Zangief

Zangief a.k.a. the Red Cyclone is a Russian wrestler, a character from the  series. His first appearance in Mario media is in the Club Nintendo comic "Super Mario Klemp-Won-Do: Muskeln sind nicht alles!." In this story, Zangief is Mario's first opponent on his way to become "Street Fighter II grand master." Mario is able to defeat Zangief by just running around him, making him feel giddy and causing him to fall down.

Zangief reappears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a Master Spirit, teaching the Overthrow Style to the player's spirits in the Dojo. Said style increases throw power, grab range, and grab power, but decreases attack power, special move power, and item attack. The Zangief spirit battle is a stamina battle against Incineroar (with the opponent having more powerful throws and physical attacks), on the Boxing Ring stage with the music "Zangief Stage Type A" from Street Fighter II playing.

Trivia

 * Zangief is the only one of Mario's opponents not to appear in the comic before the actual fight begins.
 * Zangief appears as a member of the "Bad-Anon" villain support group, alongside such characters as Bowser and Dr. Eggman, in the Disney film Wreck-It Ralph, although he is not actually a villain, but a hero; if he was a villain, he would work for M. Bison. Zangief also has a cameo appearance in the film's sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet.