Dave and Garrett discussed The Iron Sheik’s WWE Championship win on Wrestling Observer Radio.
Friday afternoon’s show had Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales discuss The Iron Sheik, who passed away on Wednesday. Meltzer noted that once Sheik had entered the WWF in the early 1980s, he was already passed his peak as a wrestler.
“The Iron Sheik everybody saw was nowhere near the competitor of the Portland Iron Sheik or Mid Atlantic Iron Sheik,” Meltzer said.
Gonzales noted that when The Iron Sheik won the WWE Championship in late 1983 from Bob Backlund, he had only been in the territory a short time. Meltzer said that was common during the territory era for heels to debut at the top.
“In those days, a heel would show up on TV and they’d be on TV for two months or so and when they debut, it’d be at the Spectrum or in the Garden in the main event,” he said.
“The Sheik’s run…it was kind of the right place at the right time,” Meltzer said regarding Sheik’s title run. “I think a lot of people think that The Sheik was picked as this great plan because of Hulk Hogan being an American hero…it could have been anyone in that spot.”
Hulk Hogan has commented on the Iron Sheik’s passing.
Hogan and Sheik were longtime rivals beginning with Hogan defeating Sheik for the WWF title on January 23, 1984 inside Madison Square Garden. Throughout the next two years, Hogan would regularly defend the belt against him at house shows across the United States.
Hogan posted a tribute to Sheik on Instagram Thursday evening, writing:
Today, we honor the legacy of a wrestling icon. Rest in peace, Iron Sheikh.
The wrestling world has lost a true legend, and Sheikh’s contributions to our industry will never be forgotten.I’ll always cherish the battles we had in the ring. Our matches were intense, and our rivalry was legendary. We shared a bond that only fellow wrestlers can understand.
Iron Sheikh’s unique charisma, undeniable talent, and unforgettable personality made him an unforgettable figure in the hearts of wrestling fans worldwide. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of wrestlers to come.
Rest in peace, Iron Sheikh. You will always be remembered as a true warrior of the ring.
Sheik and Hogan would also find themselves on opposing sides of the Iraqi Sympathizer angle with Sgt. Slaughter in 1990/91 as well. Under the name Colonel Mustafa, Sheik joined Slaughter’s Triangle of Terror leading up to Hogan vs. Slaughter at WrestleMania VII.
Sheik and Hogan’s rivalry continued long after Sheik had retired from in-ring competion as well. He would regularly make Hogan the target of profanity-laced promos he delivered on The Howard Stern Show, or during other media appearances. Sheik’s management team would also post messages to Hogan on behalf of Sheik, stating things such as Hogan being a “jabroni” and that Sheik will “make him humble.”
Where All In 2023 stands on the biggest crowds and gates in wrestling history
Tony Khan talks Bill Goldberg
Bryan Danielson talks AEW creative
Matt Jackson on coming back so quickly from a muscle tear, the stunts in the match, how preparation was less than last year and why
The latest Bloodline saga
Business notes on Night of Champions and how AEW/WWE crossover viewership changed this past weekend from the past
How comparisons of big event interest changed greatly
Best of the Super Juniors finals, Dominion and All Together Now, a look at the big events in Japan
NXT Battleground coverage
One of the longest lasting wrestling promoters who ever lived, Brian Dixon, passes away at 74
Stardom has World & Wonder of Stardom champions face off on PPV show and where this leads
Two future stars leave two different promotions this past week
Will Ospreay talks future
New Japan President Takami Ohbari talks the state of the business, how close the company was to being in real trouble, and how they’ve had to change the business
Billy Graham funeral notes
Bobo Brazil day and a look at the iconic figure
Advance ticket sales for all upcoming WWE and AEW shows
Streaming and international TV numbers
Records at stake in UFC fights this week
International promotion looking at crowd of 50,000 for a show tomorrow
WWE’s arguments to get MLW lawsuit dismissed
Injury updates
WWE market value
Two people under WWE deals are one week away from competing for a sports world championship shot
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Wednesday Update
WWE
WWE extended its condolences to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends, and fans following his passing.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted: “The legend. An all-time great performer and WWE Hall of Famer who brought his character to life and transcended our business. My condolences to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans.”
Ric Flair: “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!”
Natalya: “NOTHING BUT LOVE AND RESPECT to the Iron Sheik. The wrestling world has lost an icon and a very special person.”
Jimmy Hart: “Sheiky baby – love you forever – so many incredible memories and moments from our time in Memphis, our 2005 HOF induction, and many more – you will be missed”
Michael Hayes: “So sorry to hear of one of the all time greats passing away, Iron Sheik. Had a lot of funny times with ‘Sheiky Baby.’ My prayers and condolences to his family, friends and fans.”
The wrestling world lost a true legend today, with the passing of Khosrow Vaziri, better known to fans across the globe as The Iron Sheik. Although I never got to know The Sheik well, I was fortunate to have been on hand for two of his most iconic matches – his WWE title victory over Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden on December 26, 1983 and his ‘Boot Camp Match’ with Sgt Slaughter at MSG in August, 1984. I also had the honor of wrestling the iron sheik for the first and only time – on a tour of Dominica in 1987.
Khosrow Vaziri was truly one of a kind.
I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who loved him.
Miro reflected on how Sheik influenced him: “Iron Sheik had a huge influence in my career. Back in FCW ( WWE DEVELOPMENTAL SYSTEM )DAYS I had no idea about speaking on the microphone. then i went and studied his ability and that’s where things started to turn. Legit wrestler, pro wrestler and amazing entertainer. RIP”
Jake “The Snake” Roberts: “RIP to my old friend The Iron Sheik. A true icon and someone who left a mark on wrestling that can never be erased. Another great one gone.”
Taz: “I remember working small shows throughout the north east in the very late 80’s/ early 90s… Trying to learn my way Sheik was one of the very few veterans that always helped the young guys. Condolences to his family & friends. #Legend”
The NWA tweeted: “The NWA is saddened to hear of the passing of one of the sports great legends, Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, ‘The Iron Sheik.’ We send our condolences to all of his family, friends and fans.”
Bryan and I have had a very close relationship since he came to AEW. He’s one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, and he’s one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever known. He has a great mind, and I love talking to him about stories, matches, ideas and psychology. I work with a number of people closely to bounce ideas off, and Bryan has been involved with us in the office more than ever lately. He had some very complimentary things to say about our relationship and working together, and to receive that type of praise from someone I respect so much, those are quotes I’d want on my tombstone.
During a virtual signing for K&S WrestleFest, Jim Ross was asked if we could see Mauro Ranallo join the commentary team for AEW Collision: “He’s a friend of mine… no. He has mental health issues. He can help any organization, Mauro. Mauro Ranallo is that good. He’s not a great traveler and that’s not knocking Mauro. It’s just he has issues that are more important than who’s doing Dynamite next week.”
In response to a fan on Twitter, KENTA commented on potentially facing CM Punk: “I don’t really care who’s the original G2S. There is only one truth. If you want me to have match against Punk, Give Me correct amount of money. Other than that I don’t need to have this match. Seriously.”
Richard Holliday noted that he’s reached one year without consuming alcohol: “Today marks one full year with no alcohol. Not stating I’m practicing Sobriety, but for the past year it simply didn’t interest me. If something doesn’t fit into YOUR lifestyle, cut it out! Don’t worry about what other people do. *Coffee is better anyway* Also, if alcohol is a problem for you, I can’t speak to the process of properly eliminating it, but there are plenty of people who can, and you should reach out, I’m sure they’d be happy to help.”
