WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff passes away

Josip Nikolai Peruzovic, better known as Nikolai Volkoff, passed away on Sunday. According to World Wrestling Entertainment, Peruzovic died at age 70.

Volkoff was remembered by fans for his WWE Tag Team Championship with the Iron Sheik.

The WWE says Volkoff’s in-ring career spanned the better part of 40 years. He was featured in battles against the likes of Sgt. Slaughter, Hulk Hogan and Bruno Sammartino.

"As one of the greatest villains sports-entertainment had ever seen, Volkoff’s infamous rendition of the Soviet National Anthem before his matches made him an instant icon in the eyes of the WWE Universe as a Superstar they truly loved to hate," the WWE said on their website.

Volkoff was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.