Charlotte, NC (May 21, 2008) – Khosrow Vaziri better known as The Iron Sheik has “terrorized” his opponents while entertaining generations of Pro Wrestling fan’s for close to four decades. Although The Iron Sheik turned “Pro” in 1972 he has been competing on the grappling scene since the mid 1960s and was a member of his native Iran’s Olympic Wrestling Team during the 1968 Mexico Olympics. In 1971, he won the AAU Greco Roman Gold Metal. Vaziri was also once a bodyguard for the family of the Shah of Iran.
The Iron Sheik was always a feared man in the ring because of his deadly armature background and “win at all costs” attitude. Throughout the years The Iron Sheik feuded with many of the best the National Wrestling Alliance had to offer including Dusty Rhodes, Tommy Rich, Dick Murdock, Ronnie Garvin and Sting.
Championship gold did not elude The Iron Sheik, while competing with the NWA™ he earned several NWA™ titles, but it wasn’t until 1983 when he won the WWE® Championship from Bob Backlund ending Backlund’s 6 year reign as Champion. His run as WWE® Champion ended 4 weeks later loosing that title to Hulk Hogan in Madison Square Garden. The Iron Sheik would then move into the tag team ranks with partner Nikolai Volkoff winning the WWE® Tag Team Championships under the watchful eye of Manager “Classy” Fred Blassie.
The Iron Sheik is a true legend of the mat game. In 2005 he was inducted into the WWE® Hall of Fame and today is retired from in ring action, but is till very active as he is being re-discovered by a new generation of fans as a regular on the popular “Howard Stern Show.”
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4 comments:
I'm puzzled what possesed the NWA to add The Iron Shiek?
Simple. A Hall of Fame recognizes people who are accomplished in their respected industry and the Iron Sheik meets if not exceeds as an accomplished pro wrestler. You must admit that the Iron Sheik has been a major personality in this industry for over 30 decades, especially is time in the NWA?
While I don't see The Shiek's NWA connection, but I'll recognize him as a member of the Hall as long as this year guys like....
The Midnight Express
The Road Warriors
Ric Flair
Arn Anderson
Ernie Ladd
The Original Shiek
Jim Crockett
Terry Funk
and TONS others.
Khris,
I think your off on this one. the Iron Sheik is a household name and has roots in the NWA. His mainstream success might have come after his time in the NWA, but that doesn't change the fact that he was a main-stay in the Mid-Atlantic Area for a large part of his early career.
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