The people are shocked! But some cheered the title change! One night later, in LOs Angeles, Nikita has his first title defense!
LA Sports Arena: LA, California
WWF World Title: Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) beats Ricky The Dragon Steamboat. (20:33)
Second Defense: Chicago Illinois
Nikita Koloff beats Hulk Hogan by count-out! (17:07) Ivan was not there as he missed his flight!
Ivan Koloff decides to leave the WWF! Apparently Vince was really mad about the missed flight, and arguments got heated! This however, did not affect Nikita's title run!
Nikita held the title until the...
1988 Royal Rumble
WWF World Title
Hulk Hogan beat Nikita Koloff for the WWF Title! (19:29)
Nikita would lose the title but not his main event slot as he would start a war with...THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR!!
It would all come to head at Wrestlemania 4 in the WWF title Tournament!
Nikita Koloff beat The Ultimate Warrior by count-out (7:47)
Nikita made it all the way to the finals against Randy Macho Man Savage!
Randy Savage beat Nikita Koloff to win the WWF World Title! (12:24)
Nikita would war with Ultimate Warrior until...
SummerSlam
Ultimate Warrior beats Nikita Koloff. (13:38)
Nikita wants one more run with the title and has put up his career vs. Savage's title!
Saturday Night's Main Event!
Nikta Koloff beats Randy Savage to in the title! (22:52)
Nikta would lose the title one month later to Randy Savage, and with his contract up, he has decided to leave the WWF for now, but he has one more match at...
Madison Square Garden
Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage beat Nikita Koloff and Andre The Giant! (14:47)
What could have Been, a question that applies to a lot of situations! Sure it's a what-if, but so what?! It's a fact, according to Nikita, that he was offered a deal from McMahon to feud with Hogan! So who's to say Vince wouldn't of put the title on him? You know how he feels about guys with the body builder muscles!
Thanks for reading! Until next time, save me a seat at ringside!
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
What Could Have Been: Chapter One.
Author: Shea Heath.
Published: February 15, 2017.
Article: #165.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
What Could Have Been: Chapter One.
Author: Shea Heath.
Published: February 15, 2017.
Article: #165.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
What Could Have Been: Chapter Two - Read Here.
Other articles by Shea can be Read Here.