WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik Dies at 81

Variety ^ | 6/7.23 | Charna Flam

[DallasBiff]

Former professional wrestler Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, better known as The Iron Sheik, has died, his official Twitter account announced on Wednesday. He was 81.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of The Iron Sheik, but we also take solace in knowing that he departed this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come,” read the Twitter statement

[DallasBiff]

RIP, probably one of the most hated, for lack of a better term, wrestlers, back in the day.

He and Sgt. Slaughter were classic matches.

[NohSpinZone]

Oh man, Sheiky has been a force on social media for a few years now and he had built a legion of new fans. RIP and don’t let the jabronis get you down no matter where you are, Sheik.

[alternatives?]

Everybody ought to go to a professional wrestling match once in their life. Observing the crowd is worth the price of admission. It gives one a view of a group of your fellow citizens. Also, you can see some referees even faker than the NBA’s.

[Delta 21]

Wasnt The Iron Sheik from Cleveland?

[simpson96]

I remember the catcalls from the fans when he was in the ring: “The Sheik’s a FREAK!” Good times.

May he RIP.

[PGR88]

He really took advantage of the Iran hostage crisis - his status as arch-villain was stratospheric.

I remember because I was a 10 year-old kid in the front row screaming at him!

[shotgun]

Grew up in Vancouver Washington in the 60’s and 70’s watching the Iron Shiek on Portland Wrestling. It was him, Jimmy “ Superfly” Snuka, Jesse “the Body” Ventura, Randy” Macho Man” Savage, Andre the Giant, Chief Bull Ramos, Dutch Savage and the list goes on...

[tflabo]

Sad news - I loved me some Sheikh. Being Arabic and the name with the accent that fit. What a lovable or hatable character but all in good fun.

[ronniesgal]

noooo!

[desertsolitaire]

Some managed by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.

[CodeJockey]

[Ezekiel]

I don’t really have a pun, and I never followed wresting, but apparently he was popular as the guy everyone loved to hate.

Looks like he had a genuine sense of style, unlike Shabby Sheik.

Now it’s curtains.

RIP

[Ciaphas Cain]

The opening intro to the CBS Saturday morning series Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n Wrestling.

The only characters from that sequences who are still with us are Hogan and Wendy Richter.

[mozarky2]

“Ladies and gentlemen! Please rise for the playing of the Iranian national anthem!”

[shotgun]

Lots of good times at the old Portland Sports Arena in person

[Doctor Congo]

Is this guy from back in the Hay Stack Calhoun and Bobo Brazil days?

[FrankRizzo890]

“The sheik number one!
Iran number one!
America? HAH! (Spits)

MR. Camera man, ZOOOOM!”

I hope he’s camel-clutching somewhere in the afterlife.

[Rdct29]

I didn't like the Sheikh or his boots. What was his big submission called, The Camel Clutch? Seargent Slaughter use to crack me up. I didn't hate him. I didn't like Adrian Adonis, Bob Bachlan, Killer Khan and Magnificent Morocco. I remember the guy who would put up a decent fight but always lose. His name was Es-tee Jones. Not sure of the spelling of his first name. Tony Atlas and Superfly Snooka were my favorite wrestlers.

[Deplorable American1776]

WWE wrestling is fun to watch. When you see the stunts they do is amazing. RIP IronShiek and prayers to his family!