When Khosrow Vaziri became the World Wrestling Federations Iron Sheik and camel-clutched his way to fame in the 1980s, he achieved the American Dream by personifying a foreign villain. Losing his world championship belt to Hulk Hogan became a defining moment in professional wrestling. These days, the Sheiks smackdowns are on Twitter, where hes gained a new following. Once an Olympic hopeful, bodyguard to Irans Shah and pop culture icon, we witness Vaziri struggling with addiction and despair as a family man. But with the help of Torontos Magen brothers, the Sheik begins a road to redemption and renewed status as a public figure. Showcasing his powerful past and at times painful present, this is an insightful look at one of wrestlings biggest stars, but also a powerful story of personal sacrifice that, in the Sheiks own words, will make you humble.
Acting
The Sheik himself—raw, unfiltered, devastatingly human.
Direction
Balances spectacle with intimate family tragedy.
Production
Incredible archival footage of 80s wrestling mania.
Director
Igal Hecht
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Sheik's Twitter account—run with help from the Magen brothers—became legendary for its all-caps rants calling everyone 'jabroni' and threatening to make them humble.
The documentary captures wrestling's 1980s peak when Reagan-era xenophobia made the Iron Sheik the perfect villain—foreign, threatening, and comically evil.
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