The Iron Sheik, wrestling legend and Hulk Hogan's rival, useless at 81
- Legendary wrestler The Iron Sheik has died, aged 81.
- Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri’s dying was introduced on the wrestler’s Twitter web page.
- The Corridor-of-Fame, Iranian-born wrestler was a longtime heel and star within the WWF.
Wrestling legend The Iron Sheik, whose actual identify was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, has died at 81, according to a statement shared on his Twitter page.
“As we speak, we collect with heavy hearts to bid farewell to a real legend, a pressure of nature, and an iconic determine who left an unimaginable mark on the world {of professional} wrestling,” the assertion mentioned.
“It’s with nice unhappiness that we share the information of the passing of The Iron Sheik, however we additionally take solace in figuring out that he departed this world peacefully, abandoning a legacy that may endure for generations to come back,” the assertion added.
It stays unclear when precisely he died, and the reason for dying is unknown.
—The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) June 7, 2023
The Corridor-of-Fame, Iranian-born wrestler was a longtime heel and star within the World Wrestling Federation, now often called World Wrestling Leisure.
He was often called a rival of iconic wrestler Hulk Hogan.
However after shedding a championship to Hulk Hogan, he engaged in a rivalry with Sgt. Slaughter earlier than teaming up with Russian wrestler Nikolai Volkoff to win the primary WWE World Tag Crew Championship on the 1985 Wrestlemania, in response to WWE.
In response to WWE, Vaziri left the WWE in 1988, although he briefly reappeared in for a storyline in 1991.
“Together with his larger-than-life persona, unimaginable charisma, and unparalleled in-ring abilities, he captivated audiences across the globe,” the assertion shared on his Twitter mentioned. “He was a trailblazer, breaking limitations and paving the way in which for a various vary of wrestlers who adopted in his footsteps.”
Representatives for Vaziri didn’t instantly reply to Insider’s requests for remark.
The WWE paid tribute to Vaziri in an announcement on Wednesday, saying: “The Iron Sheik’s larger-than-life persona and pure present for inciting crowds throughout the globe helped him turn out to be one of many best villains in sports-entertainment historical past.”
“WWE extends its condolences to The Iron Sheik’s household, buddies and followers,” the group mentioned.
