Vladimir Kozlov
| Oleg Aleksandrovich Prudius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Soviet Union |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Oleg Prudius Vladimir Kozlov The Russian Giant |
| Billed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Billed weight | 300 lb (140 kg; 21 st) |
| Billed from | Russia |
| Trained by | DSW Training staff OVW Training staff |
| Debut | 2005 |
Oleg Aleksandrovich Prudius is a Russian professional wrestler who was introduced to WWE by Jerry Jarrett. He is trained in free style wrestling, rugby, American football, sambo, kickboxing and judo. Prudius has also worked as a stage and screen actor, notably having a small role in Spike Lee's 25th Hour. He is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment and is working on the SmackDown brand as Vladimir Kozlov. Prudius also had a small role in Grindhouse, appearing in the "Werewolf Women of the SS" trailer; he was credited under his real name and his WWE persona for the appearance. He is a former Ohio Valley Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.
Career
Pre-wrestling
Prudius has won numerous achievements, becoming 2005 USA Open Heavyweight Sambo Champion and United States Kickboxing Association (USKBA) International Heavyweight Grappling Champion. He has also played American football for the Ukrainian National Team as well as Santa Barbara College.[1]
World Wrestling Entertainment
On January 17, 2006, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) announced that Prudius had signed a developmental deal and was sent to Deep South Wrestling (DSW).[2] On April 7, 2006, Prudius had his first match in DSW against Tommy Suede.
On May 5, 2006, Prudius had his first untelevised WWE match during a house show in San Jose, California, defeating Rob Conway. The next night, at another house show in Sacramento, California, Matt Striker cut a promo on Prudius, calling him a "filthy immigrant," causing Prudius to attack him. Prudius then picked up the microphone and said he that he is "proud to be in America."
On the December 18, 2006 edition of RAW, Prudius made an appearance as a WWE prospect named Vladimir Kozlov. For the next several weeks, Kozlov was interviewed on WWE programming, proclaiming his love for "Double Double E" (WWE), but drawing some heel heat for declaring his superiority over whatever wrestlers were competing at the time saying "I could beat them both." He then was taken off television for over a year while working in the developmental system and participating in a number of dark matches.[3] Meanwhile, on July 28, 2007 in Louisville, Kentucky, he won the OVW Heavyweight Championship by defeating Paul Burchill, but gave the Championship the same night to Michael W. Kruel due to an agreement they made before.
On the April 4, 2008 edition of SmackDown, Kozlov made his official WWE debut (as a heel), defeating Matt Bentley in the first of many squash match victories for Kozlov.[4] On the May 2, 2008 edition of SmackDown, Kozlov had a devastating squash match victory over Colin Delaney which was his first match against a full time roster member.
In wrestling
- Finishers and signature moves
- Russian Rack (Backbreaker rack, sometimes dropped into a sitout / kneeling position)
- Russian Hammer (Suplex powerslam)
- Scoop lift dropped into a reverse DDT
- Scoop powerslam
- Headbutt
- Big boot
- Over the shoulder arm drag
- Belly to Belly suplex
Championships and accomplishments
- United States Kickboxing Association
- USKBA International Heavyweight Grappling Champion (1 time)
Professional wrestling
- OVW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)