Boris Zhukov Biography

James "Jim" Kirk Harrell (born December 13, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Boris Zhukov (sometimes spelled Boris Zukhov). He is best known for his appearances with the American Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation.

Professional wrestling career

After four years wrestling in different territories, Harrell started wrestling in 1982 as "Pvt. Jim Nelson" in Sgt. Slaughter's "Cobra Corps" in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions. He frequently teamed with Don Kernodle and he feuded with Porkchop Cash. In 1984, he went to Alabama's Southeast Championship Wrestling and continued his feud with Cash.

American Wrestling Association

In 1985, Harrell debuted in the American Wrestling Association as "Boris Zukhov", billed as being from the Soviet Union. Zhukov adopted Chris Markoff as his manager and challenged AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel and AWA America's Champion Sgt. Slaughter. In 1987, he formed a tag team with Soldat Ustinov under Sheik Adnan El Kassey's management. The pair won the AWA World tag team title that same year. Zhukov, however, left the AWA for the WWF while he was still one half of the tag team champions (the storyline being that Wahoo McDaniel chased him out after a brutal chain match). As a result, former tag team title holder Doug Somers was brought in to team with Ustinov, losing the titles to the team of Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee.

World Wrestling Federation

Upon entering the WWF, he formed a team with Nikolai Volkoff known as The Bolsheviks. They teamed for over a year, but never rose above mid-card status. By mid 1989, Zukhov was wrestling in singles competition, being used primarily as a jobber, regularly losing in very short work with no announcement. He even feuded with his former tag team partner when Volkoff received a push as a face in 1990. Zhukov was usually ridiculed by Vince McMahon and other WWF commentators for the enormousness of his cranium.

Zhukov left the WWF in 1991.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Diving headbutt

• Signature moves
  • Running clothesline

• Managers
  • Adnan El Kassey
  • Chris Markoff
  • Slick

Championships and accomplishments

• American Wrestling Association
  • AWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Soldat Ustinov

• Maple Leaf Wrestling
  • NWA Canadian Television Championship (2 times)

• Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
  • NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Don Kernodle

• Southeastern Championship Wrestling
  • NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
  • Worst Feud of the Year (1985) vs. Sgt. Slaughter
  • Worst Tag Team (1988) with Nikolai Volkoff

• World Wrestling Federation
  • Slammy Award for Best Personal Hygiene (1987) with Nikolai Volkoff and Slick