Rikishi

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Rikishi – Life, Career, and Memorable Moments

Discover the journey of Rikishi (Solofa Fatu Jr.), the iconic Samoan-American wrestler known for his “Stink Face,” championship reigns, and role in wrestling history. Explore his life, career, family, and legacy.

Introduction

Rikishi, born Solofa Fatu Jr. on October 11, 1965 in San Francisco, California, is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE under the ring name “Rikishi.”

Over his career, Rikishi played both comedic and serious roles in the ring, earned championships, and became a memorable figure of the “Attitude Era” and early 2000s WWE. Beyond his persona, he is embedded in the storied Anoaʻi wrestling family, which has produced multiple wrestling stars.

In this article, we trace his early life, wrestling beginnings, rise to fame, signature style and matches, personal life, and how he’s remembered in wrestling lore.

Early Life & Background

Family & Heritage

Solofa Fatu Jr. was born to Solofa Fatu Sr. and Elevera Anoaʻi Fatu, and grew up in San Francisco’s Sunnydale Projects in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood. Anoaʻi family, a major Samoan wrestling dynasty.

His uncles, Afa and Sika Anoaʻi (The Wild Samoans), were influential wrestlers who helped mentor and train younger family members, including Rikishi.

He attended Balboa High School in San Francisco, where he competed on the school wrestling team.

Near-Death Experience & Training

In 1982, when he was 17, Rikishi was wounded in a drive-by shooting that left a scar on his abdomen. According to interviews, he was clinically dead for a moment before being revived.

Under their guidance, he learned the fundamentals and discipline of pro wrestling, joining his family’s tradition.

Wrestling Career & Achievements

Rikishi’s career spanned multiple wrestling promotions, gimmicks, and character arcs.

Early Career & Tag Teams (1985–1992)

He debuted in 1985, wrestling under the name Prince Alofa in Canada (Montreal’s International Wrestling promotion). The Samoan SWAT Team, working in Japan (New Japan Pro Wrestling) and U.S. territories.

WWF / WWE Tenure (1992–1998)

In 1992, Solofa (Fatu) joined the WWF. He and Samu were repackaged as The Headshrinkers, adopting a “savage South Sea warrior” persona.

Later, Fatu experimented with different gimmicks, including “Make a Difference”, where he delivered positive messages, and The Sultan, a masked character who spoke only in cryptic ways.

Return & Peak as Rikishi (1999–2004)

In 1999, Fatu returned to WWE under the ring name Rikishi (a Japanese term for sumo wrestler) and embraced a new look: bleached blonde hair, heavier build, and a mawashi (sumo-style loincloth).

He joined forces with the popular tag team Too Cool (Scotty 2 Hotty, Grand Master Sexay), becoming a fan favorite.

Signature Move & Persona

• Stink Face: Rikishi’s most infamous move was the “Stink Face,” where he would rub his buttocks into the face of a fallen opponent seated in the corner. This became a comedic but controversial finisher, often humiliating the opponent.

• Banzai Drop, Rikishi Driver, Finishing maneuvers: These were other credited finishing or signature moves in his repertoire.

Storylines & Feuds

One of his major story arcs was being revealed as the person who ran over “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (as part of an angle), to help promote The Rock (his cousin) by attacking a rival. In storyline, he justified it by claiming he wanted to uplift Samoan wrestlers.

He also feuded with Vince McMahon, executed stink faces on him, and participated in tag team storylines, including winning the WWE Tag Team Championship with Rico.

He was released by WWE in July 2004.

Later & Hall of Fame

Post-WWE, he continued to wrestle in independent circuits under names like Kishi (due to WWE trademark issues) and SUMO RIKISHI.

In 2015, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, with his sons Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso inducting him.

He has made occasional appearances in WWE and related events as a legend or guest.

Personal Life & Family Legacy

Rikishi is married to Talisua Fuavai-Fatu, and they have eight children: seven sons and one daughter.

Three of his sons are well-known in WWE:

• Jonathan Solofa Fatu (Jey Uso)

• Joshua Samuel Fatu (Jimmy Uso)

• Joseph Fatu (Solo Sikoa)

Rikishi is also the older brother of Umaga (Eddie Fatu) and The Tonga Kid.

The Anoaʻi wrestling family continues to be influential in modern pro wrestling, and Rikishi’s lineage is central to that legacy.

Style, Persona & Cultural Impact

Rikishi combined strength, showmanship, humor, and spectacle. His sumo-inspired look and the comedic absurdity of the Stink Face made him stand out during a time when wrestling was embracing over-the-top personalities.

He bridged character-driven entertainment and in-ring skill, combining comedic timing with athletic presence. His role with Too Cool and crowd dances also helped him endear himself to audiences beyond pure wrestling fans.

In cultural terms, his Samoan heritage and family background kept alive the representation of Polynesian wrestlers in mainstream wrestling. His path also illustrates how second- or third-generation wrestling families contribute to continuity in the sport.

Lessons & Reflections

From Rikishi’s journey, we can draw several insights:

1. Reinvention is key. He moved from tag teams to gimmicks to solo stardom, adapting his persona over time.

2. Embrace spectacle with sincerity. Even humorous or humiliating moves (like Stink Face) were delivered with commitment, which lowered cynicism.

3. Legacy matters. He played a role in elevating his family’s lineage and paving the way for his sons to follow.

4. Entertainment is multi-dimensional. Wrestling is not just athleticism but character, timing, audience engagement, and storytelling.

Conclusion

Rikishi (Solofa Fatu Jr.) remains a memorable and colorful figure in professional wrestling. From his early days in tag team units to his peak as the sumo-style wrestler with comedic flair, he left an indelible mark on the WWE and the wrestling world. His family legacy continues through his sons and his status among wrestling legends.