Shawn Daivari
Encyclopedia
Dara Daivari is an Iranian American professional wrestler
, currently performing on the American independent circuit
as Shawn Daivari. He is best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment
as simply Daivari and with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
as Sheik Abdul Bashir.
and Bret Hart
. His childhood hero was Shawn Michaels
. He participated in his first professional wrestling match at age 15. He started his career in the Midwest with All-Star Championship Wrestling. He is known for representing Iran for international title matches
On October 18, 1998, Daivari appeared on WCW Monday Nitro
as a fan being interviewed by Mike Tenay
.
He appeared on February 26, 2003's TNA Xplosion
and wrestled a tag team match against Mike Sanders
and Glenn Gilberti
with Ken Anderson. He also appeared on the October 5, 2003 edition of WWE Sunday Night Heat
as "Sheik" Shawn Daivari, losing his match against Tommy Dreamer
. He also made four appearances for independent promotion Ring of Honor
between April and July 2004.
in August 2004 and debuted on October 19, 2004, on Raw
alongside Muhammad Hassan as "Khosrow Daivari". Their gimmick was that of two Arab-Americans who were tired of the prejudice and racism they were receiving after the 9/11 attacks. In the weeks leading up to their debut, the two men would appear on Raw in vignettes promoting their hatred towards America. In the following weeks, they would back up their words with actions, initiating a feud with Raw announcers Jim Ross
and Jerry "The King" Lawler
. At WrestleMania 21
on April 3, 2005, Daivari and Hassan were involved in a storyline with returning WWE legend Hulk Hogan
. While attacking injured wrestler Eugene
, Hogan made his classic entrance and ejected both men from the ring to the delight of fans in attendance. Ironically, Daivari would scream instructions in Persian
to Hassan when working as his manager, though this was often described as "Arabic" on broadcasts.
The following night on Raw, Daivari and Hassan interrupted Shawn Michaels
during a promo. The two attacked Michaels and left him helpless in the ring. This led to Daivari's first singles match in WWE, on the April 11, 2005 edition of Raw. Although Michaels was heavily favored, Daivari, with help from Hassan, got the upset win. Enraged, Michaels demanded a match against both Daivari and Hassan. Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff
refused to grant a handicap match but instead ordered Michaels to find a partner. That partner turned out to be Daivari and Hassan's WrestleMania foe Hulk Hogan.
On the April 18, 2005 episode of Raw, Michaels was once again double teamed by Daivari and Hassan until Hogan appeared to make the save. Hogan accepted Michaels' offer to tag and the match was set for the Backlash
pay per view on May 1, 2005. At Backlash, Hogan and Michaels picked up the win which led to friction between the two since Hassan blamed Daivari for the loss. The next night on Raw, Hassan verbally and physically attacked Daivari leaving their future as a team in question.
Both Daivari and Hassan were later drafted to SmackDown! on June 23, 2005 as part of a package deal. On the July 7, 2005 episode of SmackDown!, GM Theodore Long
put Daivari in a match that night against The Undertaker, and Muhammad Hassan in a match against The Undertaker at The Great American Bash
. Daivari was squashed easily in that match, after which Hassan began to pray on the ramp, summoning five masked men to the ring. The masked men beat and strangled the Undertaker into submission, and Hassan put him in the camel clutch. Afterward, the masked men carried Daivari off like a martyr. The controversial imagery aired unedited in America and Canada despite the terrorist attacks in London
earlier that day, but was removed from the Australian and UK broadcasts. (It should be noted that SmackDown! is typically taped on Tuesday (though this particular episode was taped on a Monday) and, at the time, aired on Thursday, so the skit was taped 3 days before the attack occurred).
In late-July, UPN requested that WWE keep Muhammad Hassan off of their network. WWE complied, effectively removing him from SmackDown! At The Great American Bash 2005, after Hassan lost in a match with The Undertaker, Hassan was given the Last Ride through an open stage ramp onto a concrete floor. It was reported that he sustained serious injuries and had to be rushed to a nearby medical facility; this was an angle aimed to "kill off" the character.
Although Hassan would eventually retire from professional wrestling, Daivari reported to WWE's Deep South Wrestling territory for training and repackaging. He returned from Deep South and, after working in Minneapolis, made his debut in September 2005 on OVW
TV returning as his "Sheik" Daivari persona.
On November 7, 2005, Daivari returned to Raw, acting as Kurt Angle
's anointed special guest referee in the tag team match between Shawn Michaels and John Cena
versus Angle and Chris Masters. During the match, Daivari favored Angle and Masters, who won the match via disqualification when Michaels was caught with a chair Angle brought in.
On November 21, 2005, Kurt Angle announced that Daivari was to be the referee for all his future matches, including his match against WWE Champion
John Cena
for the title at the 2005 Survivor Series
. Mr. McMahon
rescinded that at the kangaroo court
trial of Eric Bischoff
on Raw on December 5, 2005. Daivari remained aligned with Kurt Angle as his manager.
the very same night. Angle later revealed that his contract on Raw had expired, which allowed them to switch brands. Angle was already signed to face Shawn Michaels
on Raw, however this non-title match went ahead, but Daivari would accidentally cost Angle the match against Michaels. Afterwards, Daivari and Angle argued, but when Daivari slap
ped Angle, he was Angle Slammed over the ropes and down to the floor on the outside of the ring. During the break on WWE.com Unlimited, an enraged Angle made it known that Daivari's services were no longer needed.
A short time later, Daivari faced his former client in a match. During the match, Mark Henry
, the number one contender for Angle's title, attacked Angle. After the match, Daivari officially announced that he was now managing Henry and continued to manage Henry during his feud with The Undertaker. Daivari would disappear off television in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 22
when, at WWE's Saturday Night Main Event, Daivari suffered a chokeslam
and Tombstone Piledriver at the hands of The Undertaker onto the lid of a casket
.
On the April 7, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, Daivari made his return bringing in the debuting The Great Khali to attack The Undertaker during his match with Mark Henry. The next week, Daivari officially presented him to the crowd, hyping him as an unstoppable monster. Over the following weeks, Daivari would accompany Khali to the ring as he destroyed various SmackDown! superstars. This would all lead up to a match with The Undertaker at Judgment Day
on May 21, 2006, which Khali would end up winning. Daivari and Khali appeared as guests on Piper's Pit on the June 2, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, in which Piper made fun of Khali, who supposedly can't speak English. Eventually Piper stood on the bottom rope, attempting to match height with Khali, he managed to say: If this was twenty years ago, before Khali grabbed him by the throat. Daivari made Khali put Piper down and straitened Piper's jacket disrespectfully, Piper slapped Daivari, but was then given a chop by Khali. The Undertaker was the original guest on the Pit, but he declined the invitation a few days before. Daivari continued to accompany The Great Khali to the ring when Khali wrestled or attacked other wrestlers, but when The Great Khali became inactive due to injury, Daivari was taken off the road as well.
Daivari and The Great Khali were moved to the ECW brand officially when they made their ECW debuts on the October 31, 2006 edition of ECW on Sci Fi. Daivari beat "The Reject" Shannon Moore
in a very quick match. Daivari's original theme music was used as well as his Persian
rants on the microphone. Afterwards, Moore was manhandled by The Great Khali. Daivari continued his ECW winning streak over the next several weeks with The Great Khali usually following up the contest with a chokebomb on Daivari's opponent. At December to Dismember, Daivari got a victory over Tommy Dreamer
following a schoolboy rollup. Dreamer then chased Daivari all the way to the back then, The Great Khali appeared and caught Dreamer, planting him on the steel ramp with a chokebomb. On January 8, 2007, The Great Khali debuted on Raw, without Daivari. The following night, however, Daivari accompanied Khali to the ring for his match with Dreamer on ECW.
Daivari returned to SmackDown! on February 9, 2007, defeating the Cruiserweight Champion
Gregory Helms
in a non-title match. He began wrestling in the Cruiserweight division. He was involved in a feud between Kane and The Great Khali once again promoting the Great Khali in March 2007. His first match against Kane, involved him being dragged backstage by Kane's chain and hook leaving his back with multiple bruises. A few weeks later, Daivari had a rematch with Kane and was again defeated.
Daivari returned to SmackDown! a few months later, teaming up with Chavo Guerrero
and Jamie Noble
against Jimmy Wang Yang
, Paul London and Brian Kendrick
in a losing effort. On the June 15, 2007 episode of SmackDown!, Daivari competed in a Fatal Four Way number one contenders match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
, which he lost to Yang and also involved Shannon Moore
and Noble.
Daivari was drafted back to Raw
in the Supplemental Draft
on June 17, 2007. He re-debuted on the June 18, 2007 edition of Raw
, losing to Jeff Hardy
. On the July 30, 2007 episode of Raw Daivari was defeated by Cody Rhodes who had to win his match or face being fired from WWE. Daivari's losing streak continued when he failed to win the position of General Manager of Raw by been eliminated early in the battle royal the week after Rhodes defeated him. Daivari then started to get on a roll on Heat
(Raws sister show) being victorious against Super Crazy
and "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
. His return to Raw on September 17 saw him lose to Hacksaw Jim Duggan in a Flag match.
On October 16, 2007, Daivari was released from his WWE contract.
at PCW's Heroes 2 Legends event in November 2007. He wrestled J.T. Lamotta and "Jiggle-O" James Johnson in a triple threat match for the PCW Cruiserweight Championship. Lamotta won the match to become the new champion. He returned to PCW on February 23, 2008 at PCW's Big Bang '08 event to again wrestle a Triple Threat match for the PCW Cruiserweight Championship, this time against Robert Evans and Aaron Eagle. Eagle won and became the new champion. On September 6, 2008, it was announced by The Bussey Brothers that Daivari will return on September 20, 2008 to team with them to take on Aaron Eagle and a partner of his choosing. Eagle had chosen Action Jackson to be his tag team partner. However, Jackson was injured at the hands of Mace Malone. PCW World Heavyweight Champion, Mike Foxx, who was supposedly suspended and also Eagle's main rival, shockingly saved Eagle from an attack and announced he would be Eagle's partner. The stipulation was that if Eagle did not win he could never get another world title shot again. On September 20, Daivari and The Busseys defeated Eagle and Foxx when Foxx turned on Eagle and Daivari debuted his new finisher, the WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction), for the victory. Afterwards, Foxx announced he would give Eagle one final shot at Sick 'n' Twisted on October 11.
On April 4, 2008 Daivari made his AMW debut in a triple threat match against Wally Darkmon and Robert Evans for the AMW Light Heavyweight Championship. Daivari won the match to become the AMW Light Heavyweight Champion. During most of 2008 he feuded with Wally Darkmon. On September 12, 2008 Daivari lost his AMW Light Heavyweight Championship to Wally Darkmon in a Casket Match. This Match was a considered a classic by some and considered by many of the AMW Fans as the match of the year.
In June 2008 Davari took part in an Irish Whip Wrestling
event in the ESB Arena
, Dublin where he lost in the main event to Mandrake for the IWW International Heavyweight Championship.
on the June 12 edition TNA Impact!
as the captain to Team International
in 2008's World X Cup Tournament
.
Daivari signed a contract with TNA. On the July 24, 2008 edition of Impact!, after the conclusion of the X Cup, it was announced that he had joined the TNA roster under the name of "Sheik Abdul Bashir". Retaining his anti-American gimmick and also adding a bullying mean streak, he quickly established himself as a heel
after helping Petey Williams
retain the TNA X Division Championship
over Consequences Creed at Hard Justice
as well as delivering promos to draw heat. His official debut match on Impact! was a victory over Jay Lethal
.
at No Surrender
on September 14, 2008 by defeating Williams and Creed in a Three-way match. At Bound for Glory IV
, Bashir defeated Consequences Creed in another match for the X Division Championship. On a live edition of Impact! on October 23, Bashir successfully defended his title against Jay Lethal. After the match he attacked Rhino
after being confronted by him over his political views.
On October 30, 2008, it was announced that Daivari was taken to "wrestler court" at the week's Impact! tapings following a rib he played on Kip James
during a flight they shared. Daivari pulled aside a flight attendant, who then announced over the loud speaker that Kip was celebrating his 65th birthday. He was taken to wrestler court because it was determined that he hadn't spent enough time in the company to pull a rib on a veteran. Brother Ray served as the judge
while B.G. James
represented Kip and Brother Devon represented Daivari, and agent Pat Kenney
served as the bailiff
for the proceedings. Daivari was found guilty and was required to supply the locker room beer and booze, which he did on Tuesday night after the tapings.
On the November 13 episode of Impact!, Bashir lost the X Division Championship to Eric Young
. During the match, Bashir shoved TNA Official Shane Sewell
to the mat after Sewell questioned Bashir and the TNA audience of Bashir's actions during the match. Sewell became enraged, removed his shirt and attacked Bashir. This led to Eric Young hitting his Death Valley driver on Bashir and pinning him for the win and the championship. However, Bashir was awarded the championship back the following week due to Sewell's interference, thus continuing his original title reign and making Young's title reign null and void. Sewell helped Young defeat Bashir for the belt for the second time at Final Resolution
on December 7. After the match Bashir bloodied Sewell and tried to leave with the belt, but was stopped by Jim Cornette
who announced that he had decided to vacate the belt. At Genesis Sewell defeated Bashir in a grudge match.
On June 27, 2009, Jeremy Borash
announced on his Twitter
page that Daivari had signed a new multi-year deal with the company.
and The British Invasion (Doug Williams
, Brutus Magnus
and Rob Terry
) known as World Elite
. They were also later joined by Homicide. At Final Resolution
Bashir took part in the "Feast or Fired" match and was able to pick up one of the four briefcases. However, the briefcase he had picked up included a pink slip, which led to him being immediately fired from the company. It was later reported that the release was legitimate and that Daivari had himself requested for it. Daivari would later say he originally signed a two year extension with the understanding that Jeff Jarrett would be his boss, but after Jarrett stepped down a month later, he could not see eye to eye with the new management and asked for his release.
, once again portraying an anti-American heel. At the March 6 tapings he joined Prince Nana
's stable The Embassy. On September 11, 2010, at Glory By Honor IX
, Daivari unsuccessfully challenged Eddie Edwards
for the ROH World Television Championship
.
Daivari made his American Wrestling Rampage debut on AWR's seven-night Twisted Steel Tour. On November 10, the first event of the tour, he defeated Dunkan Disorderly in Bordeaux
, France
, to win the AWR No Limits Championship. On May 3, 2011, Daivari made his WWE return, competing in a dark match before the SmackDown tapings, losing to Ted DiBiase
. In June 2011, Daivari, working under the ring name Dubai, was announced as one of the four team captains for the pilot tapings of All Wheels Wrestling. At the pilot tapings on June 29, Dubai was first defeated by RPM (Jay Lethal) in a five minute Iron Man match
and then by Schwagg Dutt
in a Ultimate X Match, which also included Aaron Aguilera
and RPM. On August 18, 2011, Daivari won a one night tournament to become the first Varsity Pro Wrestling (VPW) Champion.
to Iranian parents, who immigrated to the United States in the 1970s. He speaks Persian
fluently. He has an older and a younger brother. His younger brother, Arya, is also a professional wrestler.
Daivari married his long-time girlfriend Deanna on February 14, 2009 in Chicago.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, currently performing on the American independent circuit
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
as Shawn Daivari. He is best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
as simply Daivari and with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
as Sheik Abdul Bashir.
Career
Daivari grew up admiring Mick FoleyMick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
and Bret Hart
Bret Hart
Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
. His childhood hero was Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December...
. He participated in his first professional wrestling match at age 15. He started his career in the Midwest with All-Star Championship Wrestling. He is known for representing Iran for international title matches
On October 18, 1998, Daivari appeared on WCW Monday Nitro
WCW Monday Nitro
WCW Monday Nitro was a weekly professional wrestling telecast produced by World Championship Wrestling, created by Ted Turner and Eric Bischoff. The show aired Monday nights on TNT, going head-to-head with the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw from September 4, 1995 to March 26, 2001...
as a fan being interviewed by Mike Tenay
Mike Tenay
Michael William "Mike" Tenay is a professional wrestling play-by-play announcer currently employed by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . Prior to signing with TNA in 2002, he had a notable tenure with World Championship Wrestling from 1994-2001...
.
He appeared on February 26, 2003's TNA Xplosion
TNA Xplosion
TNA Xplosion is a television program produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , featuring both highlights from Impact Wrestling and exclusive taped matches. It is now produced only for international markets, no longer airing in the United States...
and wrestled a tag team match against Mike Sanders
Mike Sanders (wrestler)
For the former National Basketball Association player, see Mike Sanders .Michael Edwin Neil Sanders is an American stand-up comedian and former professional wrestler...
and Glenn Gilberti
Glenn Gilberti
Glenn Gilbertti is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling as Disco Inferno. He is also a former road agent for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
with Ken Anderson. He also appeared on the October 5, 2003 edition of WWE Sunday Night Heat
WWE HEAT
WWE Heat was a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
as "Sheik" Shawn Daivari, losing his match against Tommy Dreamer
Tommy Dreamer
Thomas James "Tom" Laughlin is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Tommy Dreamer. He is currently working for various promotions on the independent circuit. He is best known for his time spent with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
. He also made four appearances for independent promotion Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
between April and July 2004.
2004–2005
Daivari signed a contract with World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
in August 2004 and debuted on October 19, 2004, on Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
alongside Muhammad Hassan as "Khosrow Daivari". Their gimmick was that of two Arab-Americans who were tired of the prejudice and racism they were receiving after the 9/11 attacks. In the weeks leading up to their debut, the two men would appear on Raw in vignettes promoting their hatred towards America. In the following weeks, they would back up their words with actions, initiating a feud with Raw announcers Jim Ross
Jim Ross
James William "Jim" Ross is a professional wrestling commentator, former professional wrestling referee, restaurateur, occasional wrestler, and former company executive of WWE, where he currently works as a commentator on the WWE Raw brand...
and Jerry "The King" Lawler
Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...
. At WrestleMania 21
WrestleMania 21
WrestleMania 21 was the twenty-first annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on April 3, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. It started off with an interpormotional battle royal, for which Booker T...
on April 3, 2005, Daivari and Hassan were involved in a storyline with returning WWE legend Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
. While attacking injured wrestler Eugene
Nick Dinsmore
Nicholas "Nick" Dinsmore , better known by his ring names Eugene and U-Gene, is an American professional wrestler...
, Hogan made his classic entrance and ejected both men from the ring to the delight of fans in attendance. Ironically, Daivari would scream instructions in Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
to Hassan when working as his manager, though this was often described as "Arabic" on broadcasts.
The following night on Raw, Daivari and Hassan interrupted Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December...
during a promo. The two attacked Michaels and left him helpless in the ring. This led to Daivari's first singles match in WWE, on the April 11, 2005 edition of Raw. Although Michaels was heavily favored, Daivari, with help from Hassan, got the upset win. Enraged, Michaels demanded a match against both Daivari and Hassan. Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff
Eric Aaron Bischoff is an American entrepreneur, and professional wrestling booker and on-screen personality currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
refused to grant a handicap match but instead ordered Michaels to find a partner. That partner turned out to be Daivari and Hassan's WrestleMania foe Hulk Hogan.
On the April 18, 2005 episode of Raw, Michaels was once again double teamed by Daivari and Hassan until Hogan appeared to make the save. Hogan accepted Michaels' offer to tag and the match was set for the Backlash
Backlash (2005)
Backlash was the seventh annual Backlash professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on May 1, 2005 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire. The show's six matches showcased prominent WWE wrestlers, who acted out...
pay per view on May 1, 2005. At Backlash, Hogan and Michaels picked up the win which led to friction between the two since Hassan blamed Daivari for the loss. The next night on Raw, Hassan verbally and physically attacked Daivari leaving their future as a team in question.
Theodore Long
Theodore R. "Teddy" Long is an American professional wrestling manager and former referee who currently works for WWE on its SmackDown brand as its General Manager.-National Wrestling Alliance / World Championship Wrestling:...
put Daivari in a match that night against The Undertaker, and Muhammad Hassan in a match against The Undertaker at The Great American Bash
The Great American Bash (2005)
The Great American Bash was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment .It was the second annual event and took place on July 24, 2005, at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York...
. Daivari was squashed easily in that match, after which Hassan began to pray on the ramp, summoning five masked men to the ring. The masked men beat and strangled the Undertaker into submission, and Hassan put him in the camel clutch. Afterward, the masked men carried Daivari off like a martyr. The controversial imagery aired unedited in America and Canada despite the terrorist attacks in London
7 July 2005 London bombings
The 7 July 2005 London bombings were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks in the United Kingdom, targeting civilians using London's public transport system during the morning rush hour....
earlier that day, but was removed from the Australian and UK broadcasts. (It should be noted that SmackDown! is typically taped on Tuesday (though this particular episode was taped on a Monday) and, at the time, aired on Thursday, so the skit was taped 3 days before the attack occurred).
In late-July, UPN requested that WWE keep Muhammad Hassan off of their network. WWE complied, effectively removing him from SmackDown! At The Great American Bash 2005, after Hassan lost in a match with The Undertaker, Hassan was given the Last Ride through an open stage ramp onto a concrete floor. It was reported that he sustained serious injuries and had to be rushed to a nearby medical facility; this was an angle aimed to "kill off" the character.
Although Hassan would eventually retire from professional wrestling, Daivari reported to WWE's Deep South Wrestling territory for training and repackaging. He returned from Deep South and, after working in Minneapolis, made his debut in September 2005 on OVW
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
TV returning as his "Sheik" Daivari persona.
On November 7, 2005, Daivari returned to Raw, acting as Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...
's anointed special guest referee in the tag team match between Shawn Michaels and John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
versus Angle and Chris Masters. During the match, Daivari favored Angle and Masters, who won the match via disqualification when Michaels was caught with a chair Angle brought in.
On November 21, 2005, Kurt Angle announced that Daivari was to be the referee for all his future matches, including his match against WWE Champion
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
for the title at the 2005 Survivor Series
Survivor Series (2005)
Survivor Series was the 19th annual Survivor Series professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
. Mr. McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
rescinded that at the kangaroo court
Kangaroo court
A kangaroo court is "a mock court in which the principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted".The outcome of a trial by kangaroo court is essentially determined in advance, usually for the purpose of ensuring conviction, either by going through the motions of manipulated procedure or...
trial of Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff
Eric Aaron Bischoff is an American entrepreneur, and professional wrestling booker and on-screen personality currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
on Raw on December 5, 2005. Daivari remained aligned with Kurt Angle as his manager.
2006–2007
On the January 13, 2006, edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown!, Angle and Daivari jumped to SmackDown!, where Angle won the World Heavyweight ChampionshipWorld Heavyweight Championship (WWE)
The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand...
the very same night. Angle later revealed that his contract on Raw had expired, which allowed them to switch brands. Angle was already signed to face Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December...
on Raw, however this non-title match went ahead, but Daivari would accidentally cost Angle the match against Michaels. Afterwards, Daivari and Angle argued, but when Daivari slap
Slap
A slap or "smack" is a broad stroke made with the open hand or the back of the hand, as opposed to a punch that is made with a closed fist. Slaps are frequently made across the face, but can be also made across hands or any other body part, and can use either the palm of the hand or the back of the...
ped Angle, he was Angle Slammed over the ropes and down to the floor on the outside of the ring. During the break on WWE.com Unlimited, an enraged Angle made it known that Daivari's services were no longer needed.
A short time later, Daivari faced his former client in a match. During the match, Mark Henry
Mark Henry
Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic...
, the number one contender for Angle's title, attacked Angle. After the match, Daivari officially announced that he was now managing Henry and continued to manage Henry during his feud with The Undertaker. Daivari would disappear off television in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 22
WrestleMania 22
Notes: .The predominant feud on the SmackDown! brand was between Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, and Randy Orton over the World Heavyweight Championship. Mysterio won the 2006 Royal Rumble match, last eliminating Orton, to earn a World Championship match at WrestleMania. At No Way Out, Orton defeated...
when, at WWE's Saturday Night Main Event, Daivari suffered a chokeslam
Chokeslam
A chokeslam refers to a type of body slam in professional wrestling in which the wrestler grasps their opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat. It is common in televised wrestling because it is simple and relatively safe, yet looks powerful on camera...
and Tombstone Piledriver at the hands of The Undertaker onto the lid of a casket
Casket
A casket, or jewelry box is a term for a container that is usually larger than a box, and smaller than a chest, and in the past was typically decorated...
.
On the April 7, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, Daivari made his return bringing in the debuting The Great Khali to attack The Undertaker during his match with Mark Henry. The next week, Daivari officially presented him to the crowd, hyping him as an unstoppable monster. Over the following weeks, Daivari would accompany Khali to the ring as he destroyed various SmackDown! superstars. This would all lead up to a match with The Undertaker at Judgment Day
Judgment Day (2006)
Judgment Day was the eighth annual Judgment Day professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
on May 21, 2006, which Khali would end up winning. Daivari and Khali appeared as guests on Piper's Pit on the June 2, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, in which Piper made fun of Khali, who supposedly can't speak English. Eventually Piper stood on the bottom rope, attempting to match height with Khali, he managed to say: If this was twenty years ago, before Khali grabbed him by the throat. Daivari made Khali put Piper down and straitened Piper's jacket disrespectfully, Piper slapped Daivari, but was then given a chop by Khali. The Undertaker was the original guest on the Pit, but he declined the invitation a few days before. Daivari continued to accompany The Great Khali to the ring when Khali wrestled or attacked other wrestlers, but when The Great Khali became inactive due to injury, Daivari was taken off the road as well.
Daivari and The Great Khali were moved to the ECW brand officially when they made their ECW debuts on the October 31, 2006 edition of ECW on Sci Fi. Daivari beat "The Reject" Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore is an American professional wrestler, who is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . He is best known for his work with World Championship Wrestling between 1999 and 2001 and with World Wrestling Entertainment for several years in the 2000s.Moore befriended Matt and Jeff Hardy...
in a very quick match. Daivari's original theme music was used as well as his Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
rants on the microphone. Afterwards, Moore was manhandled by The Great Khali. Daivari continued his ECW winning streak over the next several weeks with The Great Khali usually following up the contest with a chokebomb on Daivari's opponent. At December to Dismember, Daivari got a victory over Tommy Dreamer
Tommy Dreamer
Thomas James "Tom" Laughlin is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Tommy Dreamer. He is currently working for various promotions on the independent circuit. He is best known for his time spent with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
following a schoolboy rollup. Dreamer then chased Daivari all the way to the back then, The Great Khali appeared and caught Dreamer, planting him on the steel ramp with a chokebomb. On January 8, 2007, The Great Khali debuted on Raw, without Daivari. The following night, however, Daivari accompanied Khali to the ring for his match with Dreamer on ECW.
Daivari returned to SmackDown! on February 9, 2007, defeating the Cruiserweight Champion
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
The World Wrestling Entertainment Cruiserweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and was originally a World Championship Wrestling title. It was challenged by cruiserweights at a maximum weight of 215 lbs...
Gregory Helms
Gregory Helms
Gregory Shane Helms is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment where he wrestled as The Hurricane and Gregory Helms. He is also known for his time with World Championship Wrestling where he wrestled as "Sugar" Shane Helms...
in a non-title match. He began wrestling in the Cruiserweight division. He was involved in a feud between Kane and The Great Khali once again promoting the Great Khali in March 2007. His first match against Kane, involved him being dragged backstage by Kane's chain and hook leaving his back with multiple bruises. A few weeks later, Daivari had a rematch with Kane and was again defeated.
Daivari returned to SmackDown! a few months later, teaming up with Chavo Guerrero
Chavo Guerrero, Jr.
Salvador "Chavo" Guerrero IV also known as Chavo Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero, Jr., is a third generation Mexican-American professional wrestler and member of the famed Guerrero wrestling family who was well known for working with World Wrestling Entertainment and World Championship Wrestling...
and Jamie Noble
Jamie Noble
James Howard Gibson better known by his WWE ring name Jamie Noble, is an American former professional wrestler currently working for WWE as a trainer. He is best known for his work from 2002 to 2009 when a severe back injury forced him to retire from competition...
against Jimmy Wang Yang
James Yun
James Carson Yun is an American professional wrestler and actor, best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Jimmy Wang Yang, in World Championship Wrestling as one-third of the Jung Dragons as Yang, and in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and the independent circuit...
, Paul London and Brian Kendrick
Paul London and Brian Kendrick
Paul London and Brian Kendrick are a professional wrestling tag team best known for their time together in World Wrestling Entertainment . The team never had an official team name, but were just referred to as "the tag team of London and Kendrick." In 2006 London and Kendrick put the tag team name...
in a losing effort. On the June 15, 2007 episode of SmackDown!, Daivari competed in a Fatal Four Way number one contenders match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
The World Wrestling Entertainment Cruiserweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and was originally a World Championship Wrestling title. It was challenged by cruiserweights at a maximum weight of 215 lbs...
, which he lost to Yang and also involved Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore is an American professional wrestler, who is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . He is best known for his work with World Championship Wrestling between 1999 and 2001 and with World Wrestling Entertainment for several years in the 2000s.Moore befriended Matt and Jeff Hardy...
and Noble.
Daivari was drafted back to Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
in the Supplemental Draft
2007 WWE Draft
The 2007 World Wrestling Entertainment Draft Lottery took place at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on June 11, 2007. The first half of the draft was televised live for three hours on WWE's flagship program, Raw on USA Network...
on June 17, 2007. He re-debuted on the June 18, 2007 edition of Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
, losing to Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy
Jeffrey Nero "Jeff" Hardy is an American professional wrestler, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he is a former two–time TNA World Heavyweight Champion...
. On the July 30, 2007 episode of Raw Daivari was defeated by Cody Rhodes who had to win his match or face being fired from WWE. Daivari's losing streak continued when he failed to win the position of General Manager of Raw by been eliminated early in the battle royal the week after Rhodes defeated him. Daivari then started to get on a roll on Heat
WWE HEAT
WWE Heat was a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
(Raws sister show) being victorious against Super Crazy
Super Crazy
Francisco Islas Rueda is a Mexican professional wrestler, or Luchador, best known by his ring name Super Crazy. Islas is most known for his three year run in the original ECW...
and "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
Jim Duggan
James Edward Duggan , better known by his ring name "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment in the 1980s, when it was known as World Wrestling Federation , and World Championship Wrestling...
. His return to Raw on September 17 saw him lose to Hacksaw Jim Duggan in a Flag match.
On October 16, 2007, Daivari was released from his WWE contract.
Independent circuit (2007–2008)
Daivari made his debut for Professional Championship Wrestling in Arlington, TexasArlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
at PCW's Heroes 2 Legends event in November 2007. He wrestled J.T. Lamotta and "Jiggle-O" James Johnson in a triple threat match for the PCW Cruiserweight Championship. Lamotta won the match to become the new champion. He returned to PCW on February 23, 2008 at PCW's Big Bang '08 event to again wrestle a Triple Threat match for the PCW Cruiserweight Championship, this time against Robert Evans and Aaron Eagle. Eagle won and became the new champion. On September 6, 2008, it was announced by The Bussey Brothers that Daivari will return on September 20, 2008 to team with them to take on Aaron Eagle and a partner of his choosing. Eagle had chosen Action Jackson to be his tag team partner. However, Jackson was injured at the hands of Mace Malone. PCW World Heavyweight Champion, Mike Foxx, who was supposedly suspended and also Eagle's main rival, shockingly saved Eagle from an attack and announced he would be Eagle's partner. The stipulation was that if Eagle did not win he could never get another world title shot again. On September 20, Daivari and The Busseys defeated Eagle and Foxx when Foxx turned on Eagle and Daivari debuted his new finisher, the WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction), for the victory. Afterwards, Foxx announced he would give Eagle one final shot at Sick 'n' Twisted on October 11.
On April 4, 2008 Daivari made his AMW debut in a triple threat match against Wally Darkmon and Robert Evans for the AMW Light Heavyweight Championship. Daivari won the match to become the AMW Light Heavyweight Champion. During most of 2008 he feuded with Wally Darkmon. On September 12, 2008 Daivari lost his AMW Light Heavyweight Championship to Wally Darkmon in a Casket Match. This Match was a considered a classic by some and considered by many of the AMW Fans as the match of the year.
In June 2008 Davari took part in an Irish Whip Wrestling
Irish Whip Wrestling
Irish Whip Wrestling is an Irish owned independent professional wrestling promotion established in 2002. The company was named in tribute to Irish professional wrestler Danno O'Mahony, who is credited as the inventor of the "Irish Whip" wrestling maneuver. IWW runs shows throughout the whole of...
event in the ESB Arena
National Basketball Arena
National Basketball Arena, also known as Tallaght Arena or the ESB Arena, is an indoor sporting arena located in Tallaght, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. It is used mainly for basketball events...
, Dublin where he lost in the main event to Mandrake for the IWW International Heavyweight Championship.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2008–2009)
Daivari debuted in Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
on the June 12 edition TNA Impact!
TNA iMPACT!
Impact Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling that currently airs in the United States and Canada on Spike...
as the captain to Team International
Team International
Team International is a professional wrestling stable that has been brought together to compete in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's 2008 World X-Cup Tournament.-2008:...
in 2008's World X Cup Tournament
TNA 2008 World X Cup Tournament
The Total Nonstop Action Wrestling 2008 World X Cup Tournament was the 3rd World X Cup that was hosted by TNA in the months of June and July 2008. The tournament featured four Teams: Team TNA, Team Mexico, Team Japan, and Team International...
.
Daivari signed a contract with TNA. On the July 24, 2008 edition of Impact!, after the conclusion of the X Cup, it was announced that he had joined the TNA roster under the name of "Sheik Abdul Bashir". Retaining his anti-American gimmick and also adding a bullying mean streak, he quickly established himself as a heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
after helping Petey Williams
Petey Williams
Peter "Petey" Williams III is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time X Division Champion and a former captain of Team Canada. Williams Currently Wrestles for Lucha Libre USA...
retain the TNA X Division Championship
TNA X Division Championship
The TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
over Consequences Creed at Hard Justice
Hard Justice (2008)
Hard Justice was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on August 10, 2008 at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, New Jersey. It was the fourth annual event under the Hard Justice chronology...
as well as delivering promos to draw heat. His official debut match on Impact! was a victory over Jay Lethal
Jay Lethal
Jamar "Jay" Shipman better known by his ring name Jay Lethal, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Ring of Honor , where he is the ROH World Television Champion...
.
X Division Champion
Bashir won the X Division ChampionshipTNA X Division Championship
The TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
at No Surrender
No Surrender (2008)
No Surrender was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on September 14, 2008 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada...
on September 14, 2008 by defeating Williams and Creed in a Three-way match. At Bound for Glory IV
Bound for Glory IV
Bound for Glory IV was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on October 12, 2008 at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. It was the fourth annual Bound for Glory event and the first to be referred to in roman numerals...
, Bashir defeated Consequences Creed in another match for the X Division Championship. On a live edition of Impact! on October 23, Bashir successfully defended his title against Jay Lethal. After the match he attacked Rhino
Terry Gerin
Terrance "Terry" Gerin is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by the ring name Rhino . He is best known for his career in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
after being confronted by him over his political views.
On October 30, 2008, it was announced that Daivari was taken to "wrestler court" at the week's Impact! tapings following a rib he played on Kip James
Monty Sopp
Monty Kip Sopp is an American professional wrestler, best known as Billy Gunn during his tenure for World Wrestling Entertainment. He is probably best known as one of the members of the New Age Outlaws. He also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Kip James...
during a flight they shared. Daivari pulled aside a flight attendant, who then announced over the loud speaker that Kip was celebrating his 65th birthday. He was taken to wrestler court because it was determined that he hadn't spent enough time in the company to pull a rib on a veteran. Brother Ray served as the judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
while B.G. James
Brian Gerard James
Brian Gerard James is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE as an agent and producer. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation as "The Road Dogg" Jesse James or simply Road Dogg...
represented Kip and Brother Devon represented Daivari, and agent Pat Kenney
Pat Kenney
Patrick Joseph Michael "Pat" Kenney , known also by his ring name, Simon Diamond, is a retired American professional wrestler, currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent...
served as the bailiff
Bailiff
A bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
for the proceedings. Daivari was found guilty and was required to supply the locker room beer and booze, which he did on Tuesday night after the tapings.
On the November 13 episode of Impact!, Bashir lost the X Division Championship to Eric Young
Eric Young (wrestler)
Jeremy Fritz is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Eric Young. He currently performs for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he has gained popularity using a variety of comic relief gimmicks....
. During the match, Bashir shoved TNA Official Shane Sewell
Shane Sewell
Shane Sewell is a Canadian professional wrestler and referee. He is perhaps best known for his stint in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as both a referee and wrestler.-International Wrestling Association:...
to the mat after Sewell questioned Bashir and the TNA audience of Bashir's actions during the match. Sewell became enraged, removed his shirt and attacked Bashir. This led to Eric Young hitting his Death Valley driver on Bashir and pinning him for the win and the championship. However, Bashir was awarded the championship back the following week due to Sewell's interference, thus continuing his original title reign and making Young's title reign null and void. Sewell helped Young defeat Bashir for the belt for the second time at Final Resolution
Final Resolution (2008)
Final Resolution may refer to:*Final Resolution*Final Resolution , a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, which took place in December 2008....
on December 7. After the match Bashir bloodied Sewell and tried to leave with the belt, but was stopped by Jim Cornette
Jim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
who announced that he had decided to vacate the belt. At Genesis Sewell defeated Bashir in a grudge match.
On June 27, 2009, Jeremy Borash
Jeremy Borash
Jeremy Borash , is an American professional wrestling play-by-play commentator, announcer, ring announcer, booker, interviewer, producer and website designer...
announced on his Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
page that Daivari had signed a new multi-year deal with the company.
World Elite and departure
In July 2009, Bashir formed an alliance with Eric Young, KiyoshiAkira Raijin
is a Japanese professional wrestler, who formerly competed in North America for the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion under the ring name Kiyoshi and previously worked under a mask as Suicide...
and The British Invasion (Doug Williams
Doug Williams (wrestler)
Douglas Clayton Durdle is an English professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Doug Williams. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Douglas Williams...
, Brutus Magnus
Nick Aldis
Nicholas Harry "Nick" Aldis is an English professional wrestler and actor. He is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Magnus, where he is a one time World Tag Team Champion with Doug Williams...
and Rob Terry
Rob Terry
Robert "Rob" Terry is a Welsh professional wrestler and bodybuilder. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . Before signing with TNA, he was under contract with World Wrestling Entertainment and competed in the company's developmental territory, Florida Championship...
) known as World Elite
World Elite
World Elite was a villainous professional wrestling alliance in the American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . The group consisted of multicultural wrestlers, representing various countries around the world...
. They were also later joined by Homicide. At Final Resolution
Final Resolution (2009)
Final Resolution was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, which took place on December 20, 2009 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida...
Bashir took part in the "Feast or Fired" match and was able to pick up one of the four briefcases. However, the briefcase he had picked up included a pink slip, which led to him being immediately fired from the company. It was later reported that the release was legitimate and that Daivari had himself requested for it. Daivari would later say he originally signed a two year extension with the understanding that Jeff Jarrett would be his boss, but after Jarrett stepped down a month later, he could not see eye to eye with the new management and asked for his release.
Ring of Honor and independents (2010–present)
Daivari made his return to Ring of Honor on February 5, 2010, at the tapings of Ring of Honor Wrestling on HDNetHDNet
HDNet is a men's interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in high-definition format and available via cable and satellite television...
, once again portraying an anti-American heel. At the March 6 tapings he joined Prince Nana
Prince Nana
Prince Nana Osei Bandoh is an American professional wrestler of Ghanaian extraction, better known by his ring name, Prince Nana. He has stated that he is an Ashanti prince.-Professional wrestling career:...
's stable The Embassy. On September 11, 2010, at Glory By Honor IX
Glory By Honor IX
Glory By Honor IX was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Ring of Honor , which was only available online. It took place on September 11, 2010, at the Manhattan Center in New York City...
, Daivari unsuccessfully challenged Eddie Edwards
Eddie Edwards (wrestler)
Eddie Edwards is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for wrestling with Ring of Honor , where he is a former ROH World Champion. He also had previous reigns as a former ROH World Tag Team Champion with his partner Davey Richards as The American Wolves and as the inaugural ROH World...
for the ROH World Television Championship
ROH World Television Championship
The ROH World Television Championship is a professional wrestling world television championship owned by the United States–based Ring of Honor promotion. It is currently the third ranked championship in ROH. With the introduction of the ROH World Television Championship, the television type...
.
Daivari made his American Wrestling Rampage debut on AWR's seven-night Twisted Steel Tour. On November 10, the first event of the tour, he defeated Dunkan Disorderly in Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, to win the AWR No Limits Championship. On May 3, 2011, Daivari made his WWE return, competing in a dark match before the SmackDown tapings, losing to Ted DiBiase
Ted DiBiase, Jr.
Theodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase Jr. is an American professional wrestler and actor signed with WWE, where he appears on its SmackDown brand...
. In June 2011, Daivari, working under the ring name Dubai, was announced as one of the four team captains for the pilot tapings of All Wheels Wrestling. At the pilot tapings on June 29, Dubai was first defeated by RPM (Jay Lethal) in a five minute Iron Man match
Iron Man match
An Iron Man match is a professional wrestling match type that is set to go a specific amount of time, usually 30 or 60 minutes, with the competitor with the most falls at the end of that time named the victor...
and then by Schwagg Dutt
Sonjay Dutt
Retesh Bhalla is an American professional wrestler of Indian Punjabi descent, better known by his ring name, Sonjay Dutt. He is best known working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and is also known for his stints with Combat Zone Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, and other various independent...
in a Ultimate X Match, which also included Aaron Aguilera
Aaron Aguilera
Aaron Aguilera , is a Mexican American professional wrestler and actor best known as Jesús and Uno on World Wrestling Entertainment and MTV's Wrestling Society X...
and RPM. On August 18, 2011, Daivari won a one night tournament to become the first Varsity Pro Wrestling (VPW) Champion.
Personal life
Daivari was born in MinnesotaMinnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
to Iranian parents, who immigrated to the United States in the 1970s. He speaks Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
fluently. He has an older and a younger brother. His younger brother, Arya, is also a professional wrestler.
Daivari married his long-time girlfriend Deanna on February 14, 2009 in Chicago.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- As Daivari / Khosrow Daivari / Shawn Daivari
- Camel clutch
- Diving leg drop
- Hammerlock DDTDDT (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler has the opponent in a front facelock, and falls down or backwards to drive the opponent's head into the mat...
– 2006 - Magic Carpet Ride (Diving splash while holding a carpet underneath himself) – OVWOhio Valley WrestlingOhio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
/ Independent circuitIndependent circuitIn professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
- As Sheik Abdul Bashir
- WMD – Weapon of Mass Destruction (Snap DDT to a kneeling opponent)
- WMD Driver (Cradle back to belly piledriver)
- As Daivari / Khosrow Daivari / Shawn Daivari
- Signature moves
- Atomic drop
- Death Valley driver
- Diving neckbreaker
- Low blow
- Missile dropkick
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- Abu
- Prince NanaPrince NanaPrince Nana Osei Bandoh is an American professional wrestler of Ghanaian extraction, better known by his ring name, Prince Nana. He has stated that he is an Ashanti prince.-Professional wrestling career:...
- Wrestlers managed
- Muhammad Hassan
- Kurt AngleKurt AngleKurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...
- Mark HenryMark HenryMark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic...
- The Great Khali
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- "Sheik" Shawn Daivari (Independent circuit)
- "The Middle Eastern Nightmare" (TNATotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
)
- Entrance themesMusic in professional wrestlingMusic in professional wrestling serves a variety of purposes. The most common uses of music in professional wrestling is that of the entrance theme, a song or piece of instrumental music which plays as a performer approaches the ring...
- "Streets of Pakistan" by Dale OliverDale OliverDale Byron Oliver is an American music composer who works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Formerly a guitarist in BackHawk , Oliver serves mainly as a composer of theme music used in professional wrestling.-Music composer for TNA:Since 2003, Oliver writes, records, and produces music under...
(TNA)
- "Streets of Pakistan" by Dale Oliver
Championships and accomplishments
- American Made Wrestling Entertainment
- AMWE Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- American Wrestling Federation
- AWF Championship (1 time, current)
- American Wrestling Rampage
- AWR No Limits Championship (1 time)
- Mad Asylum Pro Wrestling
- MAPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Midwest Independent Association of Wrestling
- MIAW Lightweight Championship (1 time)
- NEO-PRO Wrestling
- NEO-PRO Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #85 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2009
- Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
- TNA X Division ChampionshipTNA X Division ChampionshipThe TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
(1 time)
- TNA X Division Championship
- Varsity Pro Wrestling
- VPW Championship (1 time, current)