The Iron Sheik, pro wrestling legend and Hall of Famer, dies at 81
Source: ESPN
The Iron Sheik, a standout Greco-Roman wrestler from Iran who gained global fame in professional wrestling with his 1980s rivalries against the likes of Hulk Hogan, died Wednesday at the age of 81, according to his official Twitter account.
Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, was a former WWF World Heavyweight champion and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. As a hated heel, he had legendary battles in the 1980s against Hogan, Bob Backlund and Sgt. Slaughter. Vaziri beat Backlund for the WWF title in December 1983, and, one month later, Hogan defeated Vaziri in front of more than 20,000 at New York's Madison Square Garden to win the belt for the first time. The match helped catapult Hulkamania into a phenomenon, leading into the first WrestleMania one year later.
"With his larger than life persona, incredible charisma, and unparalleled in-ring skills, he captivated audiences around the globe," said the statement from his Twitter account. "He was a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for a diverse range of wrestlers who followed in his footsteps."
Before starting in professional wrestling, Vaziri was a bodyguard for the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He was a Greco-Roman wrestler in his home country, nearly making the 1968 Olympic team. Vaziri then moved to the United States, where he won an AAU Greco-Roman wrestling championship at 180.5 pounds and became an assistant coach for the U.S. wrestling team, including its Olympic team in 1972.
Read more: https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/37812697/the-iron-sheik-pro-wrestling-legend-hall-famer-dies-81
As a kid, I have many memories of him. RIP.
I loved to watch wrestling back in the day and the Iron Sheik was one of my favorites. I hated him of course, him being a bad guy and all, but he was one of my favorites.
EYESORE 9001
(25,812 posts)I was kinda forced to watch wrestling when my sons were growing up. He was a true athlete, and I hope his career choices worked out to his satisfaction.
sarisataka
(18,220 posts)"The camel clutch will make you humble."
Docreed2003
(16,817 posts)moniss
(3,949 posts)when, in later years, he would tell stories about his times. Some real, some embellished and all outrageous. Thanks for the entertainment Sheiky Baby.
hibbing
(10,076 posts)A lot of them die pretty young has been my recollection.
Peace
FuzzyRabbit
(1,958 posts)A wonderful entertainer. He could get a WWF crowd worked up better than just about anyone.