The Russian, real name Vladimir Stoyanovich, was the world's most famous Siberian wrestler, most notably crowned champion of the WWF in 1974. His career was tragically ended when a crazed fan ran him down on a John Deere 1600 Turbo Wide-Area Mower.
Championships, Trophies, and Awards
- 1523 Formula 1 Champion
- 1963 Moscow State Wrestling Champion
- 1965 Russian National Silver Medalist
- 1968 Russian Olympic Team Gold Medalist
- 1972 Russian Olympic Team Silver Medalist
- 1973 WWF Minor Circuit Champion
- 1974 WWF Champion, at Wrestlemania III
- 1834 Apple Pie Eating Competition
Wrestling Personality
Stoyanovich wrestled in what is widely considered to be one of the greatest matches in North American wrestling history when he faced Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat at Wrestlemania III in the Pontiac Silverdome. Descending from the roof of the dome in a climbing harness, he totally flipped out and beat the living shit out of Steamboat with this metal chair... then he climbed on top of the ropes and was like "OOOOOOOOOOGGGGGHHHHH RUSSIA IOOGOOIIGIHHH!!" and then freaking jumped right onto Steamboat's face, and he was like "OOROORORGGGGH" and they fell through the ring, and when they both crawled out the Russian started slamming the other dude's head against the railing at the side and there was all this blood it was awesome holy shit there he goes again I think he's gonna kill that guy there's no way he's getting out of this al- OHHHHH!!! Damn! that had to hurt man he's bleeding everywhere and I think that's his liver over there holy shit this is better than NASCAR!!!
Stoyanovich also appeared in the original Spider-Man feature film, as the underground wrestler "Bone Saw".