The Iron Sheik, a former pro wrestler who relished playing a burly, bombastic villain in 1980s battles with some of the sport害羞草研究所檚 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 害羞草研究所渄eparted this world peacefully.害羞草研究所�

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 害羞草研究所淐amel Clutch害羞草研究所� 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 WWE害羞草研究所檚 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 Sheik害羞草研究所檚 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 害羞草研究所淭he Sheik,害羞草研究所� he said he became attracted to wrestling as a teen and as a grappler in the Iranian Army.

害羞草研究所淚 was married to the wrestling mat because I was so much 害羞草研究所� in love with the sport,害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所淚t was the right time to 害羞草研究所� establish my character, my gimmick,害羞草研究所� he said.

The Iron Sheik害羞草研究所檚 influence extended to the sport害羞草研究所檚 biggest stars. Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne 害羞草研究所淭he Rock害羞草研究所� Johnson, who used the term 害羞草研究所渏abroni害羞草研究所� to insult his ring opponents, has credited The Iron Sheik with making it famous in wrestling circles. The TV show 害羞草研究所淵oung Rock害羞草研究所� 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 害羞草研究所淭he Howard Stern Show,害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所淭he Eric Andre Show,害羞草研究所� and others, the WWE biography said.

The Twitter statement said The Iron Sheik 害羞草研究所渢ranscended the realm of sports entertainment害羞草研究所� and called him 害羞草研究所渁 man of immense passion and dedication.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淲ith his larger-than-life persona, incredible charisma, and unparalleled in-ring skills, he captivated audiences around the globe,害羞草研究所� the statement said. 害羞草研究所淗e was a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for a diverse range of wrestlers who followed in his footsteps.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淎n all-time great performer and WWE Hall of Famer who brought his character to life and transcended our business,害羞草研究所� he said.

Adrian Sainz, The Associated Press

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