In the storied world of professional wrestling, few figures loom as large as the late Iron Sheik. Born on March 15, 1942, in Tehran, Iran, as Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, the Iron Sheik would go on to become one of the most iconic villains in the history of the business. As we take a moment to remember his life and legacy, it’s worth reflecting on how he shaped the world of wrestling and how he became a symbol of bravado, pride, and patriotism – albeit, one that was often controversial.
Sheik’s life story is one of perseverance and determination. Born into a working-class family, he showed an early aptitude for wrestling and quickly rose through the ranks of Iranian wrestling. He won his first national championship at 18 and went on to represent Iran in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Vaziri even caught the eye of the Shah of Iran and served as the Shah’s personal bodyguard! Continue reading