Zangief

, also known as the Red Cyclone''', is a Russian wrestler and a character from the ' series.

Super Mario Klemp-Won-Do: Muskeln sind nicht alles!
Zangief's first appearance in any Super Mario-related 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 is the only one of Mario's opponents not to appear in the comic before the actual fight begins.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Zangief reappears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a Master spirit. In World of Light, he is the third spirit encountered on the World Tour sub-world. 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  playing.

Once the battle is won, Zangief will become available in the Dojo to teach the Overthrow Style to the player's spirits. Said style increases throw power, grab range, and grab power, but decreases attack power, special move power, and item attack.