The Iron Sheik
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (Persian: حسین خسرو علی وزیری, romanized: Hossein Xosrô 'Ali Vaziri; March 15, 1942 – June 7, 2023), better known by his ring name the Iron Sheik, was an Iranian professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and actor. He was the first, and so far only, Iranian champion in WWE history, having won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983.
"Iron Sheik" redirects here. For the hip hop artist, see Will Youmans.The Iron Sheik
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri
March 15, 1942
Damghan, Semnan province, Imperial State of Iran[1][2][3]
June 7, 2023 (aged 81)
Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S.
3
6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[2]
258 lb (117 kg)[2]
Tehran, Iran
1972[4]
April 24, 2010
This villainous character peaked during the 1980s WWF wrestling boom and his rivalry with Hulk Hogan turned Hogan into one of the greatest television heroes of the decade. He later formed a tag team with Nikolai Volkoff, which won the WWF Tag Team Championship at the inaugural WrestleMania event. In 2005, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
A heel throughout the 1980s, Sheik later gained popularity on Kidd Chris, The Howard Stern Show, Opie and Anthony, and the Internet due to his shoot interviews, vulgar language, and apparent intense dislike for some of his fellow professional wrestlers, particularly Hogan and Brian Blair; however, the true nature of his relationship with Hogan has been a subject of debate.[6]
Early life and amateur wrestling[edit]
Khosrow was born in 1942,[1][7] in Damghan, Imperial State of Iran, and grew up in a working-class family which had little money and no running water. Although his passport read March 15, he celebrated his birthday on September 9 due to his family alternating between the Gregorian calendar and the Solar Hijri calendar.[8] In his youth, he idolized Iranian Olympic champion wrestler Gholamreza Takhti, and he subsequently made a name for himself as an amateur wrestler. He also worked as a bodyguard for Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his family for several years.[3]
Khosrow competed for a spot on Iran's Greco-Roman wrestling team for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.[3][9] After Takhti was mysteriously found dead in 1968, Vaziri began fearing for his safety and decided to emigrate to the United States to advance his career.[10] In 1971, he was the AAU Greco-Roman wrestling champion at 180.5 pounds (81.9 kg).[5] He later became assistant coach to the USA team for the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
Professional wrestling career[edit]
Early career (1972–1979)[edit]
In 1972, Khosrow was invited to become a professional wrestler by promoter Verne Gagne. Khosrow trained in the same class as Ric Flair at Gagne's wrestling camp under trainer Billy Robinson and then wrestled for Gagne's American Wrestling Association (AWA). He also worked as a trainer, teaching Ricky Steamboat, Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell.[11] Khosrow first wrestled as a face in preliminary matches before a promoter suggested that he adopt a heel gimmick similar to that of the notorious Sheik.[11]
Khosrow obliged and adopted what came to be his signature look: He shaved his head bald, grew a traditional "buffo" style mustache and added wrestling boots with the toe curled up — a nod to his ethnic background, which, according to Khosrow, was an idea from Jimmy Snuka. He also introduced the Persian clubs, a sport in his native Iran, and challenged wrestlers to do as many swings as he.[12] His Iranian gimmick received attention due to the events of the Iranian Revolution.[11] Taking the name The Great Hossein Arab, he won his first title, the Canadian Tag Team Championship, with a partner the Texas Outlaw. He wrestled in Japan against the likes of Steve Day and Antonio Inoki in 1978.[13]
World Wrestling Federation (1979–1980)[edit]
In 1979, he caught the eye of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) where he made his debut in 1979 and won the first-ever Battle Royal in Madison Square Garden, New York City. This earned him a title shot at then-champion Bob Backlund, who pinned him later that night in a 30-minute battle.[14] He later feuded with Chief Jay Strongbow and Bruno Sammartino before leaving in 1980.[15]
Jim Crockett Promotions (1980–1981)[edit]
In April 1980, Vaziri began wrestling for the Charlotte, North Carolina-based Jim Crockett Promotions. He wrestled a handful of matches as "Hussein Arab" before settling on "The Iron Sheik". His villainous persona played upon topical events such as the Iran hostage crisis. He quickly began feuding with Jim Brunzell over the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship, defeating him for the championship in May 1980. He successfully defended the championship in bouts with opponents including Brunzell, Sweet Ebony Diamond, and Johnny Weaver before losing to Ricky Steamboat in a falls count anywhere match in November 1980.[16] In February 1981, Vaziri began feuding with Blackjack Mulligan. The two men faced one another in a series of bouts including cage matches and Texas street fights lasting until May 1981. In July 1981, Vaziri unsuccessfully challenged Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Vaziri left Jim Crockett Promotions in August 1981.[17]
Mid-South Wrestling (1981–1982)[edit]
In September 1981, Vaziri joined the Louisiana-based Mid-South Wrestling promotion. He left the promotion in January 1982, making brief returns in October 1982.[16]
Championship Wrestling from Florida (1982)[edit]
In January 1982, Vaziri joined Championship Wrestling from Florida. He left the promotion at the end of February 1982.[18]
Georgia Championship Wrestling (1982–1983)[edit]
In July 1982, Vaziri returned to Georgia Championship Wrestling for the first time since 1974. In May 1983, he won a tournament for the vacant NWA National Television Championship. His reign lasted until July 1983, when he lost to Ronnie Garvin. Vaziri left the promotion the following month.[19]
Film career[edit]
The Iron Sheik made his film debut in The Tale of the 3 Mohammads in 2005. He then appeared alongside Daniel Baldwin and Corey Feldman in Operation Belvis Bash in 2011. Sheik also made an appearance on the Canadian show Kenny vs. Spenny on the "Who is a better pro wrestler?" episode where he attempted to sodomize a naked Spenny with a beer bottle. He also appeared in Maz Jobrani's 2009 stand-up comedy special Brown & Friendly. The Sheik made an appearance as himself in Robot Chicken, as well as The Eric André Show on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. In 2014, The Iron Sheik acted in a documentary about his life titled "The Sheik."[25]
Death[edit]
Vaziri died at home in Fayetteville, Georgia, on June 7, 2023.[54] His cause of death was cardiac arrest with congestive heart failure and hypertension as contributing factors.[55]