Iron Sheik Wrestler Date of Birth: 15.03.1943 Country: Iran

Content:

1. The Rise of the Iron Sheik
2. Early Success
3. WWF Championship Reign
4. Partnership with Nikolai Volkoff
5. Feud with Sgt. Slaughter
6. Independent Matches and Return to Japan
7. Retirement and Hall of Fame Induction
8. Controversial Career
9. Personal Life
10. Awards and Recognition

The Rise of the Iron Sheik

Hossrow Ali Vaziri, better known to wrestling fans as the Iron Sheik, hails from Iranian descent. A former wrestler, he was a member of Iran's Olympic Greco-Roman team in the sixties, later serving as an assistant coach at two Olympic Games in the seventies.

Early Success

Iron Sheik made his wrestling debut in 1972. He won his first title in Canada, teaming up with Texas Outlow. This garnered him the attention of the WWF, where he debuted in 1979's Battle Royal and emerged victorious.

WWF Championship Reign

In 1980, he parted ways with the WWF but returned in 1983 to great success. Iron Sheik became the WWF International Heavyweight Champion on December 26, 1983, defeating Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden.

Partnership with Nikolai Volkoff

During this period, he formed a popular tag team with Nikolai Volkoff, known as the Foreign Legion. In 1987, Iron Sheik joined World Class Championship Wrestling in Dallas.

Feud with Sgt. Slaughter

Iron Sheik engaged in a long-standing rivalry with Sgt. Slaughter on the wrestling circuit. However, during their time in WWE from 1991 to 1992, they became allies. In this pairing, Iron Sheik took on the persona of Colonel Mustafa.

Independent Matches and Return to Japan

For the next few years, Iron Sheik worked independent matches before trying his luck in Japan in 1994. This venture did not yield significant success. On April 1, 2001, he won a battle royal at WrestleMania X-Seven.

Retirement and Hall of Fame Induction

Sheik continued to wrestle into his sixties, marking his final match in 2003. In 2008, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Controversial Career

After retiring from the ring, Iron Sheik adopted an eccentric personality, appearing on television and making inflammatory remarks about former friends and rivals. His vitriolic rants gained media notoriety, but they also led to his ostracization from the wrestling community.

Personal Life

Iron Sheik's personal life was marred by a few regrettable incidents. In 1987, he was arrested and placed on probation for drug possession and use. In 2003, his 23-year-old daughter was found strangled to death in her apartment.

Awards and Recognition

Iron Sheik's numerous accolades include:
- Olympic Games - Freestyle Wrestling Gold Medal (1968)
- Amateur Wrestling - AAU Champion
- Wrestling - World Cup 3rd Place (1969)
- WWE - Hall of Fame (2005)
- TWE - Hall of Fame (2007)
- NWL - Hall of Pain (2006)
- Wrestling Observer - Most Underrated Wrestler (1980)
- NWA Hall of Heroes - Hall of Fame (2008)

Martial art

Terri Runnels	PN News	Chris Sabin
Igor Vovchanchin	Don Muraco	Lita