Like other expatriate Russians living in Germany during the Great War, Spivakovsky was sent to a civilian detention camp. He was unable to practise the piano, however did develop his wrestling skills with newfound friend, roommate and sparring partner "The Russian Lion," world wrestling champion George Hackenschmidt. Upon his release, as well as performing with leading European conductors and becoming recognised as a world-class concerto exponent, he was dubbed "The Pocket Hackenschmidt" by the German press.