.png)
The Iron Sheik,
whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, passed away at the age of 81.
He was a former professional wrestler known for his role as a burly, bombastic villain in the 1980s. The WWE confirmed his death and expressed their condolences. The cause of death and the location were not mentioned in the statements. The Iron Sheik gained popularity as a Twitter personality and was recognized for his humorous and insightful posts. Born in Iran, he grew up in a small village and developed a passion for wrestling. He joined the WWF (later WWE) and portrayed an anti-American heel, often teaming up with Nikolai Volkoff, who played a Soviet villain. Together, they won the WWF World Tag Team Championship in 1985. The Iron Sheik also had a successful individual wrestling career, winning the WWF championship in 1983. He later formed a rivalry with Sgt. Slaughter and made his last appearance in the ring at WrestleMania 17. Prior to his wrestling career, The Iron Sheik competed in amateur Greco-Roman wrestling and achieved a gold medal in 1971. He gained notoriety by taking advantage of anti-Iranian sentiment following the Iranian hostage crisis. The Iron Sheik's influence extended beyond wrestling, as he inspired the catchphrase "jabroni" used by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. He was featured in the TV show "Young Rock" and made appearances on various talk shows. The Iron Sheik was regarded as a trailblazer and a legend in the wrestling industry, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
The Iron Sheik, Charismatic Former Pro Wrestling Villain and Twitter Personality, Dies at 81
The Iron Sheik, a former pro wrestler who relished playing a burly, bombastic villain in 1980s battles with some of the sport’s biggest stars and later became a popular Twitter personality, died Wednesday, the WWE said. He was 81.
The wrestling organisation posted an article confirming his death, and a statement about his passing also was posted on his Twitter page giving details of his life. Neither statement mentioned a cause of death nor where he died, but the Twitter post said he “departed this world peacefully.”
Early Life and Career
The Iron Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, grew up in a small village in Iran where he embraced wrestling in his youth.
During his pro wrestling career, he donned curled boots and used the “Camel Clutch” as his finishing move during individual and tag team clashes in which he played the role of an anti-American heel for the WWF, which later became the WWE.
The moustachioed, barrel-chested brawler often riled up crowds with his anti-American persona and rhetoric, often alongside tag team partner Nikolai Volkoff, who played the part of a Soviet villain. They won the WWF World Tag Team Championship in 1985 at the first WrestleMania, according to the biography posted on the WWE’s internet page.
He was a successful individual wrestler as well, winning the WWF championship in 1983 by defeating Bob Backlund, before losing it later to Hulk Hogan. He also built a long-running rivalry with Sgt. Slaughter, who played the role of an American hero.
He later teamed with Sgt. Slaughter as Colonal Mustafa. The Iron Sheik’s last appearance in the ring was at WrestleMania 17, the Connecticut-based WWE said.
The Iron Sheik had an early foundation in competitive Greco-Roman wrestling, competing in the Amateur Athletic Union and becoming a gold medalist in 1971, WWE said.
In a documentary about his life called “The Sheik,” he said he became attracted to wrestling as a teen and as a grappler in the Iranian Army.
“I was married to the wrestling mat because I was so much … in love with the sport,” he said in the film.
In the documentary, he said he once served as a bodyguard for the Shah. As a pro wrestler, he acknowledged taking advantage of anti-Iranian sentiment following the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis.
“It was the right time to … establish my character, my gimmick,” he said.
The Iron Sheik’s influence extended to the sport’s biggest stars. Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who used the term “jabroni” to insult his ring opponents, has credited The Iron Sheik with making it famous in wrestling circles. The TV show “Young Rock” also has featured The Iron Sheik as a recurring character.
Transition to Pop Culture
The Iron Sheik used his humor and wisdom to build a large Twitter following. He also made appearances on “The Howard Stern Show,” “The Eric Andre Show,” and others, the WWE biography said.
The Twitter statement said The Iron Sheik “transcended the realm of sports entertainment” and called him “a man of immense passion and dedication.”
“With his larger-than-life persona, incredible charisma, and unparalleled in-ring skills, he captivated audiences around the globe,” the statement said. “He was a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for a diverse range of wrestlers who followed in his footsteps.”
Legacy and Impact
In a tweet, professional wrestler Triple H called The Iron Sheik a legend.
“An all-time great performer and WWE Hall of Famer who brought his character to life and transcended our business,” he said.'
Pro wrestling legend and social media star, The Iron Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, has passed away at the age of 81. The announcement was made on his Twitter feed, which had over 640,000 followers. The cause of death was not disclosed. The Iron Sheik was known for his larger-than-life persona, charisma, and in-ring skills that captivated audiences worldwide. He had a significant influence on pop culture, with actor and former wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson crediting him for popularizing the term "jabroni." The Iron Sheik used colorful language and humor in his Twitter posts, gaining a substantial following. Despite his character being an anti-American heel, he found a fanbase among Arab-American youth who related to him. Before his wrestling career, The Iron Sheik competed as an amateur wrestler in Iran. He achieved fame in the 1980s, winning the world heavyweight belt but losing it to Hulk Hogan, sparking a long rivalry between them. The Iron Sheik is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He is remembered as a legend in the wrestling industry and will be missed but not forgotten.