The wrestling world was shocked and saddened by the news of the death of The Iron Sheik, one of the most iconic and controversial figures in WWE history. The Iron Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, died on June 7, 2023, at the age of 81. His family announced his passing in a statement on Twitter, calling him a “true legend, a force of nature, and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling”.
But what was the cause of death of The Iron Sheik? How did he die? Here is what we know so far.
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The Iron Sheik Died of Cardiac Arrest
According to his death certificate, obtained by TMZ, The Iron Sheik died of cardiac arrest. The manner of his death was ruled to be of natural causes. Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function that can be caused by various factors, such as heart disease, drug overdose, or trauma. It is different from a heart attack, which is a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
The Iron Sheik had a history of health problems, including substance abuse and a heart attack in 2005. He also suffered from chronic pain due to his wrestling injuries and had to use crutches to walk. He had been living in an assisted living facility in Georgia for the last few years of his life.
The Iron Sheik Was a Wrestling Legend and a Pop Culture Icon
The Iron Sheik was born in Iran in 1942 and had a distinguished career as an amateur wrestler, bodyguard, and coach before joining WWE (then WWF) in 1979. He became famous for his villainous persona, which played on the political tensions between Iran and the US during the 1970s and 1980s. He often waved an Iranian flag and insulted American audiences with his anti-American rhetoric.
He won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship from Bob Backlund in 1983 and lost it to Hulk Hogan in 1984, in one of the most famous matches in wrestling history. He later teamed up with Nikolai Volkoff as the Foreign Legion and won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1985. He also had memorable feuds with Sgt. Slaughter, Ricky Steamboat, and Ultimate Warrior.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and was widely respected by his peers and fans for his charisma, talent, and influence on the wrestling industry. He also became a pop culture icon thanks to his hilarious and outrageous appearances on The Howard Stern Show and his viral tweets, where he often roasted celebrities and politicians with his trademark profanity and humor.
Fans and Fellow Wrestlers Paid Tribute to The Iron Sheik
The death of The Iron Sheik sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow wrestlers, who remembered him as a legend, a pioneer, and a friend. Hulk Hogan, who credited The Iron Sheik for launching his career, tweeted: “RIP to one of the greatest heels ever! You will be missed my brother.” Bret Hart, who considered The Iron Sheik as his mentor, wrote: “He was one of my first coaches when I started out in wrestling. He taught me so much about respect for this business.”
Other wrestlers who expressed their condolences included Triple H, Mick Foley, Chris Jericho, Edge, Booker T, R-Truth, Natalya Neidhart, Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, and Vince McMahon. WWE also released a statement honoring The Iron Sheik’s legacy: “WWE extends its condolences to Vaziri’s family, friends and fans.”
The Iron Sheik is survived by his wife of 47 years, Caryl Vaziri, and his three children: Tanya, Nikki, and Marisa. His family said that he was “a loving and dedicated father” who instilled in them “the values of perseverance, determination, and the importance of following their dreams”. They also thanked his fans for their “love and support” during this difficult time.
The Iron Sheik will always be remembered as one of the most influential and entertaining wrestlers of all time. His impact on the wrestling business and pop culture is undeniable. He was truly a legend in every sense of the word. Rest in peace, Iron Sheik. You will never be forgotten.
