What's up everyone and welcome to another McTape review, here on the DOI. This time, I sat down and watched ESS Promotions latest shoot interview, this time with the Iron Sheik. This was the fourth shoot Interview, that Eric Simms, of ESS Promotions (For the record, he is the only employee of ESS Promotions) conducted with The Iron Sheik. Eric doesn't conduct too many shoot interviews, but the other shoot interview that I saw, which he conducted, with Mr. Puerto Rico Ralph Soto, was so hilarious, that I wanted to check this out. Eric told me this was the best shoot interview he's ever conducted with the Iron Sheik, so I was excited going into it. This interview was four hours long, plus had extra footage.

The tape opened up with footage from a Wrestling Convention in Long Island, where Iron Sheik confessed to doing drugs. He even busted out rolling papers and showed all the fans there. Sheik also made other comments during this, and said he was better than Kurt Angle. This was good stuff. The only thing that was bad about this was hearing Eric's shrieking laughter, which at times, drowns out the Iron Sheik. You can also see Eric talk to Sheik, while Sheik is trying to listen to others and talk to others. That is the one downside, which continues throughout the tape, and that is Eric making this shoot interview look like Eric Simms w/The Iron Sheik, rather than a Shoot with The Iron Sheik.

After the convention, we go to the Simms Lair for the Shoot Interview. Eric talks about his previous shoots with The Sheik. Here are the official questions, that are asked in this interview, as typed by Eric Simms:

-HOW IS YOUR HEALTH?
-TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DOUBLE KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY
-YOUR OLDEST DAUGHTER RECENTLY PASSED AWAY TELL US ABOUT THAT?
-HOW DID THAT AFFECT YOUR HOME LIFE?
-HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED?
-HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU HAVE?
-HOW WELL DO YOU GET ALONG WITH YOU WIFE?
-DO YOU LOVE YOUR WIFE?
-WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY WHEN WWE SENT YOU ROYALTY CHECK?
-HOW TAXING WAS THE ROAD SCHEDULE ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?
-DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A DRUG ADDICT?
-WHAT DRUGS HAVE YOU HAVE YOU TAKEN?
-DO YOU SMOKE POT?
-WHAT IS MEDICINE?
-HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO DRUG REHAB ON YOUR OWN OUTSIDE OF WWE?
-DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF AN ALCOHOLIC?
-WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF BEER?
-WHAT OTHER STUFF DO YOU LIKE TO DRINK?
-DO YOU THINK THERE IS A DRUG PROBLEM IN WRESTLING?
-IF YOU COULD WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO FIX THAT PROBLEM?
-TELL US ABOUT YOUR DRUG ARREST WITH HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN?
-TELL US ABOUT THE WRESTLING LIFESTYLE AND HOW IT DIFFERS FROM THE REAL WORLD?
-WHAT IS YOUR FEELING ON THE IRAQI WAR?
-WHERE YOU HAPPY THAT THEY CAPTURED SADAMM HUSSEIN?
-WHAT WERE YOUR FEELINGS AFTER 911 HAPPENED?
-WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING BEHEADED?
-WOULD YOU EVER THINK OF BEHEADING ANYONE AS PART OF YOUR GIMMICK?
-YOUR FEELINGS ON OSAMA BIN LADEN?
-YOUR THOUGHTS ON TERRORISM?
-THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF DEATHS RECENTLY IN WRESTLING
-YOUR MEMORIES OF
-ROAD WARRIOR HAWK
-STU HART
-CURT HENNING
-RIC RUDE
-FRED BLASSIE
-BIG BOSSMAN
-BRITISH BULLDOG
-OWEN HART
-JIM BARNET
-DO YOU THINK THE BOYS CAN DO ANYTHING TO PRESERVE A LONGER LIFE?
-THOUGHTS ON SGT. SLAUGHTER?
-MEMORIES OF THE BOOTCAMP MATCH
-EARLY IN YOUR CAREER SGT. SLAUGHTER AND YOU WERE ROAD PARTNERS. ANY ROAD STORIES TO TELL?
-HOW WAS HE AS A TRAVEL PARTNER?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF BEING COL. MUSTAFA AND TEAMING WITH SGT. SLAUGHTER?
-IN YOUR EYES HOW HAS THE WRESTLING BUSINESS CHANGED?
-IN THERE PRIMES WHO IS BETTER IRON SHEIK OR KURT ANGLE?
-HOW ABOUT LOU THESZ, KARL GOTCH, OR BROCK LESNAR?
-THIS PAST MARCH YOU AND I HAD A VERY BAD INCIDENT WHERE YOU GOT VERY DRUNK AND THREW A BEER BOTTLE AT ME AND TRIED TO SUCKER PUNCH ME. WHAT IS YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY?
-DO YOU FEEL YOU OWE ME AN APOLOGY?
-TELL ME ABOUT VERNE GAGNE?
-HOW WAS IT TO TRAIN WITH VERNE?
-WHO WERE YOUR TRAINERS?
-BILLY ROBINSON STORY?
-WHEN YOU WERE THE TRAINER THERE WHO WERE SOME OF YOUR STAR STUDENTS?
-TELL US SOME STORIES ABOUT THESE GUYS?
-I RECENTLY HEARD A FABULOUS MOOLAH STORY PLEASE SHARE THAT?
-YOUR THOUGHTS ON ANDRE THE GIANT?
-YOUR THOUGHTS ON NICOLAI VOLKOFF?
-ANY ROAD STORIES TO TELL?
-HOW CHEAP WAS NICOLAI?
-RECENTLY THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF THE BOYS ALL OF SUDDEN BECOMING RELIGIOUS. YOUR THOUGHTS ON RELIGION AND WRESTLING?
-DO YOU FEEL IT BELONGS?
-WOULD YOU EVER JOIN TED DIBIASE MINISTRY OR BECOME PART OF THAT GROUP?
-HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR PROMO STYLE?
-IS IT TRUE THAT YOU AND MANY OF THE BOYS WOULD GET $50 FOR THE TV TAPINGS BACK IN THAT TIME PERIOD FOR WWF?
-HOW WERE THE PAYOFFS IN GENERAL BACK THEN?
-HOW WELL DID VINCE MCMAHON TAKE CARE OF YOU?
-HOW DID THE SEX SCANDAL WITH THE RING BOYS AND THE OFFICE AFFECT YOU?
-DID YOU NOTICE ANY CHANGES?
-TELL ABOUT THE BRUNO SAMMARTINO STORY FROM PITTSBURGH?
-WHO DID YOU TRAVEL WITH?
-WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL PARTNER?
-ANY GOOD ROAD STORIES?
-ANY GOOD RIBS TO TELL?
-HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN YOUR LONGEVITY IN THE BUSINESS?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF WORKING THE HART FOUNDATION?
-DID YOU EVER WORK THE BRITISH BULLDOGS?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF THAT?
-HOW BIG OF RIBBERS WERE THE BULLDOGS?
-ANY GOOD RIB STORIES?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF WORKING GREG VALENTINE AND BRUTUS BEEFCAKE?
-WHO WAS THE BETTER WORKER OF THE 2?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF WORKING BARRY WINDHAM AND MIKE ROTUNDO?
-WHO WAS THE BETTER WORKER OF THE 2?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF WORKING BOB BACKLUND?
-HOW DID THE TITLE CHANGE COME ABOUT?
-WAS VINCE THINKING OF GETTING THE BELT OFF BACKLUND FOR A WHILE?
-WHERE YOU SURPRISED WHEN YOU FOUND OUT THAT YOU WERE GETTING THE BELT?
-DID IT BOTHER YOU AT ALL THAT WHILE YOU WERE THE CHAMPION VINCE ONLY WANTED YOU TO BE A TRANSITIONAL OR INBETWEEN CHAMPION BEFORE GIVING THE BELT TO HOGAN?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF YOUR MATCH WITH HOGAN?
-WHY DO YOU THINK YOU NEVER GOT A REMATCH WITH HIM?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF FRED BLASSIE?
-YOUR MEMORIES BEING MANAGED BY THE GRAND WIZARD?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF BEING MANAGED BY SLICK?
-WAS HE AS GOOD AS BLASSIE OR WIZARD?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF WORKING CPL. KIRCHNER?
-DO YOU FEEL HE WAS A SGT. SLAUGHTER RIP OFF?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF TEAMING WITH SUPERFLY JIMMY SNUKA?
-YOUR THOUGHTS ON MID ATLANTIC TERRITORY?
-YOUR BLACK JACK MULLIGAN?
-YOUR THOUGHTS ON RIC FLAIR?
-YOUR THOUGHTS ON BILL WATTS?
-YOUR THOUGHTS ON MID SOUTH TERRITORY
-YOUR MEMORIES OF JYD
-WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON YOUR RUN IN WCW?
-WHO WAS IN CHARGE?
-WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE WRESTLER TO WORK WITH?
-WHO WAS THE LEAST FAVORITE TO WORK WITH?
-WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE OPENNESS OF THE BUSINESS TODAY?
-WHO WAS THE MOST OVERRATED WRESTLER YOU EVER WORKED IT?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF THE WORLD CLASS TERRITORY?
-MEMORIES OF THE VON ERICH?
-ANY STORIES OR MEMORIES OF NICK BOCKWINKLE?
-RAY STEVENS
-MEMORIES OF CALGARY?
-BRET HART?
-WHAT COMPANIES DID YOU WORK FOR IN JAPAN?
-MEMORIES OF YOUR MATCH WITH INOKI?
-MEMORIES OF BABA?
-WHICH WAS THE BETTER COMPANY TO WORK FOR?
-HOW WAS RIKI DOZEN TO WORK WITH OR FOR?
-MEMORIES OF HARLEY RACE
-WHO DO YOU THINK WAS THE BETTER CHAMPION BETWEEN HARLEY RACE, NICK BOCKWINKLE, OR BOB BACKLUND
-DID YOU EVER WRESTLE TERRY FUNK?
-MEMORIES OF THE ST. LOUIS TERRITORY?
-BOB GEIGEL AND NICK GULAS?
-YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TORONOTO TERRITORY?
-MEMORIES OF KING KONG MOSCA?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF ATTACKING BOB BACKLUND WITH THE CLUBS IN WWF?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF WRESTLEMANIA 1 TAGGING WITH NICOLAI VS TEAM USA
-YOUR MEMORIES OF WORKING THE BATTLE ROYAL WITH THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN WRESLEMANIA 2
-YOU WORKED FOR INSANE CLOWN POSSE IN DETROIT DOING A CRACK PIPE ON A LED POLE MATCH. YOUR MEMORIES OF THAT?
-WERE YOU INSULTED BY THAT MATCH?
-DO YOU THINK IT MADE FUN OF YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR ADDICTION?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF DOING THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF THE LEGENDS PPV TEAMING WITH NICOLAI VS THE BUSHWACKERS?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF THE WRESTLEMANIA 17 BATTLE ROYAL WITH THE OTHER LEGENDS?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF BEING THE BODY GUARD FOR THE SHAH OF IRAN?
-WHERE YOU HIS BODYGUARD OR HIS WIFE’S?
-DID YOU EVER COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS OR WERE JUST A COACH THERE?
-YOUR MEMORIES OF WINNING THE AAU GOLD METAL?
-YOUR OPINION ON VINCE MCMAHON SR?
-YOUR THOUGHTS ON VINCE MCMAHON JR?
-IN THE DAY WHO WAS THE BETTER PROMOTER
-VERNE GAGNE, JIM CROCKET OR VINCE MCMAHON?
-FROM THE LESSER TERRITORIES WHO WAS THE BETTER PROMOTER
-FRITZ VON ERICH, STU HART OR BOB GEIGEL
-HOW IS IT TODAY WORKING ON THE INDEPENDENT SCENE?
-DO YOU THINK TODAY INDY PROMOTERS ARE HONORABLE?
-DO YOU THINK THEY WERE AS GOOD AS PAST INDY PROMOTERS?
-TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE?
-WHO TAUGHT YOU HOW TO SWING THE CLUBS?
-HOW HARD WAS IT FOR YOU AT FIRST?
-WHAT YEAR DID YOU COME TO THE USA?
-HOW DID THE IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS AFFECT YOU?
-HOW DID YOU CAPITALIZE ON THAT FOR YOUR WRESTLING CAREER?
-HOW DID YOU GET THE NAME THE IRON SHEIK?
-HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?
-ANY PLANS TO WRITE A BOOK?
-ANY REGRETS?
-WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE ON THE ROAD BACK DURING THE PERIOD OF THE 70’S AND 80’S
-HOW CLOSE WAS THE LOCKER ROOM BACK IN THE DAY
-HOW BIG WAS KAYFABE BACK IN THE DAY
-WHAT WAS THE HEAT LIKE IN MSG DURING THE BOOTCAMP MATCH WITH SGT SLAUGHTER?
-DID YOU EVER FEAR FOR YOUR SAFETY
-MEMORIES OF WORKING WITH ROCKY JOHNSON
-MEMORIES OF THE ROCK AS A KID
-MEMORIES OF BOB ORTON
-MEMORIES OF RANDY AS A KID
-WHAT WAS THE DRUG AND GROUPIE SCENE LIKE IN THE 70’S & 80’S
-WHO WAS THE MOST CREATIVE BOOKER YOU EVER WORKED FOR
-OUTSIDE OF WWF WHAT WAS THE BEST TERRITORY YOU WORKED FOR
-OUTSIDE OF WWF WHO WAS THE BEST BOOKER
-WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE LACK OF KAY FABE TODAY
-YOU THOUGHT ON THE JOHN STOSSEL 20/20 INCIDENT
-HOW DID THE LOCKERROOM RESPOND AFTER DAVID SHULTZ SLAPPED HIM

When watching this shoot, I can't believe that one of the first questions asked was about Sheik's daughter, who was murdered last year. This interview started out very depressing, and you felt bad for The Sheik.

Like I said this interview was very long, so here are some quick points that stood out to me:

Sheik talked about terrorism and how he hates all of it. He doesn't want anyone to associate his character with terrorism. You can see that Sheik has been getting away from his Iranian character, as on the last few indy shows I have seen him at, he's been supporting the USA, even waving an American flag at a JCW show earlier this year.

Iron Sheik called Hulk Hogan one of the greatest champions ever. He had alot of respect for Hogan.

Sheik talked about his marriage, which was just broken up after 20+ years. Sheik found out that his wife was stealing money from him.

Iron Sheik talked about his infamous incident with Hacksaw Jim Duggan. He explained everything that happened. This then led into talk about his drug and alcohol problems.

Iron Sheik shitted on the "Oh Brother Tour" and all the Born Again Christians in wrestling. He implied that it was phony. Sheik said he'd never work for it.

The worst part of this interview comes when Eric Simms starts talking about an incident that he had with The Sheik back in March of this year. Personally, knowing the story, I was interested in what Sheik would say, but I don't think anyone else would care about the problems between the interviewer and the subject being interviewed. Eric Simms begs and forces Iron Sheik to say he's wrong and makes him apologize for 10 minutes about the incident they had. You can see Sheik didn't want to apologize or even talk about the story. Simms then comes from behind the camera, to shake Sheik's hand and give a thumbs up. It's sad that a former World Heavyweight Champion was reduced to a pile of shit by Mr. Snapshot. This is something I thought should've been kept off the tape.

The interview closes off with Sheik talking about what he's up to now. The Sheik says he's in ok health now and doing better.

Final McWord
Some of the interview is hard to hear, because of Sheik's thick accent. As the interview goes on, you get used to it.

You get the feeling that the business really took a toll out on the Iron Sheik. He seems like a cool grandfatherly figure and at times you feel bad for the guy. Sheik seems like he has alot of outside problems in wrestling (No, I'm not talking about his friendship with Eric Simms) and doesn't give off a "World Champion" image. He comes off like a regular guy, although he definitely is not normal.

This interview was very informative, and everything was answered. There was times when the interviewer tried putting himself over on the Sheik, but besides that, this interview hit all the main questions. Sheik is a talkative guy, so he had no problem blasting anyone as well as putting anyone over.

Overall- If you're a fan of Eric Simms or the Iron Sheik, this interview is good for you. I think this interview would be alot better if the interviewer was someone who has more experience in conducting shoot interviews (RF Video and ROH Video come to mind) because at times the interviewer irritates you, especially the part where he forces the Iron Sheik to apologize. This interview is entertaining and you'll get some good stuff out of it. With four hours, Iron Sheik tells alot of stories.

To pick up this tape go to ESS Promotions. The link to purchase the tape is here: ESS Promotions

You can also pick up this tape from RF Video. To pick it up there go to: http://www.rfvideo.com/merchant/index.cfm?action=moreinfo&id=8908

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com