Rodney Anoa'i, aka Yokozuna died apparently due to heart failure on
October
23, 2000.
Yokozuna,was one of the most successful heals in WWF history.
Everyone
remembers him as the giant sumo wrestler who entered the WWF in late
1992.
He gained further recognition by winning the 1993 Royal Rumble.
He holds
the record for shortest title reign by beating Bret Hart for the crown
but
losing it moments later by challenging Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania IX.
But, Yokozuna will forever be remmebered as Hulk Hogan's final WWF
opponent
at The King of the Ring on June 13, 1993. Despite dominating
the match, he
won the WWF title after Hogan was blinded by a camera flash and Yokozuna
giving him the leg drop. It was one of the most shoking events
in wrestling
history.
He held the title for 9 months after, until losing it to Bret Hart
at
Wrestlemania X. Also having memorable feuds with The Undertaker
and Lex
Luger in that span of time.
However, his continuing weight gain forced him to leave the WWF and
work
independently. At one point he weighed approximately 700 lbs.
Now, in the wake of his death, he still remains one of the most significant
figures in wrestling in the 1990's. He left us with memories
of great
matches, as well as the most shocking incidents. There will never
be
another "Yokozuna".
Written by Chris Cellucci
Thanks to WWF.com and Shane McMahon for the photos above
The "Ultimate Hulkamaniac" Gery
Roif`s Tribute to Rodney
Rodney Anoai left this world leaving two dear children Keilani
and Justin and his huge loving samoan family.
Rodney was without a shadow of a doubt the best and greatest giant
in wrestling history. Andre the Giant was greater in persona, but Rodney
was better with agility and for his size that was incredible,
Rodney could thrust kick and move like a middleweight, including falling
through the ropes to
the outside which was amazing for his weight.
Rodney got experience in New-Japan where he worked as the
Great Kokina
continuing the Samoan success that the Rock and
Rikishi enjoy today and Afa,Sika and Superfly Jimmy Snuka started!
McMahon signed Rodney in late 1992 and built him as a
Japanese Sumo Grand Champion.
Yoko squashed Mike"Virgil"Jones in his PPV debut in Series 92
leaving a mark on the WWF with Vince already typing the word
push on Yoko`s pic.
Pushed he was as he dominated the 1993 Royal Rumble thus
becoming the official #1 contender for Bret Hart`s World title.
Then there was that contract signing where Yoko pushed the table on
Bret and then
nailed the Bonzai Drop on him, I will never forget that when Bret strugelled
to get up,
selling that the hated "japanese" has more of 90% chance to beat Bret
and win the
National title. I remember then Yoko facing "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and
dropping
the Bonzai Drop before WM 9.
Then it was the big one april 4th Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, NV.
The challenger from the "rising sun" against the hero.
The cheating factor came to play as Mr.Fuji threw sault in Yoko`s eyes
and all Yoko had to do was cover Bret and get the 1-2-3.
Hulk Hogan then came out to explain the referee that Yoko cheated,
as the Hulkster helped Bret
to the outside. Mr.Fuji challenged Hulk to fight his Yokozumo, Fuji
then added the wolrd belt will
be on the line as the Caesar's Palace exploded cheering the Hulkster
as he rolled in, the cheers turned boos when Hulkster was nailed with a
Troat Chop and hooked from behind. Fuji then
tried to throw salt in Hulk`s eyes, but he ducked and Yoko got the
sault, Hulk quickly nailed Fuji
as the fans went crazy for this swerve Hulkster clotheslined the mighty
Yokozuna and dropped
the patented Big Legdrop, hooked the leg and got the 1-2-3 winning
the World WWF title
for his 5th record breaking time to a defeaning standing ovation.
Yokozuna and Fuji complained, but couldn`t do nothing besides getting
a rematch at the King of the Ring.
Fans couldn`t wait for the KOTR, as their real legendery one and only
hero
Hulk Hogan brought back Hulkamania and all the little Hulkamaniacs
came to see
the Hulkster. In the heart of the USA, Dayton, Ohio, this ultimate
battle came
to end. As fans entered the arena, Terry and Rodney went over the spots
of their
match with Terry suggesting Yoko kick out from his patented Legdrop,
but
Terry was also the one to suggest the camera man flashing, so he wouldn`t
go down
100% clean for us little Hulkamaniacs so we could say Yoko cheated
and that`s what
I had on my mind when I saw the match end.
The match was hot, all those fans of the Hulkster came back to see
him,
both worked a great memorable match and delivered their spots, including
Yoko
kicking out from the Legdrop and Hulkster failing to Body Slam Yoko,
then the flash came to play, Yoko nailed a Mongolian Chop and nailed the
Ironic Legdrop to defeat the Hulkster.
As little Hulkamaniacs "cried" and where sad, Yoko dragged the "blind"
Hulk and Bonzai
Dropped the staffings out of him. This was the beginning of the Yokozuna
era in the WWF.
The Hulkster shook hands with Rodney after their last match in germany
few days
later and said goodbye to all his friends in the locker room as he
left the WWF on
somewhat good terms.
Yoko ruled the WWF, including a run against the turned babyface
American Made Lex Luger who was planned to be the next Hulk Hogan after
Sid Eudy left. Before Summer Slam however with Vince booking Luger
to win the
belt, Luger drank too much booze and told a reporter that he will win
the title.
In the morning of the event, Vinnie Mac picked up the newspaper and
saw that
"Luger will win title today at Summer Slam" Vince was pissed off and
changed the book
giving Lex the Count Out victory, but with Yoko keeping the title.
The false press of Luger becoming new WWF champ even got to Israel.
Later came a classic memorable feud with the Undertaker which ended
at Rumble
after Rodney and Mark enjoyed going over spots, it was Yoko who was
helped by
the heels to burry the Undertaker where his soul rose up and promised
to return.
Later at WM 10 Yoko lost the belt to Bret Hart and the Yoko champ era
was over.
Undertaker then returned and gave Yoko a vacation with a casket match.
Then Yoko returned to the Series 94 as the late great beloved Owen
Hart brought him
back to squash the Smoking Jobronies.
Rodney then again had to jump for Tony "Ahmed Jackass"Norris and put
him over
before Series 95 that saw a wildcard match with the great HBK and the
then clean Scott Hall.
Then in may 96 IYH Beware of Dog where HBK faced Bulldog over that
crappy Diana angle
on the 26th PPV they had technical problems as the lights went off
during the Vega-Austin
match, prior to that Yoko beat Vader. Then Vince rebooked the card
and on the 28th
irony from Slam 93 struck as Vince changed the book and Vader got the
win.
Yoko once again put over a rising star showing that Yokozuna was da
man you had to
beat to climb the ladder, as Yoko lost to Austin in a Free for All
of Slam 96 as
the top rope came off and Austin got the cover.
Yoko`s last PPV was Series 96 as Vader "injured" his leg.
Rodney`s contract wasn`t renewed and he went working the Indies.
Last appearence Rodney made was on the worst PPV ever in the history.
The Heroes of Wrestling PPV.
Icony played a factor again as when Fatu told the world he ran Stone
Cold over,
he mentioned the Island Boys from Samoa, but couldn`t mention Yokozuna,
because he was built from Japan.
It`s such tragedy when such a youngster passes away.
Anyone from the Anoai family and relatives will testify that Rodney
was one of the
kindest and nicest human being around and I sure didn`t know him personally,
but
you could see his kind nature when he wrestled and looked out not to
hurt anybody
with his moves.
Take care up there Rodney, Hulkamaniacs will always remember you.
Thank you for those great memories!
Photos & Tribute by Gery Roif
Any Hulkamaniac who wants to type up a tribute,with or without photos
is
welcome, e-mail me your
tributes and I`ll add them to this page.
Thanks
