The Time The Iron Sheik & Jim Duggan Got Arrested On The Parkway In Middletown, NJ And How It Changed Wrestling
Good morning, wrestling fans. It’s a sad day for supporters of the squared circle as the legendary Iron Sheik has died at the age of 81. The Sheik’s legacy is that of one of the greatest, most important, and influential performers in WWF (WWE) history. As the sinister and vile, American-hating villain from Iran…the Sheik was the perfect bad guy to be World Champion when Hulk Hogan needed a big-time and important opponent to defeat.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 08: The Iron Sheik attends Hilarity for Charity NYC Cocktail Party at The Jane Hotel on April 8, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Hilarity For Charity)
By beating the Sheik in Madison Square Garden in 1984…Hulkamania truly kicked off and set Hogan on a path to becoming the biggest star in pro wrestling in the 1980’s. And it all started with the Sheik. He was such a despised heel that when Hogan broke out of his infamous Camel Clutch…and then beat the Sheik with his patented leg drop…wrestling fans went nuts. A phenomenon was born.
So, let’s flash forward to 1987. There is a new patriotic good guy in the WWF by the name of “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Duggan was known for carrying an American flag and two-by-four to the ring and yelling “Hooooooooooo!” The fans were into this popular new baby-face in a huge way and Duggan needed a strong bad guy to work with. Who else better than the Iron Sheik? America Vs. Iran again! Let’s go!
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 15: Cast member “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan attends the WWE screening of “Legends’ House” at Smith & Wollensky on April 15, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for WWE)
Unfortunately, in May of ’87, the Sheik and Hacksaw were pulled over on the Garden State Parkway in Middletown, New Jersey after police saw Duggan drinking a beer while driving. The cops then arrested the pair after they found small amounts of marijuana and cocaine on them. And while this all seems like a recipe for a scandal…the REAL controversy was when wrestling fans found out that a GOOD guy and BAD guy were traveling in the same car together!
391560 09: Former World Wrestling Federation champion “The Iron Sheik” attends the Big Apple Comic Book, Art, and Toy Show July 6, 2001 in New York City. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The arrest infuriated WWF CEO Vince McMahon who was reportedly livid that a baby-face and heel would be caught together in public. McMahon fired both wrestlers on the spot…but hired both back eventually for other work. However, Hacksaw Jim Duggan would never reach the same heights of popularity that he had prior to that arrest. As for the Sheik, he would still contribute to the WWF…but was no longer a main event star. Meanwhile, wrestling fans all over the country suddenly began questioning the legitimacy of wrestling…and the slow slide from Pro Wrestling to Sports Entertainment began.
Nonetheless, the Iron Sheik was a true legend and will be missed. RIP, Sheiky baby. For more wrestling talk…check out The East Side Dave and Son Wrestling Show on this site! BAM!
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 07: The Iron Sheik speaks on the red carpet at the 6th Annual Shorty Awards on April 7, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Shorty Awards)
