On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of The Iron Sheik, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (حسین خسرو علی وزیری) was born in Tehran, Iran on March 15, 1943.
He died on June 7, 2023 at the age of 80.
The Iron Sheik was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 as an individual and in the NWA Hall of Fame in 2008.
Profile Info
- Gender Male
- Real Name Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (حسین خسرو علی وزیری)
- Ring Names
- The Iron Sheik ( May 20, 1992 - March 10, 2007)
- Colonel Mustafa ( March 11, 1991 - May 19, 1992)
- The Iron Sheik ( August 2, 1983 - March 10, 1991)
- Great Hossein Arab ( April 13, 1980 - February 26, 1981)
- Hossein Arab ( February 14, 1979 - April 14, 1980)
- Muhammad Farouk ( February 28, 1977 - September 16, 1977)
- Iron Sheik Farouk ( March 8, 1977 - September 13, 1977)
- Khosrow Vaziri ( January 28, 1973 - August 6, 1976)
- Ali Vasari ( October 15, 1973 - March 30, 1976)
- Born March 15, 1943
- Died June 7, 2023 (aged 80)
- Nationality IranUnited States
- Birth Place Tehran, Iran
- Billed From
- Tehran, Iran ( May 20, 1992 - March 10, 2007)
- Baghdad, Iraq ( March 11, 1991 - May 19, 1992)
- Tehran, Iran ( January 1, 1972 - March 10, 1991)
- Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
- Weight
- 258 lbs (117 kg)
Career History
- Roles
- Wrestler ( January 1, 1972 - March 10, 2007)
- Promotions / Brands
Promotion from to Promotion INDY October 17, 1992 May 14, 2000 Promotion NWA December 6, 1997 August 19, 1998 Promotion UWF I October 23, 1992 October 23, 1992 Promotion WWF March 11, 1991 May 19, 1992 Promotion NWA March 4, 1989 December 25, 1990 Promotion WCW March 4, 1989 January 26, 1991 Promotion WWF February 18, 1988 August 7, 1988 Promotion WWF August 2, 1983 June 21, 1987 Promotion NWA April 7, 1980 August 28, 1983 Promotion CWA May 8, 1982 July 29, 1982 Promotion NJPWBrand Heavyweight March 5, 1982 April 1, 1982 Promotion JCP April 7, 1980 August 29, 1981 Promotion NJPWBrand Heavyweight March 1, 1980 April 4, 1980 Promotion WWF February 14, 1979 February 24, 1980 Promotion AWA January 28, 1973 April 15, 1979 Promotion NWA September 24, 1973 November 25, 1978 Promotion AJPW May 21, 1976 June 17, 1976 Promotion NJPWBrand Heavyweight April 4, 1974 May 8, 1974 Promotion JCP November 12, 1973 January 14, 1974 - Face / Heel Turns
Alignment from to Heel October 15, 1973 March 10, 2007 Face January 1, 1972 October 14, 1973 - Images History
Apr 2005Apr 2001May 1992Mar 1991Mar 1977Jan 1972
- Finishers
- Camel Clutch ( January 1, 1972 - March 10, 2007)
- Iranian Drop - Two-handed Chokeslam ( January 1, 1972 - March 10, 2007)
- Theme Songs
- Theme Song "Sheika" by Jim Johnston - Single ( August 2, 1983 - May 19, 1992)
Titles & Accomplishments
- Halls of Fame
- WWE Hall of Fame - Year 2005, Individual
- NWA Hall of Fame - Year 2008, Individual
- Titles Won
World Wrestling Federation
- 1 WWF Championship
- 1 WWF Tag Team Championship (with Nikolai Volkoff)
All-California Championship Wrestling
- 2 ACCW Heavyweight Championship
Century Wrestling Alliance
- 1 CWA Heavyweight Championship
Georgia Championship Wrestling
- 1 NWA National Television Championship
International Association of Wrestling
- 1 IAW Heavyweight Championship
- 3 IAW Tag Team Championship (with Brian Costello)
International Wrestling Association
- 1 IWA United States Heavyweight Championship
Maple Leaf Wrestling
- 2 NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version)
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
- 1 NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship
NWA All-Star Wrestling
- 1 NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (with The Texas Outlaw)
NWA New Zealand
- 1 NWA New Zealand British Commonwealth Championship
NWA 2000
- 1 NWA 2000 American Heritage Championship
Pacific Northwest Wrestling
- 1 NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (with Bull Ramos)
- Other Accomplishments
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2016)
- WON Most Underrated Wrestler (1980)
Relations
- Tag Teams & Stables
- The Triangle of Terror - Adnan Al-Kaissie, Sgt. Slaughter ( March 11, 1991 - August 26, 1991)
- Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff - Nikolai Volkoff ( August 29, 1984 - May 26, 1987)
- Managers Adnan Al-KaissieFreddie BlassieSlickThe Grand Wizard