Iron Sheik

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Khosrow Vaziri


Statistics
Ring name(s)	The Iron Sheik Colonel Mustafa Hossein The Arab
Billed height	183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Billed weight	119 kg (262 lb)
Born	March 15, 1943 (1943-03-15) (age 65) Tehran, Iran
Resides	Fayetteville, Georgia
Trained by	Verne Gagne
Debut	1972

Not to be confused with Ed Farhat, the wrestler known as The Sheik.

Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (حسین خسرو وزیری), born March 15, 1943, in Tehran, Iran^[1], is a retired Iranian professional wrestler better known by his ring name The Iron Sheik. He is known for ending the near six year World Wrestling Federation Championship reign of Bob Backlund and for being the man Hulk Hogan defeated for his first WWF Championship, setting off the Golden Age of professional wrestling. He was also a bodyguard for the Shah of Iran's family several years while they still lived in Iran. In 2005, Khosrow was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

1 Career
2 Personal life
3 Conflicts
4 Media appearances
5 Howard Stern appearance and The Sheik Show
6 In wrestling
- 6.1 Finishing and signature moves
7 Championships and accomplishments
8 References
9 Further reading
10 External links

Career

Amateur wrestling

Khosrow was the 1971 AAU Greco-Roman wrestling champion at 180.5 pounds.^[2] Khosrow also was the assistant coach of two US Olympic squads in the 1970s.^{[citation needed]}

Although the Iron Sheik was billed as having been a 1968 Olympic medalist, Khosrow was actually eliminated during his country’s trials.

World Wrestling Federation (1979-1988)

After moving to other territories, Khosrow was turned into a heel and would do a few things that would complete his signature look. First, he grew a traditional "buffo" style mustache, added wrestling boots with the toe curled up (a nod to his ethnic background which, according to Khosrow, was Jimmy Snuka's idea), and shaved his head bald. In addition to adding the Persian clubs (Iron Sheik - Persian Club Demo)and challenging wrestlers to do as many or more swings than him as part of his gimmick (a sport in his native Iran), he would also change his ring name. Now known as The Great Hossein Arab, he won his first title, the Canadian Tag Team Championship, with partner the Texas Outlaw. He caught the eye of the WWF where he debuted in 1979 and won the first-ever Battle Royal in Madison Square Garden. This earned him a title shot at then-champion Bob Backlund, who pinned him later that night in a 30-minute battle.^[3] He later feuded with Chief Jay Strongbow and Bruno Sammartino before leaving in 1980.^[4]

He would resurface as The Iron Sheik in the NWA territories. Playing on real-life political matters (notably the Iran hostage crisis) and the animosity Americans had for the country of Iran, he moved on to the Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic territories, capturing the Mid-Atlantic title from Jim Brunzell before moving to Georgia Championship Wrestling. There, he had notable matches with Dusty Rhodes, Dick Murdoch, and Tommy Rich, and traded the National TV title with Ron Garvin.^[5]

Khosrow would return to the WWF in 1983 as The Iron Sheik and challenged Backlund once again; he defeated him on December 26, 1983 at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship. Sheik also injured Bob Backlund during a Persian club challenge prior to this title match.^[6]

During his title reign, The Iron Sheik held memorable bouts against Backlund, Chief Jay Strongbow, Pat Patterson, and Tito Santana before dropping the belt just four weeks later to Hulk Hogan.^[7] The WWF's owner Vince McMahon, Jr. had wanted to take the WWF in a different direction as part of his plan to turn the WWF from a regional promotion into a national one. Part of his plan involved taking the title from Backlund and putting it on the charismatic Hogan, who had left the AWA to wrestle for McMahon, (in the process making an enemy of the AWA's owner Verne Gagne). He would then engage in a bitter feud with Sgt. Slaughter, to whom he would eventually lose a "Boot Camp Rules" match. The Iron Sheik would go on to team with Nikolai Volkoff as the "Foreign Legion", and under the management of "Classy" Freddie Blassie, won the WWF Tag Team Championship from the U.S. Express at WrestleMania.^[8]

WCCW, AWA, WWC, NWA, and WCW (1987-1990)

In 1987, the Iron Sheik competed in Dallas' World Class Championship Wrestling.^[9] He stayed with that organization for only a few months, followed by brief stints with the AWA, where he attacked Sgt. Slaughter during a match, and Puerto Rico's World Wrestling Council. In addition to re-igniting his feud with Slaughter and teaming with Col. Debeers, his main opponent during this time period was Tony Atlas, who he feuded with in both WCCW and WWC.^[10]

In 1989, he had a short stint in the National Wrestling Alliance, where he feuded with Sting over the NWA World Television Championship. He left after about half a year into his stint with the company.^[11]

World Wresting Federation (1991-1992)

He returned to the WWF again in 1991 and was aligned with former enemy Sgt. Slaughter, and began calling himself Col. Mustafa. Along with General Adnan, the three played Iraqis (or, in Slaughter's case, an Iraqi sympathizer) during the first Gulf War and feuded with Hulk Hogan. Following Slaughter's face turn after SummerSlam 1991, he teamed with General Adnan until the middle of 1992, when he left the promotion again.^[12]

Wrestling tours (1993-1994)

The Iron Sheik wrestled independently afterwards, and went on a wrestling tour to Nigeria in 1994, promoted by Chris Adams and co-sponsored by Pepsi, and featuring former WWF stars Jimmy Snuka, Greg Valentine, Demolition Ax, and World Class wrestler/owner Kevin Von Erich.

The Sheik was the first champion of "Boston Bad Boy" Tony Rumble's Century Wrestling Alliance, dropping the championship to Vic Steamboat on October 23rd, 1993 in Wakefield, MA.

In 1994, the Sheik tried his hand at strong style professional wrestling in the UWFi in Japan. He lost by tap-out to Yoji Anjoh in about 5:30 (the in-ring action of the UWFi, though tailored to resemble an actual competitive bout, was in fact made up of predetermined outcomes).

Sporadic wrestling appearances (1996-present)

In late 1996 Sheik would team up with his old nemesis Bob Backlund to manage WWF wrestler The Sultan, who was doing a Middle Eastern gimmick, until the Sultan was taken off TV in mid 1997. In 2001, at WrestleMania X-Seven, the Iron Sheik was the victor of the Gimmick Battle Royal, a match between other popular wrestlers from the 1980s and 1990s. Rather than being booed for winning, he was cheered as a fan favorite. He went on to wrestle in various independent promotions to age 60.^[13]

In 2005, the Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his old rival, Sgt. Slaughter.^[14]

On the June 18, 2007 episode of WWE Monday Night RAW, the Iron Sheik approached Jonathan Coachman about having his own interview show (like Piper's Pit) to show on RAW. Coach replied saying, "I like the idea and I will really take some time to consider it."^[15]

On August 13, 2007 the Iron Sheik appeared on an episode of WWE RAW held at Madison Square Garden for a WWE version of American Idol. Sheik came out with Nikolai Volkoff while Volkoff sang the Soviet anthem.

The March 10, 2008 edition of WWE Raw, featured rematches from previous WrestleManias. Iron Sheik appeared along with Nikolai Volkoff to face off against the U.S. Express in a rematch from the first WrestleMania. The match was cut short however by Jillian Hall, who came out to sing "Born in the USA".

Personal life

In 1987, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Khosrow were pulled over by New Jersey police after a WWF event, suspecting Duggan of driving under the influence. After a search of the vehicle and the persons, police discovered that Duggan was under the influence of marijuana and alcohol, while the Sheik was high on cocaine. Small amounts of cocaine were also found in the vehicle. Duggan received a conditional release while the Sheik was placed on probation for a year. The mini-scandal that erupted after two in-ring enemies were found drinking and doing drugs together led to the end of the angle, the Sheik's release, and Duggan's temporary departure from WWE.^[16]^[17]^[18]^[19]^[20]

On May 5, 2003, Iron Sheik's 27-year-old daughter, Marissa Jeanne Vaziri, was found strangled to death in her apartment. Marissa's live-in boyfriend, Charles Warren Reynolds, 38, confessed to the crime and was charged with murder.^[21]

Conflicts

Throughout the last few years, Khosrow has expressed intense dislike for many wrestlers, wrestling promoters, and celebrity figures, including Brian Blair, Nikolai Volkoff, the Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, Michael Richards, and a slew of others. During his infamous studio shoot interview conducted in 2004 with Dan Mirade of the Boston, Massachusetts based Millennium Wrestling Federation, the Sheik was asked about his appearance at WrestleMania III, where he teamed with Nikolai Volkoff against the Killer Bees, Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell. During the three hour DVD, the Sheik's drug induced tirade became a Youtube legend and his popularity has soared ever since.

Media appearances

Khosrow was injured and allegedly hospitalized twice in recent months. In December, the Sheik was poisoned after filming his second Millennium Wrestling Federation Studio Shoot Interview with Dan Mirade in Melrose, Mass. This was actually recorded on a cell phone and aired on the January 2007 edition of MWF Ultra.^[22] The Sheik was the third victim of the MWF "stalker."

In winter 2007, Khosrow was hospitalized after making several appearances in Toronto at a Wal-Mart, sports bar, and independent wrestling show for his friend's sons. Khosrow claims he was to be paid $12,000 for the appearances but was only given $1,000. On his way to the airport, his driver stole his $1,000. Khosrow was able to get the man's driver's license and bring it to the police in the airport. The police called an ambulance for him, as it appeared he was going to have a heart attack. Khosrow spoke about the incident on the February MWF Xtra.^[22]

Howard Stern appearance and The Sheik Show

Beginning in July 2007, the comments made by Khosrow regarding Brian Blair during the MWF Studio Shoot Interview became a regular topic of discussion on Howard Stern's show. The staff spent time almost daily talking about the Iron Sheik, and each day contained Artie Lange's impression of him. The Sheik appeared on the Stern Show on August 2, 2007. Fellow radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge, appearing as one of Stern's guests, challenged the Sheik's Gold Medal as fake, although it is a valid 1971 AAU National Championship Medal. Comments made during Iron Sheik's appearance on Stern regarding financial compensation have led to rumors that the bit was staged for publicity. Guests on The Howard Stern Show are not paid; however, Iron Sheik alluded that he would receive $10,000 from Howard Stern, and actually won $2,500 in a contest referred to as "Anal Ring Toss."

Prior to the contest, the Iron Sheik was involved in a shouting match with the Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, and Killer Bees look-alikes (portrayed by Stern staff members Richard Christy and Sal "the Stockbroker" Governale), who both appeared via satellite in the studio to "insult" the Sheik. Artie Lange also wore a costume, including a fake beard, and performed his impression, calling himself the new WWE wrestler "The Real Iron Sheik" (even though he was firstly alluded by Stern as being the "Iron Sheik Jr.").

The Sheik has since gone on to make appearances with The Killers of Comedy alongside several Stern regular comedians including Christy and Governale. Artie Lange has added his popular impression of the Sheik to his stand-up comedy routine.

On October 15, 2007, The Iron Sheik made his debut on Howard 101 with Shuli Egar, hosting the one hour The Iron Sheik Show. His most recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show was on March 31, 2008; where he discussed problems with fellow Wack-Packer Beetlejuice, and apologized to Stern for his anti-semitic comments. During his visit, he was served a bottle of Beck's beer which he threw at staff member Will Murray as he had apparently questioned his sexual orientation during their pre-interview; both parties would apologize soon afterwards.

He is scheduled to be roasted (in an event independent of The Stern Show) on October 10, 2008 by his colleagues from The Killers of Comedy: Shuli, Sal Governale, Beetlejuice and Bob Levy (who will be serving as roastmaster) as well as fellow wrestlers B. Brian Blair and Nikolai Volkoff.

In wrestling

Finishing and signature moves

Camel Clutch
Iranian Drop (Top rope two handed chokeslam)
Gutwrench suplex
Boston crab
Belly-to-belly suplex
Belly-to-back suplex
Hip toss
Short-arm clothesline

Championships and accomplishments

Georgia Championship Wrestling

NWA National Television Championship (1 time)

International Association of Wrestling

IAW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
IAW Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Brian Costello

Maple Leaf Wrestling

NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version) (2 times)

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling

NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

NWA All-Star Wrestling

NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (1 time) - with the Texas Outlaw

NWA New Zealand

New Zealand British Commonwealth Championship (1 time)

NWA 2000

NWA 2000 American Heritage Championship (1 time)

Pacific Northwest Wrestling

NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Bull Ramos

World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment

WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2005)
WWF Championship (1 time)
WWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Nikolai Volkoff

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

PWI ranked him # 134 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.
PWI ranked him # 96 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with the Nikolai Volkoff in 2003.