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The Iron Sheik, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, died Wednesday at the age of 81, according to his Twitter account.
"Today, we gather with heavy hearts to bid farewell to a true legend, a force of nature, and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling," the statement said. "It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of The Iron Sheik, but we also take solace in knowing that he departed this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come."
The Iron Sheik appears backstage at Power at Phillips Arena in Atlanta on Dec. 11, 2013. (Prince Williams/FilmMagic)
The Iron Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, had many legendary battles with wrestling greats Hulk Hogan, Bob Backlund and Sgt. Slaughter throughout his career, according to ESPN.
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A native of Iran, the Iron Sheik became a WWE champion in 1983 when he defeated Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden in New York.
He lost the championship to Hogan a month later, a match that WWE says launched Hogan’s illustrious career.
The Iron Sheik appears during Big Apple Con: Comic Book, Art, Toy and SciFi Expo at Penn Plaza Pavilion in New York on Sept. 16, 2006. (Bobby Bank/WireImage)
"With his larger-than-life persona, incredible charisma, and unparalleled in-ring skills, he captivated audiences around the globe," the Twitter statement continued. "He was a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for a diverse range of wrestlers who followed in his footsteps."
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The Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
The Iron Sheik and Thomas "Tiny" Lister Jr. attend the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 16, 2014. (C Flanigan/Getty Images)
"With his imposing physique, curled boots and dreaded Camel Clutch finishing hold, The Iron Sheik’s larger-than-life personality and natural gift for inciting crowds across the globe helped him become one of the greatest villains in sports-entertainment history," the WWE said. "Yet, over time that awe-inspiring showmanship not only earned the respect of his peers, but the WWE Universe as a whole, making him a beloved figure. The Iron Sheik first excelled in the world of Greco-Roman Wrestling, competing in the Amateur Athletic Union and becoming a gold medalist at 180.5 pounds in 1971."
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He was married to his wife, Caryl, for 47 years, and had three children and five grandchildren, according to The Iron Sheik’s Twitter account.
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