WWE legend The Iron Sheik has sadly passed away at the age of 81. The real-life Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri was one of the greatest wrestlers to have ever graced the squared circle. After starting his wrestling journey in the early 1970s, the Persian superstar made his name in the industry as part of the WWE in the 1980s. He was the first and the only Persian to have won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in 1983. The legend was also a tag team champion, a title he won at the very first WrestleMania along with Nikolai Volkoff.
The legendary pro wrestler had several issues in his life. While most were health-related, some of the issues stemmed from his troublesome past relating to drug issues. He also suffered a heart attack in 2005. The Iron Sheik was one of the few wrestlers who preferred to stay away from the limelight and only used his Twitter account to reach out to fans and make other comments. Due to the well-maintained privacy that he had inflicted upon his own life, the accurate reason for his passing is not yet known.
RESPECT THE LEGEND FOREVER 😢 pic.twitter.com/Cr6CC9pXSO
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) June 7, 2023
In the wake of his demise, his family left a note on his Twitter account to address the matter. The statement noted that The Iron Sheik had unwavering support for his family and friends and loved them dearly. The statement added that The Iron Sheik should be remembered not only for the larger-than-life persona that he created but also for the joy he brought to the lives of those who had the privilege of watching him in action.
The Iron Sheik fought his personal demons throughout his life
The Iron Sheik was one of the most notable stars in WWE during the 1980s. He portrayed the role of a despicable heel with extraordinary ease, always leaving his blood and sweat in the ring. The legend was not only committed to elevating his game but also helped those around him, most notably Hulk Hogan, whose win against The Iron Sheik propelled his Hulkamania gimmick.
Despite the persona and charisma that he had created for himself, The Iron Sheik fought a lot of demons, mainly in the form of drug usage. The legend fought the addiction to several drugs, mainly crack, during his illustrious wrestling career. He also had to deal with a remarkable personal tragedy when his daughter Marissa, 27, was murdered by her partner Charles Warren Reynolds.
WWE is saddened to learn that Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, known the world over as WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, at age 81.
WWE extends its condolences to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans.https://t.co/FGE0yKeuWA pic.twitter.com/yVLpLObxFA
— WWE (@WWE) June 7, 2023
On one occasion in a courtroom, The Iron Sheik was ready to slit Reynolds’ throat open but was urged by his elder daughter Tanya to refrain from doing so. This ultimately helped The Iron Sheik also resolve to quit his drug addiction and lead a healthier life.
The Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. In his latter days, the legend would hardly be seen in the public eye. However, his sharp wit remained available to those who followed him on Twitter. The legacy of the great wrestler will be immortalized not for his promos or exceptional physique but for his scathing criticism of Hulk Hogan and his undying resolve toward the world of entertainment.