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Iron Sheik


Last updated by M.A LeBlanc on January 7, 2017

Check out The Iron Sheik‘s WWE Alumni profile here!

Title History

  • (New Zealand) British Empire/Commonwealth Heavyweight title [as Ali Vaziri] defeating Rick Martel (1977);
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles w/Bull Ramos defeating Jesse Ventura and Jerry Oates (April 18, 1978);
  • NWA (Vancouver) Canadian Tag Team titles w/Bobby Bass defeating Don Leo Jonathan and Jake Roberts (July 24, 1978);
  • NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight title defeating Jim Brunzell (May 11, 1980);
  • NWA (Toronto) Canadian Heavyweight title [Great Hossein Arab] defeating Dewey Robertson (May 25, 1980);
  • NWA (Toronto) Canadian Heavyweight title [Great Hossein Arab] defeating Angelo Mosca (August 10, 1980);
  • NWA National Television title defeating Ron Garvin by disqualification in Tournament Final (May 28, 1983);
  • WWF World Heavyweight title [Managed by Fred Blassie] defeating Bob Backlund (December 26, 1983);
  • WWF Tag Team titles w/Nikolai Volkoff defeating Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham (March 31, 1985);
  • NWA 2000 (North Carolina) American Heritage Heavyweight Title defeating Timber (December 27, 1997);
  • WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Hall of Fame Inductee (April 2, 2005);

Iron Sheik Career Highlights

In The Beginning

  • Khosrow Vaziri started out as an amature wrestler and even won a medal at the 1968 Olympic Games, representing Iran.
  • ~~~Years later, this was proven to be a complete “work” just to enhance his gimmick while wrestling in America.
  • 1972: Khosrow Vaziri defected to the United States and became an assistant wrestling coach for the United States.
  • ~~~Khosrow Vaziri was a two-time AAU Champion and also a United States Olympic Greco Wrestling Coach.
  • 1972: Khosrow Vaziri caught the eye of Minnesota legend Verne Gagne at the Olympic Training sessions.
  • 1972: Khosrow Vaziri began training with Verne Gagne and debuted in the AWA at the end of that year.
  • 1979: Khosrow Vaziri signed with the World Wide Wrestling Federation, wrestling as “Hussein Arab”, managed by Fred Blassie.
  • June 4, 1979 – MSG: Hussein Arab won a Battle Royal to earn a title shot at WWF Champion Bob Backlund, in the main event.
  • Hussein Arab departed the WWWF and toured the Southern territories.

Mid-South Wrestling

  • Kosraw Vaziri went to work for Bill Watts’ Mid South Wrestling promotion and became known as The “Iron Sheik”.
  • November 26, 1981 – Superdome Extravaganza: The Iron Sheik defeated King Cobra.

World Wrestling Federation

  • 1983: The Iron Sheik signed with the World Wrestling Federation when it was becoming a national promotion.
  • ~~~The Iron Sheik gained a reputation of being the “master of the suplex” using many versions of the suplex.
  • December 26, 1983 – MSG: The Iron Sheik beat Bob Backlund for the WWF World title when Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel.
  • The Iron Sheik had title defenses against Chief Jay Strongbow, Pat Patterson, Bob Backlund, Salvatore Bellomo and Tito Santana.
  • January 23, 1984 – MSG: Hulk Hogan defeated Iron Sheik for the WWF World title in one of the most famous matches of all time.
  • ~~~Rumor has it, AWA promoter Verne Gagne offered Sheik $100,000 to break Hogans leg during the match.
  • ~~~Luckily, Iron Sheik is a smart man, and did the job, and informed Hogan and McMahon of the offer after the match.
  • July 23, 1984 – Brawl to End It All: The Iron Sheik defeated Tony Garea.
  • 1984: The Iron Sheik and Sgt Slaughter engaged in a bloody and violent feud that spread throughout the entire country.
  • June 16, 1984 – MSG: Sgt Slaughter defeated The Iron Sheik in a famous Boot Camp match.

World Wrestling Federation – The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff

  • 1984: The Iron Sheik formed a successful tag team with Nikolai Volkoff, managed by Fred Blassie.
  • March 31, 1985 – WrestleMania: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff beat Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham for the Tag Team titles.
  • May 11, 1985 – SNME: The US Express and Ricky Steamboat defeated Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff and George Steele.
  • July 8, 1985 – King of the Ring: The Iron Sheik made it all the way to the finals where he lost to Don Muraco.
  • ~~~Iron Sheik b Jim Brunzell | Iron Sheik b Ricky Steamboat | Iron Sheik b Tito Santana | Don Muraco b Iron Sheik.
  • August 23, 1985 – House Show: The Iron Sheik defeated Ivan Putski.
  • September 12, 1985 – House Show: The Iron Sheik defeated Cousin Junior.
  • October 7, 1985 – House Show: The Iron Sheik defeated Steve Gatorwolf.
  • November 7, 1985 – Wrestling Classic: The Junk Yard Dog defeated The Iron Sheik in the 1st Round of the Tournament.
  • April 2, 1986 – Wrestlemania 2: The Iron Sheik participated in the Invitational Battle Royal – won by Andre The Giant.
  • May 3, 1986 – SNME: The British Bulldogs defeated The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff in 2/3 Falls to retain the Tag Team titles.
  • July 14, 1986 – King of the Ring: Billy Jack Haynes defeated The Iron Sheik in the 1st Round of the Tournament.
  • September 20, 1986 – Superstar: The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff and Hercules Hernandez defeated Billy Jack Haynes, Mario Mancini and Nick Kiniski.
  • September 28, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff defeated The British Bulldogs.
  • October 20, 1986 – WWF on MSG: Jacques Rougeau defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • October 25, 1986 – Superstars: Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik defeated Tito Santana and Pedro Morales.
  • November 2, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff and Hercules Hernandez defeated Corporal Kirchner, Lanny Poffo and SD Jones.
  • November 8, 1986 – Superstars: The Killer Beez defeated The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff.
  • December 7, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff and Butch Reed defeated The British Bulldogs and Billy Jack Haynes.
  • December 28, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff and Butch Reed defeated The Islanders and Jose Luis Rivera.
  • January 10, 1987 – Superstars: Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik defeated tag team champions The British Bulldog and The Dynamite Kid by disqualification.
  • February 1, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff defeated The Islanders.
  • March 7, 1987 – Superstars: Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik defeated Brad Rheingans and SD Jones.
  • March 14, 1987 – SNME: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • March 27, 1987 – WrestleMania III: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff defeated the Killer Bees by disqualification when Jim Duggan interfered.
  • April 25, 1987 – Superstars: Nikolai Volkoff, The Iron Sheik and Butch Reed defeated Sivi Afi, Haku and Tama.
  • April 28, 1987 – Saturday Night Main Event: Rick Martel and Tom Zenk defeated The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff.
  • May 3, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff and Butch Reed defeated Lanny Poffo, Mario Mancini and Sivi Afi.
  • May 9, 1987 – Superstars: The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff and Butch Reed defeated Joe Mirto, Paul Roma and Jim Powers.
  • June 21, 1987 – House Show: The Iron Sheik defeated Dick Slater.
  • May 26, 1987: The Iron Sheik and Jim Duggan were arrested by New Jersey State Police.
  • ~~~Duggan was charged with possession of marijuana and drinking alcohol while driving.
  • ~~~Sheik was charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine.
  • ~~~Duggan received a conditional discharge and Sheik received one year probation.
  • ~~~What was so shocking about this was that they were feuding at the time, and the incident exposed the business.
  • 1987: The Iron Sheik left the WWF soon after this incident.
  • September 20, 1987 – WWC: Tony Atlas defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • December 25, 1987 – WCWA: WCWA Texas heavyweight champion Matt Bourne defeated The Iron Sheik to retain the title.
  • January 30, 1988 – WWC: WWC Universal champion Carlos Colon defeated The Iron Sheik to retain the title.
  • February 20, 1988 – House Show: The Iron Sheik defeated Lanny Poffo.
  • February 21, 1988 – House Show: The Iron Sheik defeated Raymond Rougeau.
  • February 26, 1988 – House Show: The Iron Sheik defeated Ken Patera.
  • July 30, 1988 – Superstars: The Iron Sheik defeated Scott Casey.
  • August 7, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: The Iron Sheik defeated Kim Yates.

World Class Championship Wrestling

  • November 26, 1987 – Star Wars: Chris Adams and Matt Borne defeated The Iron Sheik and The Thing by disqualification.
  • December 25, 1987 – Star Wars: Matt Borne defeated The Iron Sheik to retain the Texas Heavyweight title.

American Wrestling Association

  • Dec 13, 1988 – Superclash III: The Iron Sheik made a surprise appearance when he attacks Sgt Slaughter during a match vs Col. DeBeers.

National Wrestling Alliance

  • May 7, 1989 – WrestleWar: Sting defeated The Iron Sheik to retain the NWA Television title.
  • July 7, 1990 – The Great American Bash: Mike Rotunda defeated The Iron Sheik.

World Wrestling Federation – Col Mustafa

  • 1991: The Iron Sheik returned to the WWF, but this time wrestling as “Col Mustafa”.
  • Col Mustafa aligned himself with Iraqi sympathizers Sgt Slaughter and General Adnan as the “Triangle of Terror”.
  • March 30, 1991 – Superstars: Col. Mustafa defeated Billy Burke.
  • April 14, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: Col. Mustafa defeated Jim Evans.
  • April 18, 1991 – House Show: Col. Mustafa defeated Hillbilly Jim.
  • April 29, 1991 – House Show – Col. Mustafa defeated Johnny Ace.
  • May 4, 1991 – Superstars: Col. Mustafa defeated WT Jones.
  • May 12, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: Col. Mustafa defeated Red Tyler.
  • May 25, 1991 – Superstars: Col. Mustafa defeated George Anderson.
  • June 15, 1991 – Superstars: Col. Mustafa defeated Matthew Burns.
  • June 30, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: Col. Mustafa defeated Larry Stephens.
  • July 14, 1991 – Wrestle Fest: Col. Mustafa defeated Jimmy Snuka.
  • July 27, 1991 – House Show: Col. Mustafa defeated Shane Douglas.
  • August 2, 1991 – House Show: Col. Mustafa defeated Koko B. Ware.
  • August 4, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: Col. Mustafa defeated Jeff Sanders.
  • August 26, 1991 – SummerSlam: Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior defeated the Triangle of Terror in a handicap match.
  • ~~~After the match, Adnan and Mustafa turned on Sgt Slaughter, who became a born again american patriot.
  • October 28, 1991 – MSG Network: The Big Bossman defeated Col. Mustafa.
  • September 8, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: Col. Mustafa defeated Bill Pierce.
  • November 2, 1991 – Superstars: Sid Justice defeated Col. Mustafa.
  • November 27, 1991 – Survivor Series: El Matador, Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter and The Texas Tornado defeated Col. Mustafa, Hercules, Skinner and The Berzerker in the Survivor Series tag team elimination match.
  • December 1, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: Col. Mustafa defeated Al Phillips.
  • January 19, 1992 – Royal Rumble: Col Mustafa was in the royal rumble match won by Ric  Flair.
  • March 23, 1992 – MSG Network: Tatanka defeated Col. Mustafa.
  • April 19, 1992 – House Show: The Road Warriors defeated Col. Mustafa and Dino Bravo.
  • April 25-30, 1992 – House Show: Tatanka defeated Col. Mustafa.

World Wrestling Federation – Manager

  • February 1997: The Iron Sheik returned to the WWF, as the co-manager for “The Sultan” Rikishi.

One Night Return

  • Wrestlemania X-7: The Iron Sheik won a special Gimmick battle royal, reigniting his feud with Sgt Slaughter in the process.

Keeping Busy

  • October 23, 1992 – UWF-I: Yoji Anjo defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • June 12-14, 1993 – WWS: Jimmy Snuka defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • September 30, 1993 – WWS: The Iron Sheik defeated Jamie West.
  • October 23, 1993 – CWA: Vic Steamboat defeated The Iron Sheik to win the heavyweight title.
  • November 6, 1993 – WCPW: Beau Zane defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • July 16, 1994 – The Iron Sheik vs. The Warrior (Chris Walker) ended in a time limit draw.
  • May 12, 1995 – NWC: The Junkyard Dog defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • September 29, 1995 – MEWF: The Comet defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • September 30, 1995 – MEWF: The Iron Sheik defeated Yet Another Wrestling Clown.
  • November 11, 1995 – MEWF: Jim Duggan defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • April 20, 1996 – SCW: Preston Steele defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • April 21, 1996 – Deaf Wrestle Fest: Koko B. Ware defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • June 15, 1996 – NWC: Johnny Paine vs. The Iron Sheik ended in a double disqualifiction.
  • July 20, 1996 – NWA New Jersey: The Iron Sheik defeated Rik Ratchett.
  • September 7, 1996 – NWA New Jersey: The Iron Sheik defeated Rik Ratchett by disqualification.
  • July 12, 1997 – NWC: The Iron Sheik vs. George Steele ended in a no contest.
  • October 14, 1998 – APWF: Demolition Ax defeated The Iron Sheik.
  • January 30, 1999 – IWF: The Iron Sheik defeated Don Montoya in a lumberjack match.
  • October 12, 1999 – Heroes of Wrestling: Butch and Luke defeated The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff.
  • December 19, 1999 – JCW: The Iron Sheik defeated Izzy High.
  • April 14, 2000 – MCW: The Iron Sheik defeated Platinum Nat.
  • April 15, 2000 – MCW: Gillberg and The Iron Sheik defeated Butterman and Doyle.
  • January 2002: The Iron Sheik was scheduled for an appearance on Opie and Anthony but it didn’t happen.
  • ~~~Sheik was detained coming back from Canada at the airport in Rochester because they believed he may have been a terrorist.
  • May 5, 2003: Iron Sheik’s daughter, Marissa Jeanne Vaziri age 27, was found strangled to death, in her apartment.
  • ~~~Marissa’s live-in boyfriend, Charles Warren Reynolds, 38, confessed to the crime and was charged with murder.
  • The Sheik has trained Ricky Steamboat, Buck Zumhoff, Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne and has also had a hand in training Bret Hart.
  • April 2, 2005 – Hall of Fame Ceremony: The Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame along with 6 others in Los Angeles.
  • September 10, 2005 – Piledriver Pro: The Patriot and Kid USA w/Johnny Valiant beat Sheik of Baghdad and Tiger Kahn w/The Iron Sheik.
  • March 5, 2006 – World Wrestling Legends PPV: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan defeated Nikolai Volkoff w/The Iron Sheik.
  • March 10, 2007 – Pro Wrestling Xtreme: Aaron Walpole and The Iron Sheik defeated Reck when Sheik broke his cane over Reck’s head!
  • March 10, 2007 – Pro Wrestling Xtreme: The Iron Sheik cut a promo and put female wrestler Jaime D in the Camel Clutch
  • April 6, 2006 – Women’s Extreme Wrestling PPV: Sumie Sakai defeated “Prime Time” Amy Lee w/The Iron Sheik.
  • May 26, 2006 – Pro Wrestling Legends: Sgt. Slaughter defeated The Warlord (Iron Sheik interfered and Greg Valentine countered).
  • ~~~The Iron Sheik went nuts on a promo yelling about Slaughter, Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon, the Olympics and everything else.
  • March 10-11, 2007 – PWX: Aaron Walpole and The Iron Sheik defeated Reck in a handicap match.
  • June 11, 2007 – Vince McMahon Appreciation Night: Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka and The Iron Sheik cut promos about Mr. McMahon.
  • June 18, 2007 – RAW: The Iron Sheik appeared on RAW and asked The Coach if he could have a talk show called “The Sheik Show”.
  • August 2, 2007 – National Wrestling Superstars: The Patriot w/The Iron Sheik defeated Johnny Candido w/Rocco Dorsey.
  • August 13, 2007 – RAW: William Regal presented “WWE Idol” with judges Maria Kanellis, Mick Foley and himself.
  • ~~~Contestents for WWE Idol were Jillian Hall, Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik, Lilian Garcia and Santino Marella.
  • November 10, 2007 – PWX: Aaron Walpole and The Iron Sheik defeated Reck in a handicap match.
  • December 1, 2007 – National Wrestling Superstars: Julio Dinero initiated a Dance Off which included the Iron Sheik!
  • January 20, 2008 – National Wrestling Superstars and FunkDaFied Wrestling Federation in Christiana, Delaware: (150 fans)
  • ~~~The Hate Breed (Rancid and Arkham w/The Iron Sheik) beat Dark Karnival (Jo-Jo and Chio) to win the FwF Tag Team titles.
  • March 10, 2008 – RAW: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff vs. Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham (WrestleMania 1 Rematch).
  • April 19, 2008 – 1-Pro Wrestling: Mad Man Manson w/The Iron Sheik defeated Rene Dupree w/Prince Ameen in England.
  • October 2, 2009 – A Decade of SmackDown!: Sgt. Slaughter and The Iron Sheik both made special guest appearances.
  • November 16, 2009 – RAW: The Iron Sheik made a cameo and made some extremely negative comments about Hulk Hogan.
  • March 25, 2010 – Twin Wrestling Entertainment: WWF legend The Iron Sheik gave a short speech.
  • April 2, 2010: Danny Demanto and Kevin Matthews w/Brittney Savage beat Balls Mahoney and Mikey Pacifica w/Iron Sheik.
  • April 24, 2010 – Millenium Wrestling Federation: The Iron Sheik and Jay Lethal defeated “Stalker” Dylan Kage w/Paul Bearer.
  • ~~~No disqualification/Countout Match ending when Sheik made Kage submit to the camel clutch on the floor in the Sheik’s retirement match.
  • ~~~There was a huge celebration with the locker room hitting the ring after the bout to honor the Sheik! [www.bostonwrestling.com]
  • November 15, 2010 – Old School RAW: Santino and Vladimir Kozlov did an in-ring segment with the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff and Slick!
  • ~~~Vladimir Kozlov got to sing the Russian National Anthem with Nikolai Volkoff in what had to be the thrill of a lifetime for Kozlov.
  • ~~~The Iron Sheik started ranting into the microphone during his entrance cutting a heated promo on the Immortal Hulk Hogan.

    Dave Schoeneman wrote: I grew-up watching AWA wrestling faithfully every week from the time I was probably six or eight years old until it got uncomfortable to watch in the late 80s. I remember Hulk Hogan starting there, remember Shaun Michaels getting his start there, and also remember Nick Bockwinkle holding the title there for about 20 straight years. One thing I also remember, and have never read anywhere else, was the Iron Sheik refereeing matches for the AWA. I can’t prove that, but there has to be taped matches of it from the mid-to-late-seventies that show him reffing, somewhere. Maybe somebody can ask Kenny “The Sodbuster” Jaye. The two things that stood out was that dimple on his chin and his muscular build. I distinctly remember him being introduced as a referee for at least a few TV matches and thinking, “Why’s this guy refereeing.. he gets beat every week!” I don’t recall them introducing him as a person with a Middle-Eastern name, either. I think they gave him the name Jerry Something-or-another, but that was many moons ago, so I can’t recall that detail, but make no mistake about it.. The Iron Sheik did wrestle as a jobber and officiate for Vern Gagne.