Ivan Koloff Finally Honored, Too Late
In the third part of his series on legendary wrestler Ivan Koloff, veteran wrestling writer Mike Mooneyham of The Post and Courier shines a spotlight on what many fans have long considered a glaring oversight: WWE’s decades-long failure to induct “The Russian Bear” into its Hall of Fame.
Koloff, who defeated Bruno Sammartino in 1971 to end the longest world title reign in WWE history, was finally honored during WrestleMania 41 weekend, but not as part of the main Hall of Fame class. Instead, Koloff was included in the Hall’s “Legacy Wing,” a quiet recognition that many, including Mooneyham, see as too little, too late.
Mooneyham highlights Koloff’s unmatched résumé, from dozens of championships across wrestling territories to 13 headlining appearances at Madison Square Garden. He writes that “the fact is that the ‘Russian Bear’ deserved his day in the sun and for years had hoped that honor would find him.”
Quoting longtime Charleston fan Ken Mihalik, Mooneyham reinforces the feeling among wrestling devotees: “Failure to induct him during his lifetime is a glaring embarrassment.” Mihalik added, “As far as the longstanding delay… whatever contexts these possess, they are utterly without merit as far as fans are concerned.”
The column dives into possible reasons for Koloff’s omission, including his inclusion in a class-action concussion lawsuit and his close friendship with Sammartino, whose own feud with WWE and Vince McMahon spanned decades. But as Mooneyham’s piece makes clear, none of these reasons justify why Koloff, a former WWWF Champion, was excluded while “many others far less deserving” were welcomed in.
Quoting wrestling journalist Evan Ginzburg, Mooneyham doesn't pull punches: “It’s disgraceful and a shame on them that they knew he was dying and didn’t put him in… Top 20 all-time heel… Beloved in the industry. So petty of them.”
Mooneyham also shares comments from fans across the country. One, Rick Rourke of Goose Creek, noted, “When a guy ends a nearly eight-year reign of Bruno Sammartino, that speaks volumes about who he was at that time.”