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It has been announced that Russian freestyle wrestling great Salman Hashimokov, who made his way to professional wrestling in the 1990s, passed away in Russia at the age of 73 in Moskow. The cause of death has been reported as heart failure after an extended illness.
Hashimov was a massive star in Freestyle wrestling, winning multiple gold medals as well as European titles as both a Junior and Heavyweight.
Recruited in the late 1980s to New Japan Pro Wrestling by Antonio Inoki, Hashimikov debuted for the promotion in February 1989. Within months, he shockingly defeated Big Van Vader for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. The first European star to hold that title, Hashimikov held the belt for several months before dropping it to Riki Choshu.
During his New Japan run, Hashimokov worked against Masa Saito, Steve Williams, Bam Bam Bigelow, Shinya Hashimoto and more.
He and fellow Russian star Victor Zangiev were billed as The Red Bull Army, playing off their Russian heritage. Hashimikov and Victor Zangiev worked for WCW at the 1990 Starrcade PPV as part of the Pat O'Connor Memorial Tag Team Cup tournament, representing Russia. They defeated Canadian representatives Danny Johnson and Troy Montour in the first round before losing to Japan's Masa Saito and Great Muta.
Hashimikov disappeared from pro wrestling for several years before returning to work for UWFi in Japan, including bouts against Vader and Nobuhiko Takada before exiting professional wrestling in 1994.
PWInsider.com sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Salman Hashimokov.
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