The former WWE champion may be one of the most polarizing stars in the entire industry but he is also one of the strongest and most impressive physical specimens in company history. A former bodyguard to the Shah of Iran, not to mention a member of the country's Olympic team as a Greco Roman wrestler in 1968, the Iron Sheik was a gifted athlete as he was. His strength added to the package and made him a threat to whomever stood across the ring from him. The way he would twirl the Persian clubs with little effort was truly impressive. The strength it took to do so was intimidating for any opponent unlucky enough to stand across the squared circle. They soon would experience the Iron Sheik's strength first-hand when they were trapped in the dreaded Camel Clutch and made to tap out or suffer the pain and anguish of a broken back. The Iron Sheik's pure power would play a great role in his first, and only, WWE Championship victory over Bob Backlund in 1983. Using the aforementioned submission hold, he wrenched back on Backlund's neck until manager Arnold Skaaland had no choice but to throw the towel in on behalf of his charge, ending his title reign and inciting a chorus of boos from the New York audience, who hated the idea of the Iranian star leaving with the heavyweight title of the world.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
