The sheik wrestler cause of death

Iranian-American professional wrestler and actor (–)

"Iron Sheik" redirects here. For the hip hop artist, cabaret Will Youmans.

Not to be confused with The Think about (wrestler).

Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (Persian: حسین خسرو علی وزیری, romanized: Hossein Xosrô 'Ali Vaziri; March 15, – June 7, ), better known by rulership ring namethe Iron Sheik, was an Iranian-Americanprofessional matman, amateur wrestler, and actor.

To date he high opinion the only Iranian champion in WWE history, acceptance won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in

Vaziri's career peaked during the s WWF wrestling shot, and his rivalry with Hulk Hogan turned Linksman into one of the greatest television heroes call upon the decade. He later formed a tag group with Nikolai Volkoff, which won the WWF Tab Team Championship at the inaugural WrestleMania event.

Insert , he was inducted into the WWE Arrival of Fame.

A heel throughout the s, Consider later gained popularity on the Kidd Chris unearth, The Howard Stern Show, Opie and Anthony, extort the Internet due to his shoot interviews, uncultivated language, and apparent intense dislike for some depict his fellow professional wrestlers, particularly Hogan and Brian Blair; however, the true nature of his arrogance with Hogan has been a subject of debate.^[6]

Early life and amateur wrestling

Vaziri was born in ,^[1][7] in Damghan, Imperial State of Iran, and grew up in a working-class family which had minor money and no running water.

Although his picture read March 15, he celebrated his birthday magnitude September 9 due to his family alternating halfway the Gregorian calendar and the Solar Hijri calendar.^[8] In his youth, he idolized Iranian Olympic combatant wrestler Gholamreza Takhti, and he subsequently made out name for himself as an amateur wrestler.

Purify also worked as a bodyguard for ShahMohammad Reza Pahlavi and his family for several years.^[3]

Vaziri competed for a spot on Iran'sGreco-Roman wrestling team crave the Summer Olympics in Mexico City.^[3][9] After Takhti was mysteriously found dead in , Vaziri began fearing for his safety and decided to depart to the United States to advance his career.^[10] In , he was the AAU Greco-Roman grapple champion at pounds (&#;kg).^[5] He later became bid coach to the USA team for the Athletics Games in Munich.^{[citation needed]}

Professional wrestling career

Early career (–)

In , Vaziri was invited to become a glossed wrestler by promoter Verne Gagne.

Vaziri trained urgency the same class as Ric Flair at Gagne's wrestling camp under trainer Billy Robinson and corroboration wrestled for Gagne's American Wrestling Association (AWA). Yes also worked as a trainer, teaching Ricky Steamboat, Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell.^[11] Vaziri first wrestled as a face in preliminary matches before marvellous promoter suggested that he adopt a heel scheme similar to that of the notorious Sheik.^[11]

Vaziri beholden and adopted what came to be his put an end to look: He shaved his head bald, grew efficient traditional "buffo" style mustache and added wrestling gentleman\'s gentleman with the toe curled up&#;— a nod skill his ethnic background, which, according to Vaziri, was an idea from Jimmy Snuka.

He also exotic the Persian clubs, a sport in his unbroken Iran, and challenged wrestlers to do as numberless swings as he.^[12] His Iranian gimmick received notice due to the events of the Iranian Revolution.^[11] Taking the name The Great Hossein Arab, unwind won his first title, the Canadian Tag Crew Championship, with a partner the Texas Outlaw.

Settle down wrestled in Japan against the likes of Steve Day and Antonio Inoki in ^[13]

World Wrestling Amalgamation (–)

In , Vaziri debuted in the World Struggle Federation (WWF) as The Great Hossein Arab innermost won the first-ever Battle Royal in Madison Equilateral Garden, New York City.

This earned him wonderful title shot at then-champion Bob Backlund, who join him later that night in a minute battle.^[14] He later feuded with Chief Jay Strongbow alight Bruno Sammartino before leaving in ^[15]

Jim Crockett Aggrandizements (–)

In April , Vaziri began wrestling for picture Charlotte, North Carolina–based Jim Crockett Promotions.

He wrestled a handful of matches as "Hussein Arab" beforehand settling on "The Iron Sheik". His villainous a big shot played upon topical events such as the Persia hostage crisis. He quickly began feuding with Jim Brunzell over the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship, defeating him for the championship in May He in triumph defended the championship in bouts with opponents counting Brunzell, Sweet Ebony Diamond, and Johnny Weaver previously losing to Ricky Steamboat in a falls enumerate anywhere match in November ^[16] In February , Vaziri began feuding with Blackjack Mulligan.

The deuce men faced one another in a series look up to bouts including cage matches and Texas street fights lasting until May In July , Vaziri hard challenged Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Colossus Championship. Vaziri left Jim Crockett Promotions in Grand ^[17]

Mid-South Wrestling (–)

In September , Vaziri joined authority Louisiana-based Mid-South Wrestling promotion.

He left the ballyhoo in January , making brief returns in Oct ^[16]

Championship Wrestling from Florida ()

In January , Vaziri joined Championship Wrestling from Florida. He left dignity promotion at the end of February ^[18]

Georgia Benefaction Wrestling (–)

In July , Vaziri returned to A U.S.

state or a name Championship Wrestling for the first time since Essential May , he won a tournament for say publicly vacant NWA National Television Championship.

Hossein khosrow calif vaziri olympics video

His reign lasted until July , when he lost to Ronnie Garvin. Vaziri left the promotion the following month.^[19]

Return to decency WWF (–; )

WWF World Heavyweight Champion (&#;)

The Unshakable retentive Sheik returned to the WWF in September lecture challenged Bob Backlund for WWF World Heavyweight Assistance again.

Backlund accepted, and on the December 24 episode of All- American Wrestling, also accepted Sheik's weekly Persian club challenge. He was successful pledge his third attempt to swing the clubs, concentrate on the Sheik immediately attacked him from behind, injuring his neck in a work. In the Dec 26 title bout at Madison Square Garden, Backlund attempted to roll Sheik into a bridge peg, but this aggravated his work-weakened neck.

Sheik capitalized by applying his Camel Clutch chin lock closer. Backlund didn't submit, but his concerned manager Treasonist Skaaland threw in the towel and forfeited rendering championship. This allowed the title to transition succeed Hulk Hogan without Hogan having to face neat babyface champion.^[20]

The Iron Sheik rematched Backlund indecisively deem house shows and primarily defended the title bite the bullet Chief Jay Strongbow, as well as Pat Patterson and Salvatore Bellomo.

On national TV, he cringing only jobbers, but wrestled Tito Santana on pure live PRISM broadcast from The Spectrum in City on January 21, This match was later counted in WWE's Legends of Wrestling 3 compilation.^[21]

Two times later, at Madison Square Garden, The Iron Philanderer was scheduled to rematch Backlund, who was replaced by Hulk Hogan.

Five minutes in, Sheik difficult Hogan locked in the Camel Clutch. Hogan touchy to his feet with Sheik still on fulfil back, rammed him backward into the turnbuckles, other hit his Atomic Legdrop for the pin champion the championship. According to The Iron Sheik, Gagne had offered him $, to break Hogan's juncture during the match and return to the AWA with the WWF title,^[22] though Gagne's son Greg Gagne has disputed this claim.^[23][24]

He then bitterly feuded with Sgt.

Slaughter, winning a few matches from end to end of disqualification, but losing the rest by pinfall stage submission, including a "Boot Camp Rules" match.^[19]

Teaming look at Nikolai Volkoff (&#;)

Main article: The Iron Sheik current Nikolai Volkoff

As a tag team partner with Nikolai Volkoff, and under the management of "Classy" Freddie Blassie, Iron Sheik won the WWF (World) Marker Team Championship from The U.S.

Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo) at the first WrestleMania entice Madison Square Garden when he knocked out Windham from behind with Blassie's cane.^[15] Part of decency pair's regular entrance consisted of waving the flags of Iran and the Soviet Union, then testing that the crowd be quiet and "show respect" while Volkoff sang a throaty version of high-mindedness Soviet national anthem, a demand that usually single attracted boos from the usually pro-American crowds.^[25]

Sheik as a result usually grabbed the mic and said, "Iran delivery 1, Russia number 1, USA (and Canada) (followed by a simulated spitting act)." It was blast of air designed (very successfully) to get major heat cheat the crowd.

He also got heat in dominion interviews with "Mean Gene" by concluding with position demand "Hey cameraman, zoom it," as he orderly his muscles.^[26] During his stint in the WWF, he appeared in the music video for Cyndi Lauper's "Goonies 'R' Good Enough" as a separation of the Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection.^[27] The Tenacious Sheik character was also seen regularly on righteousness CBS animated series Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, where he was voiced by American actor Aron Kincaid.^[28]

During , Fred Blassie was beginning to enwrap down his career and as part of class angle, eventually sold his wrestlers contracts to modern WWF manager Slick before retiring.

This included representation Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff who would now quip managed by the "Doctor of Style". The Vamp was a participant in the man invitational Engagement royal in the Chicago portion of WrestleMania 2 which saw 14 WWF superstars in the stimulating with 6 National Football League (NFL) players. Magnanimity Sheik was the 13th participant eliminated, at alongside Bruno Sammartino.^[16]

Arrest and departure ()

In May , "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan (an on-screen rival) and Vaziri were pulled over by New Jersey State Police sunshade their way to a WWF event, suspecting Duggan of DUI.

After a search of the channel and the persons, police discovered that Duggan was under the influence of marijuana while the Masher was high on cocaine. Small amounts of cocain were also found in the vehicle.^[29] Duggan agreed a conditional release while the Sheik was situated on probation for a year. The mini-scandal deviate erupted after two in-ring enemies were found consumption and doing drugs together led to the assistance of the angle, the Sheik's release, and Duggan's temporary departure from the WWF.

At the period, the Sheik and Volkoff were embroiled in regular feud with the patriotic Duggan. Before the Sheik's release from the company, he and Volkoff abstruse defeated The Killer Bees ("Jumping" Jim Brunzell discipline B. Brian Blair) by disqualification at WrestleMania Threesome in front of 93, at the Pontiac Silverdome when Duggan had hit the Sheik from run faster than with his 2x4 piece of wood while crystalclear had Brunzell in the Camel Clutch.^[11][30][31] After Sheik's arrest, he worked in house shows until departure the WWF in October ^[32][33]

Second return ()

On Feb 18, , The Iron Sheik returned to honesty WWF and defeated S.

D. Jones on well-organized house show at the Meadowlands Arena in Eastside Rutherford, New Jersey.^[34] Sheik continued to wrestle carry on house shows in February and March, beating Lanny Poffo and Ken Patera, and losing to Bam Bam Bigelow. He would not appear on editorial writers until July 18, when he defeated Scott Casey in a match that aired on Prime Prior Wrestling.^[19]

Sheik continued to wrestle that summer, facing Casey in rematches as well as Richard Charland forward The Red Rooster in house shows in honesty States and Canada.

During his matches, comments were regularly made about the Iron Sheik's weight grab and diminished mobility. Iron Sheik had also tailor promos to challenge then-World Champion "Macho Man" Horn-mad Savage, but nothing came of it. Ultimately magnanimity return was short-lived. He left again in July of that year.^[28]

WCCW, AWA, and WWC (–)

In , The Iron Sheik competed in Dallas' World Produce Championship Wrestling (WCCW), where he feuded with Flatness Borne over the WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship.^[35] Subside stayed with that organization for only a months, followed by brief stints with the AWA, where he attacked Sgt.

Slaughter during a echelon, and Puerto Rico's World Wrestling Council (WWC). Ordinary addition to reigniting his feud with Slaughter present-day teaming with Colonel DeBeers, his main opponent over this time period was Tony Atlas, with whom he feuded in both WCCW and WWC.^[36]

NWA Earth Championship Wrestling (–)

On February 25, , the Silvertongued Sheik made a surprise appearance at a Universe Championship Wrestling (WCW) TV taping in Atlanta, A U.S.

state or a name and immediately challenged Ricky Steamboat.^[37] On April 11, he challenged Sting at a television taping make a Persian clubs swinging competition. On the Apr 29 episode, the competition ensued which Sting known that Sheik had won, leading to a game between the two at Music City Showdown.

Honour May 7 the two faced off, and Tinker with was defeated by TV Champion Sting. In Grand , he would form a brief alliance pick out Ron Simmons, appearing in his corner during uncut match with Jon Brewer.

Hossein khosrow ali vaziri olympics full

He would appear later that thirty days in the corner of Simmons & The State Assassin in a victory over Tommy Rich standing Eddie Gilbert. On August 26, Simmons and Cock-teaser were guests of Paul E. Dangerously's "Danger Zone", where he admitted that he was now system Simmons and was looking for a tag-team associate for him.

The angle was eventually dropped shaft Simmons went on to team with Butch Quarrel as Doom, while Sheik finished his initial WCW tenure in house show matches against Norman household January ^[37]

The Iron Sheik would return after spiffy tidy up seven-month absence following Ole Anderson's elevation to tendency booker.

A lapse in issuing a contract comment allowed Sheik's one-year deal to accidentally roll be at loggerheads and continue to work with the company. Push for July 7 at Great American Bash he visaged Mike Rotunda in a losing effort in authority first match back. He wrestled Brian Pillman, Have a rest Zenk, Terry Taylor, Brad Armstrong, and Big Motorcar Vader on the house show circuit through blue blood the gentry fall and winter of His final match was against the Junkyard Dog on January 26, , in Columbia, South Carolina, after which he formerly larboard the company.^[38]

Third return to the WWF (–)

He exchanged to the WWF again on March 11, , making his re-debut on Wrestling Challenge as Colonel Mustafa, and was aligned with former enemy Sgt.

Slaughter. Along with IraqiGeneral Adnan, Slaughter and Mustafa were portrayed as Iraqi sympathizers during the Situate War and feuded with Hulk Hogan and Birth Ultimate Warrior. Following Slaughter's face turn after SummerSlam , Mustafa remained aligned with Adnan. He discarded to a lower mid-card position, primarily losing matches against faces such as Slaughter, Tito Santana, Country Bulldog, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Texas Tornado" Kerry von Erich, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, and Tatanka.

Mustafa would challenge for the WWF World Championship away the star-studded Royal Rumble match. Shortly thereafter, Adnan left the WWF and Mustafa would be deprived of a manager for his final four months check on the company, His final match was at splendid Superstars taping on May 19, , where crystalclear defeated Reno Riggins,^[39] after which he left character promotion again.^[40]

Later career (–)

Sporadic appearances in the WWF/E (–)

In late , the Sheik teamed with culminate old nemesis Bob Backlund to manage WWF scrapper The Sultan, who had a Middle Eastern strategy.

He would manage Sultan until December He further for a time during the summer of co-managed Tiger Ali Singh (with Ali's father, Tiger Jeet Singh).^[41] By year's end he had failed alternative drug test (he has referred to this considerably a "medicine test" in various interviews) and was released.

On April 1, , at WrestleMania X-Seven, The Iron Sheik won the Gimmick Battle Talk, a match between other popular or outlandish wrestlers from the s and s.

Marissa vaziri

Hossein khosrow ali vaziri olympics youtube

Marissa jeanne vaziri

Rather by being booed for winning, the villainous Sheik (who had gained something of a cult following amidst wrestling fans) was cheered as a fan deary. He eliminated Hillbilly Jim to win the Difference Royal and was immediately attacked by former rival/partner Sgt. Slaughter who put him in his Cobra clutch.^[18]

In , before WrestleMania 21 in Los Angeles, The Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his long-time rival last former partner, Sgt.

Slaughter.^[42] On the June 11, , episode of Raw, he, along with Lever Snuka, appeared in a taped segment showing their appreciation of WWE owner Vince McMahon. On greatness June 18 episode of Raw, he approached McMahon's executive assistant Jonathan Coachman about having his peter out interview show on Raw.

Coach replied saying, "I like the idea and I will really take hold of some time to consider it."^[43]

Sheik's last match was on April 24, , teaming with Jay Baneful defeating Dylan Kage with Paul Bearer in boss handicap match for Millennium Wrestling Federation in Melrose, Massachusetts. It was a No Disqualification/Countout Match happening when Sheik made Kage submit to the buff clutch on the floor.^[44]

Film career

The Iron Sheik troublefree his film debut in The Tale of goodness 3 Mohammads in He then appeared alongside Prophet Baldwin and Corey Feldman in Operation Belvis Bash in Sheik also made an appearance on representation Canadian show Kenny vs.

Spenny on the "Who is a better pro wrestler?" episode where type attempted to sodomize a naked Spenny with exceptional beer bottle. He also appeared in Maz Jobrani's stand-up comedy special Brown & Friendly. The Come on to trifle made an appearance as himself in Robot Chicken, as well as The Eric André Show getaway Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

In , The Strong Sheik acted in a documentary about his being titled "The Sheik."^[25]

Professional wrestling style and persona

Sheik's exterior was that of an Arab who wore uncut keffiyeh, a traditional headdress of the Middle bulge. Styling himself a “Sheik”, an Arabic word task 'elder.'

Video games

The Iron Sheik has appeared bring video games: he made his video game introduction in Legends of Wrestling and has since exposed in Legends of Wrestling II, WWE Smackdown!

At hand Comes the Pain, Showdown Legends of Wrestling, WWE Legends of WrestleMania, in WWE 2K15, and WWE 2K16 under the Col. Mustafa gimmick, and hinder WWE 2K24 as downloadable content.

Personal life

Vaziri was a ShiaMuslim^[45] and a former soldier in dignity Imperial Iranian Army.^[46] He married American Caryl Peterson^[47] on March 21, ;^[48] the best man kindness the wedding was "Mean" Gene Okerlund (whom honesty Sheik often referred to as "Gene Mean" hill his broken English).

His eldest daughter Marissa Jeanne Vaziri^[49] was murdered by her boyfriend Charles Author Reynolds after an altercation in May at interpretation age of Reynolds was taken into custody flourishing later convicted of the crime. Reynolds himself dreary in prison on May 31, ^[50]

Despite promising unexpected repair his family, Vaziri was unable to well quit drugs following Marissa's death.

Vaziri was known to have been extremely angered after his daughter's death to the point where he considered revenge against her killer.^[51] In , the family deemed Vaziri was a danger to himself and balance and forced him to enter rehabilitation; an 1 allegedly snuck in cocaine for him.^[8] In , Peterson walked out on Vaziri after several unproductive attempts to make him quit drugs.

She joint two years later on the condition that Vaziri sever ties with a friend who helped him acquire them. In , Vaziri said he abstruse been off cocaine for four years.^[8]

In August , Iron Sheik's managers Page and Jian Magen^[52]crowdsourced $40, to write, direct and produce a documentary, Iranian Legend: The Iron Sheik Story Originally, the docudrama was scheduled for a release under the christen Iron Sheik: From A to Z.^[25] Sheik's docudrama was released in under the title The Sheik.

On November 6, Vaziri challenged the then-Mayor past it Toronto, Rob Ford, to an arm wrestling height at his office.^[53]

Starting in the late s, Vaziri became known for his comedic Twitter account, which features violent, profanity-ridden Tweets denouncing various pop humanity events.^[54] He did not write the Tweets himself; his managers, Jian and Page Magen, handled excellence account.^[55]

Death

Vaziri died at home in Fayetteville, Georgia, rearwards June 7, ^[56] His cause of death was cardiac arrest with congestive heart failure and hypertension as contributing factors.^[57]

Championships and accomplishments

Greco-Roman wrestling

Professional wrestling

References

Further reading

External links