Nikita Koloff, better known as the "Russian Nightmare," stormed the wrestling world as few others have in the history of the sport. Imposing, immovable, and unbeatable, Nikita left a trail of fallen opponents as he brought the Cold War that loomed over the globe into the ring. From a hard-scrabble beginning to rings around the world, Nikita Koloff filled arenas, thrilled fans, and captured five world titles in the process. And then, when he was at the top of his game, he walked away from the sport. This is not just the story of Nikita Koloff, the wrestler. It is the story of Nikita Koloff, the man. It is the story of a remarkable and unique journey. It is a story that, in many ways, is common to all of us. "A Tale of the Ring and Redemption" captures a time of upheaval and change in the wrestling business that lay witness to the end of the age-old territories and the dawn of a new global era that made wrestling the most-watched sport and entertainment venue of all time. Most importantly, "A Tale of the Ring and Redemption" is just that: a story of the career of one of the most prominent wrestlers who has ever stepped into the ring. It is the story of a man who has touched hundreds of thousands of lives with his own narrative. Nikita s story is a story for everyone. Excerpt from Chapter 8 Copyright © Nikita Koloff and Bill Murdock  Our five minutes of practice in the ring did nothing more than infuriate Jim (Crockett) all the more. He certainly had a reason to be livid. He was taking a huge chance with me and had already spent most of the previous day establishing my image and building me up to the fans. Now he was faced with the possibility of me completely blowing it in a matter of seconds after I entered the ring.  "That s it," Jim shouted. "He s out. He doesn t wrestle tonight."  Ivan went to Jim and did his best to calm him and to try to change his mind, but Jim was adamant about his decision. There was no way he was going to let me in the ring, only to see me fall flat on my face, embarrassing not only myself, but Jim Crockett Promotions in the process. To this day, I have no idea what Ivan said to Jim, but whatever he said, it eventually worked. That is just another of the countless things for which I have to thank "Uncle" Ivan.  After meeting with Jim, Ivan came back to the dressing room and said, "Nikita, it s okay. We re all set, so get ready to go. Just one more thing; be careful getting into the ring. Crockett said if you trip over the ropes getting into the ring, you re finished."  Great, as if I wasn t worried enough about what I was going to do when I got into the ring, now all I could think about was how I was going to get into the ring.

NIKITA: A Tale of the Ring and Redemption

Nikita Koloff

William Murdock

Crowbar Press

"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God." CS Lewis Bring C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, and J.R.R. Tolkien home for the holidays and spend the season of Advent in a new and illuminating way. For the first time the thoughts of those who comprised the legendary Inklings, along with those who inspired them and those they would come to inspire, are compiled in one volume to bring to light their wisdom, wit, and faith during the liturgical season of Advent through Epiphany. Sit with some of the greatest men and women of faith and reason whose words have resonated through the decades. From George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, Joy Davidman, Charles Williams, Dorothy Sayers, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams to the more modern days of Sheldon Vanauken and Larry Norman come a new and yet familiar spirit of Christmastide to both new and long time readers alike. William Murdock enjoyed a friendship and correspondence with author Sheldon Vanauken that led him to the study of the works of the Inklings, and a conversation with Christian Rock singer Larry Norman opened the door to the work of G.K. Chesterton. It was these two men who helped light the path to faith and what would become a life-long study of their works.

The Inklings at Christmastide

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

Tate Publishing

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Books by William Murdock