Rikishi

Latest revision as of 06:34, 4 February 2011

Solofa F. Fatu Jr. (born October 11, 1965) is an American professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Rikishi. He is known by his work at World Wrestling Entertainment. Fatu is a member of the 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 the late Eddie Fatu, better known as Umaga, and 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 Fatu embarked on a singles career. He is also a member of Too Cool with Scotty 2 Hotty and Grand Master Sexay where he seems winning the Tag Team Titles. Rikishi is the one time WWE Tag Team Champion with Scotty, 3 times Intercontinental Championship and one time World Tag Team Champion with Kane. His career was really short after he was release from his contract in 2004.

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Federation (1999-2000)

Personal life

Fatu and his wife Talisua Fuavai-Fatu have five children. He 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 father of the Samoan Soldiers; his twin sons Jonathan Solofa and Joshua Sammy (born August 22, 1985). The pair are currently known as Jimmy and Jey Uso on WWE's Raw brand. Fatu also has a daughter Thavana Monalisa (born June 12, 1984) and two younger sons: Jeremiah Peniata (born August 30, 1986) and Joseph (born 1994). Fatu is also the brother of the late 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), and Matt Anoa'i (Rosey); and the nephew of "Soulman" Rocky Johnson and the Wild Samoans (Sika & Afa).

On April 27, 2008, Fatu's mother Vera died after a seven-year battle with cancer.

Fatu's brother Eddie "Umaga" Fatu died of a heart attack on December 4, 2009.

Moves

• Finishing moves
• Banzai Drop / Rump Shaker (Seated senton, sometimes from the second rope)
• Camel clutch
• Headshrinker Splash (Diving splash) –
• Rikishi Driver (WWF/E) / Over the shoulder reverse piledriver (independent circuit)
• Pele Hold (Camel clutch with a sleeperhold)
• Signature moves
• Chokeslam
• Headbutt, sometimes to a grounded opponent
• Samoan drop
• Savate kick
• Side belly to belly suplex
• Stink Face, usually preceded by a butt bump to an opponent in the corner
• Kish Leash (Standing arm trap crossface)
• Managers
• Paul E. Dangerously
• The Iron Sheik
• Entrance themes
• "Bad Man" by Solofa Fatu (composer)|EZ Wide & Kully B and Jimmy Hart (2000–2001)
• "Turn It Up" by Tim Renwick and Jimmy Papa (used while teaming with Scotty 2 Hotty in 2004)
• "You Look Fly Today" by Jimmy Hart, Kent Buchanan and Dale Oliver (2000–2004; used when teaming with Scotty 2 Hotty and Grand Master Sexay)

Championships and accomplishments

• World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment

WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Scotty

World Tag Team Championship (1 times) with Kane

WWF Intercontinental Championship (3 time)