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Rikishi (wrestler)

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Samoa United States Solofa Fatu, Jr.
Born (1966-10-11) October 11, 1966 (age 58)
San Francisco, California
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Fatu
The Sultan
Phatu
Alofa the Polynesian Prince
J.R. Smooth
Rikishi
Rikishi Phatu
Kishi
SUMO RIKISHI
Junior Fatu
Billed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Billed weight[undue weight? – discuss]
Trained byAfa Anoa'i
Sika Anoa'i
Debut1985

Solofa Fatu, Jr. (born October 11, 1966), is a Samoan-American professional wrestler. He is known under the ring names as Rikishi, or Kishi. He currently competes for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Junior Fatu.

Fatu is a member of the extensive Samoan Anoa'i wrestling family, and the nephew of the Wild Samoans, Afa and Sika, who trained him in the 1980s. He is the brother of Eddie Fatu, known as Umaga, and is the younger brother of The Tonga Kid, who was part of The Islanders, a tag team with Haku in the WWF. Fatu teamed with his cousin Samu, the son of Afa, as The Samoan Swat Team. The Swat Team wrestled mainly in the south, winning titles in the Dallas-based World Class Wrestling Association. The team later worked for the World Wrestling Federation as the Headshrinkers before Solofa Fatu, Jr. embarked on a singles career.

Career

The Samoan Swat Team

Solofa Fatu, Jr. first got the fans attention in 1985 as he worked for Gino Brito and Dino Bravo’s “International Wrestling" territory based in Montreal. While in Montreal, Fatu worked as Prince Alofa, a high flying babyface often working as a team with the territory’s top faces. While working in Montreal Samu hung out with his cousin Samula Anoa'i who was working in the area as the heel "The Great Samu". When the Montreal territory closed up, the two cousins signed with the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico and became The Samoan Swat Team: Samu & Fatu. The team adopted the “Samoan savage" gimmick that had made their fathers so well known and feared throughout the wrestling world, working barefeet and never speaking English on camera. The team became the first ever WWC Caribbean Tag Team Champions on November 7, 1987 when they beat Invader I and Invader III[1]. The duo held the titles for just over a month before dropping them to Mark Youngblood and Chris Youngblood[1] before leaving the promotion.

Samu and Fatu next appeared in Texas, working for Fritz Von Erich’s World Class Championship Wrestling promotion. The storyline was that Buddy Roberts brought the team in to fight his fights against the Von Erich family and former Fabulous Freebirds partner Michael Hayes. The SST was given a big push right away; presented as an unstoppable force, the team was even allowed to beat hometown heroes Kerry and Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW Tag-Team Titles on August 12, 1988 [1]. The Samoans remained undefeated in WCCW until they came up against Roberts’ former partner Michael Hayes and Hayes new partner, “Do It To It" Steve Cox on September 12 [1]. The duo was not without the gold for long as they recaptured the titles only 4 days later.[1]. Hayes and Cox would beat the Samoan Swat Team for the titles once again on October 15[2] [1], but this time they only held the gold for two days before they lost it back to the SST. On September 12, 1988 The Samoan Swat Team become double champions as they beat "Hollywood" John Tatum and Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship [1]. The Samoan Swat Team made their pay-per-view debut at AWA Superclash III, the first (and only) PPV that the American Wrestling Association ever presented. The Samoans successfully defended their WCCW Tag-Team titles against Michael Hayes and Steve Cox.[3] In the beginning of 1989 the Samoans left WCCW, forcing both tag-team titles to be vacated due to the sudden departure[1].

The Samoan Swat Team signed with Jim Crockett Promotions and was brought in as manager Paul E. Dangerously’s replacements for the "Original" Midnight Express who had left the promotion. The Samoans also took over the "Original" Midnight Express’ feud with the Midnight Express, winning at Clash of the Champions VI on April 2, 1989.[4]. The Samoans teamed with former rival Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, and Jimmy Garvin at the 1989 Great American Bash, losing a WarGames match to the Road Warriors, the Midnight Express, and Steve Williams[5]. In the fall of 1989 Paul E. Dangerously was phased out and the Samoans were given a new manager: "The Big Kahuna" Oliver Humperdink. Their ranks were also bolstered by the addition of The Samoan Savage, who is Fatu’s brother. The Samoans started to lose more and more matches as 1989 drew to a close, but their fortunes appeared to be changing due to the injury to Sid Vicious. Because Vicious was injured, the Skyscrapers had to pull out of the "Iron Team Tournament" at Starrcade 1989 and the Samoan Swat Team were chosen to be their replacements.[6] Fatu and the Samoan Savage participated while no explanation was given as to why the more experienced Samu was not chosen. For the remainder of the Samoan Swat Team’s time in WCW, Fatu and the Samoan Savage competed under the name while Samu made a few singles appearances.

After leaving WCW in the summer of 1990, the Samoan Swat Team worked for a number of independent promotions in the US, Europe, and Japan, often teaming up with family member Rodney Anoa'i who competed as "Kokina Maximus"[7]. The family worked for the Universal Wrestling Association in 1991 with Fatu, Kokina, and The Samoan Savage winning the UWA Trios Tag-Team titles[1] and holding it for just under 2 months[8]. They also made a headline appearance on the UWA’s 16th anniversary show losing to Dos Caras, El Canek, and Mil Máscaras[9].

The Headshrinkers

In 1992 Samu and Fatu signed up with the World Wrestling Federation, managed by Samu’s father Afa[10]. The team changed their name to the Headshrinkers but their gimmick of Samoan wildmen remained the same. Rodney Anoa'i also signed with the WWF but he was repackaged as "Yokozuna" and the family ties between him and the Samoans was not mentioned on air. The team first made their presence known when they helped Money Inc. beat the Natural Disasters to win the WWF World Tag Team titles. [11]. Early in their run with the WWF, the Headshrinkers feuded with the Natural Disasters and the recently formed High Energy [12]

Between 1992 and the early parts of 1994, the Headshrinkers maintained a position in the middle of the tag-team division. They occasionally challenged for the titles and made sporadic PPV appearances feuding with teams like The Smokin' Gunns[13] and Men on a Mission [14]. The Headshrinkers assisted their relative Yokozuna in a casket match against The Undertaker at the 1994 Royal Rumble [15]. In April of 1994, the Headshrinkers turned face and challenged then tag-team champions The Quebecers; with the addition of manager Lou Albano the team won the gold on April 26, 1994[16]. At King of the Ring 1994 on June 19, the Headshrinkers successfully defended their tag team titles against Yokozuna and Crush [17]. Their run with the titles came to a surprising end on an untelevised card on August 28 where they lost the titles to Shawn Michaels and Diesel [18]. The title change happened just one day before they were scheduled to defend against Irwin R. Schyster and Bam Bam Bigelow [19]. Soon after the title change, Samu left the WWF to recover from injuries and was replaced by Sionne, who formed the "New Headshrinkers" with Fatu.

The New Headshrinkers

The Kayfabe reasons given to Samu’s departure was that he was not coping well with manager Lou Albano’s attempts to civilize the Headshrinkers, especially wearing boots. For the first time ever one half of the Samoan Swat Team/Headshrinkers was not a member of the Anoa'i family nor a Samoan, as Sionne was from the island of Tonga. The New Headshrinkers made only one PPV appearance as a team which was at the 1994 Survivor Series where they were quickly eliminated[20]. They were also both participants in the 1995 Royal Rumble. The only other notable appearance of the New Headshrinkers was as part of the tournament to crown new WWF tag team champions in late 1994, early 1995. The New Headshrinkers lost to Bam Bam Bigelow and Tatanka in the Semi-Finals[21]. By July, the New Headshrinkers ended as Sionne signed with WCW. By the time Sionne left the WWF, the team was used to put over new teams such as Jacob & Eli Blu [22]

Starting out Single

After spending a long time as one half of a tag team, Fatu became a singles wrestler in 1994. The World Wrestling Federation repackaged Fatu, dropping the “savage" gimmick and revealing that Fatu can speak English and that he was actually raised in the US[23]. Fatu became a “man of the streets" talking about growing up in the hood, being shot during a real-life drive-by. He was going to be a positive influence on the kids under the catch phrase “Make a difference". During this time he was referred to as “Make a Difference" Fatu or at times Phatu. After a short while, two men started to show up whenever Fatu was in the ring. Samu along with his brother Lloyd Anoa'i, called "The Samoan Gangster Party" was watching him[23]. Samu had also dropped the savage gimmick with Samu and Lloyd looking like gang members. The two men did not wrestle for the WWF but watched Fatu from afar as the former Headshrinker tried to turn himself into a positive rolemodel for kids on the street. The angle never went anywhere as the Samoan Gangster party never got in the ring or confronted Fatu before he was repackaged and the whole angle was dropped[23].

The World Wrestling Federation decided to give Fatu a total change, as he became a stereotypical “Middle Eastern" known as The Sultan complete with a face mask to hide who was playing the gimmick[23]. Fatu worked as the Sultan for about a year getting a shot at Rocky Maivia’s Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania 13 but failed to win the gold[24]. The Sultan gimmick was dropped before 1997 was over[23].

Rikishi

Fatu left the spotlight when the Sultan gimmick was canned, working on the independent circuit. He reappeared in late 1999 as Rikishi (literally, "strong man") Phatu, which was eventually shortened to just Rikishi. He had gained a great deal of weight, bleached his hair blonde, and exchanged his long trousers for a revealing thong. The Rikishi character had a brief feud with Viscera before aligning with Too Cool, which consisted of Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty Too Hotty. It was at this point that Rikishi's popularity began to soar as their post-match dance routine became popular with fans.

During the 2000 Royal Rumble, Rikishi eliminated seven opponents in the Royal Rumble match; he was eliminated by six wrestlers working together[25]. Rikishi, Too Cool and Chyna began feuding with The Radicalz, with Chyna eventually siding with Eddie Guerrero. At WrestleMania 2000, Rikishi and Kane defeated "The Road Dogg" Jesse James and X-Pac. After the match, Pete Rose (following a distraction by The San Diego Chicken) ran into the ring to attack Kane, but was chokeslammed by Kane and given a Stinkface by Rikishi[26].

In May 2000, Rikishi and Too Cool feuded with Edge, Christian, and Kurt Angle (Team ECK), culminating in a victory at Judgment Day [27]. After winning the Intercontinental Championship on the June 22, 2000 episode of SmackDown! from Chris Benoit[28], Rikishi would go on to qualify for the 2000 King of the Ring tournament. On June 25, 2000 he defeated Benoit and Val Venis in the quarter- and semi-finals respectively, but both his opponents hit him with a steel chair after losing, weakening his shoulder and helping Kurt Angle defeat him in the Finals[29].

Stemming from Venis' attack at King of the Ring, Rikishi faced Val Venis on July 6, and lost his title after Tazz hit him with a television camera[28]. Rikishi faced Val Venis in a Steel Cage rematch at Fully Loaded. In the course of the match, Rikishi ascended the cage and, in a move reminiscent of his uncle Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, leapt from the top, splashing Venis. Rikishi was defeated by Venis shortly after when Tazz once again hit him with a boom box[30].

For the next few months Rikishi would attempt to regain the Intercontinental Championship. At Unforgiven, he was defeated by champion Eddie Guerrero. Rikishi was disqualified when, frustrated by her repeated interference, he superkicked Chyna[31]. This foreshadowed the revival of a darker side of his character.

On October 9, 2000, Commissioner Mick Foley used a slip of the tongue from Scotty Too Hotty to implicate Rikishi as the person who had run over Stone Cold Steve Austin at Survivor Series, as Scotty stated that he had been hanging out that night with Grand Master Sexay and Rikishi. However, Foley stated later that night in the ring that Rikishi at that point had not debuted yet. In actuality, this is not true, as Rikishi had debuted on the Saturday night before the '99 Survivor Series on WWF Jakked. Rikishi admitted injuring Austin, claiming that he had done so in order to allow his cousin The Rock to achieve stardom, insisting that Buddy Rogers, Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, and Austin - "The Great White Hope" - had always been pushed over Samoan performers such as High Chief Peter Maivia and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, who he believed had been held back.

Austin immediately set out to obtain revenge, facing Rikishi in a No Holds Barred Match at No Mercy [32]. The match went to a no contest when Austin dragged Rikishi to the parking lot and attempted to run him over, but a police car drove in front of Austin's car, saving Rikishi. Though Austin was arrested, he had badly injured Rikishi, inflicting numerous cuts and bruises to his face. Later that night, Rikishi attempted to help The Rock retain the WWF Championship in a match against Kurt Angle, but "accidentally" kicked and crushed The Rock, allowing Angle to Olympic Slam both men and win the title[33].

After a number of instances where Austin was attacked backstage by an unseen assailant, it became clear that Rikishi had an accomplice. During a handicap match pitting Rikishi and Kurt Angle against Austin, Triple H came to the ring, seemingly to aid Austin, but swerved the audience by attacking Austin with a sledgehammer. This led to Triple H revealing that he had masterminded the assault, relegating Rikishi to his hired muscle. Rikishi would never reclaim the popularity he enjoyed throughout his initial run as Rikishi.

Rikishi would go on to lose to The Rock at Survivor Series[34]. He then participated in the six-man Hell in a Cell match at Armageddon 2000 for the WWF Championship, in which he was chokeslammed from the top of the cell by the Undertaker[35]. He won a match entitling him to enter the 2001 Royal Rumble at number 30, but he did not last long before being eliminated by The Rock in the Royal Rumble[36].

After the return of Haku at the Royal Rumble , Rikishi and Haku formed a tag team, and feuded with Kane and The Undertaker. The team split when Rikishi was sidelined with an eardrum injury, and Haku was later released. Rikishi returned from injury on May 7, 2001 and was urged by Foley to become a good guy again. He wrestled for several weeks before suffering a shoulder injury which caused him to miss much of 2001.

Rikishi returned on December 6, 2001, delivering a Stinkface to Vince McMahon. The reason for this being was that the week before The Rock and Trish Stratus were in a match against Kurt Angle and Vince McMahon. The stipulation was that if The Rock lost, he would have to kiss McMahon's ass and if The Rock won, Vince would have to kiss his ass. The Rock would decide McMahon would have to kiss someone elses ass; he would first introduce Jim Ross, then Trish Stratus, but finally he would call out Rikishi and shove McMahon's face into Rikishi's ass.

Upon the WWE Brand Extension, Rikishi was drafted to SmackDown!. At Judgment Day 2002, he faced Billy and Chuck in a "secret partner" match. His partner turned out to be Rico, Billy and Chuck's stylist. Despite Rico's best efforts to unfairly help Billy and Chuck, Rikishi and he won the match and became the Tag Team Champions[37].

Rikishi was not featured much in late 2002 and early-2003. He feuded with John Cena, Bill DeMott, and the Full Blooded Italians on Smackdown. The return of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper led Rikishi to challenge him as Piper had hit Rikishi's uncle Jimmy Snuka with a coconut years ago on Piper's Pit. At Backlash 2003, Piper's protege Sean O'Haire defeated Rikishi after Piper got hit with a coconut by Rikishi giving O'Haire time to hit the Widowmaker on Rikishi[38].

Rikishi eventually formed a tag team with Scotty 2 Hotty, and the duo defeated the Basham Brothers for the WWE Tag Team Championship on February 5, 2004[39], holding them for two and a half months before losing them to Charlie Haas and Rico[39].

Life Beyond WWE

Rikishi was released by WWE on July 16, 2004, following repeated requests from WWE to lose weight. He continued to wrestle on the independent circuit. In October 2005, Fatu shortened his ring name to Kishi after being notified by WWE legal representatives that WWE owned a trademark on the name "Rikishi". Fatu, as Kishi, would go on to operate Nu-Wrestling Evolution, a professional wrestling promotion based in Italy [40].

On February 17, 2007, Fatu competed as SUMO RIKISHI in a tag team contest at an All Japan Pro Wrestling event, as he was brought in by Keiji Mutoh to feud with Akebono [41]. He also recently signed with Jakks Pacific to have a WWE Classic Superstar line featuring Rikishi.

On August 12, 2007, Fatu competed in an 8-man tag, as Rikishi, at AAA's TripleMania event.

On August 23, 2007, Fatu competed in a Triple Threat match against Samoa Joe and Sterling James Keenan at Ballpark Brawl VIII in Buffalo, New York.

Rikishi has been scheduled to appear with New Horizon Pro Wrestling in Perth, Australia along with Gangrel in November and December.

TNA Wrestling

On the September 13, 2007 edition of iMPACT!, Fatu debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Junior Fatu. Fatu faced Christian Cage on the September 20 edition of "iMPACT!" in his first match, which he lost due to a distraction by Christian's partner A.J. Styles.

Two weeks later, Fatu teamed with Samoa Joe and LAX to defeat Christian's Coalition (Styles and Cage) and Triple X (Christopher Daniels and Senshi).

Personal life

Before he came into prominence through wrestling, he earned money by street dancing in his home town of San Francisco. Fatu was involved in a drive-by shooting in the early nineties and ended up being shot in the stomach. He was left with a large scar going up his mid-section.

Fatu and his wife Sua have 5 children, daughter Thavana, twins Jonathan & Joshua, Jeremiah & Joseph.[42]

Rubs his nose twice en route to the ring to tell his children that he loves them.

Fatu is a member of the famous Anoa'i wrestling family, he is the brother of Eddie Fatu (Umaga/Jamal) and Sam Fatu (The Tonga Kid), cousin to Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), Rodney Anoa'i (Yokozuna), Samula Anoa'i (Headshrinker Samu), Matt Anoa'i (Rosey), Jimmy Snuka, Jr. (Deuce), the nephew of "Soulman" Rocky Johnson, the Wild Samoans (Sika & Afa), and "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka.

Fatu was arrested without resistance by U.S. Marshals on September 25, 2006 in Escambia County, Florida while enroute to his home in Pensacola, Florida, for failing to appear at a court hearing in America during a time when he was touring with NWE in Italy. Fatu was remanded to Escambia County Jail until his hearing in federal court[43].

In wrestling

  • Finishing and signature moves
  • Managers

Championships and accomplishments

  • Power Pro Wrestling (Memphis)
  • PPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • World Class Wrestling Association

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Royal Duncan & Gary Will (4th Edition 2006). Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
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  11. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1992". Ted Dibiase & IRS (w/ Jimmy Hart) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Natural Disasters to win the titles when Dibiase locked Earthquake in the Million $ Dream after the Headshrinkers interfered {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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  21. ^ prowrestlinghistory.com. "WWF Tag-Team Title Tournament 1995". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1995". June 4, 1995: Jacob & Eli Blu defeated the New Headshrinkers {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ a b c d e RD Reynolds and Randy Baer (2003). Wrestlecrap – the very worst of pro wrestling. ECW Press. ISBN 1-55022-584-7.
  24. ^ prowrestlinghistory.com. "WWF WrestleMania Results (13)". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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  28. ^ a b Solie’s Vintage Wrestling. "WWF/WWE Intercontinental heavyweight title history". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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  30. ^ prowrestlinghistory.com. "WWF Fully Loaded Results (2000)". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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  33. ^ Solie’s Vintage Wrestling. "WWF/WWE World Heavyweight Title History". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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  35. ^ prowrestlinghistory.com. "WWF Armageddon Results (2000)". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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  40. ^ NWE Wrestling. "Official NWE Wrestling Website".
  41. ^ purolove.com. "AJPW "EXCITE SERIES 2007" Results". (translated from German) Akebono & Toru Owashi defeated Sumo Rikishi & Johnny Dunn (Nobutaka Araya) (9:37) {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ [Stated in the May 2000 issue of WOW Magazine]
  43. ^ USMarshals.gov (September 25, 2006). "U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Professional Wrestler for Civil Contempt". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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