Bios
Iron Sheik
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 252 lbs.
From: Tehran, Iran
Birthday: Mar 15th
Pro Debut: January 28, 1973
Aliases: Ali Vaziri, Ali Vasari, Iron Shiek Farouk, Hussein Arab, Hossein Arab, The Sheik, Col. Mustafa, Shasta Mustafa, Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, Khosrow Vaziri, Muhammad Farouk, Sheik Farouk
Feds Worked For: MSW, TSW, WCCW, AWA, NWA, WCW, WWE, WWF, WWWF, 1 Pro Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), All Star Wrestling (NE), Allied Power Wrestling Federation (PA), Apocalype Wrestling Federation (Canada), Central States Wrestling (IA/KS/MO), Century Wrestling Alliance (MA), Championship Pro Wrestling (PA), Championship Wrestling from Florida (FL), Championship Wrestling USA (OR), Continental Wrestling Association (AL/IN/KY/TN), Deaf Wrestlefest (PA), Eastern Shores Wrestling (NY), Georgia Championship Wrestling (GA), Gulas Wrestling Enterprises (TN), Heroes of Wrestling (MS), Independent Superstars of Professional Wrestling (NJ), Independent Wrestling Federation (NJ), International Wrestling (Canada), Juggalo Championship Wrestling, Maple Leaf Wrestling (Canada), Maryland Championship Wrestling (MD), Mid Eastern Wrestling Federation (MD), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), Millennium Wrestling Federation (MA), National Wrestling Conference (CA/NV), National Wrestling Superstars (NJ), New Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), New Zealand, North American Wrestling Federation (WI), Northern States Wrestling Alliance (MI), NWA 2000 (North Carolina), NWA Big Time Wrestling (TX), NWA Championship Wrestling America (NJ), NWA Hollywood (CA), NWA New Jersey (NJ), Pacific Northwest Wrestling (OR/WA), Piledriver Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Legends, Pro Wrestling Syndicate (NJ), Pro Wrestling Xtreme (Canada), St. Louis Wrestling Club (MO), Stampede Wrestling (Canada), Steel City Wrestling (PA/WV), Union of Professional Wrestling Force International (Japan), Vancouver All-Star Wrestling (Canada), Windy City Pro Wrestling (IL), Women's Xtreme Wrestling, World Wrestling Council (Puerto Rico), World Wrestling Association (IN)
Finisher: Camel Clutch
Signature Moves: Rocking Horse, Belly-to-Belly Suplex, Gutwrench Suplex, Boston Crab, Gutbuster
Career Highlights: -CCW Champion (2x)
-CWA Champion
-IAW Champion
-IAW Tag Team Champion (w/ Brian Costello)
-IWA Intercontinental Champion
-NWA 2000 American Heritage Champion
-NWA British Empire/Commonwealth Champion
-NWA Mid-Atlantic Champion
-NWA National Television Champion
-NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Champion (w/ Bull Ramos)
-NWA (Toronto) Canadian Champion (2x)
-NWA (Vancouver) Canadian Tag Team Champion (w/ Bobby Bass)
-WWF World Champion
-WWF World Tag Team Champion (w/ Nikolai Volkoff)
Affiliates: General Adnan, Sgt. Slaughter, Nikolai Volkoff, Freddie Blassie, Col. DeBeers, Dallas Page, The Sultan, Shiek of Baghdad, Tiger Khan, Amy Lee, The Patriot, The Hate Breed, Mad Man Manson, Armando Estrada, Jimmy Hart, Slick, Paul Ellering, Bull Ramos, Bobby Bass, Gene Anderson, Chicky Starr
Notable Feuds: Mike Rotunda, Sgt. Slaughter, Barry Windham, Killer Bees, Tito Santana, Blackjack Mulligan, S. D. Jones, Cpl. Kirschner, Jim Duggan, André the Giant, British Bulldogs, Jimmy Snuka, Junkyard Dog, George Steele, Ivan Putski, Rocky Johnson, Jay Strongbow, Tony Garea, Greg Valentine, Ricky Steamboat, Ronnie Garvin, Dominic DeNucci, Ric Flair, Tony Atlas, Bob Backlund, Demolition, George Wells, Kim Duk, Angelo Mosca, Dick Murdoch, Salvatore Bellomo, Lanny Poffo, Hulk Hogan, Johnny Rich, Dan Spivey, Bret Hart, Ted DiBiase, The Islanders, José Luis Rivera, Tommy Rich
Other Facts: -Real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri
-Defected to the US in 1972 and served as an Olympic wrestling coach for the US.
-Two-time AAU Champion
-Worked as bodyguard for the Shah of Iran. He got the opportunity because he was the Iranian army wrestling champion and after that, was given the chance to work for the Shah's cousin in the television industry.
-Trained for pro wrestling by Verne Gagne
-In the early years of his career, he was announced as having won a medal in the 1968 Olympics for Iran. This was later revealed to be a complete work to enhance his character.
-Accounts vary as to who gave him the name "The Iron Sheik". Some sources say it happened while competing in MSW. Greg Gagne claims it was his mother who came up with the name and The Iron Shiek agrees with that. What is not at disput is that the name was chosen to differentiate him from Ed Farhat aka "The Sheik", which Vaziri was also billed as for a time.
-As Hussein Arab and Hossein Arab, he ued the nickname "Great"
-Has a reputation for being a "master of the suplex".
-Was reportedly offered $100,000 by Verne Gagne to break Hulk Hogan's leg during the match where Hogan won the WWF World title from him.
-Was a participant in an incident that severely exposed the business in 1987. Sheik and Jim Duggan, who were feuding at the time, were traveling together to a show when they were pulled over by New Jersey state police. Sheik was charged with marijuana and cocaine and given one year's probation. Duggan was charged with possession of marijuana and driving under the influence. This incident made national news and brought a lot of unwanted attention to the WWF and the way wrestling was done.
-Former member of The First Family (CWA version)
-Former member of The Legion of Doom (NWA version)
-Former member of the Triangle of Terror
-In January 2002, The Iron Sheik was scheduled for an appearance on "Opie & Anthony" but it didn't happen. Sheik was detained coming back from Canada at the airport in Rochester, NY because they believed he may have been a terrorist.
-Helped to train Buck Zumhofe and Scott Irwin for pro wrestling. He also trained several of the Von Erichs, spending the most time with Kerry.
-Appeared in the movies "The Tale of 3 Mohammad" in 2005 and "Zero Dark Thirty" in 2008
-Won Wrestling Observer's Most Underrated Award in 1980
-Ranked #215 in the 1991 PWI 500 (as Col. Mustafa)
-Ranked #333 in the 1992 PWI 500 (as Col. Mustafa)
-Ranked #218 in the 1993 PWI 500
-Ranked #288 in the 1994 PWI 500
-Ranked #321 in the 1995 PWI 500
-Ranked #382 in the 1996 PWI 500
-Ranked #431 in the 1997 PWI 500
-Ranked #423 in the 1998 PWI 500
-Ranked #417 in the 1999 PWI 500
-Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005
-Inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2008
-Inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016
-Passed away June 7, 2023 at the age of 81.
Supplemental Information
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Spotlight in History
- 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
- 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Champion
- 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
- 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
- 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
- 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
- 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
- 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
- 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
Week of Sun 09-15 to Sat: 09-21
- 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Champion
- 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
- 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Champion
- 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Champion
- 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
- 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Champion
- 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Champion
- 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Champion
- 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Champion
- 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champion
- 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
- 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
- 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
- 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
- 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
- 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Champion
- 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Champion
- 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
- 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Champion
- 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Champion
- 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
- 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
- 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Champion
- 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
- 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
- 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
- 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Champion
- 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
- 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Champion
- 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Champion
- 09-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
- 09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Champion
- 09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
- 09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
- 09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
- 09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
- 09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
- 09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
- 09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
- 09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
- 09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
- Justin Lee Sep 20th Today!
- Joey Stixx Sep 20th Today!
- Boz Sep 20th Today!
- Pepper Martin Sep 20th Today!
- Ethan Page Sep 20th Today!
- Chuck Singer Sep 20th Today!
- Jason Simon Sep 20th Today!
- Greg Valentine Sep 20th Today!
- Randy Rhodes Sep 20th Today!
- Ricky Morton Sep 21st
- Connor Jones Sep 21st
- Jack Brisco Sep 21st
- Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
- Doug Somers Sep 22nd
- Harley D Sep 22nd
- Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
- Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
- O'Malley Sep 23rd
- John J. Bishop Sep 24th
- Kai Fayden Sep 24th
- Jason Bruce Sep 24th
- Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
- Joe Jones Sep 24th
- Connor Crunk Sep 24th
- Len Rossi Sep 24th
- Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
- Toots Estes Sep 25th
- Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
- Chief Mike Sep 25th
- Chris Matthews Sep 26th
- Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
- BB Sep 26th
- Lone Eagle Sep 26th
- Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
- Angel Camacho Sep 27th
- Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
- Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
- Tommy Prince Sep 28th
- Kamille Sep 28th
- Scott Lee Sep 28th
- Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
- Rip Tyler Sep 28th
- David Sammartino Sep 29th
- Ann Casey Sep 29th
- Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
- Lady Starwind Sep 30th
- Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
- Raymon Downey Sep 30th
- Fred Urban Sep 30th
- Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
- Seth Coburn Sep 30th
- Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
- Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
- James Southard Oct 2nd
- Funnybone Oct 2nd
- Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
- Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
- Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
- Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
- Don Fargo Oct 3rd
- Johnny TV Oct 3rd
Tag Cloud
Ryan James RagsdaleBlake AlbrightIZWAaron NeilSteve OBLK-OUTJack BriscoNWABrian BlairDory FunkJr.
