Khosrow Ali Vaziri was born in Iran in 1942, establishing a name for himself as an amateur wrestler, a bodyguard for the Shah of Iran, and an athlete representing his home country in the 1968 Summer Olympics. In the early 1970s, following the unexpected and controversial death of his good friend and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Gholemreza Takhti, Vaziri left Iran to pursue the American Dream. His journey to the United States began one of the most spectacular professional wrestling careers in modern history.

Assuming the persona of the villainous “The Iron Sheik,” Vaziri became one of the most celebrated and hated men in sports entertainment, helping launch Hulkamania in the 1980s and weathering a career that saw him turn the wrestling world upside down throughout the 80s and 90s. A fall from sobriety after the murder of one of his daughters brought the Sheik to the lowest and most challenging point in his life. At age 72, the Sheik has embraced an unlikely new persona as an outlandish social media sensation, known for hilarious outbursts and massively popular antics. Featuring candid interviews with Vaziri’s family, historians, and over 25 wrestling superstars, The Sheik is a pop culture documentary that chronicles Khosrow Vaziri’s electrifying career from his upbringing in Iran, his journey to the US, to his unprecedented experiences as America’s most hated villain.

Reviews:

“A compelling film about an extraordinary man. There are moments of true heartbreak and tragedy mixed with wild road stories and the Iron Sheik's trademark over-the-top personality.” – IGN Movies

"The Sheik is a riveting documentary for wrestling fans and an entertaining insight into the wrestling medium for non-fans." - Next Projection