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Iron Sheik Interview

Posted: Nov 5th 2013 By: CMBurnham

Each year, AskMen.com runs a feature where readers can vote for the 49 most influential men of the year. As this year's votes were being tallied and the list was being compiled, I decided to check in with the ultimate man's man -- the one and only Iron Sheik.

Sheikie Baby, as he often refers to himself, has done it all. From representing Iran in the 1968 Summer Olympics to battling Hulk Hogan in Madison Square Garden, Sheik has led a truly wild life. And while many professional wrestlers find a backstage role in the business when their in-ring career winds down, the Sheik did the opposite. He took an unlikely route and totally reinvented himself -- as one of the first Twitter superstars.

If you're not one of Sheik's 300,000-plus social media followers, his account is more or less a 24/7 NSFW pop culture roast. Over the years, he's had epic feuds with everyone from Jose Canseco to comedian Michael Ian Black, all in 140 characters or less.

But he?s not all hate. When the Sheik loves you, he really loves you. So now, in celebration of this year's just-released Top 49, check out which celebrities the Iron Sheik deems the most influential men of the year.

Peter Hoare: Who -- besides yourself, of course -- would you say is the overall coolest man of 2013?

Iron Sheik: I respect the Robin Thicke, bubba! I party with him last week in the New York City at the GQ party. He look like the young Iron Sheik and he know how to have the sex with the women with the music. He the best right now, bubba.

PH: What about actors? Sheikie Baby, who do you think is the best actor of 2013?

IS: Bubba, a lot of good actors in the movies of today -- percent 1,000! My good friend the Ryan Gosling, he know I am the legend. He ready to be next Al Pacino. Also the Rob Corddry. He the new Robert De Niro. He know how to handle the movie and make the people laugh. He not like that piece of sh*t the Zach Braff! Zach Braff, you are punk! You are no good motherf*cker!

PH: Okay, Zach Braff seems to have gotten you a little riled up.

IS: Percent 1,000!

PH: Onto a subject you know better than anyone -- mustaches. Have any celebrity mustaches impressed you this year?

IS: First of all, bubba, there is only one Iron Sheik mustache! But new generation, the Johnny Depp, he impress me big time! He change his mustache and he always gives the percent 1,000, just like the legend. He can have the sex with anybody. And who has the best mustache in the music? That's one of the legend's good friends -- the Action Bronson. He have beard mustache. He know how to party like the legend, and he have music that sound like the Frank Sinatra. I see the Justin Bieber have the mustache that look like baby midget. He not ready for the Iron Sheik.

PH: Who is the best all-around musician of 2013? Probably not Michael Bolton, right?

IS: Bubba, the Michael Bolton the biggest no-good piece of sh*t in the world! His music only good music to take sh*t to! I never respect him!

[At this point, following his inexplicable rage at the mere mention of Michael Bolton's name, the Sheik takes a minute to calm down and regroup.]

But all respect to my black brother the Pharrell. He smooth. He always make the good music. Also I respect the Capital Cities new music. They invite me to the show in the New York City, and I have the cold beer and good time with them. They best -- just like the Rob Thomas. Forever they impress me. Also from new generation, I love Chance the Rapper. He ready to pay for his dues and become next world champion of the music.

Peter Hoare: Who would you say is the best-dressed man of 2013?

Iron Sheik: The Bradley Cooper look exactly like the young Iron Sheik. He dress like the legend. Also the Riff Raff. He know how to look like the Classy Freddie Blassie. Also the Ellen DeGeneres. She look good, but she look like the Owen Wilson.

PH: In your opinion, which male comedian is 2013's funniest man?

IS: My good friend the Eric Andre. He make me laugh like the Don Rickles. I go on his show for the Adult Swim [The Eric Andre Show]. He new generation funny man. He always try to be Iron Sheik class. Respect to him.

PH: Which man would you most like to share a cold beer with?

IS: The Django show me he kick the sh*t out of anybody. I love my black brother Jamie Foxx. I party with him in the Los Angeles. I love him forever.

PH: On Twitter, you've feuded with everyone from Jose Canseco to Chris Brown. But former enemies aside, which male celebrity is worthy of following on Twitter?

IS: Bubba, you ask very intelligent question. The answer? My good friend The Rock. He live and breathe the good life. He know how to do it perfect, bubba.

PH: Who's the best professional athlete of 2013?

IS: Easy, bubba. My answer -- the Peyton Manning. I respect the Peyton more than anyone in the sports. He work hard. He lead. He in control. He champion. Also the David Ortiz. He eat as many cheeseburgers as the Prince Fielder or the Kim Kardashian, but he still the champion. He impress me in the World Series this year.

PH: Do you predict any celebrity in particular will be huge in 2014?

IS: 2014 will be big year for Iron Sheik. My movie come out, and it make the world news. I become like the Leonardo DiCaprio. I ready to steal the show. Also, my best friend the Bruno Mars. He know I am the legend, and I know one day he will be Iron Sheik class.

PH: Thanks for your time, Sheikie Baby.

IS: Thank you, Mr. Peter Hoare. You respect the legend.

A documentary on The Iron Sheik's life -- Iranian Legend: The Iron Sheik Story -- will be released next year. In the meantime, follow Sheikie Baby on Twitter -- it's @The_IronSheik. And you can also visit his website, TheIronSheik.org.

Just don't piss him off.