Dmitri Vasilev

**Dmitri Vasilev** (Born June 24th, 1965) is a former Russian pro wrestler turned manager/coach, currently signed to Covenant Pro Wrestling.

## Dmitri Vasilev

### Current Goal

Pass down skills and instil Discipline onto Bruno Natoli

## Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsVMIe7QbJM&ab\_channel=SilvermanSoundStudios

## Early life

Dmitri Vasilev was born on June 24th, 1965 in St. Petersburg, Russia, when the country was still part of the Soviet Union. Growing up, Dmitri lived in a small apartment with his parents and younger sister. His father was a factory worker and his mother was a homemaker.

## Wrestling Beginnings

As a child, Dmitri was always active and enjoyed playing sports with his friends in the park. He especially loved wrestling and would often practice moves on his sister, much to her chagrin. In high school, Dmitri joined the wrestling team and quickly made a name for himself as a skilled athlete.

After graduating from high school, Dmitri decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling. He knew it would be a tough road, but he was determined to make it to the top. He began training with a local wrestling coach and quickly gained the attention of scouts from the Russian wrestling federation.

In the late 1980s, Dmitri made his professional debut and quickly became one of the top wrestlers in the country. He was known for his strength, agility, and tenacity in the ring. His most notable wrestling accolade came in 1992, where he represented Russia in the Olympics and brought home a bronze medal.

## Becoming a *Czar*

After the Olympics, Dmitri's career took off. He became a household name in Russia and the Russian professional wrestling circuit, under the nickname ‘The Czar of the Cutter’, and began touring the country performing in sold-out arenas. He is often credited as one of the pioneers of the wrestling move known as the ‘cutter’, and is well known for his various variations of hitting the move on his opponents. He also made several appearances on television, both as a wrestler and as a guest on talk shows.

As the Soviet Union began to crumble in the early 1990s, Dmitri faced a number of challenges. The collapse of the Soviet economy meant that he and other wrestlers had to fend for themselves financially. But Dmitri persevered and continued to make a name for himself on the international wrestling circuit, bringing his household Russian name onto a global scale.

## Retirement and Transition to Coaching

In the 2010s, Dmitri slowly began to retire from active competition and became a coach and trainer for up-and-coming wrestlers in America. He also started a successful wrestling academy and continued to be involved in the sport he loved.

Throughout his career, Dmitri remained deeply proud of his Russian heritage and was always grateful for the opportunities he had been given. He was a true ambassador for his country and a beloved figure in the world of wrestling.

## CPW

Dmitri would sign with CPW in 2022, signing a multi-year contract with the company as a manager/coach. He currently appears on screen as the trainer/mentor to Bruno Natoli.

## Notable Achievements

1. **Three-time Russian Heavyweight Champion**: Vasilev won the Russian Heavyweight Championship on three separate occasions, solidifying his place as one of the top wrestlers in Russia.
2. **Olympic Bronze Medallist**: Vasilev won the Olympic Bronze Medal in 1992, cementing himself as one of the top wrestlers across the globe.
3. **Unsanctioned Champion**: Vasilev won the Intercontinental Championship, a title that is traditionally held by wrestlers who are considered to be the best in their respective countries.
4. **Tag Team Champion**: Vasilev was part of a successful tag team with Bulgarian Ivan Volkov that won the Tag Team Championship.
5. **Two Time Hall of Famer**: After retiring from wrestling, Vasilev was inducted into the Russian and American Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the sport.
6. **Multiple tournament wins**: Vasilev had a successful career in wrestling tournaments, winning numerous titles including the Czar of the Ring and the Super Cup.
7. **Record-breaking reigns**: Vasilev once held the records for the longest reign as Russian Heavyweight Champion (This record was subsequently broken in 2019) and the longest reign as Unsanctioned Champion.

## In Wrestling

**Finishing Moves**

* Powerbomb Cutter
* Inverted Lifting Cutter (Inverted Suplex 2)

**Signature Moves**

* Kachat'sya Do Smerti (Russian for 'Swing To Your Death') (Swinging Side Effect)