Sheik's family made the announcement on his Twitter account, saying
that he had left a lasting legacy in world of professional wrestling
Wrestling
legend The Iron Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, has
passed away at the age of 81.
His family made the announcement on his Twitter account, saying
that he had left a lasting legacy in the world of professional wrestling.
The exact cause of his death has not been disclosed.
RESPECT THE LEGEND FOREVER 😢 pic.twitter.com/Cr6CC9pXSO
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) June 7, 2023
Born in Iran, The Iron Sheik moved to the United States and
became a notable figure in the wrestling industry. Prior to his wrestling
career, he served as a bodyguard for the shah of Iran and was a Greco-Roman
wrestler. He nearly made it onto Iran's Olympic team in 1968 and later
became an assistant coach for the American wrestling team.
In 1979, The Iron Sheik joined the World Wrestling Federation
(WWF, now WWE). He gained prominence in the 1980s, particularly through his
battles against wrestling icons like Hulk Hogan and Sgt. Slaughter. During
his time in the WWF, he won the prestigious WWF World Heavyweight
Championship in 1983.
While he was known for his wrestling
skills, The Iron Sheik also became a social media sensation in recent years.
His eccentric and often humorous tweets garnered a large following of over
640,000 on Twitter.
The wrestling community and fans across the
world mourned his loss, with tributes pouring in on social media. The WWE
expressed sadness at his passing and extended condolences to his family,
friends, and fans. Wrestling personalities like Ric Flair, Booker T, and
Dave Meltzer also paid heartfelt tributes to The Iron Sheik, acknowledging
his impact on the industry.
Massive respect for the life and Wrestling career of the one and only Iron Sheik.Thank you. You will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/MpBwso3tlS
— Lex Luger (@GenuineLexLuger) June 7, 2023
Beyond his wrestling persona, The Iron Sheik was described as a
devoted family man. He was married to his wife Caryl for 47 years, and they
had three children together. His family emphasized his role as a loving
father who instilled values of perseverance and determination in his
children.
The Iron Sheik's larger-than-life personality, in-ring
skills, and unique character made him a captivating figure in the world of
professional wrestling. He will be remembered as a wrestling icon whose
influence will endure for generations to come.
