Josip Peruzović

Josip Hrvoje Peruzović, widely recognized by his wrestling persona Nikolai Volkoff, was a Croatian-American professional wrestler celebrated for his impactful career in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Though his character was often depicted as a nefarious Russian, Peruzović hailed from Yugoslavia. His wrestling journey took off in the 1970s when he gained attention as Bepo in the Mongols tag team, and he later donned the mask as one of the Executioners. Under the Volkoff name, he notably clashed with wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino in pursuit of the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship.

In the 1980s, Volkoff's career soared as he teamed up with The Iron Sheik, capturing the WWF Tag Team Championship at the inaugural WrestleMania. He later formed another tag team with Boris Zhukov, known as The Bolsheviks. In a surprising twist, in 1990, he shifted his allegiance to the United States, engaging in feuds with both Zhukov and the newly aligned Sgt. Slaughter, who had adopted an Iraqi sympathizer persona.

After a brief hiatus from the ring, Peruzović returned in 1994 as a down-and-out character, falling victim to the manipulative Ted DiBiase, marking him as the first member of the Million Dollar Corporation. Volkoff's legacy is marked by his captivating performances and memorable storylines, solidifying his status in the wrestling world.