Adnan Al-Kaissie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adnan Al-Kaissie |
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Adnan Al-Kaissie in the early 1970s
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| Birth name | Adnan Bin Abdul Kareem Ahmed Alkaissy El Farthie |
| Born | March 1, 1939 Baghdad, Kingdom of Iraq |
| Died | September 6, 2023 (aged 84) |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma State University |
| Spouse(s) |
Kathy Davis
(m. 1964) |
| Children | 4 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Adnan El Kaissie Billy White Wolf General Adnan Shiek Adnan Al-Kaissey |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Billed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Billed from | Baghdad, Iraq |
| Trained by | Yvon Robert |
| Debut | 1959 |
| Retired | 1998 |
Adnan Al-Kaissie (born March 1, 1939 – died September 6, 2023) was a famous Iraqi professional wrestler and manager. He was known by several names, including Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissey, Billy White Wolf, and General Adnan. In 1971, he made history by defeating the legendary André the Giant in Baghdad, Iraq. He also competed in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), where he won the WWWF World Tag Team Championship with Chief Jay Strongbow in 1976.
Later, in 1990, Adnan Al-Kaissie joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). There, he became known as "General Adnan" and managed the wrestler Sgt. Slaughter. He was the first Iraqi and Arab person to compete in a WWF/E wrestling ring.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Adnan Al-Kaissie was born in Baghdad, Iraq. His family was well-known, and his father was an imam, a religious leader. When he was in high school, one of his classmates was Saddam Hussein, who later became the leader of Iraq.
Adnan was very athletic. He played association football (soccer) and was an amateur wrestler in Iraq. He earned a scholarship to play American football at the University of Houston in the United States. He later transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he focused on wrestling. He was almost good enough to join the U.S. Olympic wrestling team, but he was not an American citizen at the time.
Professional Wrestling Career
Starting Out (1959–1974)
Adnan Al-Kaissie began his wrestling career in Oklahoma in 1959. He used the ring name Billy White Wolf, playing a character who was a Native American.
He wrestled for a company called Pacific Northwest Wrestling in the 1960s. In 1964, Adnan married an American woman and became a citizen of the United States.
During the 1970s, he helped bring professional wrestling to Iraq. This was done with the support of his former classmate, Saddam Hussein. In 1971, Adnan famously defeated André the Giant in Baghdad. He also beat other international wrestlers there. Adnan became incredibly popular in Iraq. He received many gifts from the government, including palaces and cars. However, he eventually felt unsafe and believed he was being used by Saddam Hussein. He left Iraq in 1980.
Wrestling in Japan and Florida (1974–1975)
In 1974, Adnan started wrestling in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as the "Sheik of Sheiks of Baghdad." He teamed up with Nikolai Volkoff but they did not win the NWA North American Tag Team title. After wrestling in Japan, Adnan returned to the United States. He wrestled in a promotion called Championship Wrestling from Florida using his real name.
World Wide Wrestling Federation (1976–1977)
In 1976, Adnan returned to the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). He continued to use his Billy White Wolf character, which was a Native American persona. He teamed up with Chief Jay Strongbow, and together they won the WWWF World Tag Team Titles.
Later, Adnan needed surgery on his neck. To explain his absence from wrestling, the WWWF created a storyline where another wrestler, Ken Patera, "injured" his neck. After Adnan left for his surgery in 1977, he and Chief Jay Strongbow had to give up their titles.
Different Promotions (1977–1981)
In 1978, Adnan wrestled in Hawaii. He was known for his "Indian Death Match" until he was defeated by Tor Kamata. He briefly went back to Iraq to introduce professional wrestling there. By this time, his old classmate Saddam Hussein was the country's ruler. Adnan found it difficult because Saddam was becoming suspicious of anyone who might be a rival, and he saw Adnan in that way. Adnan soon returned to the U.S. and never went back to Iraq, though he stayed in touch with his family.
American Wrestling Association (1981–1989)
In 1981, Adnan joined the American Wrestling Association (AWA) as "Sheik Adnan El Kaissey." He aimed to win the AWA title from champion Nick Bockwinkel, but he was not successful. He then teamed up with Jerry Blackwell, who started wearing a sheik's outfit and was renamed Sheik Ayatollah Jerry Blackwell. They tried to win the AWA tag team titles but failed.
Adnan then bought Ken Patera from manager Bobby Heenan to team with Blackwell. Adnan became their manager. Blackwell and Patera won the AWA World Tag Team Title. Adnan had to stop wrestling himself due to an injury, which is why Patera was brought in. In 1986, Adnan lost a steel cage match to Verne Gagne. He later managed The Iron Sheik in the AWA.
World Wrestling Federation (1990–1992)
In the summer of 1990, Adnan joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He allied with Sgt. Slaughter and became "General Adnan." He managed Slaughter during a storyline where Slaughter supported Iraq, leading to a rivalry with Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior. During this time, Slaughter won the WWF title from The Ultimate Warrior.
Later, Slaughter's former rival, The Iron Sheik, joined them. The Iron Sheik was renamed Colonel Mustafa. The three of them formed a group called the "Triangle of Terror." General Adnan, Sgt. Slaughter, and Colonel Mustafa wrestled against Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior at SummerSlam 1991. The WWF even showed photos that they said were "classified" of General Adnan with Saddam Hussein. After Sgt. Slaughter changed his character to be a good guy, Adnan continued to manage Colonel Mustafa until he left the WWF in 1992.
Adnan Al-Kaissie is also a playable character in the WWE 2K15 and WWE 2K16 video games.
Later Career (1992–1998)
After leaving the WWF, Adnan joined the American Wrestling Federation (AWF). There, he managed a group of wrestlers known as "The Rat Pack." He also managed Hercules Hernandez.
Adnan Al-Kaissie officially retired from wrestling in 1998.
Personal Life
Adnan Al-Kaissie used to own his own wrestling company called the World All-Star Wrestling Alliance, which he co-owned with Ken Patera.
In 2006, he appeared on a TV show called Hannity & Colmes on Fox News Channel. He talked about his experiences with a young Saddam Hussein.
Adnan Al-Kaissie passed away on September 6, 2023, at the age of 84.
Autobiography
In 2005, Adnan Al-Kaissie wrote a book about his life called The Sheik of Baghdad: Tales of Celebrity and Terror from Pro Wrestling's General Adnan.
Championships and Awards
Adnan Al-Kaissie won many championships and received awards during his wrestling career, including:
- 50th State Big Time Wrestling
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii version) (1 time)
- NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Neff Maiava
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Inducted in 2020
- NWA Australia
- Australian Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Pacific Northwest Wrestling
- NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Shag Thomas (1), Pepper Martin (1), Bearcat Wright (1), and Johnny War Eagle (1)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked # 410 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
- Southwest Sports, Inc.
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Hogan Wharton
- World Championship Wrestling (Australia)
- IWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- IWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Mario Milano (1) and Tex McKenzie (1)
- World Wide Wrestling Federation
- WWWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chief Jay Strongbow
See also
In Spanish: Adnan Al-Kaissie para niños
