History of Rikishi (wrestler) in Timeline

Solofa Fatu Jr., prominently known as Rikishi, is an American professional wrestler. He achieved fame under the monikers Rikishi and Fatu in WWE. Beyond WWE, he wrestled in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, showcasing his versatility across different promotions.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 11, 1965: Solofa Fatu Jr. Born

On October 11, 1965, Solofa Fatu Jr. was born. He is an American professional wrestler known as Rikishi and Fatu.

1982: Drive-by Shooting

In 1982, at seventeen years old, Fatu was wounded in a drive-by shooting and spent two months in the hospital before starting his wrestling training.

1985: Wrestling Career with Lutte Internationale

In 1985, Fatu began his wrestling career with Gino Brito and Dino Bravo's Lutte Internationale promotion in Montreal as Prince Alofa, and also worked for International Championship Wrestling in New York City.

1985: Professional Wrestling Debut

In 1985, Fatu debuted in professional wrestling as Prince Alofa.

1986: Formation of the Samoan Swat Team

In 1986, Fatu and his cousin Samula Anoaʻi formed the Samoan Swat Team (Samu & Fatu) in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

November 7, 1987: WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship

On November 7, 1987, The Samoan Swat Team became the new WWC Caribbean Tag Team Champions after defeating Invader I and Invader III in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

August 12, 1988: WCWA World Tag Team Championship

On August 12, 1988, the Samoan Swat Team (SST) defeated Kerry and Kevin Von Erich for the WCWA World Tag Team Championship in World Class Championship Wrestling.

September 12, 1988: WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship

On September 12, 1988, The Samoan Swat Team became double champions by beating "Hollywood" John Tatum and Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship.

April 2, 1989: Clash of the Champions VI Victory

On April 2, 1989, The Samoan Swat Team (SST) beat The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) at Clash of the Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun.

1989: Manager Changes and New Tag Team

In the fall of 1989, Paul E. Dangerously was phased out as the SST's manager, replaced by "The Big Kahuna" Oliver Humperdink. Fatu's brother, The Samoan Savage, also joined the team. Later in 1989, Fatu and The Samoan Savage rebranded as The New Wild Samoans.

1990: Independent Circuit and International Promotions

After leaving WCW in the summer of 1990, Fatu and Savage worked for several independent promotions in the US, Europe, Puerto Rico and Japan, often teaming with cousin Kokina Maximus.

1991: UWA Trios Tag Team Championship

In 1991, Fatu, Savage and Kokina Maximus won the UWA Trios Tag Team Championship in the Universal Wrestling Association.

1992: Sporadic PPV Appearances and Tag Title Challenges

Between 1992 and early 1994, The Headshrinkers occasionally challenged for the tag title and made sporadic PPV appearances, feuding with The Smoking Gunns and Men on a Mission.

1992: WWF Debut

In 1992, Fatu debuted for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and employed multiple gimmicks.

March 1, 1993: WWF Championship Match

On March 1, 1993, Fatu received a WWF Championship match against Bret Hart on Monday Night RAW but was unsuccessful.

1994: Tag Title Challenges

Between 1992 and early 1994, The Headshrinkers occasionally challenged for the tag title and made sporadic PPV appearances, feuding with The Smoking Gunns and Men on a Mission.

1994: Samu's Departure and New Headshrinkers Formation

In 1994, Samu left the WWF and was replaced by Sione (formerly The Barbarian), forming The New Headshrinkers.

1994: Headshrinkers' Championship Reign

In 1994, The Headshrinkers helped Yokozuna win a casket match against The Undertaker at the Royal Rumble, turned face in April, won the tag team title on the May 2 episode of Monday Night RAW, successfully defended the title at King of the Ring on June 19 against Yokozuna and Crush, and lost the title at a house show in Indianapolis on August 28.

July 1995: "Make a Difference" Gimmick Debut

In July 1995, Fatu reappeared as a singles wrestler with a "streetwise positive role model" gimmick, preaching messages of staying in school and saying no to drugs. The gimmick included vignettes in his old San Francisco neighborhood, with each segment ending with the onscreen phrase "Make a Difference".

1995: Final Match with The New Headshrinkers

During the first half of 1995, The New Headshrinkers worked with Jacob & Eli Blu. Their final match together was a loss to Men on a Mission at a June 22 house show in London, England, after which Sione left for WCW and Fatu was removed from WWF television.

April 1996: "Make a Difference" Gimmick Dropped

In April 1996, the "Make a Difference" gimmick was dropped after not getting over with fans.

August 1996: The Sultan Gimmick Debut

In August 1996, Fatu was repackaged as The Sultan, a red masked heel managed by The Iron Sheik and Bob Backlund.

1997: Son's appearance on Raw

In 1997, Rikishi's third son, Jeremiah, appeared on an episode of Raw.

January 1998: The Sultan Vanishes

In January 1998, The Sultan vanished and Fatu left to train at Dory Funk's Funking Conservatory wrestling school.

1998: Return to WWF as Rikishi Phatu

In 1998, Fatu returned to the WWF and was repackaged as a sumo wrestler character named Rikishi Phatu.

April 28, 1999: Teaming with Yokozuna in London

On April 28, 1999, Fatu teamed with his cousin Yokozuna to defeat Skull Murphy Jr., Danny Collins and Blondie Barratt in a handicap match in London, England.

May 1999: Power Pro Wrestling Debut

In May 1999, Fatu debuted in Memphis for Power Pro Wrestling as J.R. Smooth, a rap gimmick.

October 5, 1999: Return to WWF with Rikishi Gimmick

After training at Funk's, Fatu returned to WWF on October 5, 1999, in a dark match for Sunday Night Heat defeating Crash Holly.

November 13, 1999: Rikishi Fatu on WWF Metal

On the November 13, 1999 episode of WWF Metal, Fatu wrestled as Rikishi Fatu, beating Julio Fantastico.

November 22, 1999: Rikishi's Raw Debut

On November 22, 1999, Rikishi debuted on Monday Night Raw, helping Too Cool from being attacked by the Mean Street Posse. It was the first time Rikishi's character debuted on Raw, and the first time Too Cool and Rikishi were in the ring together.

1999: Independent Circuit Work

From 1998 to 1999, Fatu worked in the independent circuit.

1999: Repackaging as Rikishi

Since his repackaging as Rikishi in 1999, the Banzai Drop had been used as a finishing move.

May 15, 2000: Stephanie McMahon comments on Rikishi's 'Stink Face'

On May 15, 2000, on an episode of Raw, Stephanie McMahon described Rikishi's buttocks as "bulbous", "smelly" and "sweaty" when describing the Stink Face.

May 2000: Feud with Edge, Christian and Kurt Angle

In May 2000, Rikishi and Too Cool feuded with Edge, Christian and Kurt Angle, culminating in a victory at Judgment Day.

2000: Popularity with Too Cool and Royal Rumble

In 2000, Rikishi formed a popular alliance with Too Cool, joining their dance routines. At the 2000 Royal Rumble, he and Too Cool did the dance to their respective songs, and he eliminated seven opponents.

2000: Rikishi's Popularity in 2000

In the year 2000, Rikishi reached a peak in popularity but would never regain that level of fame later in his career.

January 2001: Rikishi wins Fatal Four Way match

In January 2001, on SmackDown!, Rikishi won a Fatal Four Way match involving Rock, Undertaker and Kane for the #30 spot in the 2001 Royal Rumble match after he pinned Kane.

March 2002: Rikishi drafted to SmackDown! brand

Upon the WWF Brand Extension in March 2002, Rikishi was drafted to the SmackDown! brand.

2002: Match against Hulk Hogan

In early 2002, Hulk Hogan faced Rikishi in Hogan's first match back since leaving the WWF to go to rival WCW in the 1990s. Hogan won, but Rikishi delivered a Stink Face to Hogan.

2002: Various feuds in 2002

In late 2002, Rikishi was not featured much and feuded with John Cena, Bill DeMott, and the Full Blooded Italians on SmackDown!.

2003: Feud with John Cena, Bill DeMott, and The Full Blooded Italians

In early 2003, Rikishi feuded with John Cena, Bill DeMott, and The Full Blooded Italians on SmackDown!.

February 5, 2004: Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty win WWE Tag Team Championship

On February 5, 2004, Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty defeated the Basham Brothers for the WWE Tag Team Championship on SmackDown!.

2004: Departure from WWE

In 2004, Fatu left WWE and started appearing in the independent circuit.

October 2005: Name change to Kishi

In October 2005, after being notified by WWE legal representatives that WWE owned a trademark on the name "Rikishi", Fatu shortened his ring name to Kishi.

February 17, 2007: Competed as SUMO RIKISHI at an All Japan Pro Wrestling event

On February 17, 2007, Fatu competed as SUMO RIKISHI in a tag team contest at an All Japan Pro Wrestling event, brought in by Keiji Mutoh to feud with Akebono.

August 12, 2007: Competed at AAA's TripleMania as Rikishi

On August 12, 2007, Fatu competed in an 8-man tag, as Rikishi, at AAA's TripleMania event.

September 13, 2007: Debut in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

On the September 13, 2007 episode of Impact!, Fatu debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Junior Fatu.

2007: Short Stint in TNA

In 2007, Fatu had a short stint in TNA as Junior Fatu.

July 16, 2012: Rikishi returns to Raw and defeats Heath Slater

On July 16, 2012, Rikishi made an in-ring appearance on Raw, defeating Heath Slater, using the Samoan Spike and the Banzai Drop as a tribute to his deceased brother Umaga and cousin Yokozuna.

January 6, 2014: Rikishi reunites with Too Cool

On January 6, 2014, Rikishi reunited with Too Cool to defeat 3MB in a six-man tag team match on Raw.

February 9, 2015: Rikishi to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

On February 9, 2015, Rikishi was announced as the newest member to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015.

March 28, 2015: Rikishi inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

On March 28, 2015, Rikishi was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his sons, Jimmy and Jey Uso.

2015: WWE Hall of Fame Induction

In 2015, Fatu was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

March 23, 2019: Rikishi wins GCW Tag Team Championship

On March 23, 2019, Rikishi teamed with Jerry Lawler to defeat The Steiner Brothers for the inaugural GCW Tag Team Championship at a Grind City Wrestling event in Memphis, Tennessee.