The Bolsheviks: A Marxist March to the TopIn the midst of the Cold War era, a unlikely duo emerged in the world of professional wrestling. Boris Zhukov and Bepo Mongol, two men with a shared passion for the red flag, formed a tag team that would make even the most skeptical of revolutionaries take notice.As The Bolsheviks, this pair of Russian wrestlers brought a unique brand of chaos to the ring. Their matches were less about technical grappling and more about brutal brawling, with both men willing to do whatever it took to get their hands on their opponents.Their debut in October 1987 was a harbinger of things to come. A flurry of punches, kicks, and clotheslines greeted their foes, leaving them reeling. The Bolsheviks' early days saw them rack up win after win, with their sheer intensity and unyielding determination proving too much for many opponents.As the years went by, they gained momentum, eventually finding themselves in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) alongside none other than Nikolai Volkoff, a veteran of the Soviet Union's wrestling scene. The trio formed an unholy trinity, with Zhukov and Mongol serving as the perfect foil to Volkoff's experience.The Bolsheviks' partnership with Volkoff proved a fruitful one, yielding some of their most memorable matches. Their tag team titles reign was marked by a series of intense battles against the likes of The Hart Foundation and The Killer Bees.Their last hurrah came on April 24th, 1990, when they faced off against the reigning champions, Demolition. A brutal affair ensued, with both teams leaving everything in the ring. In the end, the Bolsheviks fell short, but their legacy lived on as one of the most feared and respected tag teams of their era.Despite their eventual breakup, The Bolsheviks remain an integral part of professional wrestling's rich history, a testament to the power of teamwork and the unyielding spirit of revolutionaries.
Facts
Bolsheviks: A Look Back at this Notorious Tag TeamHere are 10 interesting facts and tidbits about the Bolsheviks:• The Bolsheviks, consisting of Boris Zhukov and Bepo Mongol, made their professional wrestling debut on October 6, 1987.• Boris Zhukov, whose real name was Jim Barrel, brought a wealth of experience to the team, having started his career in the late 1970s.• Nikolai Volkoff, who went by the ring name Bepo Mongol, was a well-known figure in professional wrestling circles, known for his charismatic personality and all-around wrestling style.• The Bolsheviks were part of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) during their early years, competing against top talent like the Hart Foundation and Demolition.• As they gained popularity, the team jumped to Arena Wrestling Alliance (AWA), where they feuded with notable teams like the Steiner Brothers and The Road Warriors.• Zhukov and Mongol were known for their intense matches and hard-hitting style, which earned them a reputation as one of the most formidable tag teams in the industry.• Despite their success, the Bolsheviks only competed together until April 24, 1990, before going their separate ways.• During their time together, the team held several championships, including the AWA World Tag Team Championship and the WWE World Tag Team Championship.• Zhukov and Mongol were also known for their ability to work with a variety of opponents, from technical grapplers like the Fabulous Freebirds to powerhouse teams like The Powers of Pain.• The Bolsheviks' legacy can be seen in the many tag teams that followed in their footsteps, including modern-day teams like the Hardy Boyz and Edge and Christian.
