gold star for USAHOF
Rikishi
Following in the footsteps of a successful family is never easy, but Rikishi (as Fatu) was able to carve his own path with his cousin, Samu to create the Samoan SWAT Team (later the Headshrinkers) and win multiple tag team titles.  That alone would make it a successful wrestling career, but after multiple attempts Solafu Fatu would achieve singles success by literally showing his ass to the fans.

The “Make a Difference” Fatu didn’t work.  The Sultan definitely didn’t work.  It stood to reason that by dying his hair blonde and wearing a sumo thong on his 400 pound frame that he would go 0 for 3.  What wasn’t put into the equation was that as Rikishi, his natural personality shone through and one of the most genuinely likable wrestlers that the WWE ever had.   Although he was given a very high profile angle with Steve Austin and The Rock, it came at the price of an ill-advised heel turn that permanently derailed the momentum that he built up.  Had he remained a face, Rikishi could have been an upper card star for likely a longer period of time.  As it stands now, his career was very long with peaks in both singles and tag teams and he would not be out of place in a WWE Hall of Fame.




The Bullet Points:
Other Aliases:
Solofa Fatu (Real Name)
Fatu
The Sultan
Rikishi Fatu
Kishi
Junior Fatu

Billed From:
Samoa

Key Championships Held:
WWC Caribbean Tag Team w/Samu
WCCW Tag Team (3) w/Samu
WWF World Tag Team w/Samu
WWF Intercontinental
WWF Tag Team (2) 1w/Rico 1w/Scotty 2 Hotty

Why He Will Get In:
He has the family roots for the Hall and had long runs with the WWE.

Why He Won’t Get In:
He isn’t as remembered as much as others of his era.

Five Greatest Matches/Moments: (In Chronological Order)
1.  With Samu, wins the WWF World Tag Team Titles (4/26/94)
2.  Eliminated seven men at the Royal Rumble and received a monster pop dancing with Too Cool (1/23/00)
3.  Became the Intercontinental Champion defeating Chris Benoit (6/20/00)
4.  Wrestled Steve Austin to a no contest (10/22/00)
5.  Loses to the Rock in a high profile match at the Survivor Series
(11/19/00)


Should Rikishi be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 44.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 22.2%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 22.2%
No opinion. - 11.1%
No way! - 0%

The Bullet Points

Should Rikishi be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 44.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 22.2%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 22.2%
No opinion. - 11.1%
No way! - 0%

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