The Iron Sheik Finds a New Friend

Hossein Vaziri was born in Tehran, Iran.  He competed in Greco-Roman wrestling for Iran in the 1968 Olympic games and was a bodyguard for the Shah.  He came to the United States and twice was an assistant coach for the US Olympic wrestling team.
Vaziri gained fame when he entered the world of pro wrestling adopting the ring name of The Iron Sheik.  As the Iron Sheik, he won the WWF World Heavyweight title and the WWF tag team tile once each.
I have met the Iron Sheik several times and he is part of the Jay Leno Club.  He always has something fun to say, but at Wizard World last year, I saw a whole new side o him.
I went with my buddy Hassan, who is Iranian.  Hass mentioned this fact to the Iron Sheik and talked to him a bit in his native tongue.  The Sheik's face lit up and enjoyed a several minute conversation with Hass.  It was a lot of fun to witness.
The next day when I saw the Sheik again, he asked about Hass and seemed disappointed that his new friend would not be there that day.  I told him that I would bring Hass to the next show when the Sheik was back in town.  Then I called Hass and told him he had to come the next time.  Maybe if the Sheik is at the Motor City Comic Con, I can persuade Hass to take that trek with me.

Hass, the Iron Sheik and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

The Iron Sheik, Jay Leno and Johngy

The Iron Sheik had a lengthy and successful career in pro wrestling. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
This past June, he joined a growing group of celebs who mentioned my alleged resemblance to Jay Leno. Previously, I have written about the Honky Tonk Man, Terri Runnels and Patrick Warburton making the same observation.
Actually, at this show in NY, Runnels was sitting next to the Iron Sheik. The 3 of us had a little conversation about it. Later, the Sheik and I talked about Leno's new show and how I should do conventions as a Leno look-alike.
I don't really see it, but who am I to argue with the Iron Sheik?

The Iron Sheik and me in New York, NY-June 2009.

The Iron Sheik

Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri is better known as the Iron Sheik, a retired professional wrestler. As Khosrow, he was the 1971 AAU Greco-Roman wrestling champion at 180.5 pounds. As the Iron Sheik, he played a vital role in the onset of the hugely successful era of the 80's in pro wrestling.
After wrestling in several organizations, the Iron Sheik resurfaced in the WWF (now the WWE) in early 1983. He won the WWF title from Bob Backlund, who had held the title for nearly 6 years. Four weeks later, he lost the belt to Hulk Hogan.
The story behind the story is that WWF owner Vince McMahon wanted to take the WWF national and he needed a big star to lead the way. Backlund was a 'good' guy and (back then) good guys didn't wrestle other good guys very often. Hogan was going to be the big star, and he was the perfect good guy. So, a transitional champ was needed.
The Iron Sheik was the perfect wrestler for the transition. Backlund was beaten and 'injured' by the ultimate un-American Iron Sheik. Four weeks later, Hogan avenged that defeat by winning the title from the Iron Sheik. An owner of a rival wrestling organization was rumored to have offered $100,000 to the Iron Sheik to break Hogan's leg in that title match.
This is the origin of Hulkamania. Of course, anyone who knows me knows I will now interject Roddy Piper's name into the equation. Piper was the charismatic 'bad' guy equivalent of Hogan. Hogan and Piper started the great successful run of the WWF in the 80's.
The Iron Sheik quickly was relegated to tagteams, mostly with Nikolai Volkoff. He stayed in the WWF for a few years, before bouncing around in a few organizations before he retired.
The Iron Sheik has seen a recent resurgence in his popularity due to his outspoken nature at conventions and his appearances on Howard Stern's radio show.
I met the Iron Sheik at Wizard World in Chicago. One-on-one, he was a quiet, pleasant man. When the crowds appeared, his more vocal, outgoing self started to appear.

The Iron Sheik and me at Wizard World in Rosemont, IL-June 2008.