Wednesday it was announced via social media that the great WWE wrestler Iron Sheik has passed away, he was 81. The Iron Sheik, along with stars like Hulk Hogan and Randy “the Mancho Man” Savage, made the WWE what it is today.
His family released this statement on Twitter about this death.
RESPECT THE LEGEND FOREVER 😢 pic.twitter.com/Cr6CC9pXSO
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) June 7, 2023
The Iron Sheik, also known as Hossein Khosrow, was born in Iran in 1942 where he was an amateur wrestler before arriving in the US in the 1960s where he was an assistant wrestling coach on the U.S. Olympic team from 1972-1976.
He was then recruited to be a professional wrestler by legendary promoter Verne Gagne who thought at the time he had too much of a baby face and needed to change his image. Gagne’s wife came up with the idea that Khosrow be more like a villain and that’s when the Iron Sheik was born.
Khosrow’s character grew in the 80s and became one of the most disliked figures on the WWE circuit but he loved being the villain during that time.
Recently, he has become more beloved by fans because of his outspokenness on social media and many of them paid tribute to his memory.
REST IN PEACE BUBBA MAKE THEM ALL HUMBLE IN HEAVEN
— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) June 7, 2023
https://twitter.com/AngelaBelcamino/status/1666468728911929344
This one hurts….Rest in peace, legend 🙏🏼✨
— Diego🇪🇨🇲🇽 (@HDeegzTV) June 7, 2023
As you can tell, many fans are saddened by his death and remember him as a great ambassador for his sport.