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Rodney Anoa’i with Mr. Fuji
Rodney Anoa’i was born on October 2, 1966. Anoa’i,s character Yokozuna refers to as the highest pro-ranked sumo wrestler in Japan, even though he has never compete in an actual event.

Rodney began his career off from training from his uncles, Afa and Sika, they were known as the Wild Samoans.

Anoa’i started his wrestling career over seas in Japan in 1984. Later moved to the United States to wrestle in Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association, where he wrestled as Kokina Maximus.

In 1992, Anoa’i was contacted by Vince McMahon and was offered an new gimmick, Yokozuna. Managed by Harry Fujiwara (Mr. Fuji).

Here is an Youtube of his debut;

April 4, 1993 - Wrestlemania 9: Yokozuna defeated Bret Hart to win the WWF Heavyweight Title.. Anoa’i the first ever Samoan to win the WWF(WWE) Championship.

June 13, 1993 - King of the Ring: Yokozuna defeated Hulk Hogan to recapture the WWF Heavyweight Title..

Next month July, Mr Fuji offered an challenged to any wrestler who could body slam Yokozuna on the deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier in NYC.

No wrestler came forward just as the Japanese colors were goingto prevail a helicopter landed on the deck. Out comes Lex Lugar bearing the red, white and blue colors.

Lex Luger runs across the deck, picks up Yokozuna, and slams him down as the crowd cheers.

Through his reign with the WWF Yokozuna moved legends to un-heightened aspects.
Yohozuna teamed up with Crush, Brain Adams. Later he teamed up with Hart sensation, Owen Hart.

Were he fueded against Mabel, The Undertaker,
Ahmed Johnson- which Johnson slammed Yoko when he first meet him to wrestle.

WrestleMania XII: Owen Hart & British Bulldog & Vader beat Yokozuna & Jake Roberts & Ahmed Johnson. Later that summer WWF encouraged him lose some weight before he returned.

SummerSlam 1996: Steve Austin beat Yokozuna in ‘Free-for-all’ Match.. Yoko went up for the Bonzai drop and the top rope brokesending him crashing back down. Austin gets the win 1-2-3.

1997 thru 1998– Yokozuna waas on the roster working on the weight he had to lose. Dropping an amazing 100 lbs, was still not 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.

The last major appearance for Yokozuna was at October 1999’s Heroes of Wrestling pay-per-view.

On October 23, 2000, Anoa’i died of a heart attack while on an independent wrestling tour in Liverpool, England.

Rodney was a member of the famous Anoa’i family; The Rock, Rikishi, Samu, Rosey and Umaga are among his cousins.

Rodney Anoa’i, yokozuna, Deceased Legends