What Happened to the Siberian Express? Was Ivan Drago murdered after loss to Rocky?

A little known fact about me for the readers: I graduated from Illinois State University with a minor in cinema studies. I was told, at the time, that I would be the last student to graduate with that minor. The last collegiate article I wrote was for a public speaking class where I argued who would win in a fight between Gremlins and Ewoks (considering it was in a controlled environment with no natural light but also no water sources for respawning purposes).

I chose a ruling society defeating chaos, especially if the only tactical warfare you would need would be a public viewing of Snow White. I earned a 96% on that assignment. And don’t get me started on the ‘New Batch.’ To me, if Gremlins 3 is in production, then I submit that Gizmo needs to go the way of the Terminator in T2: Judgement Day, with a heartfelt, “Bye, bye Billy,” as he is slowly lowered into the melting iron.

To say that I’m a movie nerd would be putting it lightly, considering the vast majority of my movie library consists of films that were released more than 20 years before my birth.
With that in mind, how often does one get to rewatch Rocky IV for research purposes?

So, let’s do this.

For all intent and purposes, I’m over the Rocky series. Rocky I-IV were great. Rocky V never existed in my mind. Balboa was good for what it was but Creed was a bit of a stretch for me. Ten days ago, Sports Illustrated published an article titled, What Happened to Ivan Drago After He Lost to Rocky? There Are Many Theories. Sylvester Stallone took to Instagram with the following:
“Here’s a chance to stretch your imagination…” the caption read. “HISTORY WILL ALWAYS REPEAT ITSELF IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER, JUST GOT TO BE READY!”

The article goes on to discuss what could’ve happened following the defeat. One theory insists Drago went into a rage. Another said the USSR refused his ability to turn professional. Still another simply states that he retired from the sport of boxing with a 14-1 record.

I, on the other hand, have an altogether different view from this story. But let’s be clear about what happened before the 15th round of the fight: DRAGO PICKED UP A SOVIET OFFICIAL, BY THE THROAT, IN FRONT OF A PACKED HOUSE IN MOSCOW AND A WORLDWIDE TELEVISED EVENT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE COLD WAR THEN STATED, “I FIGHT FOR ME, FOR ME!” That comment was made toward the Russian government.

If we are being honest here, Drago didn’t make it out of the venue alive.

Don’t believe me?

Go watch the ESPN 30 for 30 Of Miracles and Men. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the car accident that claimed the life of two-time gold medalist Forward, Valery Kharlamov in April of 1981. Those athletes simply lost a hockey game, and no members of the Russian Premiere were assaulted during that game. Even if Drago’s life was spared, he would have been punished harshly by the Soviets. Either being sentenced to life in prison or working in the salt mines of Siberia, a no-less-than 52- years of age Ivan Drago can’t exactly remain in pristeen boxing shape.

In the time of “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” and a computer game putting the U.S. Defense Department at DEFCON 1, it’s fair to say that any public display against the Soviet States was probably a bit more than frowned upon.

Even Drago’s wife, Ludmilla, told him during the scene to “shut up,” or something loosely translated … hey I’m not exactly fluent in Russian.

So while my theory isn’t exactly the most in depth, or even the sexiest, it’s probably the most accurate. Not even Mr. Balboa’s “If I can change” speech could’ve undone Drago’s already sealed fate. With that in mind, I urge Mr. Stallone to take a different approach for what appears to be the latest installment of the Rocky series.