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WWE's The Iron Sheik.
Hello, dear viewers. Today I want to talk about a legend of pro wrestling who passed away recently: The Iron Sheik. He was one of the most charismatic and controversial figures in the history of the sport, and he left a lasting impact on the industry and the fans.
The Iron Sheik was born as Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri in Iran in 1942. He was a talented amateur wrestler who competed for Iran in the 1968 Olympics and later became a bodyguard for the Shah of Iran. He moved to the United States in 1972 and trained with Verne Gagne to become a professional wrestler.
He debuted in 1973 and soon adopted the persona of The Iron Sheik, a proud Iranian heel who wore traditional Persian attire and used a camel clutch as his finishing move. He feuded with many popular wrestlers, such as Bob Backlund, Sgt. Slaughter, Tito Santana and Ricky Steamboat.
His most famous moment came in 1983, when he defeated Bob Backlund for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, ending Backlund's six-year reign. He then lost the title to Hulk Hogan a month later, launching Hogan's iconic run as the face of the WWF and the wrestling boom of the 1980s.
The Iron Sheik later formed a tag team with Nikolai Volkoff, a Soviet sympathizer, and they won the WWF Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania I in 1985. They were managed by Freddie Blassie and often sang their respective national anthems before their matches, drawing massive heat from the patriotic crowds.
The Iron Sheik continued to wrestle for various promotions until 2010, when he retired at age 68. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by his longtime rival Sgt. Slaughter. He also became a cult figure on social media, where he posted hilarious and often offensive tweets about current events and other wrestlers. He called anyone he disliked a "jabroni", a term he popularized.
The Iron Sheik died on June 7, 2023, at age 81, after suffering from various health issues. He is survived by his wife Caryl and his three children. He was a true legend, a force of nature and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the wrestling world. He will be missed by many fans and colleagues who respected his passion and talent.
Rest in peace, Iron Sheik. You were the real.
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