Rodney Anoa'i

Infobox Wrestler
name=Rodney Anoa'i


names=Great Kokinacite news|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/y/yokozuna.html|title=Yokozuna Bio|publisher=Obessedwithwrestling.com|accessdate=2007-06-28]
Kokina Maximus
Mr. Sumo
Wild Samoan Kokina
Yokozuna
height=height|ft=6|in=1
weight=convert|660|lb|kg|abbr=on [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/shawnmichaels/overcomingtheodds/raw96matchrecap/ August 19, 1996 RAW - Shawn Michaels vs Yokozuna] . WWE. Retrieved on 2008-04-19]
birth_date=birth date|1966|10|2|mf=y
birth_place=San Francisco, CA, U.S.
death_date=October 23, 2000 (age 34)
death_place=Moat House Hotel, Liverpool
resides=
billed=Japan
Polynesian Islands
trainer=Afa Anoa'icite news|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/yokozuna/|title=Yokozuna's WWE Profile|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-06-28]
debut= 1984
retired=

Rodney Agatupu Anoa'i (October 2 1966 – October 23 2000) [ [http://www.wwedaily.com/rodney-anoai-yokozuna/ WWE Daily » Blog Archive » Rodney Anoa’i- Yokozuna ] ] was a Samoan-American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Federation where he wrestled under the ring name Yokozuna. The term "yokozuna" refers to the highest rank in professional sumo wrestling in Japan. Although the "Yokozuna" character was portrayed as a champion sumo wrestler, Anoa'i had never competed as an actual sumotori. Though Yokozuna wrestled as a representative of Japan, he was of Samoan origin and was accordingly billed as hailing from Polynesia (although he was managed by Mr. Fuji, who would follow Anoa'i to the ring with a wooden bucket of salt, and waving a Japanese flag).

In WWF, Anoa'i was a former two-time WWF Champion and two-time WWF Tag Team Champion, as well as the winner of the 1993 Royal Rumble. Anoa'i was the first wrestler of Samoan descent to hold the WWF Championship as well as the first Royal Rumble winner to receive a world title shot at WrestleMania, as a result of direct stipulation.

Career

American Wrestling Association (1984-1992)

Anoa'i's career in professional wrestling began as he grew up in a family full of wrestlers. His uncles were the Wild Samoans Afa and Sika, who trained him from an early age in the family business. Anoa'i took on the name of the Great Kokina while wrestling overseas in Japan. He also spent some time in Mexico learning the craft and gaining the experience necessary to be a star in the sport. His first major exposure in the United States came in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) as Kokina Maximus.cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/yokozuna.html|title=Yokozuna Bio|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Accelerator 3359] Wrestling as a Samoan superstar, he was managed by Sheik Adnan El Kassey. His biggest achievement at that time was the kayfabe breaking of Greg Gagne's leg and ending his career.cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/ggagne.html|title=Greg Gagne Bio|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Accelerator 3359] At the time, he weighed less than 400 pounds, which was lean in comparison to his weight later in life (during his WWF career he weighed between 500 lb and perhaps as much as 800 lb (230–360 kg) at his heaviest).

World Wrestling Federation (1992-1998)

Early Push (1992-1993)

In 1992, Anoa'i was contacted by Vince McMahon of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and was offered a new gimmick: Yokozuna. Managed by Harry Fujiwara (Mr. Fuji), Yokozuna debuted in October 1992, and was announced as a sumo wrestler competing under the Japanese flag.His first notable victory came at "Survivor Series 1992", when he squashed the much smaller Virgil. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1992/results/|title=Survivor Series 1992 official results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE]

Soon, Yokozuna's career took off, and he headed into 1993's "Royal Rumble" billed as a potential favorite. He eliminated Randy Savage to win the Rumble, cementing his movement towards main event status.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/mainevent/|title=1993 Royal Rumble match|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] Soon after, Yokozuna further solidified his villainy by crushing the American hero Hacksaw Jim Duggan with four Banzai Drops, the fourth being with the American flag draped over Duggan. [http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/93.htm]

WWF Championship reigns (1993-1994)

At "WrestleMania IX", Yokozuna faced off against Bret Hart for the WWF Championship. Hart had the match won with Yokozuna about to submit to the Sharpshooter, when Mr. Fuji threw salt into the champion's face. Blinded, Hart was then pinned by Yokozuna, who won the WWF Championship, causing a major upset, and officially making Yokozuna the seventeenth WWF Champion.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm9/mainevent/|title=WrestleMania IX main event|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454133|title=Yokozuna's first WWE Championship reign|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] As he and Mr. Fuji celebrated, Hulk Hogan came out from the back to protest against the decision. Mr. Fuji then arrogantly challenged the Hulkster (offering to put the title on the line in the process) and Hogan accepted after Hart gave it his blessing. Fuji tried to blind Hogan with salt, but the move backfired, leading to Yokozuna being pinned in less than a minute. This gave Yokozuna the 2nd-shortest title reign in WWE history.

At "King of the Ring 1993", Yokozuna, whose billed weight increased from 505 pounds to 550, challenged Hogan for the title. Once again, Hogan seemed to be in control, but the champion underestimated the deceitful tactics of Mr. Fuji. A "Japanese photographer" posing as a member of the legitimate Japanese wrestling press and planted at ringside by the group, aimed his lens at Hogan and pressed a button, shooting a blast of fire into his face. This allowed Yokozuna to take Hogan out with Hogan's own leg drop and reclaim the WWF Championship, after which Yokozuna proceeded to hit Hogan with the Banzai Drop in the corner. [cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/june/1993.htm|title=King of the Ring 1993 results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=p.w.w.] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454129|title=Yokozuna's second WWE Championship reign|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] Soon after, Hogan left the WWF to pursue other interests, which left Yokozuna and Fuji to claim that they had ended Hulkamania (to wit, that would be Hogan's last appearance in the WWF for 9 years). To celebrate, he held a "Bodyslam Competition" aboard the USS Intrepid on Independence Day. Many wrestlers and athletes alike tried to slam Yokozuna, with no success. As Yokozuna thought that there would be none left to challenge him, Lex Luger flew in by helicopter, stepped forward, and slammed him on the deck. It was claimed by announcer Bobby Heenan that the move pulled by Luger was a hip toss rather than a bodyslam as Yokozuna was running at Luger when he slammed him, but the slam was ruled legitimate. This made Luger the next major challenger to Yokozuna's title reign.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/yokozunaslam.html|title=Yokozuna Bodyslam Challenge results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

At "SummerSlam 1993", Yokozuna and the newly-reborn patriot Luger fought it out for the WWF Championship. Luger took control late in the match, scoring on Yokozuna with a bodyslam and flying forearm. Luger had metal plates put into his arm, making it a formidable weapon -- it was stipulated that Luger must wear a protective pad over it, but it was torn off in the course of the match -- and Yokozuna was knocked out of the ring, unconscious, and lost via countout. The title did not change hands, but the match's result made it seem like Luger had a chance against his gigantic foe. The contract Luger had signed for the match, as orchestrated by Yokozuna's new spokesman and advisor Jim Cornette, stated that if he did not win the championship, he would not get another shot at the title.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1993/mainevent/|title=SummerSlam 1993 main event|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Accelerator 3359] Yokozuna and Luger continued to feud until "Survivor Series 1993", where each chose a team of allies for an elimination match. The match was billed as an All Americans (Lex Luger, The Undertaker and Steiner Brothers) vs. Foreign Fanatics (Yokozuna, Quebecer Jacques, Ludvig Borga and Crush) contest.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1993/mainevent/|title=Survivor Series 1993 main event|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE]

Yokozuna's next challenger was The Undertaker. The two first squared off against each other as parts of their respective teams at Survivor Series. Prior to the match starting, the two stood nose-to-nose as a tease to the crowd as to the possibility of those two facing each other. However, the Undertaker was not tagged into the match until after it was just him and Luger on the American Team. When the Undertaker entered he beat down on Ludvig Borga but was knocked down by Yokozuna. Yokozuna then gave the Undertaker a Banzai Drop, but the Undertaker sat up when Yokozuna went for a second Banzai Drop. The two then brawled outside, where Yokozuna seemed to be completely overmatched. They were both eliminated by double countout.

Eventually Yokozuna was forced to accept a Casket match with The Undertaker. The match occurred at "Royal Rumble 1994", where all the odds looked to be in the Undertaker's favor. However, after a lengthy match, Mr. Fuji called out the troops, bringing a dozen heel wrestlers out to aid Yokozuna in attacking the Undertaker. After a lot of struggle (as well as damaging the Undertaker's "magic" urn), the group managed to shove the Undertaker into the casket, giving the win to Yokozuna. As they celebrated afterwards, however, a mysterious figure appeared on the Titantron, looking like the Undertaker inside the casket. He opened his eyes and said the Undertaker would not rest in peace; he then disappeared in a smoke and light show, rising to the top of the Titantron and seemingly levitating all the way to the arena ceiling. He then vanished. This storyline was used to allow the Undertaker to rest for several months to recover from lingering real-life injuries. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1994 official results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE]

Later, in the actual 1994 Royal Rumble match, the last two competitors, Lex Luger and Bret Hart, fought and eliminated each other simultaneously. Since the winner of the Royal Rumble was to become the number one contender to Yokozuna's title, it was decided that both wrestlers would get a shot at the title at "WrestleMania X".cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/mainevent/|title=1994 Royal Rumble match|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] By virtue of winning a coin toss, Luger got to wrestle Yokozuna first at the event. The winner of that match would go on to face Bret Hart later in the evening with the title on the line.cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/ruggedroadstomania/roadstomania7|title=Dis-Owen-ed|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] To obviate the risk of outside interference, both title matches were scheduled to have special guest referees. Mr. Perfect was the special guest referee for the Luger/Yokozuna bout. Luger seemed to have the match well in hand and had knocked out Yokozuna with the bionic forearm in the middle of the ring. He also knocked out Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette, who tried to enter the ring. However when Luger went for the pin, Perfect occupied himself with the unconscious Fuji and Cornette who were still lying on the ring apron. When Luger got angry and pushed Mr Perfect, he was disqualified, thus making Yokozuna the first "heel" champion to successfully defend the WWF Championship at a WrestleMania.

Later in the night, Yokozuna defended the championship again, this time against the former champion Bret "Hitman" Hart, who had lost earlier in the night to his brother Owen Hart. For this match, Roddy Piper was the special referee. When Cornette tried to interfere to break a pinfall, Piper decked him. At the end of the match, Yokozuna seemed ready to hit his finishing maneuver, the Banzai Drop, when he lost his balance and took a fall from the ropes. Hart got the pinfall victory, finally taking the title away from the long-running champion who reigned for 280 days.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm10/mainevent/|title=WrestleMania 10 main event|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] Afterwards on television, Cornette would blame the fall on a concussion suffered from Luger's forearm plate.

The End of Main-Event Status (1994)

Yokozuna's main-event status soon began to fade away, as he never again fully challenged for the WWF Championship. He began tagging briefly with Crush, another Mr. Fuji charge. In May 1994, on a "Monday Night RAW" episode, Yokozuna was challenged by Earthquake to an actual sumo match. On May 16 1994, Earthquake beat Yokozuna in the only (worked) sumo match [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/1994.html|title=Monday Night RAW results 1994|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] until WrestleMania 21, between Big Show and an actual yokozuna, Akebono. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm21/results/|title=WrestleMania 21 official results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] At "King of the Ring 1994", Yokozuna and Crush failed to win the WWF Tag Team Championship from The Headshrinkers (Samu and Fatu). [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering94.html|title=King of the Ring 1994 results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

Yokozuna then had to deal with the "rebirth" of the Undertaker, who immediately came after the foe who had taken him out of action. The two met in another casket match at the "Survivor Series 1994", this time with actor/karate expert Chuck Norris as the special enforcer to keep the other heel wrestlers away from ringside. Without their help (although Irwin R. Schyster did successfully interfere on Yokozuna's behalf), Yokozuna could not win and eventually ended up locked inside the casket. This was Yokozuna's last main event run in the WWF for a time, as he wrestled only briefly on the mid-card before taking some time off.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1994/mainevent/|title=Survivor Series 1994 main event|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE]

Teaming with Owen Hart (1995)

In April 1995, Owen Hart began promising that he would have a great tag-team partner to face off against The Smokin' Gunns (Billy and Bart) at "WrestleMania XI" for the WWF Tag Team Championship. At the event, Yokozuna was revealed as his partner, and the surprisingly diverse tag team managed to take out the Gunns and win the WWF Tag Team Championship. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm11/results/|title=WrestleMania XI official results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212114|title=Owen Hart and Yokozuna's first World Tag Team Championship reign|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] The two would remain a tough tag team for a few months, defending against teams like the Allied Powers (Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith), [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse2.html|title=In Your House 2 results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] the Smoking Gunns, [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse1.html|title=In Your House 1 results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] and others. Still, by this point it was obvious that Yokozuna was no longer in great shape, having gained too much weight (he was estimated to be at around 700 lb (320 kg) at this point, although he was billed at 641 lb).

At "", Yokozuna teamed up with Davey Boy Smith to take on Shawn Michaels and Diesel (the back story being that Hart was supposedly with his wife as she gave birth to one of their children) with Diesel's WWF Championship, Shawn Michaels' WWF Intercontinental Championship and Owen/Yoko's WWF Tag Team Championship on the line. During the match, Owen Hart came to the ring, only to be pinned by Diesel. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse3.html|title=In Your House 3 results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] The next day, due to protests from the team and the legal help of Clarence Mason, President Gorilla Monsoon reluctantly returned the belts to Yokozuna & Hart, since Hart was not an official part of the match. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212123|title=Owen Hart and Yokozuna's second World Tag Team Championship reign|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] Unfortunately for the team, their second reign was much shorter, as the Smoking Gunns defeated them that night for the belts. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/1995.html|title=Monday Night RAW results 1995|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

Face turn & Departure (1996)

Yokozuna had little continued success in 1996. He competed in the 1996 Royal Rumble match, managing to eliminate Bob Backlund, King Mabel, and Swat Team member #2 before being tossed out by Shawn Michaels, the eventual winner. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811412/mainevent/|title=1996 Royal Rumble match|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] Although Cornette had tried to make peace between him and new acquisition Vader, many observers felt Yokozuna was being relegated. After several run-ins, Yokozuna left Cornette and began a short babyface stint. He spoke English to the fans, had Mr. Fuji wave an American flag during his matches, and challenged Vader to numerous matches. It was during this feud that Yokozuna teamed up with Ahmed Johnson and Jake Roberts in a six-man tag-team match at "WrestleMania XII" facing off with Vader, Owen Hart and British Bulldog. The feud took a painful turn a few months later, when Vader jumped on Yokozuna's leg, supposedly breaking it. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm12/results|title=WrestleMania XII official results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE] A forklift had to come down to ringside to lift Yokozuna out, showing how his weight had gotten out of control. He took some time off to slim down.

He reappeared at the "Free for All" just before "SummerSlam 1996", facing off against Stone Cold Steve Austin. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/summerslam96.html|title=SummerSlam 1996 results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Yokozuna took the advantage near the end of the match, but when he went for the Banzai Drop, the rope broke, sending him crashing back down. Austin attained the easy victory. It is interesting to note that during that match, neither man used the top rope in any way during the match due to the one turnbuckle being rigged to break. This is most evident when Austin "pantomimed" bouncing off the opposite set of ropes a few times when hitting Yokozuna with running clotheslines. Had he actually hit the ropes, the turnbuckle might have broken prematurely, thus spoiling the finish, and he might have injured himself.

The next night on "RAW", Yokozuna faced Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship. Despite using his big size, Yokozuna lost the match to Michaels. He would appear at one more WWF pay-per-view, still going after Vader at the "Survivor Series 1996", but that match ended with all remaining wrestlers being disqualified. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1996/results/|title=Survivor Series 1996 official results|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=WWE]

Yokozuna stayed on the WWF roster for a while afterwards, as he worked to lose the weight that he had put on. Despite dropping a reported 100 pounds (45 kg), he still could not lose enough to satisfy the WWF officials. He was unable to pass a physical required for professional wrestlers by the New York State Athletic Commission and was eventually released from the WWF in 1998, although rumors persisted for many years that he would be brought back if he lost enough weight.

Independent circuit (1999-2000)

After his WWF career ended, he performed for various independent promotions. The last major appearance for Yokozuna was at October 1999's "Heroes of Wrestling" pay-per-view, where he looked massively overweight compared to his WWF days. At the event, Yokozuna tagged with a very sluggish Jake Roberts against the team of King Kong Bundy and Jim Neidhart.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves
**"Banzai Drop" (Second rope seated senton)
**Corner splash
**Cornered running butt bump
**Lifting side slam
**Running leg drop
**Running splash
**Savate kick
**Side belly to belly suplex
**Throat thrust
*Managers
**Mr. Fuji
**Jim Cornette

Personal life

Anoa'i was a member of the famous Anoa'i family: The Rock, Rikishi, Samu, Rosey and Umaga were among his cousins, and Afa and Sika were his uncles. He had two children, Jason and Keilani. [ [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pis&GRid=6674572&PIgrid=6674572&PIcrid=7999&PIpi=3584144& Anoa'i died October 23, 2000 - According to his gravestone] ]

Despite being a fearsome and ruthless competitor on camera, he was regarded by many of his peers and fellow superstars to be a genuinely friendly and heartwarming man who was a true professional in the ring. Superstars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bret Hart, and Hulk Hogan have spoken highly of Anoa'i in various interviews about his professionalism in and outside the ring. Anoa'i was also close friends with The Undertaker, despite their on screen rivalry.

Death

On October 23 2000, Anoa'i died of fluid in his lungs while in his room at the Moat House Hotel, Liverpool. It was widely reported that his death was caused by a heart attack or heart failure. Anoa'i died at the weight of over 600 pounds. [ [http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=66A75D91-8932-4BA1-999FA61E57DCF3E4 "Third time charm for Bischoff?] MikeMooneyham.com] .

Championships and accomplishments

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated
** PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year award in 1993
**PWI ranked him # 145 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI" Years" in 2003.
*Universal Wrestling Association
**UWA World Trios Championship (1 time) – as Kokina with Fatu and Samoan Savage as The Hawaiian Beasts
*World Wrestling Federation
**WWF Championship (2 times)cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|title=WWE Championship official title history|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-19]
**WWF World Tag Team Championship (2 times) with Owen Hartcite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|title=World Tag Team Championship official title history|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-19]
**Royal Rumble (1993)

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/yokozuna/ WWE alumni profile]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pis&GRid=6674572&PIgrid=6674572&PIcrid=7999&PIpi=3584144& Rodney Anoa'i's grave]