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Whenever a legend passes away, we frequently hear the phrase: “There will never be another,” and within the case of Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, recognized to thousands and thousands all over the world as professional wrestling’s “The Iron Sheik,” that phrase matches completely. Having handed away on the age of 81 on June 7, 2023, we collectively mourn the lack of one in every of fashionable cultures most charismatic stars. But we additionally have fun the life and work of a person that received medals as an elite athlete, and as a professional wrestler was skillfully in a position to attract love and hate in equal measure.
M&F takes a loving take a look at six of the methods “The Iron Sheik” earned a everlasting place in all of our hearts.
1. The Iron Sheik was a Legit Tough Guy
Born in Iran, in 1942, The Sheik fell in love with the nation’s hottest sports activities of Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling. A talented competitor, he was later employed as a bodyguard to final King of Iran. When hyping himself up as a professional wrestler, The Sheik usually made the incorrect declare that he represented Iran within the Olympic Games, however regardless of that simply being hoopla, he did tryout for a spot. In reality, The Sheik was a respectable robust man, wrestling for Iran internationally and having moved to the United States, he received two silver medals in AAUU Greco-Roman tournaments. In 1970, he adopted up by successful the gold medal in the identical match. The Iron Sheik additionally served as an assistant coach to Team USA, however got here to the belief that there was extra money to be made within the booming professional wrestling business.
2. The Iron Sheik Made Plenty of History
Trained by Billy Robinson, in the identical class as Ric Flair, The Iron Sheik performed as much as the stereotypical “heel” standing of international wrestlers throughout that point. He made his debut with the WWF in 1979, successful the primary ever over-the-top-rope Battle Royale at Madison Square Garden. On Dec. 26, 1983, The Iron Sheik defeated the vastly fashionable and lengthy reigning title holder, Bob Backlund, when Backlund’s supervisor was pressured to throw within the towel to save lots of him from The Sheik’s “Camel Clutch” submission maintain. Sheik later misplaced the title to Hulk Hogan in a match thought-about to be the delivery of “Hulkamania” the next yr, however The Iron Sheik stays the one Iranian in historical past to carry the WWF/E world heavyweight championship to at the present time.
3. He Was Always Must-See TV
Whether he was enjoying the “foreign villain” or difficult his opponents to see what number of occasions they might swing a Persian membership (a tackle the Indian membership swinging train), The Iron Sheik was at all times must-see-television. While his professional wrestling profession started to wind up within the early ’90s following a stint as “Colonel Mustafa” in a feud the place he teamed with Sgt. Slaughter to focus on the likes of Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior, the brand new millennium gave rise to The Iron Sheik’s appearing profession, and he made appearances in a number of movies and tv reveals. He even made an look, enjoying himself, in Robot Chicken. In the late 90s, The Sheik had appeared on “The Howard Stern Show,” and actually cemented his place in fashionable tradition with a surreal however unforgettable spot on “The Jerry Springer Show,” the place he had the studio viewers within the palm of his fingers in 1999.
No query. The @the_ironsheik may have any crowd within the palm of his fingers. Even on the Jerry Springer present. pic.twitter.com/Pct5j54dHH
— Scott “Future” Felstead (@scottfuture) June 7, 2023
4. The Iron Sheik Slapped His Camel Clutch on Social Media
It wasn’t simply wrestling, radio, movie, and tv that The Iron Sheik mastered. Incredibly, he additionally put a submission maintain on social media, turning into a controversial “poster” on Twitter. The majority of his tweets would include expletives, usually leveled at his seemingly real-life foe, Hulk Hogan, or no matter was within the information or taking on area in his mind at any given time, however followers quickly started to query whether or not The Iron Sheik was as hateful as his Twitter account made him out to be. He earned new followers within the Twittersphere, based mostly on the truth that he appeared to be taking a tongue-in-cheek take a look at the loopy world round him. It can be understood that his Twitter account was closely or fully influenced by his enterprise managers. The remaining tweet? “F*** the wildfires.”
5. The Iron Sheik Was a Survivor
Coming to the United States from humble beginnings in Iran, The Iron Sheik turned a worldwide essential occasion professional wrestling expertise, however his private battles had been larger than something that he could have skilled within the squared circle. When his eldest daughter, Marissa was tragically murdered by her boyfriend, The Iron Sheik plotted revenge and developed a severe cocaine behavior. His spouse, Caryl, left him and he later hit all-time low, however fortunately was in a position to kick the behavior and restore his marriage. The couple remained in loving matrimony till The Iron Sheik’s passing. He can be survived by two different daughters and 5 grandchildren.
6. He Was Respected by His Peers
The Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, and can reside on within the fond reminiscences of followers and friends alike. “WWE is saddened to learn that Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, known the world over as WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, at age 81,” learn an official assertion. “WWE extends its condolences to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans.” Thousands of followers and distinguished wrestlers additionally took to social media to specific their unhappiness and deep lack of one of many greats. And, there was one tweet that summed The Iron Sheiks many items up completely.
“My dear friend Khosrow Vaziri,” wrote his longtime colleague Ric Flair in a Twitter put up. “We started wrestling together In 1972. Seems like so long ago! We crossed paths so many times over the years and you were always so entertaining. The greatest line you ever said to me In 1972: ‘If I had your hair, I would be with Elizabeth Taylor!’ Rest In Peace My Friend. Be as entertaining to God as you were to all of us! 🙏🏻”
My Dear Friend Khosrow Vaziri!!! We Started Wrestling Together In 1972. Seems Like So Long Ago! We Crossed Paths So Many Times Over The Years & You Were Always So Entertaining. The Greatest Line You Ever Said To Me In 1972: “If I Had Your Hair, I Would Be With Elizabeth Taylor!”… pic.twitter.com/MG4PO69wP1
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) June 7, 2023