WWE is officially recognizing a legend during WrestleMania 41 WeekThe Russian Bear Ivan Koloff is finally headed to the WWE Hall of Fame, and his family couldnt be more grateful.
Koloff, a dominant force in pro wrestling during the 1970s and 80s, was recently announced as one of the 2025 Legacy Wing inductees alongside Kamala and Dory Funk Sr. WWE broke the news as part of their Hall of Fame class rollout, paying tribute to legends whose legacies helped shape the business.
Now, Koloffs family has issued a heartfelt statement via Instagram, sharing just how much the honor means to them. We are so honored and excited to officially announce that Ivan Koloff will be inducted into the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame, the statement read. Decades of hard work, memories, and friendships have paved the way to this moment. We thank WWE and all of Ivans fans for this opportunity and absolute honor.
They closed by adding, We hope to continue his legacy and keep his memories alive for generations to come.
Koloff, perhaps best known for ending Bruno Sammartinos historic title reign at Madison Square Garden in 1971, was long considered one of wrestlings most deserving legends yet to be recognized by WWE. This long-awaited induction is a big moment not only for his family, but for fans whove pushed for his legacy to be celebrated for years.
Do you think WWE should have honored Ivan Koloff sooner? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
