Al Blake

Al Blake was a professional wrestler best known as Vladimir Petrov.

Profile

• Height: 6'3"
• Weight: 285 lbs.
• Birthday: 1961
• Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Other Gimmicks: Vladimir Petrov
• Managers: Ivan Koloff, Paul Jones
• Trainer: Ivan Koloff
• Finishing Maneuver: Russian Sickle Clothesline

Career

Al Blake broke into wrestling in February 1987 for the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions. He was called Vladimir Petrov, "The Russian Assassin". He had been hired to go after Nikita Koloff for turning on Ivan Koloff. He was also brought in to replace Krusher Khruschev, who had left for the WWF (World Wrestling Entertainment).

He was big and had a shaved head and red beard. He looked menacing and Ivan Koloff told RF Video during a shoot interview that he once backed down his boss, Jim Crockett, Jr., with a cold stare.

Vladimir and Ivan feuded with Nikita for several months and had many "Russian Chain Matches". Petrov could never beat Nikita though. They were joined by Dick Murdoch in April and managed to "injure" Nikita's neck. Petrov and Ivan also had matches withe the Rock 'N Roll Express.

In late 1987, Ivan and Petrov became members of Paul Jones' stable. Petrov feuded with Ron Garvin but lost that feud too. He was clumsy and he did not get much of a push. Petrov also went to the Universal Wrestling Federation briefly to feud with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams over the UWF Title.

Near the end of 1987, Petrov disappeared from television and was not mentioned. He had been caught selling drugs and sent to prison.

In 1991, Blake wrestled in the WWF as himself. He was only used as a jobber and by 1992, he was retired for good.

Trivia

• Al was a bouncer before becoming a wrestler.
• As Vladimir Petrov, he helped Ivan defend the NWA United States Tag Team Titles that Ivan and Dick Murdoch had won together. Murdoch had been suspended and Ivan needed a partner. That was the closest that Al came to championship gold.
• It was rumored that Al had Mafia connections, but that rumor does not appear to be true.
• At one time, Al managed a supermarket in the Minneapolis area.