The Iron Sheik was an American-Iranian Wrestler who was invited by Verne Gagne to traina and become
a wrestler. Between 1972 and 1981, he worked in the Independent Scene, developing his style. He
shaved his head bald, grew a big moustache and wore wrestling boots which had their toes curled up.
He worked as the Iron Sheik in NWA territories before he was signed by WWE.
As a heel wrestler he faced the babyface Champion Bob Backlund. Bob Backlund was defeated by him
after The Iron Sheik locked in the signature Camel Clutch. Backlund’s manager threw in the towel to
make the Sheik the WWF Champion.
The two would feud over the next couple of months, with the Sheik able to fend of his opponent
somehow. It was only when The Sheik faced Hogan instead that he lost. Hogan won the title in
characteristic Hogan style with the Atomic Leg Drop. This would be the beginning of Hulkamania.
The Iron Sheik was an effective heel who teamed with Nikolai Volkoff. He got heat from the crowd by
saying Iran Number 1, Russia Number 1, and then saying USA before spitting.
The Iron Sheik would have to leave WWE after being arrested by the police for being under the influence
of drugs while driving along with his then-opponent, Jim Duggan.
The Iron Sheik wrestled in the Independent Scene and NWA for a while before returning to WWE in
1991. He teamed with Slaughter who had turned heel as Gulf War Iraqi sympathisers.
Finally he would leave WWE again and wrestle in the Independent scene util 1996. While The Iron Sheik
has retired from active competition since 1996 he has made regular appearances in WWE and outside
wrestling as well.
The Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
People Also Ask
The Iron Sheik is a semi-retired Iranian professional wrestler and actor who has a net worth of $50 thousand.
77 years (March 15, 1942)
Nikolai Volkoff
The Iron Sheik: 2005 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee.
1984
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