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The wrestling world was rocked with the announcement of the passing of former WWE Champion and all-time legendary heel The Iron Sheik. Sheiky Baby was one of the more iconic heels of the 1980s, when WWE and professional wrestling as a whole was undergoing a real boom period. With Sheik’s sad death, it is an opportunity to go back over his career and celebrate the legacy he left behind. There will be some questions surrounding the circumstances of his passing that fans may have, which will be answered here too, in addition to looking at his legacy in the industry.
The Iron Sheik Was An Iconic Wrestling Heel
The Iron Sheik had a hugely successful career back pre-Golden Era when he emerged as one of the greatest foreign heels of all time back at a time when they were all the craze. Before he made the move into professional wrestling, he, like many others before and after him, was an accomplished amateur wrestler, which no doubt helped in his transition into the other world of wrestling. He started things off in the AWA, gaining some prominence before working in the likes of JCP and WWE.
He would prove to be a brilliant heel, working with the likes of Bob Backlund, Dusty Rhodes, and Bruno Sammartino, and would even make history by being the first and only Iranian to win the WWE Championship when he shockingly defeated Backlund, ending a 1000+ day reign with the gold. Sheik was set for a rematch with Backlund, but he was replaced by the emerging U.S. hero Hulk Hogan. Sheik dropping the title to Hogan is what many dub to be the start of HulkaMania, which in turn propelled WWE to the number one promotion on the planet. Sheik would also gain success in WWE in another great foreign heel act alongside Nikolai Volkoff, where they would win the Tag Team Championships.
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Sheik’s in-ring career was less prominent once he left WWE under controversial circumstances (which will be looked at a little later), wrestling less frequently each year up until his eventual retirement in 2001 when he competed in the iconic WrestleMania 17 Gimmick Battle Royal. Sheik would come out of retirement once in 2007.
The Iron Sheik Passed Away Peacefully
On June 7, 2023, it was announced that, at the age of 81, The Iron Sheik had passed away. On his now-infamous twitter account, a statement was released celebrating his life both as a performer and as a person. In the statement it read; “It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of The Iron Sheik, but we also take solace in knowing that he departed this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come.”
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His life behind the scenes both as a husband, father and grandfather were detailed, in addition to talking about all the positive traits he possessed. The statement closed by saying; “To his family, friends and all those who were touched by his larger-than-life presence, we offer our deepest condolences. May you find solace in the knowledge that The Iron Sheik’s legacy will forever be cherished and celebrated. Rest in peace, dear Sheik, and thank you for the memories.”
The Iron Sheik’s Legacy In Professional Wrestling
In terms of his legacy, Sheik will be remembered as one of the greatest heels of all time, and both a master and destroyer of kayfabe. Back in 1987, when Sheik was feuding with Jim Duggan, the pair were caught by police together outside the ring in an incident which rocked the professional wrestling world and the whole concept of staying in character. It was a huge moment for the business, and one which changed the tide in how fans viewed the product and the wrestlers. Additionally, Sheik was also a master at keeping kayfabe, with him remaining in character for pretty much the rest of his career. In interviews, he wouldn’t waver in his hatred for Hulk Hogan, in addition to his iconic Twitter account, which would retain his persona too, and classic appearances on The Howard Stern Show.
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Sheik was also a clear sign that anyone from anywhere could climb the ranks and become a world champion in WWE, with very few non-North Americans ever getting the chance to become the WWE Champion. To this day it's still a very short list of individuals who have won the legendary gold. Whether it be his great work in the ring as a heel and WWE Champion or his beloved persona outside the ring, he left a big enough legacy that he will be remembered for generations.
