Saturday, August 4, 2012

History Of Rikishi

Solofa Fatu Jr. Samoan American professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Rikishi with World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a one time Intercontinental Champion and two times Tag Team Champion.

Born: October 11, 1965 (age 46), San Francisco

Height: 1.85m

Rikishi returned on December 6, 2001,delivering a Stink Face to Vince McMahon and solidifying his face status. Upon the WWE Brand Extension, Rikishi was drafted to Smack Down. At Judgement Day, 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. Rico would later cost his partner to lose the titles in a rematch. Rikishi was not featured much in late 2002 and early 2003. He feuded with John Cena , Bill DeMott, and the Full Blooded Italians on Smack Down. the returns of Roddy Piper led Rikishi to challenge him as Piper had hit jimmy Snuka with a coconut years ago on Piper's Pit. At Backlash 2003, Piper's protage Sean O'Haire defeated Rikishi after Piper got hit with a coconut by Rikishi giving O'Haire time to hit the Widow maker on Rikishi. 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, holding them for two and a half months before losing them to Charlie Haas and Rico. Fatu, however, was released by WWE on July 16, 2004, following repeated requests from WWE to lose weight.

 Fatu continued to wrestle on the independent circuit. In October 2005, he shortened his ring name to Kishi after being notified by WWE legal representatives that WWE owned a trademark on the name "Rikishi". Fatu as Rikishi would go on to operate Nu-Wrestling Evolution,a professional wrestling promotion based on Italy. On Feberuary17, 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. On August 12, 2007, Fatu competed in an 8-man tag, as Rikishi, at Asistencia Asesoria V Administration's Triple Mania event. On August 23, Fatu competed in a Triple Threat match against Samoa Joe and Sterling James Keenen at Ballpark Brawl VIII in Buffalo, New york. On November 17, wrestling as Rikishi once again, Fatu defeated Mike Rollins at a Heavy on Wrestling event in Duluth Minnesota. On the September 

 episode of Impact! Fatu debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Junior Fatu. Fatu faced Cristian Cage on the September 20 episode of Impact! in his first match, which he lost due to distraction by Christian's partner AJ Styles. On October 25 episode of Impact! Fatu faced Robert Rhode in a Fight  for the Ring Tournament match.

Fatu now wrestles in the Territory League under his TNA alias Junior Fatu. He is member of the Las Vegas High-rollers along with his friends Brian Christopher and Scott Garland, formerly known as Too Cool.

Rikishi made his appearance in 2012 at WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.He made an appearance on WWE RAW on July 16,2012 defeating Heath Slater.During the match Rikishi with a taped thumb used the Samoan Spike in memory of his late brother Eddi "Umaga" Fatu. After the match he danced with his sons Jey and Jimmy Uso. He then reappeared on the actual 1000th episode on July 23 with other WWE Legends to help Lita take down Slater.

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