The Iron Sheik, a former pro wrestler who relished playing a burly, bombastic villain in 1980s battles with some of the sport鈥檚 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 鈥渄eparted this world peacefully.鈥�

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 鈥淐amel Clutch鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 鈥淭he Sheik,鈥� he said he became attracted to wrestling as a teen and as a grappler in the Iranian Army.

鈥淚 was married to the wrestling mat because I was so much 鈥� in love with the sport,鈥� 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.

鈥淚t was the right time to 鈥� establish my character, my gimmick,鈥� he said.

The Iron Sheik鈥檚 influence extended to the sport鈥檚 biggest stars. Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne 鈥淭he Rock鈥� Johnson, who used the term 鈥渏abroni鈥� to insult his ring opponents, has credited The Iron Sheik with making it famous in wrestling circles. The TV show 鈥淵oung Rock鈥� 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 鈥淭he Howard Stern Show,鈥� 鈥淭he Eric Andre Show,鈥� and others, the WWE biography said.

The Twitter statement said The Iron Sheik 鈥渢ranscended the realm of sports entertainment鈥� and called him 鈥渁 man of immense passion and dedication.鈥�

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

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

鈥淎n all-time great performer and WWE Hall of Famer who brought his character to life and transcended our business,鈥� he said.

Adrian Sainz, The Associated Press

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