According to the WWE, Iron Sheik, a former pro wrestler in the 1980’s, who later became a popular Twitter personality, died on Wednesday.
WWE posted an article confirming his passing, and a statement about his death also was posted on his Twitter page giving details of his life. Neither statement revealed his cause of death, but the Twitter post said he“departed this world peacefully.”
The Iron Sheik, real name Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, in a documentary about his life titled “The Sheik” said he took a liking for wrestling while growing up in a small village in Iran and as a grappler in the Iranian Army.
He also said he was once a bodyguard for the Shah and took advantage of anti-Iranian sentiment following the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis to build his professional wrestling career.
His finishing move during his professional wrestling career was the “Camel Clutch“. Known for his curled boots, iron Sheik played the role of an anti-American heel for the WWF, which later became the WWE.
He was popular for role-playing anti-American persona and rhetoric, often alongside tag team partner Nikolai Volkoff, who played the part of a Soviet villain.
Iron Sheik won the WWF championship in 1983 by defeating Bob Backlund, before losing it later to Hulk Hogan. He also had a long-running rivalry with Sgt. Slaughter, who played the role of an American hero, but would later team with the Sergent as Colonel Mustafa.
According to the WWE, Iron Sheik’s last appearance in the ring was at WrestleMania 17.
Below is a video compilation of the late Iron Sheik performing some of his “Camel Clutch” finisher moves during his time-fighting in the ring.
