Boris Malenko

Early life Simon was born in Newark, New Jersey and raised in Irvington, New Jersey. As a teenager, Simon competed at amateur wrestling in YMCAs. Before becoming a professional wrestler, he worked as a truck driver in the Garment District in New York City.

In September 1961, Simon joined in the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association. He adopted the persona of "Otto Von Krupp", a German wrestler who wore jackboots and a swastika on his back. Simon formed a tag team with Bob Geigel, with the duo winning the AWA World Tag Team Championship in November 1961, holding it until Simon left the promotion in January 1962.

In 1962, playing upon Cold War tensions, Simon adopted the persona of "Boris Malenko", an agent of the Soviet Union. Over the next decade, he held the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship twice, the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship twice, the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) once, the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version) once, and the NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) eight times. His main rivals included Eddie Graham, Wahoo McDaniel, Johnny Valentine, Joe Scarpa, and José Lothario. In an angle in 1966, after Malenko bloodied Sammy Steamboat by biting his ear, Eddie Graham stormed the ring and punched Malenko's dentures out of his mouth, then crushed them. During his time with Big Time Wrestling he was managed by Lord Charles Montegue.

On May 9, 1972, Malenko and Bob Roop defeated Bearcat Wright and Bobby Shane to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship, and six days later, Malenko defeated Wright in singles competition to win his eighth and final Florida Brass Knuckles title in Orlando. On June 24, 1972, Malenko and Johnny Weaver defeated Mike Webster and The Professional for his second run with the Florida Tag Team titles.

Malenko toured Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1973 and New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1974. During his time with NJPW, Malenko wrestled a number of high-profile bouts with Antonio Inoki.

In the late 1970s, Malenko wrestled for the Knoxville, Tennessee-based promotion Southeastern Championship Wrestling, winning both the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division) and the NWA Southeastern Television Championship in 1978. He became the manager of Jerry Blackwell after it was claimed he had acquired the mortgage to Blackwell's family farm, forcing him to fight on his behalf. The angle ended after Ron Garvin paid off the mortgage, freeing Blackwell to attack Malenko.

Malenko retired in 1980 and opened a training school in Florida with his sons Dean and Joe. He died of leukemia in Tampa Florida at age 61 in late 1994.

Wrestlers trained Dean Malenko Joe Malenko Kane Bart Gunn Tugboat Al Perez Norman Smiley Gangrel Barry Horowitz X-Pac Bobby Blaze Bob Orton Jr. Buddy Landel Chris Champion Eddie Sharkey Horace Hogan Marc Mero Perry Saturn Van Hammer Carl Malenko (not related) Bob Cook Frank Reyes Debbie Malenko (not related)

Personal life Simon, who was Jewish, had two sons, Dean and Jody, both of whom became professional wrestlers. He died in September 1994 from leukemia. American Wrestling Association AWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Bob Geigel Championship Wrestling from Florida NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) (8 times) NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time) NWA Big Time Wrestling NWA American Heavyweight Championship (1 time) NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time) NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Killer Karl Kox Southeastern Championship Wrestling NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division) (1 time) NWA Southeastern Television Championship (1 time) WWE WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2018)

Luchas de Apuestas record

Winner (wager)Loser (wager)LocationEventDateNotesWahoo McDaniel (hair) Boris Malenko (hair) Houston, Texas Live event July 10, 1970