Legendary WWE star The Iron Sheik has died at age 81.The WWE Hall of Famer’s representatives announced the former WWF World Heavyweight Champion’s death in astatementon social media.
The Iron Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 after an in-ring career that spanned four decades, starting in 1972.“WWE is saddened to hear of the passing of WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik, and extends its condolences to his family, friends, and fans,” the promotionsaidWednesday afternoon.
The Iron Sheik.Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty
Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty
Sheik retired from wrestling full-time in 2000, but made one last in-ring appearance in 2007 and continued to provide playful commentary on the pro wrestling world via social media, where he became known for posting in character and in all caps.
Sheik was a familiar villain throughout the rise of the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s. (WWF later switched its name to World Wrestling Entertainment). He’s best known for his long-running feud with Hulk Hogan, who became a fan favorite with the help of Sheik’s treacherous, scripted antics.
The Iron Sheik.Vince Talotta/Toronto Star via Getty
Vince Talotta/Toronto Star via Getty
In reality, Sheik always seemed destined for in-ring stardom.
“He was a great performer! Wrestlers should continue to study his body of work,” current WWE star Drew Gulaktweeted, sharing his condolences.
The Iron Sheik.Focus on Sport via Getty
Focus on Sport via Getty
The pinnacle of Sheik’s career came in 1983 when he defeated WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund — who is regarded as one of pro wrestling’s greatest world champions — for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in the main event at Madison Square Garden. Sheik’s victory over Backlund, who held the title since 1978, ended the second-longest world title reign in WWE history. Sheik later lost the title to Hogan, which boosted the blonde-haired bodybuilder into stardom.
“Khosrow Vaziri was truly one of a kind,“tweetedMick Foley, a fellow WWE Hall of Famer who was in attendance as a kid at Sheik’s 1983 championship match.
“There will never be another Iron Sheik,“tweetedwrestling commentator Ian Riccaboni. “The world, not just wrestling, was better for having Sheik here.”
source: people.com
