The Iron Sheik was born March 15th, 1942, and passed away June 7th, 2023. The former amateur wrestling star would find great success in professional wrestling during the 1970s and 1980s in the United States of America, especially in WWE. While the Sheik initially competed as a babyface early on, he quickly became an Iranian heel. With his bald head, mustache, and curled-toed boots the Iron Sheik had a look that would transcend sports entertainment.
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The Iron Sheik would wrestle his last match in 2010, teaming with Jay Lethal. Yet, the Sheik's legend has only grown since his retirement. The Sheik found some popular cultural notoriety with his Twitter account. The Iron Sheik's colorful Tweets and his intense dislike for Hulk Hogan have made him popular in the eyes of many fans that have never seen him in the ring.
10 WWE Tag Team Champion
From 1984 until 1987 Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff became one of the most hated teams in WWE history. Playing up the stereotypical foreign heels of the 1980s, the duo would capture the WWE World Tag Team Titles at the first WrestleMania. Sheik and Volkoff would cheat to pin the U.S. Express for the titles.
The duo would lose the belts back to the Express but continue as a team. Sheik and Volkoff would compete and win against the Killer Bees at WrestleMania 3.
9 Managed The Sultan
In 1996 the Iron Sheik would join forces with nemesis Bob Backlund (more on that later) to co-manage the Sultan. The gimmick of the Sultan was of a middle eastern fighter, yet was portrayed by Samoan Rikishi Fatu.
Sheik and Backlund would manage the unstoppable foreign heel and lead him to an Intercontinental Title match at WrestleMania 13. By the end of 1997, Sheik was released from his WWE contract due to a failed drug test (medicine test as Sheik called them).
8 Won First Battle Royal At Madison Square Garden
WWE would sign the Iron Sheik for the first time in 1979. Sheik would win the first-ever Battle Royal at Madison Square Garden which would lead to a World Title match. His title shot was against Bob Backlund, who he would come up short against the same night as the Battle Royal.
Throughout 1979, Sheik would battle with champion Bob Backlund and former champion Bruno Sammartino. In 1980, Sheik would leave WWE and head to the Jim Crockett Promotions.
7 Colonel Mustafa
The Iron Sheik would return to WWE in 1991. During this stint, Sheik portrayed Iraqi sympathizer, Colonel Mustafa. As Mustafa, Sheik would join Sgt Slaughter and General Adnan during their feud with Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior. Sheik would wrestle in the main event of SummerSlam '91 with Slaughter and Adnan.
The three heels were dubbed the Triangle of Terror but would fall to Hogan and Warrior. As Mustafa, Sheik would wrestle for WWE until May 1992.
6 1987 Arrest
During WrestleMania 3 Iron Sheik would start an onscreen rivalry with American patriot Hacksaw Jim Duggan. This would be a popular mid-card rivalry for WWE. Yet, in May 1987, Jim Duggan would be pulled over and suspected of driving under the influence.
Duggan's passenger was the Iron Sheik. Drugs were found in the car and the kayfabe around the rivalry was destroyed. The two opponents found drinking and driving together would destroy the angle and lead to Sheik's departure.
5 Accidental Contract Rollover
The Iron Sheik would join World Championship Wrestling in 1989. Unfortunately for WCW, Sheik was well past his prime as a full-time performer. While Sheik would battle top babyfaces such as Sting and Ricky Steamboat, he was no longer a top-drawing heel.
While Sheik's contract was only for one year, due to management changes and Ole Anderson becoming head of WCW, Sheik's contract accidentally rolled over into another year. Sheik would battle another past-their -rime star in Junkyard Dog in his last WCW match, January 1991.
4 WrestleMania 17 Gimmick Battle Royal Champion
In 2001, the Iron Sheik would return to WrestleMania for the Gimmick Battle Royal. While the match itself only lasted around 3 minutes, the nostalgia was a hit. Sheik would take so long walking to the ring, legendary announcer Bobby Heenan said it would be WrestleMania 38 before Sheik made it to the ring.
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Sheik would win the Battle Royal by lastly eliminating Hillbilly Jim. After the match, Sgt Slaughter would attack the Sheik and apply the Cobra Clutch. Friends and rivals until the end.
3 Won WWE Championship
The Iron Sheik would return to WWE in 1983 to challenge Bob Backlund for the WWE championship. The match was set up for December 26th, 1983 at Madison Square Garden. The Iron Sheik would end Backlund's near 1500-day reign and capture the World Heavyweight Title. Due to an attack from Sheik, 2 days earlier, Backlund came into the match with an injured neck.
Sheik would apply the Camel Clutch on Bob Backlund, yet the champion would not submit. Backlund's manager, Arnold Skaaland would throw in the towel, giving Sheik the title.
2 Lost To Hulk Hogan To Launch Hulkamania
One month after dethroning Bob Backlund, the Iron Sheik would have a scheduled rematch with the long-time champion. Yet, Backlund would be replaced by Hulk Hogan. Sheik would lock Hogan into the Camel Clutch but the Hulkster would overpower the Sheik.
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Hogan would hit the leg drop on Sheik and win the title. This title win is the kickoff to Hulkamania. This loss would also lead to the hatred that Sheik would display for Hogan on Twitter.
1 WWE Hall of Fame 2005
The Iron Sheik would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. The 2005 Hall of Fame Class is one of the most legendary of all time. The class included the Sheik's hated enemy, Hulk Hogan, his tag team champion partner Nikolai Volkoff, Roddy Piper, Bob Orton, Paul Orndorff, and Jimmy Hart.
The Iron Sheik would be inducted by former partner and rival, Sgt Slaughter. The Iron Sheik was a very deserving Hall of Famer and an all-time WWE legend. RIP Sheiky Baby.
