The Iron Sheik, a former pro wrestler who relished playing a burly, bombastic villain in 1980s battles with some of the sport91裸聊视频檚 biggest stars and later became a popular Twitter personality, died Wednesday, the WWE said. He was 81.

The wrestling organization posted an article confirming his death, and a statement about his passing also was posted on his Twitter page giving details of his life. Neither statement mentioned a cause of death nor where he died, but the Twitter post said he 91裸聊视频渄eparted this world peacefully.91裸聊视频�

The Iron Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, grew up in a small village in Iran where he embraced wrestling in his youth.

During his pro wrestling career, he donned curled boots and used the 91裸聊视频淐amel Clutch91裸聊视频� as his finishing move during individual and tag team clashes in which he played the role of an anti-American heel for the WWF, which later became the WWE.

The mustachioed, barrel-chested brawler often riled up crowds with his anti-American persona and rhetoric, often alongside tag team partner Nikolai Volkoff, who played the part of a Soviet villain. They won the WWF World Tag Team Championship in 1985 at the first WrestleMania, according to the biography posted on the WWE91裸聊视频檚 internet page.

He was a successful individual wrestler as well, winning the WWF championship in 1983 by defeating Bob Backlund, before losing it later to Hulk Hogan. He also built a long-running rivalry with Sgt. Slaughter, who played the role of an American hero.

He later teamed with Sgt. Slaughter as Colonal Mustafa. The Iron Sheik91裸聊视频檚 last appearance in the ring was at WrestleMania 17, the Connecticut-based WWE said.

The Iron Sheik had an early foundation in competitive Greco-Roman wrestling, competing in the Amateur Athletic Union and becoming a gold medalist in 1971, WWE said.

In a documentary about his life called 91裸聊视频淭he Sheik,91裸聊视频� he said he became attracted to wrestling as a teen and as a grappler in the Iranian Army.

91裸聊视频淚 was married to the wrestling mat because I was so much 91裸聊视频� in love with the sport,91裸聊视频� he said in the film.

In the documentary, he said he once served as a bodyguard for the Shah. As a pro wrestler, he acknowledged taking advantage of anti-Iranian sentiment following the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis.

91裸聊视频淚t was the right time to 91裸聊视频� establish my character, my gimmick,91裸聊视频� he said.

The Iron Sheik91裸聊视频檚 influence extended to the sport91裸聊视频檚 biggest stars. Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne 91裸聊视频淭he Rock91裸聊视频� Johnson, who used the term 91裸聊视频渏abroni91裸聊视频� to insult his ring opponents, has credited The Iron Sheik with making it famous in wrestling circles. The TV show 91裸聊视频淵oung Rock91裸聊视频� also has featured The Iron Sheik as a recurring character,

The Iron Sheik used his humor and wisdom to build a large Twitter following. He also made appearances on 91裸聊视频淭he Howard Stern Show,91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频淭he Eric Andre Show,91裸聊视频� and others, the WWE biography said.

The Twitter statement said The Iron Sheik 91裸聊视频渢ranscended the realm of sports entertainment91裸聊视频� and called him 91裸聊视频渁 man of immense passion and dedication.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淲ith his larger-than-life persona, incredible charisma, and unparalleled in-ring skills, he captivated audiences around the globe,91裸聊视频� the statement said. 91裸聊视频淗e was a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for a diverse range of wrestlers who followed in his footsteps.91裸聊视频�

In a tweet, professional wrestler Triple H called The Iron Sheik a legend.

91裸聊视频淎n all-time great performer and WWE Hall of Famer who brought his character to life and transcended our business,91裸聊视频� he said.

Adrian Sainz, The Associated Press

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