Teaser:

When he leaps into half of the "Battling Rooskies" tag team wrestling duo, Sam must find a way to keep his brother from wrestling...or it will result in a heart attack. Meanwhile, the wife of a jealous wrestler tries to seduce Sam.

Audio from this episode:

Al: These are the kind of guys that keep those fishing programs on the air.

TV Guide Synopsis (TVGuide.com):

Sam leaps into a wrestler whose brother and tag-team partner has an ailment that could cause his death if he grapples in a championship match. Ronnie: Jerry Bossard. Lamar: Don Hood. Sherry: Deborah Wakeham. Lotty: Angela Paton. Sam: Scott Bakula.

TV Guide Synopsis (Original):

Sam (Scott Bakula) is hurled to the canvas as a 50’s pro wrestler whose brother and tag-team partner has an ailment that could cause his death if he grapples in a championship match.

Synopsis & Review:

It's 1955 and the middle of the cold war when Sam leaps into the body of Terry Sammis, a professional wrestler (a.k.a. "Nikolai Russkie") who, along with his brother Ronny, form a tag team. Sam leaps into the side of the wrestling ring. His partner asks to tag him out, and Sam is pulled into the ring. Oh boy. Georgia Wrestlethon.

Sam's opponent tries the Flying Guillotine, but Sam rolls out of the way. He kicks the man, who asks what he did that for…apparently Sam doesn't know this isn't supposed to be real. Ivan & Nikoli, The Battling Rooskis , Sam’s host and brother, are proclaimed the winners. Ivan says the Shiloh boys are scared of them, and eat their poster.

In the dressing room, Sam comments that Ivan isn't Russian. He tells Sam that next time he's going to invent a move, he should let everyone know, as they like the matches to last longer than 1 min 8 secs. All of the matches are set, except for the title matches.

Their manager / mom tries convincing the boss that Sam did it to prove they are ready for a title match. The guy Sam hit has a slight concussion, but the boss wants to make sure he can wrestle tomorrow. The answer is no.

Sherry comes and tries seducing Sam. Terry, one half of the Shiloh Boys and Sherry’s husband, isn't happy to walk in on this. He puts Sam on a locker, then smashes the locker door on his head.

Al arrives. He tells Sam he is Terry Sammis. He just joined the team a week ago because the oldest brother died in a car crash. Their dad has been a big name. Sam thinks he's here to help the brothers win a title. Mom comes in to tell them they have their shot at the title tomorrow. The Mongolians, who were set to take on The Shiloh Boys, got drunk in Denver and punched some cops, so they get arrested. Ronnie passes Sam a “Little Brother”.

Sam thinks he should be ready to leap now, but Al tells him that Ronnie can't wrestle in the title match. If he does, he's going to die. Al tells Sam that Ronnie has a wife Myra and a little boy Hank, but Ziggy has no details on how he is supposed to die.

Ronnie tells Sam once they win the title he's going to buy a house, and things will be different. He tells Sam they should try a sleeper hold. Sam questions if they are ready for this. Al tells Sam that in the original history, Ronnie was tagged out and just collapsed. He died from heart failure. Sam has to help Ronnie get out of a potential bar fight, a couple of jocks that don't understand the Russians are just characters. Sam ends up putting one of them through a table.

Sam has dinner with Ronnie and Myra. She doesn't understand why they have to pretend to be Russian. Ronnie has a dizzy spell. Myr tells Sam she is worried about Ronnie, who'd rather die than admit he's sick. Mom overhears Myra complaining about her. Sam asks mom if Ronnie ever had any trouble with his heart. He asks the doctor to check out Ronnie before the match.

Sam finds his way into his trailer, and Sherry is there waiting for him. She tries seducing him, until Carl comes. Al comes to tell Sam this is foreplay for the couple. Sam gets out through the ceiling as Carl gets into the trailer and ends up knocking himself out.

Sam tells the boss (Lamar) that he's worried about Ronnie. He doesn't get it. But he agrees to give Ronnie a checkup before the match.

Ronnie is not happy about the exam. He thinks the Shilohs are behind it. Lamar tells him it was Sam's idea. The doctor says Ronnie is a-ok.

Ziggy finally has found Ronnies medical history. He has rheumatic fever when he was 8, and Sam says that could have caused heart damage. Sam confronts Ronnie and mom about this. She doesn't know how Sam knows about it, he wasn't even born yet. He says the other brother Frankie told him. She is starting to believe Sam that this is a bad idea. Ronnie says he will do it with or without Sam.

Sam's new plan is to stay in the ring the entire time and not tag Ronnie in. He makes a deal with Ronnie that if they win the title, Ronnie will then check into a hospital for a complete physical examination.

Lamar tells the boys that they can't win. Even though it's a title match, he is fixing it because the Russians can't hold the title. Ronnie says that's not right - it's a title match and they have a right to a chance at the title. Caro says he's right, it needs to be a real match, to the death.

Sam starts in the ring with Carl. We see cut clips indicating the match is going on quite a while, but Sam refuses to tag Ronnie in. It's been over an hour. Sam says he's going to put Carl to sleep. He puts a sleeper hold on Carl, and wins the title.

Ronnie is pissed off that he wasn't tagged in. But Sam talks him down and he agrees to go to the doctor. Al says that he gets medication for his heart and doesn't wrestle again. But his son does, and goes on to win a silver medal in the 1968 Olympics. Sherry tells off Sam, and he poses to kick her in the butt as he leaps. Synopsis by Stacie Wilcox

Personal Review by RoseAnn Erks:

This episode is an excellent example of people’s view of wrestling in the ‘50s. The wrestling business wanted you to believe that it was real. Later it came out that they wanted to be considered as entertainment. The episode helps people to realize that just because you don’t feel sick, doesn’t mean your not. A simple doctor’s exam may not find out that something is wrong unless they do a more detailed exam. This episode is very entertaining to watch. There are some very humorous parts and some serious parts in this episode. Over all it is an excellent episode of Quantum Leap.

Sam Trivia:

Sam is a doctor and he remembers the problems that can occur from rheumatic fever and all the complications that it can have. 

Sam knows nothing about wrestling.

Al’s Outfits Worn in the Episode:

The first outfit that Al is wearing is a royal blue shirt, black pants, and silver vest with red, pink, blue, white, and black colors mixed in it. He also wears a lightning bolt badge.

The second outfit that Al wears in this episode is a lime green shirt, emerald green hat, and emerald green pants.

Al's Women:

“There’s women that get a big thrill out of watching men suffer." Al says he's been married to most of them!

Miscellaneous Trivia:

The episode began filming on Wednesday February 27th 1991, on Universal’s Stage 4. Other portions were filmed on stages 16 and 17.

The doctor’s exam only consists of checking the blood pressure and listen to his breathing. 

When Sam asks for the CAT scan, the doctor doesn't know what he means since these were not used until the 70's.

Al appeared in the episode eight times. 

The chamber door opens twice during the episode.

Terry Funk (Carl) is a professional wrestler in real life. Also known as "Chainsaw Charlie", he performed the entire wrestling scene without a stunt double.

Regular Cast:

Scott Bakula
Dean Stockwell

Guest Stars:

Jerry Bossard as Ronny Sammis
Don Hood as Lamar Shump (The Promoter)
Deborah Wakeham as Sheri Shilo
Angela Paton as Lottie Sammis
Rance Howard as Doctor John Griggs
Terry Funk as Carl Shilo
Susan Isaacs as Myra Sammis
Tim DeZarn as Stan
Don Dolan as Referee
Jeff Hochendoner as Terry Sammis (Mirror image)
Jay S. York as Executioner
John Kidwell as Hank Sammis

Guest Cast Notes:

Jerry Bossard as Ronny Sammis: Jerry Bossard was born on December 16, 1960 in Butler, New Jersey, USA. He is an actor, known for Quantum Leap (1989), Downtown (1990) and Twogether (1992).

Don Hood as Lamar Shump (The Promoter): Don Hood was born on November 25, 1940 in Marks, Mississippi, USA. He was an actor, known for The Toy (1982), Absence of Malice (1981) and Runaway Jury (2003). He was married to Martha Seitzler and Louise Ware. He died on March 20, 2003 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.

Deborah Wakeham as Sheri Shilo: Founder/Writer/Producer. Deborah started her career as an award winning dancer, choreographer, actor, writer and director before launching her production company, Lucid Dreams Inc. which has offices in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Winnipeg, and Toronto. Deborah has written, developed and is producing a slate of projects: Buried, The Way Out, La Vida Loca, My Lucky Regret, The GOD Project, based on the book by John Saul, Heaven, and the animated musical Insect Idol developed with support from Canadian majors Telefilm, Movie Central and Corus Entertainment. As a writer, Deborah has written for TV series and feature length films which were produced in India, S. Africa, and S. America and has just finished a social allegorical modern fairy tale Ego and Pride which is being adapted into an animated film. Deborah recently co-executive produced and co-authored Sony's, Breakout, starring Brendan Fraser. In addition to numerous film and television roles, Deborah wrote, starred in and produced her play UNVME, which garnered Critics Choice Awards as well as awards for Best Writer, Best Actor and Best Production. The Los Angeles Times called her a "gifted comedian" and compared her satirical writing to that of Woody Allen. Lucid is producing the theatrical teen thriller, Night Wings which Deborah co-authored. Lucid Dreams secures financing, both equity and debt and provides P&A to all Lucid's slate of product. Deborah oversees all the business transactions and recently set up a film fund in Asia with a pipeline of projects to be produced as Canadian/Chinese co-productions. The Honorable John Reynolds, PC. of Canada, has recently joined Lucid's board of advisers. Panda Girls and Ego and Pride are currently in development and will be Canadian Chinese Co Productions.

Angela Paton as Lottie Sammis: Paton was described as a "natural comic" and one of the "legends of the local stage" of San Francisco. She is a veteran of the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), and also one of A.C.T.'s leading actresses in its first few seasons. After leaving A.C.T. in the early 1970s, Paton and her husband founded and ran the Berkeley Stage Company for a number of years. Since then, she and her husband, theatre director Robert Goldsby, moved to Malibu, CA, where they lived until 2015. Paton appeared in 38 films and over 50 TV series. She also continued her decades-long run of regional theatre work across the country, including her 2014 role in the Broadway play, Harvey. Died on May 26, 2016 in Oakland, California, USA.

Rance Howard as Doctor John Griggs: Rance Howard was born on November 17, 1928 in Duncan, Oklahoma, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Nebraska (2013), Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) and Universal Soldier (1992). He was married to Judy Howard and Jean Speegle Howard. Father of actors Clint Howard and Ron Howard. He has appeared in fifteen films directed by his son Ron Howard: Grand Theft Auto (1977), Splash (1983), Cocoon (1985), Gung Ho (1986), Parenthood (1989), Far and Away (1992), The Paper (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Missing (2003), Cinderella Man (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008), Angels & Demons (2009) and The Dilemma (2011). He appeared in six films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: The Music Man (1962),Chinatown (1974), Apollo 13 (1995), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Frost/Nixon (2008) and Nebraska (2013). Of those, A Beautiful Mind (2001) is a winner in the category. Portrayed a priest or reverend at least once a year from 1993-1998. Grandfather of actress Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard. He died on November 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Terry Funk as Carl Shilo: Funk has strong wrestling bloodlines. His dad, Dory Funk Sr., was a well-known grappler from the 1940s to the 1970s, and his brother, Dory Funk Jr., wrestled from 1963 until the early 90s, and won the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) world heavyweight championship in 1969. Funk, himself, became NWA champion and thus the Funks have the distinction of being the only brothers to win the NWA championship. Funk made his film debut as (what else?) a wrestler in Sylvester Stallone's (a noted wrestling fan) movie Paradise Alley (1978). Funk then did double-duty as a pro wrestler and actor/stunt man (he was prominent in Patrick Swayze's movie, Road House (1989)). Not technically a great wrestler, Funk was more known for his brawling tactics, and had some great feuds during his career with "Handsome" Harley Race, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes and others. After maintaining a low profile in wrestling, Funk resurfaced in the 90s in the new Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) series and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), this time in his new persona as "Chainsaw Charlie". Died on August 23, 2023.

Susan Isaacs as Myra Sammis: Susan received her MFA in screenwriting at USC. She is an alumna of the Groundlings Sunday Company and founded King Baby, with Tony Hale, Jeannie Gaffigan and Todd Wilkerson. She has contributed essays to radio's "Weekend America." Her memoir, "Angry Conversations With God," was named a Top Ten religion book of 2009 by Publisher's Weekly. Susan Isaacs also appeared in the episode "The Last Gunfighter" as Lucy.

Tim DeZarn as Stan: Tim DeZarn was born on July 11, 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Cabin in the Woods (2011), Fight Club (1999) and Spider-Man (2002). He has been married to Janine Venable since 1996. They have one child. He was previously married to Gail Marie Lucas.

Jay S. York as Executioner: Jay S. York was born on August 4, 1938. He was an actor, known for Hellhole (1985), The New Mike Hammer (1984) and Quantum Leap (1989). He was married to Debi Pelletier. He wrestled under the name "The Alaskan". He died on October 7, 1995 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Don Dolan as Referee: Don Dolan was born on May 17, 1936 in Staten Island, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Philadelphia Experiment (1984), Kojak (1973) and The Dukes of Hazzard (1979). He was married to Janet Woodworth and Corrinne Zylman. He died on September 22, 2020.

Jeff Hochendoner as Terry Sammis (Mirror image): Jeff Hochendoner was born on August 31, 1964. He is an actor, known for I Am Number Four (2011), My Bloody Valentine (2009) and Unstoppable (2010).

John Kidwell as Hank Sammis: John Kidwell is known for Quantum Leap (1989), The President's Child (1992) and Prey (1998).

Guests who appeared in other Quantum Leap Episodes:

Susan Isaacs also appeared in the episode "The Last Gunfighter" as Lucy.

Quotable Quotes:

That's the first time I've seen a vending machine with a head on it!
-- Al, "Heart Of A Champion"

There's some women that get a thrill out of watching men suffer.  Trust me on this, I've been married to most of them.
-- Al, "Heart Of A Champion"

Your husband ... remember him, the man you're married to, the rather large man who enjoys ripping things apart.
-- Sam to Sherrie, "Heart of a Champion"

This doctor must walk like a duck.
What?
Because he's a quack.
Oh Al.
-- Al and Sam, "Heart of a Champion"

Sam, are you OK?
Do I *look* OK?
Well, not really.
-- Al and Sam, "Heart of a Champion"

I'm gonna beat him!
Beat him?  You couldn't slow him down with a tranquilizer gun!
-- Sam and Al, "Heart of a Champion"

What do you think he would do if he saw you here like this?
Before or after he killed you?
Yeah, right.
-- Sam and Sherrie, "Heart of a Champion"

Robohead is letting himself in ...
-- Al, about Carl ripping the door off, "Heart of a Champion"

There's women that get a big thrill out of watching men suffer.  Trust me on this, I've been married to most of them.
-- Al, "Heart of a Champion"

Nicholai and Ivan, THE BATTLING RUSSKIES!
-- the wrestling announcer, "Heart of a Champion"

Sure, next thing you know, you'll be telling us wrestling isn't real.
These are the kind of guys that keep those fishing shows on the air.
-- The guys in the bar and Al, "Heart of a Champion"

If I want to see violence, I'll watch the news.
-- Myra, "Heart of a Champion"

He must have picked up something.
Yeah, his medical bag.  Right after he pronounced Ronnie 'fit as a fiddle'.
-- Al and Sam, "Heart of a Champion"

That's not a plan, that's suicide.
-- Al, "Heart of a Champion"

I've got to cut off the oxygen to his brain.
Brain, what brain?
-- Sam and Al, discussing the sleeper hold, "Heart of a Champion"

You want to see the sleeper again?
-- Sam, "Heart of a Champion"

Best Line:

"You know Sam, he’s probably all talk. He’s probably just all talk. Yeah, maybe he’s not all talk Sam. I think I’ll step down."

Production Credits:

Theme by: Mike Post
Music by: Velton Ray Bunch
Co-Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt
Co-Executive Producer: Michael Zinberg
Supervising Producer: Harker Wade
Co-producers: Paul Brown, Jeff Gourson
Produced by: Chris Ruppenthal
Created by: Donald P. Bellisario
Written by: Tommy Thompson
Directed by: Joe Napolitano

Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Associate Producer: James S. Giritlian
Executive Story Editor: Tommy Thompson
Director of Photography: Michael Watkins, A.S.C.
Production Designer: Cameron Birnie
Edited by: Robert E. Pew, Jerry Frizell, A.C.E.
Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow
First Assistant Director: Kevin Corcoran
Second Assistant Director: Kate Yurka
Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky
Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox
Costume Designer: Jean-Pierre Dorleac
Costume Supervisors: David Rawley & Donna Roberts-Orme
Sound Mixer: Barry D. Thomas
Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth
Sound Editor: Paul Clay
Music Editor: Donald Woods

Panaflex ® Camera and Lenses by: Panavision ®

This motion picture is protected under laws of the United States and other countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution or exhibition may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.

Copyright © 1991 by Universal City Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The characters and events depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Bellisarius Productions and Universal, an MCA Company

Podcasts:

Make way for the Battling Ruskies, because it’s time for Heart of A Champion!

Join hosts Allison Pregler, Matt Dale and Christopher DeFilippis as they tag-team the pro wrestling episode of Quantum Leap — and usher in the triumphant return of Quantum Leap Podcast creator Albie Burdge!

Listen to The Quantum Leap Podcast on this episode here: