Vladimir Petrov (wrestler)

Al Blake is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Vladimir Petrov. Petrov wrestled in various North American promotions including Jim Crockett Promotions and the Universal Wrestling Federation, most notably as a member of The Russian Team and Paul Jones' Army with Ivan Koloff during the 1980s.[1]

Vladimir Petrov
Birth nameAl Blake
Born1961 (age 59–60)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
ResidencePine City, Minnesota, United States
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Al Blake
Vladimir Petrov
Billed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Billed weight285 lb (129 kg)
Billed fromRussia
(as Vladimir Petrov)
Trained byEddie Sharkey
Ivan Koloff
DebutJanuary 1987
Retired1992

Professional wrestling career

Jim Crockett Promotions

A former bouncer, Al Blake was brought into the Jim Crockett Promotions in January 1987 as the masked Vladimir Petrov, "The Russian Assassin" after Krusher Khruschev had left for the World Wrestling Federation. Although then head booker Dusty Rhodes was to originally have brought in John Nord, he instead had Blake team with Koloff at the last minute. Introduced as a protégé of Ivan Koloff, he had been brought to the United States to help Ivan Koloff in his feud with Nikita Koloff after turning on Ivan Koloff's group.[2]

Facing Nikita Koloff in a series of Russian Chain Matches, they eventually kayfabe injured Koloff's neck with the help of Dick Murdoch in April. They also had a series of matches with then-NWA World Tag Team Champions the Rock 'n' Roll Express,[3] The Fabulous Freebirds and Jimmy & Ron Garvin. They would again lose to Ron Garvin & Barry Windham in a tournament for the vacant NWA US Tag Team titles and were eliminated in the opening round of the Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup by Bob & Brad Armstrong.[4]

Universal Wrestling Federation

Petrov also went to the Universal Wrestling Federation [5] briefly to feud with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams over the UWF Title and also teamed with the Angel of Death in a losing effort against the NWA World Tag Team champions The Rock 'n' Roll Express at the Superdome Extravaganza supercard on June 13, 1987.

Later during the year, he would wrestle single matches against Barry Windham and Todd Champion during the year before losing to Jim and Ron Garvin in a tag team match with The Barbarian at The Great American Bash on July 4, 1987.[6]

Joining Paul Jones' Army with Ivan Koloff in late 1987, Petrov feuded with Ron Garvin although he would lose that feud too. As Vladimir Petrov, helped Ivan Koloff defend the NWA United States Tag Team titles after Koloff's tag team partner Dick Murdoch was suspended in April.

World Wrestling Federation

In 1991, after his release, Blake began wrestling under his own name in the World Wrestling Federation. However, he was used mainly as a preliminary wrestler and left the following year retiring to Minnesota.

Personal life

Blake is married to Karla Nelsen, who was fourth runner up for the NABBA Ms. Universe title in 1994 (losing because the judges felt she was "too muscular"). Together, they made female wrestling videos (starring Karla). Aside from training with his wife at the Twin Cities Gym in Roseville, Minnesota, Blake now resides in Pine City, Minnesota (an exurb of Minneapolis).

References
  1. Mooneyham, Mike (2000-04-23). "The Wrestling Gospel According To Mike Mooneyham: "Russian Bear" Embraces New Life". MikeMooneyham.com.
  2. "Question and Answer Archives: Who was Vladmir Petrov he was a tag partner of Ivan Koloff where is he now?". Pro Wrestling's Unsolved Mysteries. 1998-06-16.
  3. Scott, Keith (2002-10-16). "Video Rant: Best of the Rock 'n' Roll Express, Vol. 2". OnlineOnslaught.com. Retrieved 2008-04-20.
  4. Karlsson, Peter (2005-04-10). "World Championship Wrestling: Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup". American Wrestling Trivia.
  5. Dunn, J.D. (2007-02-27). "The Enlightenment: Mid-South/UWF Wrestling Vol. 17". 411mania.com.
  6. Karlsson, Peter (2005-04-10). "World Championship Wrestling: Great American Bash 1987". American Wrestling Trivia.
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