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

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 含羞草研究社淐amel Clutch含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檚 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含羞草研究社檚 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 含羞草研究社淭he Sheik,含羞草研究社� he said he became attracted to wrestling as a teen and as a grappler in the Iranian Army.

含羞草研究社淚 was married to the wrestling mat because I was so much 含羞草研究社� in love with the sport,含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淚t was the right time to 含羞草研究社� establish my character, my gimmick,含羞草研究社� he said.

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

The Twitter statement said The Iron Sheik 含羞草研究社渢ranscended the realm of sports entertainment含羞草研究社� and called him 含羞草研究社渁 man of immense passion and dedication.含羞草研究社�

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

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

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

Adrian Sainz, The Associated Press

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