David Matthews | New York Daily News
Legendary wrestler Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, who carried out as “The Iron Sheik,” died Wednesday. He was 81 years previous.
“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,” a statement posted to his Twitter account reads.
“With his larger-than-life persona, incredible charisma, and unparalleled in-ring skills, he captivated audiences around the globe. He was a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for a diverse range of wrestlers who followed in his footsteps.”
No different particulars of his dying got.
Vaziri was born in Iran in 1942 and skilled as a wrestler earlier than transferring to the United States within the Sixties. He went on to turn into an assistant coach for the 1972 and 1976 U.S. Olympic wrestling groups, the place the U.S. gained 12 medals.
He entered the world of professional wrestling and shortly debuted the villainous Iron Sheik character, who ran to the ring waving an Iranian flag, carrying a keffiyeh and curled-up boots.
He joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1979 — shortly after the Iranian Revolution ended and months earlier than the hostage disaster on the U.S. embassy in Tehran — and gained the first-ever Battle Royale match at Madison Square Garden. He left the WWF a yr later however returned in 1983.
In the ring, he was recognized for his Camel Clutch chinlock ending transfer and feuds with the likes of Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan and Sgt. Slaughter.
RESPECT THE LEGEND FOREVER 😢 pic.twitter.com/Cr6CC9pXSO
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) June 7, 2023
He went on to work for different promotions, together with WCW and NWA earlier than retiring from the squared circle after a ultimate match in 2010.
In his later years, he turned a social media star on Twitter, amassing greater than 640,000 followers and numerous likes and retweets for his vulgar and indignant tweets about all method of issues. In typical Iron Sheik style, his ultimate tweet earlier than his passing learn, “F— THE WILDFIRES.”
THIS SUNDAY I CAMEL CLUTCH THE A AND E pic.twitter.com/hR9PtJ4WRv
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) April 14, 2023
Vaziri was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and the NWA Hall of Fame in 2008.
He leaves behind his spouse, Caryl, of 47 years, two daughters, and 5 grandchildren.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”