2021/08/16
Welcome to AustralianWrestling.org!
The website devoted to preserving the history of Australian wrestling.
We're in the process of renovating and moving some things around so some things may look a little strange but the aim is to minimise disruption.
This website was designed in 2012 with a scope of covering present and past wrestling in Australia.
The scope will change to prioritise the older stuff and make that a bit more accessible.
Thank you for your patience.
I also have another website (with my good buddy Greg) The Wrestling Roadshow which has more of a global scope. We have a podcast by the same name too and discuss all sorts of wrestling.
-CD
Iron Sheik / Ali Vasiri
Name: - Ali Vasiri
Height: - 6'0” (183cm)
Weight: - 258lb (117kg)
Born: - 15 Mar, 1943
From: - Tehran, Iran
Trained by: - Verne Gagne, Billy Robinson
Debut: - 1972
Retired: - 2010
Finisher: - Camel clutch
Also known as: - The Iron Sheik, Hossein Arab, Khosrow Vasiri, Col. Mustafa
Toured Australia: - 1977, 1985
Made his name as an amateur wrestler, competing at the 1968 Olympics in Graeco-Roman, as well as serving as a bodyguard for the Shah of Iran, Moved to US and served as Assistant coach for the US wrestling team in Munich in 1972.
Began training to be a professional in 1972, before debuting later in the year under his real name of Khosrow Vasiri. Wrestled around the AWA for a period of time, before coming to Australia in 1977 as “Ali Vasiri”. Toured western Canada as “Hossein Arab” before going to WWF in 1979. Stayed there until 1980, before turning up in Mid-Atlantic as “The Iron Sheik”.
Returned to WWF in 1983, winning the WWF World title from Bob Backlund on Dec. 26. Held the title until January, 1984, losing to Hulk Hogan. Formed a successful team with Nikolai Volkoff (with Fred Blassie as manager), winning the WWF Tag titles at Wrestlemania 1. Toured Australia in 1985 with Volkoff in WWF's first Australian tour. Was suspended from WWF in 1987, briefly returning in 1988. Traveled around to Texas, AWA, Puerto Rico and back to the Mid-Atlantic before once again appearing in WWF, this time as “Col. Mustafa”, an ally of Sgt. Slaughter, and managed by Gen. Adnan.
Has since appeared occasionally in WWF/WWE, and also at several independent promotions. Is renowned these days for his 'shoot interviews'. Was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Titles held – WWF World Hwt, Mid-Atlantic Hwt, NWA Canadian Hwt (2), ACCW Hwt (2), CWA Hwt, (NZ) British Commonwealth Hwt, (IWA) US Hwt, (NWA 2000) American Heritage, IAW Hwt, National TV, WWF World Tag (w/ Nikolai Volkoff), Pacific Northwest Tag (w/ Bull Ramos), (NWA) Canadian Tag (w/ Texas Outlaw), IAW Tag (3, w/ Brian Costello)
Iron Sheik v Sgt Slaughter, WWF 1984
Khosrow Ali Vasiri
Credits - Mark Dalgleish, Wikipedia
Photo credit - lostentertainment