Dark Side Of The Ring: 4 Things We Learned From 'Blood, Fire, And The Original Sheik'

Ed Farhat used his Lebanese background to become The Sheik, a character who was an Arab madman. It was another effective use of the scary, foreign heel. Part of his gimmick involved having a slave girl come with him to the ring, who he would berate and abuse. The girl was played by his very own wife, Joyce.

The Sheik was a good wrestler, but the more the gimmick got over, the crazier it got, with him involving weapons, chairs, and fireballs. Abdullah the Butcher showed that he still carries the burn scars from one fireball from The Sheik. Jim Cornette said:

"A lot of people say that The Sheik was the originator of hardcore wrestling. Bull Curry was doing the same kind of thing in the 40s, but The Sheik popularized it."

The Sheik was so loyal to his character that it's the only name he went by. If you called him and used his real name, he would hang up. He went so far as to even having a table for babyfaces and a table for heels when he had dinner in the privacy of his own home. Sabu said:

"He would always kayfabe, even when it wasn't necessary."

Out in public, he'd speak English with his family and friends, but if a stranger was within earshot he'd switch to talking in Arabic. Living the character kept him as a top heel who made a lot of money, but it also led to dangerous situations with fans who thought the character was real. The Sheik once cut up a rabid fan who broke into his dressing room. Another time a fan pulled a gun on him and pulled the trigger, but thankfully the gun jammed.

The Sheik Became A Promoter

He Bought Detroit's Big Time Wrestling

In the 1960s, when The Sheik bought Big Time Wrestling in Detroit, he remained in character, making his father-in-law the promoter, while his wife ran the office. He was the very first promoter to use a mobile TV truck. It was so big in the Cobalt Arena that they often sold out and brought in wrestlers from all over the NWA. Sabu said:

"It was like the WWE of the time."

The Sheik was the richest wrestler in the world at the time. He lived in luxury to sell his image, going so far as building a mansion. Being the owner, he booked himself to always be in the main event and refused to lose, believing it would destroy his aura. During the 1967 race riots in Detroit, The Sheik agreed to lose to Bobo Brazil, a top Black star, because he understood the times. He also allowed Black people to attend his shows at a time when wrestling could be segregated.

By 1975, though, with the Detroit auto industry crumbling and The Sheik never losing, Big Time Wrestling started to fail, and The Sheik couldn't afford to pay his wrestlers. In 1980, with TV rights gone too, the promotion folded.

The Sheik Began Training The Next Generation

His Career Wound Down In His 60s

The Sheik's legacy was helped out by going to All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he quickly became a legend with the fans, but after a few years he couldn't keep up with the younger wrestlers. With his age and controversies, American promotions didn't want him either, and The Sheik, losing his money, had to sell his mansion. Past his prime, he'd wrestle in high school gyms to make some money. Jim Cornette said The Sheik had to be thinking:

"How can I keep up the gimmick?"

With his time in the ring pretty much done, The Sheik started training younger wrestlers. He started with his nephew, who would later become Sabu, after the 19-year-old was shot and decided now was the time to follow his dreams. Sabu adopted The Sheik's mannerisms, from wearing a headdress to pointing up at the sky, but he was much more athletic. As Sabu's career took off, The Sheik would accompany him to the ring sometimes. Sabu then introduced him to a guy named Rob Van Dam. The Sheik trained him as well.

The Sheik Returned To Wrestling Later In Life

He Was Badly Burned In A Match

Following two hip surgeries, The Sheik returned to doing death matches in Japan. In one outdoor match, teaming with Sabu, with the ring purposely on fire, the flames grew out of control in the wind. The Sheik stayed in the ring too long, getting burned. Still, he kept going, not dropping his character. He received third degree burns over 20% of his body.

In 1995, Sabu made it to WCW, and The Sheik accompanied him during a match. However, in a move gone wrong, he broke his leg on live TV at the age of 69. This led him to finally realize that he needed to stop. His focus turned to his family, with his granddaughters speaking about how much he loved them.

In the early 2000s, The Sheik's body started to fail, and in January 2003 he passed away. Sabu choked up as he spoke about how he was like a father to him. Years later he became a WWE Hall of Famer, with Rob Van Dam and Sabu inducting him. It was a fitting moment that recognized his legacy in professional wrestling.