Vladimir Kozlov Storyline Recycled; Who was initially meant for the Ruthless Russian Gimmick?

From Moscow, Russia - Vladimir Kozlov was once considered undefeated. He was an immovable object that would annihilate the competition through a single head-butt. Until, Shawn Michaels pinned The Sambo Master for the right to face the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. Afterwards, Kozlov was pinned by the Undertaker on Smackdown - losing the luster he once had.

Two weeks ago, during a #1 Contenders Match for the ECW Title, Kozlov was pinned yet again by "Captain Charisma." Is Kozlov getting weaker?

This past Tuesday, Kozlov pinned the ECW Champion proving that he can take on the Champion and the Contender at any time. He even laid waste to both Christian and Dreamer by nights end.

This same level of devastation is the same angle used back in the fall when he was competing against WWE Champion Triple H and Contender Jeff Hardy. Do they not have anything better to do with the guy? When he was drafted to ECW and starting cutting promos - I was hoping that he would construct a faction to take over the WWE; but instead they have him, once again, being the third wheel of a Championship squabble. Kozlov, proficient in kick-boxing, grappling, and sambo, has a lot to offer to the WWE; however, some things, we can do without.

For instance: What's with that supposed battering ram head-butt? A move executed to an oncoming or diving opponent - it LOOKS like a SHOVE!! I say, why not call it the Moscow Shove? Sounds pretty simple to me. However, the Iron Curtain - Kneeling Leg Trap Chokeslam Pin - Can Stay.

And the crazy thing is, the gimmick of the Russian Shoot Fighter was not originally meant for Kozlov - but for, none other than Mr. Unibrow himself, SANTINO MARELLA!! That's right, back in OVW, Paul Heyman changed Santino's former ring name, Johnny Geo Basco, to Boris Alexiev - a Russian Shoot Fighter.

This following video is a promo of Santino Marella as the Russian, Boris Alexiev - Enjoy!!