This week's column is dedicated to the memory of the greatest icon and friend that the wrestling world has known. It is also one of the hardest I have ever sat down to write about. My heart is very heavy today, and my hands are shaking as I write this column.

He was born Edward Farhat and started wrestling in the late 40's. His style as "The Sheik of Araby" was as innovative as it was new to the mat world at that time. He developed a character that remained with him throughout his entire career.

In private life, away from the mat wars that took him to many parts of the world, he was a father figure to those close to him. He enjoyed having a crowd around him where ever he went.

His family surrounded him most of the time and sometimes traveled with him to distant points of the globe. He cared for all that were with him, and first cabin was the theme wherever we went.

In the early days of the Dumont TV network, matches were shown out of Chicago and broadcast to many wrestling territories. Stars like Mr. Moto, Buddy Rogers, Don Eagle, Hans Schmidt and many other greats were weekly stars in programs from the old Stockyards Arena and later from the Marigold Gardens.

The Sheik came to Chicago and became an overnight success and drew houses of 15,000 to 20,000 people twice a week. His ring antics were never duplicated by any one. They tried to copy but never were the same.

His garb in the ring was way ahead of his time. He was the first to have pointed wrestling boots. He was the first to wear a design of a camel on his tights. He was the first to wear authentic Arab headgear and robes into the ring. He caused many riots and was barred from a lot of places because of his ring antics.

His wife Joyce used to accompany him to the ring with a smudge pot spewing incense throughout the arena before he wrestled. He would take his prayer rug and place it in the ring, always pointing to the East, and offer prayer to Allah.

Matches that sometimes would only last for minutes were commonplace for the Sheik; however, he would often have 60 or 90-minute championship matches with the likes of Bobo Brazil. That was one of the longest running feuds in wrestling.

He once told me after a short match in Toronto against Whipper Watson that it didn't matter how long you were in the ring ... As long as you won the match, time is of no essence.

During his retirement years in Michigan, Sheik would offer his knowledge of the ring to upstarts in the business like Rob Van Dam and his nephew Sabu. He gave them the fundamentals to go and give the fans exactly what they wanted. A-C-T-I-O-N was the name of our business, and he instilled that in both of these fine young men. They are a credit to our business and to their mentor, The Sheik.

Early in January 2003, The Sheik was taken to the hospital, where he had been many times before. He was hooked up on a life support system, as his body was not responding to regular treatments. On Saturday morning, January 18, 2003, at 3:30 a.m., he passed away.

Ironically, it was nearly five years to the day (January 20, 1998) that Bobo Brazil, longtime opponent in their feuding days, had passed away. Perhaps the Sheik was needed in a main event in Heaven. Maybe their old feud will start up again. They will both be missed by all, as they were the greatest gladiators this business ever had.

To Joyce, Eddie Jr., Tommy and the entire Farhat Family, I send my deepest of sympathy to you. I would ask that my readers say an extra little prayer to help to ease the pains.

R.I.P Edward Farhat, a/k/a The Sheik.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers