FALLUJAH, IRAQ – Standing on-stage in front of a large crowd, Dawud Muhammad makes a quick assessment of his audience.

Addressing a large pudgy man sitting in front of him, he asks, "Have you ever seen a man catch a bullet in his teeth?"

When the man says no, Dawud draws his Tariq 19mm pistol and shoots him point-blank in the face, adding "And you never will!" to uproarious laughter.

For Dawud "Abu Sayyaf" Muhammad, it's been a long journey from Al Qaeda in Iraq's (AQI) top executioner to the lead stage magician at Fallujah's prestigious Babylon Club.