Al Blake
Encyclopedia
Al Blake is a retired American professional wrestler, known by his ringname Vladimir Petrov, who wrestled in North American regional promotions including the Universal Wrestling Federation
and the National Wrestling Alliance
, most notably as a member of
Russian Team
and Paul Jones' Army
with Ivan Koloff during the 1980s.
. 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 protege 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.
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
, The 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.
Petrov also went to the Universal Wrestling Federation 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.
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 - this was the only time Blake held a championship title.
Near the end of 1987, Blake suddenly disappeared from television and was not mentioned after he had been arrested for selling drugs and eventually sent to prison.
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.
Universal Wrestling Federation
The name Universal Wrestling Federation may refer to:*Universal Wrestling Federation , an American professional wrestling promotion owned by Bill Watts...
and the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
, most notably as a member of
Russian Team
Russian Team
The Russian Team was a professional wrestling team in the 1980s that attempted to prove their Soviet dominance over their opponents.-History:The Russian Team was formed in December 1984 in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions...
and Paul Jones' Army
Paul Jones' Army
Paul Jones' Army was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions in the mid-1980s.-History:Paul Jones formed Paul Jones' Army in the early 1980s in Jim Crockett Promotions to help him battle "The Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant and his friends, Manny Fernandez, Wahoo...
with Ivan Koloff during the 1980s.
Career
A former bouncer, Al Blake was brought into the Jim Crockett Promotions in February 1987 as Vladimir Petrov, "The Russian Assassin" after Krusher Khruschev had left for the World Wrestling FederationWorld Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
. Although then head booker Dusty Rhodes
Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)
Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr. , better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler currently working for WWE...
was to originally have brought in John Nord
John Nord
John Nord is a retired American professional wrestler. He lives in Bozeman, Montana.-Career:John Nord started wrestling in late 1984 as "The Barbarian" for Mid-South Wrestling under manager Skandor Akbar...
, he instead had Blake team with Koloff at the last minute. Introduced as a protege of Ivan Koloff, he had been brought to the United States to help Ivan Koloff in his feud with Nikita Koloff
Nikita Koloff
Nikita Koloff is a retired American professional wrestler,. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, he wrestled as "The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff, which was a play on the nickname of fan favorite "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes .Nikita was brought into the National...
after turning on Ivan Koloff's group.
Facing Nikita Koloff in a series of Russian Chain Matches, they eventually kayfabe
Kayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
injured Koloff's neck with the help of Dick Murdoch
Dick Murdoch
Hoyt Richard "Dick" Murdoch was an American professional wrestler.-Professional wrestling career:A second-generation wrestler, the son of 1950s Texas wrestler Frankie Hill Murdoch, Dick Murdoch grew up with fellow second-generation wrestlers Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk, watching their fathers...
in April. They also had a series of matches with then NWA World Tag Team Champions the Rock 'n' Roll Express
Rock 'n' Roll Express
The Rock 'n' Roll Express are a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson. The duo began teaming together in Memphis in the early 1980s, followed by the National Wrestling Alliance's Jim Crockett Promotions . In JCP, they held the NWA World Tag Team Championship...
, The Freebirds and Jimmy
Jimmy Garvin
James Williams is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name "Gorgeous" Jimmy "Jam" Garvin and as a member of the legendary Fabulous Freebirds....
& Ron Garvin
Ron Garvin
Ron Garvin is a Canadian former professional wrestler and referee most known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance.-Early career:...
. They would again lose to Ron Garvin & Barry Windham
Barry Windham
Barry Clinton Windham is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and the son of wrestler Blackjack Mulligan. He is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling ....
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
Bob Armstrong
Joseph Melton James is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong. In the course of his career, which spanned five decades, Armstrong held numerous championships throughout the Southeastern United States...
& Brad Armstrong.
Petrov also went to the Universal Wrestling Federation briefly to feud with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams over the UWF Title and also teamed with the Angel of Death
David Sheldon
Later in 1980's Russian assassin #1 was portrayed by Joe Piermatteo, another masked wrestler out of Johnny Rodz StableDavid Sheldon was a professional wrestler, known by his ring name the Angel of Death, who wrestled in North American regional promotions during the 1980s and early 1990s including...
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.
Joining Paul Jones' Army
Paul Jones' Army
Paul Jones' Army was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions in the mid-1980s.-History:Paul Jones formed Paul Jones' Army in the early 1980s in Jim Crockett Promotions to help him battle "The Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant and his friends, Manny Fernandez, Wahoo...
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 - this was the only time Blake held a championship title.
Near the end of 1987, Blake suddenly disappeared from television and was not mentioned after he had been arrested for selling drugs and eventually sent to prison.
In 1991, after his release, Blake began wrestling under his own name in the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
. However, he was used mainly as a preliminary wrestler and left the following year retiring to Minnesota.
Life after wrestling
Blake is married to Karla Nelson, who was 4th runner up for the NABBA Ms. Universe title in 1994 (losing because the judges felt she was "too big"). Together, they made female wrestling videos (starring Karla). Aside from training with his wife at the Twin Cities Gym in Roseville, MN, Blake manages a private towing business in Minneapolis, MN. He now resides in Circle Pines, MN (a suburb of Minneapolis).In wrestling
- Finishing moves
-
- Bear hug
- Signature moves
-
- Elbow smash
- SuplexSuplexA suplex is an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling . The move consists of one wrestler picking up his or her opponent off the ground and then using a large portion of his or her own body weight to drive the opponent down on the mat. Nearly all suplexes have the attacker going down...
Championships and accomplishments
- National Wrestling AllianceNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- National
- NWA United States Tag Team ChampionshipNWA United States Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA United States Tag Team Championship is a name used by several championships that were or currently are under the National Wrestling Alliance 's supervision:...
(1 time) with Ivan Koloff
- NWA United States Tag Team Championship