The Iron Sheik was the centerpiece of the latest A&E WWE Biography documentary. The Iron Sheik was a major WWF heel during the 80s and 90s. He played on the real-life conflict between the US and his native Iran to be the ultimate foreign bad guy.
The documentary focused on Sheik’s life surrounded by murder, war and drugs as well his vital role in changing the landscape of the wrestling business.
Here’s what we learned from the Iron Sheik Biography documentary.
THIS SUNDAY I CAMEL CLUTCH THE A AND E pic.twitter.com/hR9PtJ4WRv
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) April 14, 2023
Murder, Death, And Death Of Kayfabe
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri – he who would later before The Iron Sheik – had a life surrounded by death.
In the late 60s, Vaziri trained as a wrestler with Iranian wrestling Olympic Gold medalist and national hero Gholamreza Takhti. Takhti was critical of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his regime in Iran. Takhti was found dead in his hotel room with the cause of death ruled a suicide. Many suspected otherwise.
Despite Vaziri being the Shah’s bodyguard he was spooked by his friend’s death enough to fear for his life. Vaziri fled to America.
In 2003, Vaziri’s daughter was murdered by her boyfriend. His accounts of this during the documentary were extremely harrowing.
Tune in this Sunday for an all-new Biography: WWE Legends with @the_ironsheik starting at 8/7c only on @AETV! pic.twitter.com/saeVZe0PvD
— WWE (@WWE) April 13, 2023
Iron Sheik Turned Down $100,000 And Made Hulkamania
Vaziri trained in a barn with Verne Gagne when he made it to the US in the early 70s. He was muscular, handsome and an overall good guy.
Vaziri spoke in the documentary about how he failed to make any money as a face so became the ultimate bad guy.
On December 26 1983, he ended the five-year WWF Championship reign of Bob Backlund. Mick Foley spoke about being in Madison Square Garden that night and how shocking it was as a fan.
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The Iron Sheik feuded with Hulk Hogan in a battle of the nasty foreigner vs. Mr. America. The decision was made for Hogan to win the championship just 28 days into Iron Sheik’s reign.
Gagne offered Shiek $100,000 to break Hogan’s leg, take the WWF Championship hostage and bring it to his American Wrestling Association. Sheik did the job to Hogan which was said to have sparked Hulkamania.
He Did Make $100,000 Off An Action Figure
Sheik’s loyalty was rewarded by Vince McMahon who constantly looked after him. The advert for the WWF Thumb Wrestlers figures pitted Sheik against Hogan. This meant the Sheik was seen amongst children as the must-have figure to battle Hogan.
He revealed he made $100,000 from the first sales of the figure alone.
Jerry Lawler Painted His Iconic Flag
The Iron Sheik drew nuclear heat simply by entering the ring with his Iranian flag. Jerry Lawler suggested he use his art skills to paint the Ayatollah on the flag. This turned the heat up even more in the US arenas.
Sheik was the victim of death threats and had to travel with police escorts or hide in cars.
Death Of Kayfabe
In 1987, deep into his WWF run, Vaziri was involved in the death of kayfabe. Whilst in a bitter feud with flag-waving American Jim Duggan, Vaziri needed a lift to the show. Duggan agreed to take him despite them being booked to fight that night.
It’s hard to say whether this was the biggest mistake, or if it was the pair smoking weed, snorting coke and drinking beer during the journey. Either way, they were pulled over by a police officer. The resulting arrest made headline news and revealed the wrestling industry to be a scam.
The Iron Sheik would use the Gulf War in his partnership with Sgt. Slaughter a few years later. But at this point, he was a victim in the US’s war on drugs.
He Loved Giving The People What They Wanted
Vaziri loved wrestling and said he’d still be doing it if his body let him. He dropped the Championship to Hogan despite feeling he had more to offer because it’s what the people wanted.
His match with Sgt. Slaughter was incredibly bloody. Vaziri said he bled so much for Slaughter because that’s what the people wanted.
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