The Iron Sheik, a former pro wrestler who relished playing a burly, bombastic villain in 1980s battles with some of the sportB次元官网网址檚 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 B次元官网网址渄eparted this world peacefully.B次元官网网址�

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 B次元官网网址淐amel ClutchB次元官网网址� 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 WWEB次元官网网址檚 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 SheikB次元官网网址檚 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 B次元官网网址淭he Sheik,B次元官网网址� he said he became attracted to wrestling as a teen and as a grappler in the Iranian Army.

B次元官网网址淚 was married to the wrestling mat because I was so much B次元官网网址� in love with the sport,B次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淚t was the right time to B次元官网网址� establish my character, my gimmick,B次元官网网址� he said.

The Iron SheikB次元官网网址檚 influence extended to the sportB次元官网网址檚 biggest stars. Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne B次元官网网址淭he RockB次元官网网址� Johnson, who used the term B次元官网网址渏abroniB次元官网网址� to insult his ring opponents, has credited The Iron Sheik with making it famous in wrestling circles. The TV show B次元官网网址淵oung RockB次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址淭he Howard Stern Show,B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淭he Eric Andre Show,B次元官网网址� and others, the WWE biography said.

The Twitter statement said The Iron Sheik B次元官网网址渢ranscended the realm of sports entertainmentB次元官网网址� and called him B次元官网网址渁 man of immense passion and dedication.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲ith his larger-than-life persona, incredible charisma, and unparalleled in-ring skills, he captivated audiences around the globe,B次元官网网址� the statement said. B次元官网网址淗e was a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for a diverse range of wrestlers who followed in his footsteps.B次元官网网址�

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

B次元官网网址淎n all-time great performer and WWE Hall of Famer who brought his character to life and transcended our business,B次元官网网址� he said.

Adrian Sainz, The Associated Press

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