New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1989–1990) In 1989, Zangiev, along with several other amateurs, were invited by
Antonio Inoki to train in his dojo and wrestle professionally in his promotion,
New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Debuting on 22 February at
Sumo Hall, Zangiev wrestled two exhibition matches, first against
Salman Hashimikov (which ended in a time-limit draw), then against
Osamu Matsuda, whom he defeated. In April 1989, he participated in a tournament to determine the new
IWGP Heavyweight Champion at New Japan's first show at the
Tokyo Dome; he defeated
Buzz Sawyer in the quarterfinals, but lost to
Shinya Hashimoto in the semifinals. Zangiev would continue wrestling in the mid-card, before leaving at the tail end of 1990.
World Championship Wrestling (1990) Before their departure, he and Hashimikov were chosen to represent the Soviet Union for the
Pat O'Connor International Tag Team Tournament at
Starrcade '90: Collision Course for
World Championship Wrestling; they defeated the Canadian team of
Danny Johnson and
Troy Montour in the quarterfinals, but lost to
Masa Saito and
The Great Muta in the semifinals.
UWF International (1994) In April 1994, Zangiev returned to Japan, this time with the shoot-style
UWF International. Like in NJPW, he didn't compete for championships; instead, he mainly wrestled in mid-card single and tag team matches. In October 1994, he left UWFi and retired from professional wrestling.
Independent Wrestling Federation (2022) On November 20, Zangiev was a guest on the
Independent Wrestling Federation's "20 Years of Pro-Wrestling in Russia" anniversary show. Zangiev interfered in the main event of the show and held Ronnie Crimson a
belly-to-belly suplex and then locked him in a knee backbreaker lock. == Other media ==