IRON SHEIK ON HIS DOCUMENTARY, HOGAN, COL MUSTAFA, MORE
- 03/02/2016 (11:38:45 am)
- Bob Mulrenin
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Show: Interactive Wrestling RadioGuest(s): Iron Sheik, Jian Magen, & Alex Porteau
Date: 03/01/16
Your Hosts: Patrick Kelley & James Walsh
We're humbled to bring you The Iron Sheik in promotion of his new documentary "The Sheik" which was previously available on Netflix now being released on DVD as of March the 1st. This interview is with Sheik and the producer of his film, one of the Magen brothers, Jian Magen. Interesting conversation with the Toronto based film maker and the legendary former World Champion and WWE Hall of Famer!
To listen in MP3 format or to play it on YouTube, visit http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com and click on Sheik's picture or the "Interviews" link!
IRON SHEIK & JIAN MAGEN :
Is this the closest to an autobiography of the Iron Sheik?
Jian says: "He's still kicking, right? He's like the Betty White of wrestling. He's 74 years young. His book is still being written. Definately up until oa certain point, it tells a story. Now the Sheik is going into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame."
On the way the documentary skirted WWE copyright on the project:
Jian says: "Very good question. Unfortunately, we were not granted the use of any of their footage. We understand they're a business... They're probably not going to give the footage away. We could have gone the "fair usage" way. We wanted to respect the WWE. We were able to creatively tell the story."
On why the DVD was created:
Jian says: "It was like Jerry Springer. Oh my goodness, we can't use that! It was like a blood bath! But, we're so happy that in the end, Sheik has come out of that and is as popular as ever!" Jian goes on to explain that theys tarted filming when Sheik was at his worst drug wise and was struggling with many issues not the least of which was the murder of one of his daughters.
On if the DVD tells the story of the Iron Sheik that people may not know:
Iron Sheik says: "Absolutely, sir. Toughest sport in the world, olympic wrestling. All my life, I do wrestling. Coast to coast in America! My English is not so good but this tells the true story of the Iron Sheik". A few moments later, Sheik says, "I think they did a great job because it is the real story of the Iron Sheik. "
Jian says: "Even though he's like family, I'm a fan!" Jian goes on to say that it tells the story of the Iron Sheik behind the scenes who is a husband, a father, and a grandfather and a genuinely good guy instead of just the loud guy you know from wrestling or his outspoken Twitter posts. He goes on to say, "You get your fix as a wrestling fan... One of the best compliments I've gotten is from the female fans who lost the vote that night and watched the documentary and enjoyed it."
On wrestling in the future:
Jian explains that Sheik has knee and ankle problems that make it hard for him to get around much less wrestle. They are hopeful to make enough money to help get those things fixed so he can return to the ring.
On Hulk Hogan's reent troubles:
Iron Sheik says: "I am not racist. I love all my wrestling fans and all my movie fans. I don't know the situation. If he said something racist, he did a bad thing. But, I'm not racist."
Jian says: "Sheik is being diplomatic today! I'll say this. In that match, Hulk Hogan was the babyface and Iron Sheik was the heel. Now, Hulk Hogan has kind of become the heel which makes Sheik the babyface!"
On why he was Col. Mustafa in 1991-1992 and not The Iron Sheik.
Iron Sheik says: "No comment on that. Sometimes you do what they tell you and you don't ask questions."
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