Ed Farhat, better known by his ring name The Sheik, was born on September 9, 1924, in Lansing, Michigan. Growing up, he was always a fan of professional wrestling and dreamed of one day becoming a star in the industry. Little did he know that his dreams would eventually become a reality, and he would go on to become one of the most iconic and controversial wrestlers of his time.
In the early days of his career, Farhat faced a challenge that would ultimately shape his wrestling persona. He once bailed on a match because he was scheduled to face an opponent who had a reputation for humiliating "gimmick" wrestlers like himself. This experience led Farhat to develop the character of The Sheik, a ruthless and unpredictable wrestler who would stop at nothing to achieve victory in the ring.
As The Sheik, Farhat portrayed a wealthy man from Syria, complete with traditional Arab attire and a fiery personality. He was known for his brutal in-ring style, often resorting to illegal tactics such as hiding pencils to cut his opponent's faces. While these tactics were intended to intimidate his rivals, they often backfired and led to controversy and criticism from fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
Outside of the ring, Farhat was a private and family-oriented man. He was married to a woman named Joyce, who sadly passed away in 2013. Despite his tough and intimidating on-screen persona, Farhat was known to be a caring and loving husband and father to his children. He valued his family above all else and always made sure to put them first, even in the midst of his demanding wrestling career.
Throughout his career, Farhat achieved great success and earned a reputation as one of the most memorable wrestlers of his time. He was inducted into both the National Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame and the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a wrestling legend. Despite the controversy and criticism that surrounded him, The Sheik will always be remembered as a trailblazer in the world of professional wrestling, pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo with his unique and unforgettable persona.