| Yokozuna |
 |
 |
| Yokozuna
Height: 6’4" Weight: 600 lbs. Real name: Rodney Anoa'i Hometown: San Francisco, California (billed from Japan) Finishing move: Banzai Drop (Seated senton) Pro debut: 1984 Other aliases: Kokina Maximus (AWA), Great Kokina (NJPWA, CWA, AWA), Wild Samoan Kokina (IWF), Wild Samoan Kokina, Mr. Sumo Career highlights: WWE Heavyweight Champion (2), WWE World Tag Team Champion (2) (w/Owen Hart), UWA Six-Man Tag Team Champion (w/Fatu & Tama) Trained by: Afa, Sika Anoai WWE profile: Banzai! "Yokozuna" commonly refers to the grand champion – the highest rank – in sumo wrestling. And in the annals of sports-entertainment, the mighty Yokozuna was one of the grandest champions in WWE history. Born Rodney Anoa'i, Yokozuna came from the camp that produced The Wild Samoans, The Headshrinkers, and Rikishi, among others. Trained by uncles Arthur and Leati Anoa’i (Wild Samoans Afa and Sika respectively), Yokozuna first made an impact on U.S. soil under the name Kokina Maximus in the AWA. But when he debuted in WWE in 1992, he was rechristened Yokozuna, and with manager Mr. Fuji at his side, he made an immediate impact. At well over 500 pounds, Yokozuna commanded attention and almost instantly intimidated his foes. But he wasn’t your typical giant. Yokozuna surprised his rivals with his amazing agility. One minute he would crush opponents with thunderous belly-to-belly suplexes, but would then surprise them the next minute with superkicks that Shawn Michaels would envy and running splashes in the corner. However, Yokozuna’s signature move was the Banzai Splash. No one survived when Yokozuna would scream “Banzai” and then drop his gargantuan from the second rope onto their chest. Gold didn’t escape this juggernaut’s grasp as he won the WWE Championship twice – first from Bret “Hit Man” Hart at WrestleMania IX and then Hulk Hogan. Yokozuna also has the distinction of having one of the shortest WWE Championship reigns in history when he lost the gold to Hogan mere minutes after winning it from Hart at WrestleMania. He would avenge that loss by leg-dropping The Immortal One into oblivion a month later at King of the Ring. Besides Hart, Yokozuna had unforgettable rivalries with Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Vader and especially Undertaker. The Deadman ultimately prevailed when he goaded Yokozuna into competing in his specialty – The Casket Match. But the behemoth was one of The Phenom’s greatest challenges. Under the tutelage of Fuji and Jim Cornette, Yokozuna also held the World Tag Team Championships twice with the late Owen Hart. He seemed destined to hold more championships but his weight proved to be his greatest opponent. Yokozuna’s weight steadily increased during his tenure at WWE, ultimately forcing him to leave the company. His weight contributed to his sudden death in 2000 while he was on an independent wrestling tour in Europe. At age 34, Yokozuna left us too soon. But our fans will always remember his accomplishments in the ring – and that’s why he is a true champion. Banzai indeed! |