The Soviet

Just when people thought Russian routines were dead, The Soviet came on the scene in Arizona and proved everyone wrong. With his muscular build, shaved head and questionable accent, he did the likes of Ivan Koloff proud.

Emerging on the Phoenix scene in 1995, The Soviet was seen regularly in both California and Arizona. Ed Ahrens used him in the AIWA and Ron Sutherland in Tucson gave him a big push, as did other offices int he Southwest.

More often than not, The Soviet feuded with The Navajo Kid/Navajo Warrior, matching his crushing bear hug against the Indian's chops and slams. In the bulk of these encounters, Navajo came out ahead.

The Soviet also had a fairly brutal encounter with one Super Mangler in Tucson for Sutherland's office.

"It was one of the all-time stiffest matches I have ever seen," commented former manager Rainbow, who was at the event, viewing this match from the background. "I do not recall who, but someone else was watching behind me and remarked about being glad he wasn't up there with either of them and he sure had a point. You could hear these two pounding each other all the way back by the locker room."

The Navajo Warrior feud also spilled into the AIWA, which again saw these two facing each other and the unpopular "Russian" going down in defeat.

For varied California promotions, The Soviet faced Shooting Star, Super Chicano and Flama Azul. among the notables.

The Soviet has since gone back to being an American, retired and lives in California.