The Iron Sheik

HOFDeceased

Real Name:

Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri

Billed From:

Tehran, Iran

Billed Height:

6′ 0″

Billed Weight:

258 lbs

Debut:

1972

Retired:

2010 (38 year career)

Birthday:

03/15/1942

Died: 6/6/2023 (Age 81)

Promotions Wrestled in:WWF | WWE | WCW | NWA | AWA | Stampede

Eras Wrestled in:The Territorial Era | The Golden Era | The Attitude Era

Championships Won (1):

1x WWF World Heavyweight Champion

Career Summary

Hossein Vaziri, known globally as The Iron Sheik, was a trailblazing Iranian-American wrestler. As an Olympian and amateur wrestling coach, he became the only Iranian-born champion in WWE history after winning the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983.

His villainous persona was pivotal in launching the “Hulkamania” era after dropping the title to Hulk Hogan in January 1984. He later formed a memorable tag team with Nikolai Volkoff, capturing the WWF Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania I.

Renowned for his roles as a foreign heel during the height of US-Iran tensions, his intense rivalries and on-mic charisma made him an icon. The Iron Sheik was known for his signature “Camel Clutch” finisher, controversial interviews, and often incendiary shoot promos in later years.