WWE Hall of Famer and Samoan wrestling legend Rikishi offers a deep dive into his career, from the Headshrinkers’ championship run to his highly entertaining Rikishi character. He shares intimate stories of his cousin Yokozuna, praises the barrier-breaking success of The Rock, and reflects on the journey from a shooting victim to a celebrated WWE Hall of Famer.
The Headshrinkers’ Rise and Randy Savage’s Support
Rikishi vividly recalled his time as part of The Headshrinkers tag team, specifically remembering a pivotal match against The Quebecers that led to their first championship win. He humorously noted the cold climate in Portland, Maine—a shock for “us island boys”—but described the match as “a blessing for us” and a critical turning point for the tag team. He credits the win, alongside his late uncle Afa Anoa’i and the late Captain Lou Albano, as one of their best matches.
To make the moment even more special, the late great “Macho Man” Randy Savage was on commentary with Vince McMahon. Rikishi spoke of Savage with deep affection, noting that the charismatic superstar was “ALWAYS cool with the Samoans,” extending the same love and respect he showed Rikishi’s uncles to the younger generation. “He was just a good dude… we would just sponge up underneath that.”
The Challenge of the Intercontinental Championship
When Rikishi transitioned to a singles competitor, he faced the daunting challenge of chasing the Intercontinental Championship. He lightheartedly admitted that he complained to Vince McMahon that they needed “a few more buttons behind that belt,” laughing that he was ready to wear the gold “around my neck like a gold chain!” He highlighted the honor of facing wrestling greats, singling out Chris Benoit (dubbed “Wolverine” for good reason). Rikishi knew that facing Benoit meant he had to “up my game that night” because Benoit “just brings it 24/7.” Winning that championship was a critical turning point that “took Rikishi to another level.”
The Generous Giant: Remembering Yokozuna
Rikishi painted a picture of his late cousin, Yokozuna, that stood in sharp contrast to his terrifying on-screen persona. In the locker room, “Yoko was just a humble cat,” a jokester who “loved hip-hop” and was passionate about freestyling, with Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg as favorites. Yokozuna’s generosity was legendary. Rikishi shared stories of Yoko routinely picking up restaurant tabs that were “well over $2,000 – $3,000 dollars” for the entire roster. Beyond the kindness, Yoko was a leader and a teacher, always offering advice to new talent. Rikishi considers Yoko more of a brother than a cousin, citing a personal story where Yoko pulled out a signed, blank check after hearing Rikishi’s heat had gone out in his new house. Rikishi wishes Yoko could be here today, believing he would have started a foundation for the wrestling business and their culture, saying, “Yoko was just one generous cat.”
Locker Room Cyphers and Yokozuna’s Freestyles
The connection between the Samoan Dynasty and hip-hop was strong, especially during long car rides. Yokozuna, raised in Carson, California, was deeply immersed in the West Coast rap scene. Rikishi explained that their car rides would often turn into impromptu cyphers where Yoko would play new music and then take out the cassette to record the instrumental track. Yoko would then freestyle off-the-cuff, rapping about everything they were seeing. Rikishi urged him to record tracks professionally, saying, “I said, ‘Yo! You need to be gettin’ ya ass in the studio dropping these tracks!'” a missed opportunity he still laments.
The Birth of the Rikishi Character
The creation of the Rikishi character marked a new chapter, built on years of experience. Rikishi was honored to be compared to a “legend and an icon like Shaq” for his larger-than-life showmanship. When Vince McMahon pitched the controversial character, Rikishi’s main concern was the impact on his sons, who were then in high school. He revealed he went home and showed his family the photo: “it’s exactly what you see with the thong, ass out, you know? Just hangin’!”
Once his family gave him the green light, Rikishi was ready for the commitment. He knew exactly what he needed to achieve: to make the fans forget about the thong and “showcase my skills through that character.” The dancing element came from Rikishi’s past, busking on Pier 39 in the Bay Area to earn extra money. He realized he could turn the wrestling arena into a club. “How about we flip the script on these people? How about we turn this wrestling arena into a club? Let the lights go down… And let’s take this big 450 lb Samoan from a fighting machine to somebody that can bust a move.” The persona debuted on Sunday Night Heat and was immediately a hit, moving to Monday Night RAW the following week, and as Rikishi says, “the rest was history.”
Social Media and The Rock’s Plan
Rikishi views today’s social media environment with a mix of awe and caution. He humorously suggests that if his character were around today, “They would close down Instagram. They would close down TikTok; probably nobody would be ever able to touch or even catch up to the following of Rikishi.” He noted that in his era, wrestlers had to strictly maintain kayfabe; being caught driving or eating with an opponent could “ruin every storyline.” He now advises today’s wrestlers to “utilize it in the right way” and not to “throw dirt on this media nonsense.”
On his cousin Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Rikishi recalled a young man who was “always in the gym” and looked like a “BEAST” even at 13 years old. He always believed The Rock would play NFL football, but is grateful for God’s plan. Rikishi sees The Rock’s success as a testament to the wrestling work ethic and credited him with opening the doors in Hollywood for all wrestlers: “That dude is going to take over Hollywood! Years later, there it is.” Rikishi affirmed he’d vote for The Rock if he ran for President, though he won’t be running for Vice President.
The Five Pillars of Hip-Hop
Rikishi’s taste in hip-hop is rooted in the legends who defined the genre’s golden age. His top five favorite rappers form a powerhouse lineup of East and West Coast icons: Tupac, Biggie, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Method Man. This list reflects the music and culture that permeated the wrestling locker room during his early career, influencing the style and flow of both him and his cousin, Yokozuna.
Mount Rushmore and The Hall of Fame
Rikishi’s personal Mount Rushmore includes four icons who left a unique, educational legacy: the High Chief Peter Maivia, The Undertaker, his uncles Afa and Sika, and Ric Flair. He chose them because they all possess a “special unique way of leaving a legacy to be able to teach the younger generation coming up.”
Finally, Rikishi reflected on his WWE Hall of Fame induction as proof that “all things are possible through God.” He spoke candidly about his past, including being shot in a drive-by incident at 17, and the need to turn pro at 21 to support his family. His induction in the Bay Area was especially significant, serving as a message: “if you put your mind to it and surround yourself with positive people that care about you in your life that you too are worthy.”
