One of the greatest “heel” tag teams of all time were Nikolai Volkoff and the Iron Sheik. It was the height of the Cold War, and what could be more antagonising than the Russian national anthem sung in the middle of Madison Square Gardens? Only the Sheik declaring “Russia #1, Iran #1!” and spitting on the USA. In reality Nikolai (Josip Hrvoje Peruzović) was from Yugoslavia and was known as a really nice guy. By contrast, the Sheik (Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri) actually is from Iran and might be a little psychopathic! Or it could all be an act, who knows?
Even though Nikolai’s anthem was designed to irritate, I actually like it.
In 1990 Nikolai switched sides, turned “face,” and was gifted an American flag by “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. (Incidentally, Duggan and Sheik were once caught doing cocaine together, a tremendous scandal as they were supposed to be sworn enemies!) Nikolai used “The Stars and Stripes Forever” as his entrance music when he turned “face”, waving his new American flag.
But I’ll always remember him as one of the greatest villains, singing that Russian national anthem as only he could!
mikeladano.com 
It was an act for the Iron Sheik. I remember reading in a wrestling magazine that he actually fled Iran when the Shah was overthrown.
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True but did you see him try to sodomize Spenny with a bottle on Kenny Vs Spenny?
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Man, memories. I remember all these wrestlers. Oh, the good ole days when wrestling ruled the world.
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They had simple and enjoyable storylines back then and cartoony violence. Good vs bad.
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I ate this up for years. I remember going to see Abdullah the Butcher and I remember all the blood after he head butted the guy. And this was before WWF. I’m talking early on. Before I knew it was fake too.
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IRAN NUMBER ONE
RUSSIA NUMBER ONE
USA HOCK PTOO
CAMERAMAN ZOOM
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PERFECT!
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Great blast from the past. Thoroughly enjoyed watching em.
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I love when the Hogan beat Sheik for the belt.
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Man even I remember these guys and I didn’t watch it that often. Am I right in thinking he didn’t finish singing the whole anthem there, though?
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Yes you are right. He never did.
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OK thanks, I thought something was amiss!
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