The Iron Sheik, a wrestler inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame died at 81. Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, better known to the world as The Iron Sheik, passed away peacefully, according to a statement issued to The Iron Sheik’s official Twitter account on June 7. The message declared that Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri had gone away.
The following excerpt from the released statement: “Today, we gather with heavy hearts to bid farewell to a true legend, a force of nature, and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling.” It is with great regret that we must inform you of the demise of The Iron Sheik; nevertheless, we take comfort in the knowledge that he departed this world in peace, leaving behind a legacy that will live on for many years.
Vaziri is survived by his wife, Caryl; his children, Tanya, Nikki, and Marissa; his son-in-law Eddie; and five grandkids and two nephews. The couple had been married for 47 years.
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Before debuting in the World Wrestling Federation in 1979, The Iron Sheik began his career as a wrestler in the early 1970s. He had gone in 1980 and hadn’t come back until 1983. From there, he dethroned Bob Backlund to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship for the first and only time in his career before losing it to Hulk Hogan, which helped launch “Hulkamania.”
At the first WrestleMania, which took place at Madison Square Garden in 1985, Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff were victorious, taking home the WWF Tag Team Championship. In addition, he took part in WrestleMania II and III before triumphing in a Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania 17, which took place in 2001.
Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and continued to make cameo appearances on WWE television throughout the following years. The year 2007 marked the conclusion of his career on the indie scene.
Wrestling Inc. wants to express its deepest sympathies to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.