The death was confirmed by WWE through an official statement released on their Twitter account.
The statement read, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Adnan Al-Kaissie, fondly known in the sports-entertainment world as Billy White Wolf, Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissy, and General Adnan, on September 6 at the age of 84.
Adnan Al-Kaissie, also known as General Adnan, had a storied career that spanned several decades.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Adnan Al-Kaissie’s family, friends, and admirers.”
The wrestling community is mourning yet again, following the losses of Darren Drozdov, Mike ‘Mantaur’ Halac, and most recently, Bray Wyatt earlier this year.
Al-Kaissie’s death marks another moment of grief for fans worldwide.
Launching his wrestling career in 1959 as the Native American character Billy White Wolf, Al-Kaissie carved out a legacy that included stints with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the 70s and later joining WWE in 1990.
The renowned wrestler was widely recognized as Sgt. Slaughter’s manager. He had notable matches, including an appearance at SummerSlam 1991 where he teamed up with Slaughter and Col. Mustafa to face Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior, a bout with Sid Justice serving as the special guest referee.
A trailblazer, Al-Kaissie became the first individual of both Iraqi and Arab descent to grace a WWE ring.
Post-retirement, he transitioned into a business role, co-founding the World All-Star Wrestling Alliance alongside Ken Patera.
In 2005, he took readers behind the scenes of his illustrious career with the publication of his memoir titled “The Sheik of Baghdad: Tales of Celebrity and Terror from Pro Wrestling’s General Adnan.”
Al-Kaissie’s impact on the wrestling world remains undeniable, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking achievements and memorable moments in the ring.
Absolutely gutted to see another Wrestling hero gain his wings, a true inspiration to many. Showing us that any dream is possible if you believe, His interview with Iron Sheik, another great who sadly passed away was one of my favourite moments.
– Nico, Knockout News
