Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, popularly known in the wrestling world as The Iron Sheik died at 81 on Friday. Born in Iran in 1942, the Iron Sheik moved to the United States in 1968 with very little English capabilities to take up wrestling. He ultimately achieved stardom when he took on the legendary Hulk Hogan in the 1980s.
Hogan penned a stimulating tribute on Instagram to mourn the loss of his great rival when he learned that Iron Sheik died. Hogan said he shared a bond with the Iranian-American that only professional wrestlers can understand – within and outside the ring. He said Iron Sheik brought charisma and personality that wrestling fans around the world have come to appreciate and relate with.
“Today, we honor the legacy of a wrestling icon,” Hogan wrote in a lengthy tribute. “Rest in peace, Iron Sheikh. The wrestling world has lost a true legend, and Sheikh’s contributions to our industry will never be forgotten. I’ll always cherish the battles we had in the ring. Our matches were intense, and our rivalry was legendary.
“We shared a bond that only fellow wrestlers can understand. Iron Sheikh’s unique charisma, undeniable talent, and unforgettable personality made him an unforgettable figure in the hearts of wrestling fans worldwide. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of wrestlers to come. Rest in peace, Iron Sheikh. You will always be remembered as a true warrior of the ring.”
Before settling with the moniker Iron Sheik in the 80s, Vaziri fought under various names such as “The Great Hussein Arab,” “Hussein Arab,” “Muhammad Farouk,” and then “Colonel Mustafa.” It is alleged that the wife of amateur wrestler turned pro-Verne Gagne, Mary, suggested the name “Iron Sheik” for the fast-rising wrestler in particular reference to Ed “the Original Sheik” Farhat who went by the name “The Sheik”.
By this time, the Iron Sheik had incorporated his Iranian culture into the way he dressed and acted in the ring by wearing wrestling boots with curled toes, a thick mustache, and a keffiyeh headpiece. In the 2000s, the wrestler became increasingly known for taking hard drugs, a development that made him collide with law enforcement. His daughter Marissa was murdered in 2003 by boyfriend Charles Reynolds and his wife divorced him before returning again.