The world mourns The Iron Sheik

Slam Wrestling

The world mourns The Iron Sheik
The Iron Sheik at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony at WrestleMania 32. Photo by Ricky Havlik

When checking out the memories and condolences posted about the death of Khosrow Vaziri, the feared Iron Sheik, it’s fair to say that it isn’t just wrestling fans.

He entered popular culture at the height of the WWF run in the 1980s, including as a cartoon character on Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling. The Iron Sheik LJN doll was one of the first released as well, and among the best sellers ever — since Hogan needed an opponent.

There were dark years for Vaziri, and he was off the radar for much of the late 1990s and 2000s. His revival came about in the 2010s, and he was seemingly everywhere — talking to Howard Stern, at the Grammys, trading barbs with Brian Blair, at comedic roasts.

So the social media world isn’t constrained to just pro wrestling this go round:

Ric Flair, The Nature Boy: My Dear Friend Khosrow Vaziri!!! We Started Wrestling Together In 1972. Seems Like So Long Ago! We Crossed Paths So Many Times Over The Years & You Were Always So Entertaining. The Greatest Line You Ever Said To Me In 1972: “If I Had Your Hair, I Would Be With Elizabeth Taylor!” Rest In Peace My Friend. Be As Entertaining To God As You Were To All Of Us! 🙏🏻

Lance Storm: “RIP The Iron Sheik. Respect the Legend, always.”

David Marquez: “Sad, sad news on the passing of a great friend Khosrow Vaziri, better known as the Iron Sheik. Throughout my career, ‘Koz’ was always there for me. He performed on my WLW, NWA and United Wrestling Network broadcasts. If he loved you, you knew it. If he didn’t love you, you really knew it. I was excited to design the NWA Hall of Fame medal, I designed it with one person in mind, him. I knew he’s appreciate the sentiment and proved it my never taking it off in public (or in private as I’ve just learned). There will never be another Iron Sheik and thank you for helping a struggling, young promoter. My condolences to his family, friends and fans. Rest well Bubba.”

From adult film star Kendra Lust: “Rip @the_ironsheik Legends never die.|

Booker T – My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of @the_ironsheik. He is one of the very best to ever to do it. God speed.

Sinn Bodhi: “RIP Iron Sheik. Thank you for entertaining me as a kid. Thank you for sharing locker rooms with me and telling me stories and be kind to me. It was a pleasure to know you…”

TOP PHOTO: The Iron Sheik at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony at WrestleMania 32. Photo by Ricky Havlik

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