As Abdullah Farouk, Roth played a man sent by the Sheik's wealthy arab family to handle the Sheik's affairs. Here he began wearing the turban that would be his trademark, even after dropping the arab gimmick. He pioneered the convention of the interfering manager, physically involving himself in matches and causing a riot in one instance in Detroit. He also forged the convention for the insulting foreigner, insulting American fans at every opportunity, inspiring Sgt. Slaughter, Mohammud Hassan and the Iron Sheik among others. 

    He entered the WWWF in the 1970s and instantly became a major attraction. He quickly lead Stan Stasiak to defeat Pedro Morales for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship in December of 1973 and spent the next few years chasing Sammartino. The Grand Wizard brought in Superstar Billy Graham and Graham defeated Sammartino in April of 1977 to become the reigning World Champion and together, they forged a legacy that has spawned Hollywood Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Shawn Michaels and Triple-H among many more, big stars and small. So popular was the combination of Graham and the Grand Wizard that they received cheers, perhaps becoming the first cool heels, breaking the face/heel barriers that were previously in place. 

    Bob Backlund would defeat Graham in 1978 and the Grand Wizard spent the rest of his career trying to destroy Backlund, bringing in the Magnificent Don Muraco, Ken Patera and Greg Valentine. The Grand Wizard went on to manage Pat Patterson to the Intercontinental Title and two more Intercontinental Champions in Patera and Muraco. The Grand Wizard was also known for managing iconic stars like Killer Kowalski, Crazy Luke Graham, Sgt. Slaughter, Big Cat Ernie Ladd, Ox Baker and Cowboy Bob Orton. He was often cited as a member of the WWF's "Evil Trinity" of wrestling managers with Captain Lou Albano and Classy Freddie Blassie. 

    Roth passed away suddenly in 1983 due to a heart attack at the age of 54, after years of heavy smoking, causing his trademark gravely voice. His death upset many within the WWF at the time and fans rallied to remember the Wizard fondly with ten bell salutes and other remembrances. The WWF chose to induct the Grand Wizard into their Hall of Fame in 1995 and we commend him here to our UWOW Hall of Fame. One of the few managers of that time to have never wrestled, the Wizard was one who didn't need to fight to make his mark in the business. He will be remembered as one of, if not the single, greatest manager of all time.