Sheik Ali

Wadi Ayoub (20 April 1927 - 29 September 1976) was a champion Greco–Roman style wrestler in Lebanon and then a professional wrestler, best known as Sheik Ali, in Australia and touring internationally.[3][4][5][6][7] He was famous for his headbutts[8][9] and his moves included the "Egyptian Deadlock".[8][10]

Sheik Wadi Ayoub
Birth nameWadi Ayoub
Born(1927-04-20)20 April 1927
Sebhel, Zgharta District, Lebanon
Died29 September 1976(1976-09-29) (aged 49)[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Shiek Ali
Sheik Wadi Ayoub
Wadi Ayoub
Billed fromBeirut, Lebanon
Trained byTom Lurich
Chief Little Wolf
Jim Deakin[2]
DebutMarch 1953

Career

By the age of 22, Ayoub had progressed to being the Champion of Lebanon. In 1951, he left Lebanon behind, and came to Australia in search of a better way of life. Realising that, to be successful in professional wrestling, he needed added weight, he underwent a course of bodybuilding at Dovey’s Gymnasium, Sydney. He was successful in adding over 40 lb body weight. Additionally, he seized every opportunity to work with freestyle wrestlers and to make himself fit enough for a career in professional wrestling. Among the early wrestlers who helped him achieve his target of becoming a professional were Tom Lurich, Chief Little Wolf and Jim Deakin.

In March 1953, he made his debut at Leichhardt Stadium, in an encounter against Jon Morro. After four more contests, Ayoub headed for New Zealand and held his own against the British Empire Champion, Earl McCready. He was signed for a series of contests against wrestlers that were operating throughout India at the time. Some of these included Tiger Joginder Singh, Emil Koroshenko, Dara Singh, Emile Czaja, Bert Assirati and Harbans Singh.

In 1956, he returned to Sydney where wrestling was in full swing. At White City, he wrestled Tiger Ray Holden. The rest of the year was spent in Hobart, Adelaide and Perth, where he competed against such talent as George Pencheff, King Kong and Baron von Heczey. In 1957 at White City, he went to a draw with the Indian, Tarlok Singh. In October en route to Japan for a World Title clash against the Champion, Lou Thesz, he stopped in Singapore for a bout against King Kong for the Malaysian Heavyweight crown. In a fierce contest, Kong was victorious. When negotiations for his visit to Japan fell through, Ayoub decided to stay in Singapore and competed in bouts with Ricky Waldo and Aslam Pehalwan. In March 1958, Ayoub returned to Sydney. At the Sports Ground, he wrestled Andreas Lambrakis to a draw. He then went to Adelaide and Hobart, where he competed against the likes of George Duane and King Kong.

Although he was in demand from overseas promoters, he was ignored by the promoters of Stadiums Limited. This had little effect on his career, as he was soon off on a five-year tour of the Far East and Europe. His first stop was Singapore where he clashed with Emile Czaja, as well as Charles Henry and Akram Pahelwan. From here, Ayoub went to India. In New Delhi he defeated Arjit Singh. His contract was extended a further year to fit in contests against George Pencheff, Bill Verna, Don Steadman, George Zbisko, Dara Singh, George Gordienko and numerous others.

1960s

1961 saw Ayoub in Europe under the promotion of the European Wrestling Alliance (France) and Joint Promotions (England). He went to Belgium and then Paris, where he wrestled L’Homme Masque, who resorted to foul tactics by hitting him with a microphone. Ayoub retaliated and attacked Masque with such ferocity it took 25 police officers to drag him clear. Ayoub then went on to Belgium where he competed in a tournament against Horst Hoffman, Herman Iffland, Roger Delaporte and Jack Lasartesse, amongst others. He then went to England where he met Billy Robinson, Jack Pye, Tibor Szakacs, Billy Joyce, Mike Marino, George Portz and many others.

In 1963 he returned to India and competed against Sucha Singh, Al Rodgoa and Dara Singh. He returned to Australia and made his headquarters in Sydney. He wrestled Lucky Simunovich, Con Paplazarou, Alex Iakovides and Elias Panagos[11] at Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Stadiums.

1970s

In 1971, Wadi Ayoub engaged in several contests against the reigning New Zealand and British Empire Champion, John DaSilva and came out on top. In other matches, he accounted for Dr Death and El Montana.

Although circumstances prevented Ayoub performing with the World Championship Wrestling Promotion, (the American promoters were loath to use Australian wrestlers to headline their programmes), the use of Wadi Ayoub in main event matches was a breakthrough for Australian–based wrestlers. In 1972, with World Championship Wrestling, Ayoub turned back the likes of Killer Karl Kox, Tiger Joginder Singh, Brute Bernard and Bulldog Brower. He returned for another series of matches and again remained undefeated, this time against Bob Roop, Don Fargo, Waldo von Erich, Guy Mitchell, Don Carson and Hiro Tojo. He was also involved in tag matches with Mark Lewin, Spiros Arion and King Curtis against the likes of Abdullah the Butcher, Big Bad John and The Tojo Brothers (Hiro 'The Great' Tojo and Hito Tojo).[12]

Championships and accomplishments
  • Middle East Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[13]

See also

References
  1. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database".
  2. Sheik Wadi Ayoub
  3. http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/mhc-reports/ThematicHistoryOfLebaneseNSW.pdf Lebanese Settlement in New South Wales: A Thematic History Migration heritage, New South Wales Government
  4. "Wadi Ayoub – Professional Wrestler - ALHS.org.au". alhs.org.au.
  5. "ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)".
  6. "Off the Top Rope - ManSpace Magazine". www.manspacemagazine.com.au.
  7. Hornbaker, Tim (3 January 2017). Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. ISBN 9781613218754 – via Google Books.
  8. "'Wrestling made me a household name in Australia - I still get recognised today'".
  9. Easton, Robert (15 July 2010). Royal Dates With Destiny. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445620312 – via Google Books.
  10. Sen, Ronojoy (27 October 2015). Nation at Play: A History of Sport in India. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231539937 – via Google Books.
  11. Berry, Maureen M. (1 March 2012). Boots Full of Memories. Dog Ear Publishing. ISBN 9781457508868 – via Google Books.
  12. Johnson, Steven; Oliver, Greg; Mooneyham, Mike; Dillon, J. J. (11 January 2013). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes and Icons. ECW Press. ISBN 9781770902695 – via Google Books.
  13. "Wadi Ayoub – Online World of Wrestling". Retrieved 17 March 2023.
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