Marc Raimondi, ESPN Staff WriterThe Iron Sheik, a standout Greco-Roman wrestler from Iran who gained global fame in professional wrestling with his 1980s rivalries against the likes of Hulk Hogan, died Wednesday at the age of 81, according to his official Twitter account.Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, was a former WWF World Heavyweight champion and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. As a hated heel, he had legendary battles in the 1980s against Hogan, Bob Backlund and Sgt. Slaughter. Vaziri beat Backlund for the WWF title in December 1983, and, one month later, Hogan defeated Vaziri in front of more than 20,000 at New York's Madison Square Garden to win the belt for the first time. The match helped catapult Hulkamania into a phenomenon, leading into the first WrestleMania one year later."With his larger than life persona, incredible charisma, and unparalleled in-ring skills, he captivated audiences around the globe," said the statement from his Twitter account. "He was a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for a diverse range of wrestlers who followed in his footsteps."Before starting in professional wrestling, Vaziri was a bodyguard for the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He was a Greco-Roman wrestler in his home country, nearly making the 1968 Olympic team. Vaziri then moved to the United States, where he won an AAU Greco-Roman wrestling championship at 180.5 pounds and became an assistant coach for the U.S. wrestling team, including its Olympic team in 1972.
One of the great heels ever. Lived up in Fayetteville up near where I work where it seems so many old "rasslers" live.
grew up in fayetteville. you're right ...several of the wrestlers lived in the area. for whatever reason i thought he lived in peachtree city. i could be confused...same county.
Well hot damn - nook is from Atlanta south. Was also where Paul orndorf lived and died and the Benoit murder/suicide happened. Nice place though.
Nothing good from Fayetteville…I used to work out at Main Event Fitness off of Windy Hill. It was owned by Sting and Lex. It was full of wrastlers daily.
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