Rikishi
Real Name:
Solofa Fatu Jr.
Ring Name(s):
- Rikishi
- Fatu
- The Sultan
- Headshrinker Fatu
- Make a Difference Fatu
- JR Smooth (briefly in other promotions)
Born:
October 11, 1965 – San Francisco, California, USA
Height:
6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight:
425 lbs (193 kg)
Billed From:
The Isle of Samoa
Family:
- Part of the legendary Anoaʻi wrestling family
- Twin brother of Umaga (Eddie Fatu)
- Cousin to Yokozuna, The Rock, Roman Reigns, The Usos (his sons), and Solo Sikoa (his son)
- Father of Jimmy and Jey Uso and Solo Sikoa
Training & Debut
- Trained by: Afa & Sika Anoaʻi (The Wild Samoans)
- Pro Wrestling Debut: 1985
- Originally worked in the tag team The Samoan SWAT Team in the 1980s alongside his cousin Samu
WWE Career Timeline
### 1. The Headshrinkers (1992–1995)
- Wrestled as Fatu with Samu as a wild Samoan team under manager Afa
- Won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1994
- Known for their savage style, bare feet, and classic brawling
2. Make a Difference Fatu (1995)
- Repackaged with a socially-conscious gimmick aimed at inner-city youth
- The gimmick was seen as well-meaning but ultimately did not connect with fans
3. The Sultan (1996–1997)
- Wrestled under a mask with manager The Iron Sheik and Bob Backlund
- Portrayed as a silent, Middle Eastern enforcer-type character
- Faced Rocky Maivia (The Rock) at WrestleMania 13
4. Rikishi Phatu (1999–2004) – Breakthrough Persona
- Adopted the Rikishi name in late 1999
- Embraced Samoan heritage with bleach blonde hair, sumo-inspired thong attire, and massive charisma
- Teamed with Too Cool (Scotty 2 Hotty & Grand Master Sexay) in a hugely popular act
- Known for the Stink Face—one of the most famous (and hilarious) moves in WWE history
- Fan favorite for his dance routines, comedy, and surprising agility
Heel Turn & Main Event Run (2000–2001)
- Revealed as the man who ran over “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at Survivor Series 1999
- Delivered the line: “I did it for The Rock.”
- Managed briefly by Haku and worked main event programs with The Rock, Austin, and Triple H
- Although the heel run was short-lived, it gave him exposure in WWE’s top storylines
Championships & Accomplishments
- 1× Intercontinental Champion (2000)
- 1× WWF Tag Team Champion (with Samu – The Headshrinkers)
- WWE Hall of Fame Inductee (2015)
- Inducted by The Usos, his sons
- Slammy Award winner
- Main evented multiple PPVs, including Hell in a Cell at Armageddon 2000
Signature Moves
- Stink Face – rubbing his backside in the face of a fallen opponent in the corner
- Banzai Drop – similar to Yokozuna’s finishing move
- Rikishi Driver – a sit-out piledriver
- Samoan Drop
- Superkick
Wrestling Style & Persona
- Despite weighing over 400 lbs, Rikishi was surprisingly agile, executing spin kicks, top-rope maneuvers, and quick footwork
- Balanced comedy, intensity, and power wrestling
- Used his size for intimidation and his charisma to win over the audience
- His iconic dance routines with Too Cool became a staple of the Attitude Era
Later Career & Appearances
- Left WWE in 2004, made sporadic returns over the years
- Appeared in WWE Raw: 15th Anniversary, Old School Raw, and SmackDown 1000
- Participated in a tag match in 2014 teaming with Too Cool
- Officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015
Legacy
- Rikishi is remembered as one of the most entertaining big men in wrestling history
- He helped bring Samoan culture to the forefront of WWE in a fun, memorable way
- Played an essential role in the Attitude Era with his mix of comedy and credible threat
- Father of The Usos and Solo Sikoa, helping extend the Anoaʻi family’s dynasty into the modern era
- Known for his loyalty to family, his unique character work, and his crowd connection
Outside the Ring
- Runs the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy, training new talent
- Actively supports his sons and appears occasionally in WWE segments
- Known for motivational speaking, community work, and representing Samoan pride
CATEGORIES Wrestlers
