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Adnan bin Abdul Kareem Ahmed Alkaissy El Farthie (Arabic: عدنان بن عبدالكريم أحمد القيسي ألفرث; March 1, 1939 – September 6, 2023), better known professionally as Adnan Al-Kaissie, was an Iraqi-American professional wrestler and manager best known as Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissey, Billy White Wolf, or General Adnan. In 1971 he defeated André the Giant in Al-Shaab Stadium in Baghdad, under the auspices of his high school classmate, Ba'ath Party leader Saddam Hussein.[4] He competed in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). On December 7, 1976, he won the WWWF World Tag Team Championship with Chief Jay Strongbow.[5]

Key Information

In 1981, Adnan Al-Kaissie joined the American Wrestling Association (AWA). In 1990 he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF formerly WWWF, now known as the WWE), where he managed Sgt. Slaughter under the name "General Adnan". He competed at SummerSlam 1991 with his partners Sgt. Slaughter and Col. Mustafa in a Handicap match with Sid Justice as special guest referee against Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior.[1] Al-Kaissie became the first Iraqi and the first Arab to compete in a WWF/WWE ring.

Early life

[edit]

Adnan Al-Kaissy was born Adnan Bin Abdulkareem Ahmed Al-Kaissy El Farthie in Baghdad, Iraq. According to his autobiography, he came from a distinguished family, with his father being an imam. One of his high school classmates was Saddam Hussein. Al-Kaissy played association football and was an amateur wrestler in Iraq. He received a scholarship to play American football at the University of Houston, transferring to Oklahoma State University, emerging as a wrestler. He almost qualified for the U.S. Olympic team but was not an American citizen.[6][7]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career (1959–1971)

[edit]
Al-Kaissie, then billed as Billy White Wolf (top), during a wrestling match against Bill Savage on 20 February 1963 in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Al-Kaissy began wrestling in the state of Oklahoma in 1959 under the ring name Billy White Wolf, a Native American character.

Kaissey wrestled for Pacific Northwest Wrestling in the 1960s. In 1964, Adnan, who had married an American woman, became a United States citizen.[8] He also wrestled for Joint Promotions in the United Kingdom in 1969 as White Wolf.

In 1969, he appeared in the Hawaii Five-O episode “Just Lucky, I Guess,” under his ring name, Billy Whitewolf, as the associate of a mob boss.[9]

Iraqi wrestling (1971–1974)

[edit]

During the 1970s, he took professional wrestling to Iraq under the direction of Saddam Hussein. In one such match, he defeated André the Giant in Baghdad in 1971 and he defeated the Scottish Ian Campbell, Frenchman and the Canadian champion George Gordienko in Baghdad. He also wrestled Bob Roop there in 1972. Al-Kaissy became enormously popular in his home country, being gifted palaces, a fleet of Mercedes-Benz cars, and money from the government. He began to fear for his safety after overhearing conversations from his nephews in the Republican Guard and later felt he was being used by Saddam. He left Iraq for the last time in 1980.[10]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Florida (1974–1975)

[edit]

In 1974, Adnan debuted in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as the Sheik of Sheiks of Baghdad, he teamed with Nikolai Volkoff and they tried to win the NWA North American Tag Team but they failed after losing the Best Two Out Of Three Falls match against Antonio Inoki and Seiji Sakaguchi at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Aichi, Japan. Later he feuded with the likes of Antonio Inoki, Seiji Sakaguchi, Kantaro Hoshino, Osamu Kido, Haruka Eigen. After he left NJPW, Adnan returned to the United States, where he wrestled in Eddie Graham's promotion Championship Wrestling from Florida under his real name.

World Wide Wrestling Federation (1976–1977)

[edit]

In the World Wide Wrestling Federation, in 1976, under the Native American gimmick Billy White Wolf, he won the World Tag Team Championship with Chief Jay Strongbow. Needing neck surgery, Kassey agreed to work an injury angle where he had his neck broken by Ken Patera via the Swinging Neckbreaker on television. After he left the territory for his neck surgery in 1977, the "Indians" were stripped of the title.

Various promotions (1977–1981)

[edit]

In 1978, he was presented in Hawaii as the master of the "Indian Death Match" until his arch-rival, Tor Kamata, defeated him. Changing gimmicks, he was billed as "The Sheik" in the United Kingdom in 1979. He then returned to Iraq, where his old classmate Saddam Hussein had taken power. Kaissey was popular and helped introduce professional wrestling to Iraq, but Hussein viewed him as a potential rival. Kaissey fled to the United States and never returned, though he maintained contact with his family in Baghdad.[11]

American Wrestling Association (1981–1989)

[edit]
Al-Kaissie as "Sheik" Adnan El Kaissey during his time in AWA, circa 1985

In 1981, with tensions between the US and Middle East running high, he debuted in the American Wrestling Association as "Sheik Adnan El Kaissey," where his stated goal was to win the AWA title from champion Nick Bockwinkel. He failed at that task, so he then enlisted Jerry Blackwell, now wearing a sheik's outfit and renamed Sheik Ayatollah Jerry Blackwell, to team with him to try to win the AWA Tag Team Championship. That failed, too, so Adnan bought Ken Patera from manager Bobby Heenan to team with Blackwell, and Adnan would act as Blackwell and Patera's manager. The team of Blackwell and Patera captured the AWA World tag team title from Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell. Adnan had to quit wrestling when he was injured, which is the real reason Patera was brought in to team with Blackwell. On April 23, 1983, at the AWA Super Sunday, he teamed with Blackwell in a tag team match against Verne Gagne and Mad Dog Vachon which they lost. In 1986 at AWA WrestleRock he lost to Verne Gagne in a steel cage; he then teamed with Boris Zhukov in a tag team match against The Midnight Rockers (Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels). Kassie later left the AWA, but returned on a November 26, 1988, card in Bloomington, Minnesota, when he managed The Iron Sheik (who he would also later manage in the WWF) in a match against Sgt. Slaughter.[12]

Al-Kassie with Saddam Hussein in the early 1970s

World Wrestling Federation (1990–1992)

[edit]

In the World Wrestling Federation, during the summer of 1990, he allied with Sgt. Slaughter as "General Adnan," and managed him during his pro-Iraqi gimmick in a feud with Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior. During this feud, Slaughter won the WWF title from the Warrior at the 1991 Royal Rumble, and lost it a couple of months later to Hogan at WrestleMania VII.

The pair were then joined by Slaughter's former nemesis, The Iron Sheik, who was repackaged as Colonel Mustafa, to form the Triangle of Terror. Adnan also headlined SummerSlam 1991 with Slaughter and Mustafa against Hogan and Warrior. During the build-up to Survivor Series 1990, the WWE showed what they claimed were "classified top secret photos released by the Pentagon/CIA" that featured General Adnan with Saddam Hussein. After Slaughter turned face, Adnan continued to manage Col. Mustafa until leaving the WWF shortly after Royal Rumble 1992.

Al-Kaissie is also featured as a playable character in the WWE 2K15 video game; in where he appears as a downloadable character as part of the "Path of the Warrior" Showcase. He was once again featured as a playable character in WWE 2K16.

Late career (1992–1998)

[edit]

After WWF he then joined American Wrestling Federation (AWF) where he managed "The Rat Pack" of Bob Orton Jr, Mr. Hughes & Manny Fernandez. He also managed Hercules Hernandez.

Al-Kaissie retired from wrestling in 1998.

Personal life and death

[edit]

Al-Kaissie formerly ran the World All-Star Wrestling Alliance, which he co-owned with Ken Patera.

On November 22, 2006, he appeared on Fox News Channel's Hannity & Colmes describing his encounters with Saddam Hussein.

Adnan Al-Kaissie died at The Glenn Hopkins in Hopkins, Minnesota on September 6, 2023, at the age of 84.[3][13][14]

Autobiography

[edit]

In 2005, Triumph Books published his memoirs as The Sheik of Baghdad: Tales of Celebrity and Terror from Pro Wrestling's General Adnan.[15]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Adnan Al-Kaissie

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Adnan Al-Kaissie (March 1, 1939 – September 6, 2023) was an Iraqi-American professional wrestler, manager, and promoter known professionally as Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissy, Billy White Wolf, and General Adnan. Born in to a family of wrestlers, Al-Kaissie attended high school with future Iraqi leader and developed an early interest in the sport through his father's influence. He competed as an amateur wrestler for in international events before emigrating to the , where he enrolled at and achieved All-American status in . Turning professional in 1959, Al-Kaissie initially wrestled under his real name and as Billy White Wolf, partnering with to win the WWWF International Tag Team Championship in 1971. In the 1980s, as Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissy, he managed wrestlers in promotions like the and later joined the World Wrestling Federation as General Adnan, portraying a pro-Iraq during the era in a storyline involving that drew significant media attention and protests for its political themes. His career highlights included promoting wrestling events in under Saddam Hussein's regime, leveraging personal ties to the dictator, and authoring an detailing his experiences bridging with geopolitical tensions. Al-Kaissie's longevity in the industry spanned over four decades, marked by his authentic Iraqi heritage and roles that often invoked Middle Eastern stereotypes for dramatic effect in North American rings.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Childhood and Education in Iraq

Adnan Al-Kaissie, born Adnan bin Abdul Kareem Ahmed Alkaissy El Farthie, entered the world on March 1, 1939, in , , during the era of the Kingdom of . As the youngest of five children, he grew up in a family led by his father, a prominent religious sheik and , which afforded the household a degree of distinction within Iraqi society amid the socio-political turbulence of the 1940s and 1950s. Al-Kaissie's formal education in Iraq centered on his secondary schooling, where he attended high school alongside future Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, born two years earlier in 1937. This period, spanning the mid-1950s, exposed him to the formative influences of Baghdad's educational system under monarchical rule, though specific institutions beyond the shared classroom with Hussein remain undocumented in available records. During his youth, Al-Kaissie developed an interest in athletics, particularly wrestling, which he pursued at an amateur level within 's local competitions, laying the groundwork for his later pursuits despite the country's limited organized sports infrastructure at the time. These early experiences, conducted in the shadow of familial religious prominence and regional instability, shaped his physical discipline but did not extend to advanced academic studies in Iraq, as his trajectory soon shifted toward international opportunities.

Amateur Wrestling Achievements and Relocation to the

Al-Kaissie initially pursued alongside in his native during his youth. In the late 1950s, he relocated to the to attend the on a for , but soon transferred to , where he shifted focus to collegiate with the Cowboys team. At Oklahoma State, Al-Kaissie distinguished himself as a two-time All-American, securing fourth-place finishes at the NCAA Championships in both 1958 and 1959 in the division. His contributions helped the Cowboys claim consecutive NCAA team titles in those years, underscoring his role in one of the program's dominant eras under coach Myron Roderick. This period marked Al-Kaissie's successful adaptation to American collegiate athletics, bridging his Iraqi roots with U.S. opportunities before he pivoted to circuits in starting in 1959.

Professional Wrestling Career

Debut and Early North American Tours (1959–1971)

Adnan Al-Kaissie debuted in in 1959 in the state of , adopting the ring name Billy White Wolf and portraying a Native American character. This persona, common in territorial promotions to facilitate bookings for wrestlers of diverse backgrounds, drew on his legitimate amateur wrestling credentials from , where he had been a two-time All-American. Initially competing in regional Midwest circuits, Al-Kaissie established himself as a reliable mid-card performer known for technical skill and agility. Throughout the 1960s, Al-Kaissie toured North American territories under the (NWA) banner, including promotions in the , , and other U.S. regions. In Don Owen's Portland Wrestling territory, he rose in prominence, securing victories and regional accolades, such as a title win on April 28, 1961, in . Notable matches included bouts against competitors like Bill Savage, as documented in a February 20, 1963, event in Klamath Falls. By mid-decade, he extended tours to , where he captured the NWA Hawaiian Tag Team Championship in 1968 alongside a partner. These engagements highlighted his versatility in both singles and tag team formats across independent and affiliated promotions. Al-Kaissie's early career culminated in appearances on the East Coast with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) by the late 1960s, continuing under the Billy White Wolf moniker and partnering with figures like , laying groundwork for accomplishments. He accumulated several NWA regional titles during this period, reflecting consistent success in territorial wrestling before departing for in 1971 to promote the sport there. His tours emphasized endurance, adapting to varied regional styles and audiences while maintaining a face (heroic) alignment.

Promotion of Wrestling in Iraq (1971–1974)

In the early 1970s, Adnan Al-Kaissie returned to Iraq at the behest of his high school classmate , then a rising figure in the Ba'athist regime as vice president, to introduce as a form of public entertainment and national spectacle. Al-Kaissie organized events featuring himself as the heroic Iraqi protagonist against imported foreign wrestlers, drawing massive crowds to venues like in and fostering wrestling's popularity amid Hussein's efforts to bolster regime support through mass gatherings. These promotions generated significant revenue, with early shows reportedly exceeding $1 million each, though later accounts suggest outcomes were predetermined to ensure Al-Kaissie's victories and maintain his status as a national icon. A pivotal event occurred on an unspecified date in 1971 when Al-Kaissie defeated André the Giant in two straight falls at Al-Shaab Stadium before a large audience, an outcome later claimed to have prompted Hussein's threat to execute the French wrestler if he did not comply with the scripted result. This match, promoted under Hussein's auspices, elevated Al-Kaissie's profile and exemplified the regime's use of wrestling to symbolize Iraqi strength against outsiders. Subsequent bouts included a late January or early February 1972 contest against Bob Roop at the same venue, where Al-Kaissie again prevailed, reinforcing his role as the unbeatable local champion. By December 16, 1972, Al-Kaissie faced once more in , attracting an estimated 120,000 spectators—a testament to wrestling's rapid ascent in popularity under his promotional efforts. These events positioned Al-Kaissie as a cultural , inspiring local and songs, while he received perks such as a government ministry role in youth sports; however, by the mid-1970s, increasing regime oversight of finances hinted at tensions that would culminate in his departure from in 1978. Through 1974, the promotions emphasized scripted heroism over competitive purity, aligning with Hussein's political theater rather than establishing a sustainable independent wrestling scene.

International Expansion and Major Promotions (1974–1977)

In 1974, Al-Kaissie ventured into international competition by joining (NJPW) shortly after its founding, marking one of his earliest tours outside and the . There, he adopted a persona as the "Sheik of Sheiks of " and teamed with in tag matches against prominent Japanese stars, including a bout against and Seiji Sakaguchi. This stint helped NJPW establish its early international appeal amid its expansion efforts. Following his Japanese tour, Al-Kaissie returned to the and competed in (CWF), promoted by , during late 1974 and 1975. He participated in over 30 matches in the territory, facing regional competitors in singles and tag formats, which bolstered his visibility in the (NWA) network. This period represented a bridge between his international forays and entry into larger national promotions. By 1976, Al-Kaissie joined the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), wrestling under the Native American gimmick of Billy White Wolf to capitalize on audience affinity for indigenous characters. Partnering with , he formed a popular babyface that defeated challengers such as the Executioners and and . On December 7, 1976, White Wolf and Strongbow captured the WWWF World Championship, holding it through defenses in 1977 against teams including Baron Mikel Scicluna and . This success in the WWWF, a premier Northeast promotion under Vince McMahon Sr., elevated Al-Kaissie's profile and showcased his versatility in major U.S. circuits. The reign ended later in 1977 amid ongoing territorial bookings, after which he appeared in approximately 95 WWWF matches that year.

Mid-Career in Regional Territories (1977–1989)

Following his appearances in the World Wide Wrestling Federation, Al-Kaissie competed primarily as Billy White Wolf in regional promotions during the late 1970s. From 1977 to 1980, he wrestled extensively in Hawaii's Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling territory, where he secured the Hawaiian Tag Team Championship alongside Sam Steamboat in 1977. This period marked his continued portrayal of a Native American gimmick in island circuits, emphasizing and singles bouts against local competitors. In 1981, Al-Kaissie transitioned to the American Wrestling Association (AWA), adopting the heel persona of Sheik Adnan El Kaissey amid heightened U.S.-Middle East tensions. Billed as an Iraqi sheik, he received a significant singles push, challenging AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel in a heel-versus-heel matchup on August 8, 1981, in St. Paul, Minnesota. His character emphasized foreign villainy, drawing on real-world geopolitics to generate heat from audiences. Throughout the 1980s, Al-Kaissie remained a fixture in the , blending in-ring competition with managerial roles. He feuded with prominent wrestlers, including a bout against on February 19, 1988. As a manager, he aligned with heels like , extending his influence in the promotion for nearly a decade until its decline. This era solidified his reputation as a versatile territorial performer, leveraging ethnic for storytelling in Midwestern arenas.

World Wrestling Federation Heel Turn and Gulf War Angle (1990–1992)

In late 1990, Adnan Al-Kaissie debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as the heel manager General Adnan, aligning himself with Sgt. Slaughter in a storyline portraying them as sympathizers of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein amid the ongoing Gulf War tensions following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. As General Adnan, he adopted a military uniform and Arabic headdress, delivering promos denouncing American patriotism and praising Iraq, which amplified Slaughter's own heel turn from a pro-U.S. Marine character to an Iraqi supporter who had "defected" after a kayfabe trip to Iraq. This angle positioned them as villains exploiting real-world geopolitical conflict, with General Adnan interfering in matches and managing Slaughter's WWF Championship pursuits. The duo, later expanded into the Triangle of Terror with Col. Mustafa (The Iron Sheik repackaged as an Iraqi colonel), feuded prominently with American heroes like Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior, capitalizing on Operation Desert Storm's launch on January 17, 1991. General Adnan accompanied Slaughter to the ring for his title defense against Hogan at WrestleMania VII on March 24, 1991, in Los Angeles, where Slaughter lost the championship via pinfall after 20:28, amid heightened fan hostility fueled by the war's casualties and media coverage. He occasionally wrestled, suffering losses such as to Jim Duggan on March 7, 1991, and Hulk Hogan by disqualification on March 11, 1991, often in squash or tag formats to reinforce the heel dynamic. Their first documented tag match occurred on December 28, 1990, at Madison Square Garden, where General Adnan and Slaughter defeated Dusty Rhodes and Duggan. The angle drew significant backlash for its perceived insensitivity, with U.S. legislators and military families criticizing WWF for airing unpatriotic content during active combat, leading to sponsor withdrawals and calls for boycotts; defended it as fictional entertainment but toned down elements post-ceasefire on February 28, 1991. By mid-1991, the group participated in a high-profile handicap elimination match at on August 26, 1991, where and defeated Slaughter, , and General Adnan, with Adnan eliminated early via pinfall. Adnan's WWF run tapered off into sporadic appearances, including losses in handicap tags to Slaughter (who turned face) on January 5, 1992, before his departure later that year. The storyline's commercial success boosted attendance and merchandise but underscored wrestling's risks in mirroring current events without nuance.

Retirement and Sporadic Appearances (1992–1998)

Following his exit from the World Wrestling Federation in early 1992, Al-Kaissie largely retired from full-time in-ring competition, citing chronic injuries including a condition that limited his physical involvement. He transitioned to part-time wrestling roles on the independent circuit, with documented activity spanning from July 1993 to January 1998, though specific matches were infrequent and primarily in regional promotions. During this period, Al-Kaissie focused on managerial duties rather than wrestling, guiding wrestlers in smaller territories to leverage his experience and persona. One notable instance included a single match in Mid American Wrestling in 1998, signaling the wind-down of his in-ring career. By late 1998, Al-Kaissie formally from wrestling at age 59, having participated in over 1,300 bouts across his career. He then co-founded the World All-Star Wrestling Alliance with , shifting to ownership and promotion of events, though the venture operated primarily after his year.

Political Associations and Controversies

Ties to Saddam Hussein and Iraqi Regime

Adnan Al-Kaissie, born in , attended high school with , who was a senior during Al-Kaissie's junior year, establishing a personal friendship that persisted into adulthood. After achieving fame as a in the United States, Al-Kaissie returned to in 1969 and was approached by Hussein, then rising in ranks, to introduce professional wrestling to the country as a means of cultural promotion and political prestige. This led to Al-Kaissie organizing wrestling tours in Iraq from 1971 to 1974, featuring international stars, with Hussein personally attending events and leveraging them for regime propaganda. During a 1971 match in Baghdad against André the Giant, Al-Kaissie recounted that Hussein directly intervened, instructing him to defeat the opponent under threat of execution for André if he failed, highlighting Hussein's authoritarian control over the events. Al-Kaissie later described Hussein as a close friend who facilitated these tours once in power, providing logistical support through Iraqi state resources, though he emphasized the friendship predated Hussein's dictatorship. By the late 1970s, as Hussein's regime consolidated, Al-Kaissie served as a cultural ambassador of sorts, but grew wary of exploitation, fleeing Iraq permanently in 1980 after overhearing military relatives discuss regime purges that endangered him. In post-career interviews, Al-Kaissie expressed admiration for Hussein's political acumen, lamenting his execution as a loss and defending him against Western portrayals, attributing their bond to shared roots rather than ideological alignment. These ties, while rooted in personal history, positioned Al-Kaissie as a regime-affiliated figure during his Iraqi promotions, though he maintained they were pragmatic collaborations rather than deep political involvement.

Gulf War Storyline and Public Backlash

In early 1991, amid the , Adnan Al-Kaissie debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as General Adnan, a character aligned with Iraqi leader . He managed , who had turned heel as an Iraqi sympathizer, in a storyline that mirrored real-world tensions following Iraq's invasion of in August 1990 and the start of Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991. The angle featured Slaughter pledging a victory parade in upon defeating American heroes, with General Adnan waving the Iraqi flag and promoting loyalty to Hussein. The storyline peaked at WrestleMania VII on March 24, 1991, where Hulk Hogan defeated Slaughter for the WWF Championship in a main event match billed as a patriotic clash. General Adnan also participated in a handicap match at SummerSlam 1991 alongside Slaughter and Col. Mustafa against Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior, which they lost. Al-Kaissie later stated that the scripted promos reflected his genuine pro-Iraq sentiments, rooted in his personal ties to Hussein. The angle generated significant public backlash due to its timing and provocative content, drawing death threats against Al-Kaissie, Slaughter, and their families, as well as threats to bomb their homes and WWF offices. Security was bolstered with 30 to 40 guards at events, and plans to burn an American flag were abandoned amid the furor. U.S. government officials warned Al-Kaissie to cease waving the Iraqi flag, citing assassination risks, while some fans demanded investigations into Slaughter for . Al-Kaissie expressed fear for his life, noting the unprecedented real heat from audiences who blurred with reality.

Post-Career Reflections on Iraq and Saddam

In his 2005 autobiography The Sheik of Baghdad: Tales of Celebrity and Terror from Pro Wrestling's General Adnan, Al-Kaissie detailed his longstanding personal ties to , whom he described as a high school classmate and later a patron who requested the introduction of to in the early 1970s to bolster national unity and Hussein's image. He delayed publication until after Hussein's 2003 capture by U.S. forces, citing concerns for his family's safety in amid the regime's history of targeting perceived rivals or threats. Despite these precautions, Al-Kaissie portrayed Hussein as a supportive figure during his time promoting wrestling events, which drew massive crowds and media coverage, though he acknowledged the precarious political environment that led him to flee permanently in 1980 after overhearing threats and feeling instrumentalized as a tool by the Ba'athist regime. Al-Kaissie expressed reluctance about departing, leaving behind regime-gifted luxuries such as a , luxury vehicles, gold watches, and engraved swords, which he converted or shipped to the for survival. In later reflections, he maintained a nostalgic view of his Iraqi roots but criticized the U.S. invasion of 2003, arguing in a 2019 that "didn’t do anything wrong" and that his regional influence deterred instability from neighboring states like and , a stance he believed the U.S. later regretted. He described as a "good friend," "smart, intelligent, and straight," recounting personal meetings where they discussed life and shared emotions, and expressed personal grief over 's 2006 execution by Iraqi authorities. These post-retirement accounts highlight Al-Kaissie's conflicted loyalty, balancing fond memories of Hussein's early support—such as dispatching a tank escort for invitations and backing wrestling promotions that unified Iraq's ethnic groups—with the regime's authoritarian risks that prompted his and ongoing caution. No public recantations of his association emerged in his before his on September 6, 2023, at age 84, though his narrative consistently emphasized personal over political endorsement of Hussein's governance.

Personal Life

Family, Marriage, and U.S. Citizenship

Adnan Al-Kaissie married Kathy Davis, an , in 1964. This marriage enabled his naturalization as a U.S. citizen in the same year. Al-Kaissie, who had immigrated to the in the early to pursue amateur and opportunities, settled primarily in the U.S. thereafter, though he maintained ties to his Iraqi roots through periodic visits to extended family. The couple had four children. Public details about his remain limited, as Al-Kaissie focused much of his public persona on his wrestling career and later political associations rather than personal disclosures. His issued statements following his death in 2023, addressing wrestling-related anecdotes but providing no further elaboration on their private life.

Health Issues and Death

In the mid-1970s, Al-Kaissie suffered a neck injury while competing as Billy White Wolf in the Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), necessitating surgery that forced him to vacate the WWWF International Tag Team Championship, which he held with . To cover his absence, the promotion scripted an angle in which broke his neck with a swinging maneuver on television, transitioning Al-Kaissie to a managerial role thereafter. This injury effectively ended his full-time in-ring career, though he made sporadic appearances into the 1990s. Al-Kaissie resided in during his later years, where he remained active in community organizations such as the Lions Club. He had experienced declining in the period leading up to his death on September 6, 2023, at the age of 84, though no specific cause was publicly disclosed by or other outlets.

Legacy and Accomplishments

Championships Won

Throughout his wrestling career, primarily under the ring name Billy White Wolf from the 1950s to the 1970s, Adnan Al-Kaissie captured multiple regional championships in North America, Australia, and Hawaii, though he did not win major world titles in promotions like the American Wrestling Association (AWA) or World Wrestling Federation (WWF) where he later performed as a manager. Key titles include:
  • IWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time): Won by defeating Ray Steele in Melbourne, Australia, in 1967 and held for approximately three months before losing to .
  • WWWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time): Captured on December 7, 1976, with partner by defeating Louis Cerdan and Marquis de Lafayette; the titles were vacated in August 1977 following White Wolf's injury.
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (2 times): Held during his tenure in the promotion, teaming with various partners including Shag Thomas.
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (4 times): Won with partners such as Johnny War Eagle, , Pepper Martin, and Shag Thomas in Oregon-based matches.
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (4 times): Secured in Hawaii promotions, contributing to his success in island territories.
  • IWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times): One with Mario Milano and one with Tex McKenzie in international wrestling association events.
  • NWA Australian Heavyweight Championship (1 time): Achieved during tours Down Under, aligning with his IWA successes.
These victories were concentrated in territorial wrestling circuits before Al-Kaissie's shift to managerial roles in the , where he did not pursue or win singles or tag titles.

Influence on Arab Representation in Wrestling

Adnan Al-Kaissie debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) on August 23, 1976, as Billy White Wolf, marking him as the first Iraqi and Arab wrestler to compete in a WWF ring. This appearance, alongside partner Bob Savage, culminated in winning the on September 6, 1976, providing early visibility for performers of Arab descent in a U.S.-dominated promotion where ethnic gimmicks often amplified national origins for dramatic effect. His later personas, particularly as Sheik Adnan El Kaissey in the (AWA) during the 1980s and General Adnan in WWF from late 1990 to 1991, leaned heavily into (villain) archetypes drawing on Iraqi heritage, including turbans, military attire, and anti-American promos. These portrayals, especially the 1991 storyline where he managed as an Iraqi sympathizer waving the Iraqi flag, exploited contemporaneous U.S.- hostilities to elicit crowd boos, thereby reinforcing stereotypes of as belligerent foreigners aligned against Western values. While Al-Kaissie's authentic Iraqi background lent credibility to these roles—stemming from his roots in and U.S. collegiate career at —his influence perpetuated a narrow template for Arab representation limited to antagonistic figures, with little emphasis on heroic or nuanced characters during his active decades. Subsequent wrestlers, such as WWE's , have critiqued this era's storylines for entrenching views of Muslims as inherent enemies, contrasting with Ali's efforts to diversify portrayals post-2010s. Empirical patterns in wrestling booking show his gimmicks contributed to a lineage of Middle Eastern heels, including echoes in characters like Col. Mustafa, prioritizing geopolitical heat over balanced ethnic depiction until broader industry shifts toward inclusivity in the 2000s.

Hall of Fame Inductions and Written Works

Al-Kaissie was inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame in 2020, recognizing his contributions to as both a competitor and manager. The induction occurred during the hall's annual weekend events held July 23–25 in , honoring his transition from stardom—including two NCAA All-American honors at —to a notable pro career spanning promotions like the and World Wrestling Federation. This hall, affiliated with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, emphasizes pioneers in the professional branch of the sport. In 2005, Al-Kaissie co-authored his memoirs, The Sheikh of Baghdad: Tales of Celebrity and Terror from Pro Wrestling's General Adnan, published by Triumph Books on June 30. The book chronicles his wrestling journey from to the , detailing early amateur successes, professional personas such as Billy White Wolf and General Adnan, and personal experiences including his associations with and exile from . Co-written with sports author Ross Bernstein, it provides firsthand accounts of cultural clashes, political intrigue, and the wrestling industry's global reach, drawing on Al-Kaissie's unique background as an Iraqi native who became a U.S. citizen. No other major written works by Al-Kaissie have been published.

References

  1. https://www.wwe.com/article/adnan-al-kaissie-passes-away
  2. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2023/09/06/adnan-al-kaissy-dead-at-84/
  3. https://pistolsfiringblog.com/osu-wrestling-the-incredible-story-of-all-american-adnan-alkaissy-and-saddam-hussein/
  4. https://www.marca.com/en/wwe/2023/09/08/64fb192c46163f56558b4594.html
  5. https://slamwrestling.net/legend/adnan-al-kaissie/
  6. https://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/adnan-al-kaissie-134.html?prom_id=470&res=250&title=264
  7. https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/wrestling-sheik-adnan-alkaissy-saddam/article_be773648-7a81-11ee-962d-3756da418af5.html
  8. https://tjrwrestling.net/news/adnan-al-kaissie-aka-general-adnan-dies-at-age-84/
  9. https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/09/06/sheik-adnan-al-kaissy-general-adnan-dies-at-84/
  10. https://www.foxsports.com/articles/wwe/adnan-al-kaissie-general-adnan-passes-away
  11. http://www.oklafan.com/bios/view/4164/
  12. https://www.50thstatebigtimewrestling.com/wrest1.html
  13. https://www.thesportster.com/saddam-hussein-threatened-to-kill-andre-the-giant/
  14. https://www.facebook.com/Topropetoheaven/posts/remembering-adnan-al-kaissieadnan-bin-abdul-kareem-ahmed-alkaissy-el-farthie-bet/814512964224824/
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaHVxJb5D7Y
  16. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProfessionalWrestlingHistoricalSociety/posts/23880621811558653/
  17. https://www.reddit.com/r/Iraq/comments/fn1e1n/the_history_of_professional_wrestling_in_iraq_and/
  18. https://www.facebook.com/todayprowrestlinghistory/posts/shiek-adnan-al-kaissie-was-born-on-this-day-in-1939-what-a-storied-career-he-had/1540222200245290/
  19. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1268&page=20
  20. https://thehistoryofwwe.com/wwwf-results-1976/
  21. https://www.facebook.com/groups/286026702341/posts/10161201025052342/
  22. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=1063
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-I2PsvtXFQ
  24. https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/remembering-wrestling-great-sheik-adnan-al-kaissy/article_e73333cc-69e5-11ee-93a1-5f51ef4d76ac.html
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXVpJjRj35U
  26. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/adnan-al-kaissie-134.html
  27. https://www.aa-times.com/adnan-al-kaissie/
  28. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wrestlers/adnan-al-kaissie
  29. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1268
  30. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1107687-general-adnan-passes-away-at-84
  31. https://www.pwmania.com/former-wwe-star-adnan-al-kaissie-aka-general-adnan-passes-away-aged-84
  32. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=8&nr=2034
  33. https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/sheik-adnan-saddam-hussein-wrestling/article_540ee2b8-7425-11ee-8f52-db8dfde13adc.html
  34. https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/general-adnan-sheik-adnan-al-kaissie-talks-the-sgt-slaughter-angle-his-friendship-with-saddam-hussein-more/
  35. https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/wrestlings-al-kaissy-created-mainstream-furor-as-gen-adnan-in-wwf/article_9a6e36b2-8002-11ee-8993-5b49bc21d678.html
  36. https://www.wrestling-world.com/news/news/wwe/4677/general-adnan-on-us-and-iraq/
  37. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0435246/
  38. https://wrestlingheadlines.com/general-adnan-first-iraqi-and-arab-to-wrestle-in-wwe-ring-passes-away/
  39. https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/family-general-adnan-al-kaissie-says-mr-fuji-dog-story-not-true/
  40. https://pwinsider.com/article/175093/former-awa-and-wwf-star-sheik-adnan-alkaissey-aka-gen-adnan-passes-away.html?p=1
  41. https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwf-awa-alumnus-general-adnan-passes-away/
  42. https://www.australianwrestling.org/index.php/profiles/22-men/196-billy-white-wolf
  43. https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/adnan-al-kaissie-athlete
  44. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Adnan_Al-Kaissie
  45. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1268&page=11
  46. https://icon.ink/articles/wwa-wrestling-with-arabness/
  47. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/5/22/wwe-superstar-mustafa-ali-ive-completely-shattered-the-barrier
  48. https://nwhof.org/news/alkaissy-will-be-inducted-into-tragosthesz-pro-hall-of-fame
  49. https://www.cowboysrideforfree.com/pokes-gone-pro/2020/1/21/21075689/oklahoma-state-wrestling-adnan-alkaissy-george-tragos-lou-thesz-pro-wrestling-hall-of-fame-2020
  50. https://www.triumphbooks.com/the-sheikh-of-baghdad-products-9781572437302.php
  51. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2005/09/12/sheikh-adnan-book-a-political-thriller/
  52. https://www.amazon.com/Sheikh-Baghdad-Celebrity-Wrestlings-General/dp/1572437308
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