Veteran Iranian-American WWE wrestler 'the Iron Sheik' dies

Iran-born World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star "the Iron Sheik", an on-stage rival to Hulk Hogan, has died aged 81, his family said on Wednesday.

Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri was one of the best-known and longest serving wrestlers in the WWE (previous the World Wrestling Federation) circuit, with a career that spanned nearly four decades.

"Today, we gather with heavy hearts to bid farewell to a true legend, a force of nature, and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling," his family said in a statement shared on the "Iron Sheik" Twitter account, which became known for its satirical, profanity-laden tweets about everyday life and current affairs.

"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."

Vaziri's portrayal of the "villainous" Iron Sheik - complete with traditional headdress and sometimes carrying the Iranian flag - played up to tensions between the US and Iran in the 1980s and onwards, despite objections of this orientalist portrayal and later criticisms of "racist storylines" in WWE.

"We express our deepest condolences to the family of Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, more famously known as the Iron Sheikh," Abed A. Ayoub, the executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said according to NBC News. 

"While we mourn the passing of Hossein the man, we must confront the realities of his character, which was emblematic of a time period rife with misguided depictions of Arab culture. He leaves behind a complicated legacy."

The Iron Sheik was best known as the nemesis of Hulk Hogan, with his final performance in WWE in 2010 seeing him launch into a long tirade against the "all-American hero", whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea.

On Wednesday, the WWE - which now has big bouts in Saudi Arabia - also shared condolences along with a black-and-white image of the Iron Sheik.

"WWE is saddened to learn that Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, known the world over as WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, at age 81," the federation said. "WWE extends its condolences to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans."

WWE is saddened to learn that Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, known the world over as WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, at age 81.

WWE extends its condolences to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans.https://t.co/FGE0yKeuWA pic.twitter.com/yVLpLObxFA

— WWE (@WWE) June 7, 2023

Vaziri's rise to the WWE follows a remarkable rags-to-riches story from working class origins in rural Iran to superstar fame in the US.

He first came to the US after competing in Iran's Greco-Roman wrestling team after previously serving in the Iranian Imperial Army and even as a bodyguard for Reza Shah, according to some reports.

Despite portraying a "bad guy" in and out the ring, the Iron Sheik was known as a family man, married for 47 years to his wife Caryl and devoted to his three children.