Yokozuna

[Yokozuna GALLERY]

[Yokozuna/Owen Hart]

Title History

• WWF Royal Rumble Winner last eliminating Randy “Macho Man” Savage (1993);
• WWF World Heavyweight title defeating Bret “Hitman” Hart (April 4, 1993 – WrestleMania 9);
• WWF World Heavyweight title defeating “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan (June 13, 1993 – King of the Ring);
• WWF World Tag Team titles w/Owen Hart defeating The Smoking Gunns (April 2, 1995 – In Your House);
• WWF World Tag Team titles w/Owen Hart -Awarded- (September 25, 1995);

Career Highlights

In The Beginning:

• Rodney Anoai was a member of one of the most famous wrestlng families, being nephew to Afa & Sika..
• 1984: Rodney Anoai began his pro wrestling career in Japan..
• Rodney Anoai moved to Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association, where he wrestled as Kokina Maximus.

World Wrestling Federation – Heel:

• Fall 1992: Vince McMahon and the WWF signed Rodney Anoai, who suddenly became “Japanese” and known as Yokozuna..
• ~~~Yokozuna (which is the highest honor one can achieve in sumo wrestling) and given Mr Fuji as a manager..
• ~~~Yokozuna was billed as a Japanese wrestler even though he was legitimately Samoan..
• October 31, 1992–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Bill Jordan.
• November 1992: Yokozuna had his first match in the World Wrestling Federation..
• November 15, 1992–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Shane Croft.
• November 21, 1992–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Todd Becker.
• November 25, 1992 – Survivor Series: Yokozuna defeated Virgil..
• November 29, 1992–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Buck Zumhofe.
• December 5, 1992–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Mike Morgan.
• December 13, 1992–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Chris Allen.
• December 19, 1992–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Rich Myers.
• January 2, 1993–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated George Anderson.
• January 10, 1993–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Chad Miller.
• January 11, 1993–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Koko B. Ware.
• January 16, 1993–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Carl Almont.
• January 24, 1993–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Rudy Flores.
• January 24, 1993 – Royal Rumble: Yokozuna won the Royal Rumble to win a title shot at WrestleMania 9..
• February 1, 1993–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Bobby DeVito.
• February 6, 1993–Superstars: Jim Duggan defeated Yokozuna.
• February 13, 1993–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Earthquake in a dark match.
• February 15, 1993–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Ross Greenberg.
• February 27, 1993–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Brian West.
• March 7, 1993–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Raven Clark.
• March 13, 1993–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Casey Cleric.
• April 4, 1993 – WrestleMania 9: Yokozuna defeated Bret Hart to win the WWF Heavyweight Title..
• ~~~After the match, Mr Fuji issued a challenge to “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan (Hogan came out and defeated Yoko for the title!)
• April 11, 1993–UK Rampage: Jim Duggan defeated Yokozuna in a dark match.
• April 17, 1993–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Chris Katowski.
• April 25, 1993–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Rudy Gonzales.
• May 8, 1993–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Shawn Dakota.
• May 10, 1993–RAW: Yokozuna defeated PJ Black.
• May 17, 1993–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Kamala.
• May 27, 1993–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Scott Taylor.
• May 29, 1993–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Tony Roy.
• June 13, 1993 – King of the Ring: Yokozuna defeated Hulk Hogan to recapture the WWF Heavyweight Title..
• July 4, 1993: Mr. Fuji’s challenged any athlete to pick up and slam Yokozuna on the deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier in NYC..
• ~~~Many Wrestlers and professional athletes respond, including basketball star Alonzo Mourning and Macho Man Randy Savage..
• ~~~All seemed lost as Mr. Fuji and Yokozuna prepared to raise the Japanese flag..
• ~~~Then out of nowhere, a helicopter landed on the deck and Lex Luger appeared wearing the colours of the USA..
• ~~~Lex Luger told the fans he had changed his ways and he’ll be damned before he allows this to happen..
• ~~~Lex Luger runs across the deck, picks up Yokozuna, and slams him down to thunderous cheers!
• ~~~The crowd goes wild and Lex Luger, who was a heel, becomes an instant hero..
• July 12, 1993–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Crush.
• August 16, 1993 – SummerSlam Spectacular: Yokozuna defeated Jim Duggan.
• August 30, 1993 – SummerSlam: Lex Luger defeated Yokozuna by count-out.
• September 6, 1993–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Barry Horowitz.
• November 24, 1993–Survivor Series: The All-Americans (Lex Luger, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner & The Undertaker) defeated The Foreign Fanatics (Crush, Jacques, Ludvig Borga & Yokozuna) in a tag team elimination match.

World Wrestling Federation – Heel II:

• Soon after this, Yokozuna began a major feud with The Undertaker and Paul Bearer..
• January 3, 1994–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Dan Dubiel to retain the World heavyweight title.
• January 8, 1994–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Bert Centeno & Scott Taylor in a handicap match.
• January 16, 1994–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Cory Student to retain the World heavyweight title.
• January 22, 1994–Royal Rumble: Yokozuna recruited an army of heel wrestlers to help him defeat the Undertaker in a Casket Match..
• February 28, 1994–RAW: Randy Savage defeated Yokozuna by disqualification.
• WrestleMania X: Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger early in the night, but went on to lose the WWF title to Bret Hart in the main event..
• March 27, 1994–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Tatanka in a dark match.
• April 4, 1994–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Scott Powers.
• April 9, 1994–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Terry Stubbs.
• April 17, 1994–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Joey Stallings.
• Yokozuna was briefly teamed with Crush (Brian Adams)..
• May 2, 1994–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Mike Davis & Scott Taylor in a handicap match.
• May 16, 1994–RAW: Earthquake defeated Yokozuna in a Sumo match.
• May 28, 1994–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Cory Student.
• June 11, 1994–Superstars: Crush & Yokozuna defeated The Smoking Gunns (Bart Gunn & Billy Gunn).
• June 19, 1994–Wrestling Challenge: Crush & Yokozuna defeated Kenny Hendrix & Matt Gardener.
• June 19, 1994 – King of the Ring: The Headshrinkers defeated Yokozuna & Crush to retain the Tag Team titles..
• June 20, 1994–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Nick Barbarry.
• July 10, 1994–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Dave Thornberg.
• July 16, 1994–Superstars: Typhoon defeated Yokozuna by disqualification.
• July 24, 1994–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Steve Smyth.
• July 25, 1994–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Adam Bomb by count-out.
• July 31, 1994–Wrestling Challenge: Crush & Yokozuna defeated Mabel & Typhoon.
• September 4, 1994–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Tom O’Sullivan.
• September 10, 1994–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Steve King.
• September 19, 1994–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Phil Apollo.
• September 25, 1994–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Gary Scott.
• October 2, 1994–Wrestling Challenge: Yokozuna defeated Frank Stalletto.
• October 15, 1994–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Jason Storm.
• October 24, 1994–RAW: Razor Ramon defeated Yokozuna by count-out to retain the Intercontinental title.
• November 6, 1994 – Action Zone: Yokozuna defeated Mabel.
• November 20, 1994 – Sunday Night Slam: Yokozuna defeated John Chrystal.
• November 23, 1994 – Survivor Series: The Undertaker returned and defeated Yokozuna in a Casket match for revenge.
• March 26, 1995 – WAR: Genichiro Tenryu defeated Yokozuna.

World Wrestling Federation – Camp Cornette:

• April 2, 1995 – WrestleMania XI: Yokozuna appeared as Owen Hart’s mystery partner, and defeated the Smoking Gunns for the Tag Team titles..
• April 10, 1995–RAW: Bret Hart & 1-2-3 Kid & Bob Holly defeated Owen Hart & Yokozuna & Hakushi.
• April 17, 1995–RAW: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated 1-2-3 Kid & Bob Holly.
• April 22, 1995–Superstars: Camp Cornette (Owen Hart & Yokozuna) defeated John Chrystal & Leroy Howard to retain the World tag team titles.
• April 23, 1995–Wrestling Challenge: Camp Cornette (Owen Hart & Yokozuna) defeated Bill Payne & Tim McNeany to retain the World tag team titles.
• May 6, 1995–Superstars: Camp Cornette (Owen Hart & Yokozuna) defeated The Headshrinkers (Fatu & Sionne) to retain the World tag team titles.
• May 14, 1995–Wrestling Challenge: Camp Cornette (Owen Hart & Yokozuna) defeated Gary Anderson & Kevin Krueger to retain the World tag team titles.
• May 14, 1995–In Your House: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated The Smoking Gunns to retain the Tag Team title..
• May 15, 1995–RAW: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated Bill Weaver & Nick Barberi.
• June 5, 1995–RAW: Camp Cornette (Owen Hart & Yokozuna) defeated The Smoking Gunns (Bart Gunn & Billy Gunn) in a dark match to retain the World tag team titles.
• June 12, 1995–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger by disqualification.
• June 17, 1995–Superstars: Bret Hart, Razor Ramon & Savio Vega defeated Camp Cornette (Owen Hart & Yokozuna) & Hakushi in a dark match.
• June 25, 1995 – King of the Ring: Savio Vega w/Razor Ramon defeated Yokozuna w/Mr. Fuji & Jim Cornette by Count Out in the 1st round..
• July 1, 1995–Superstars: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated The Allied Powers (Lex Luger & The British Bulldog) in a dark match to retain the World tag team titles.
• July 2, 1995–Wrestling Challenge: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated Dave Thornberg & Jeff Williams to retain the World tag team titles.
• July 15, 1995–Superstars: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated John Chrystal & Mike Khoury to retain the World tag team titles.
• July 17, 1995–RAW: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated Jim Dimitre & Gus Kantarrakis.
• July 23, 1995 – In Your House Lumberjacks: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger & British Bulldog to retain the Tag Team titles..
• July 31, 1995–RAW: Owen Hart & Yokozuna vs Savio Vega & Razor Ramon ended in a No Contest.
• August 7, 1995–RAW: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated Savio Vega & Razor Ramon.
• September 9, 1995–Superstars: Camp Cornette (Owen Hart & Yokozuna) defeated AC Conner & Tony Williams to retain the World tag team titles.
• September 18, 1995–RAW: Yokozuna & Owen Hart defeated Men on a Mission (Mabel & Mo).
• September 24, 1995 – In Your House Triple Header: Owen & Yokozuna took on Shawn Michaels & Diesel in a match where all 4 titles were on the line..
• ~~~Shawn Michaels & Diesel won the tag titles but the decision was reversed the following night on RAW by Gorilla Monsoon..
• September 25, 1995–RAW: The Smoking Gunns (Billy & Bart Gunn) defeated Yokozuna & Owen Hart.
• October 9, 1995–RAW: Yokozuna & Owen Hart & British Bulldog defeated Diesel & Shawn Michaels & The Undertaker.
• October 22, 1995 – IIn Your House 4: Great White North: Yokozuna vs Mabel went to a double count-out..
• October 28, 1995 – Superstars: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated Razor Ramon & The 1-2-3 Kid.
• November 19, 1995 – Survivor Series: Ahmed Johnson, Shawn Michaels, Sid & The British Bulldog defeated Dean Douglas, Owen Hart, Razor Ramon & Yokozuna in a tag team elimination match.
• December 9, 1995 – Superstars: Yokozuna defeated John Chrystal.
• December 17, 1995 – In Your House 5: Season’s Beatings: Barry Horowitz, Hakushi & The Smoking Gunns (Bart Gunn & Billy Gunn) defeated The Body Donnas (Skip & Zip), Isaac Yankem DDS & Yokozuna in a dark match.
• December 18, 1995–RAW: Razor Ramon defeated Yokozuna by Count-out to retain the Intercontinental title.
• December 23, 1996–Superstars: Bret Hart, Razor Ramon & The Undertaker defeated Owen Hart, Sid & Yokozuna in a dark match.
• January 1, 1996—RAW: The Smoking Gunns (Billy & Bart) defeated Razor Ramon & Savio Vega and Sycho Sid & The 1-2-3 Kid and Owen Hart & Yokozuna in a “RAW Bowl” Elimination match.
• 1995: Yokozuna briefly feuded with Mabel, and then Ahmed Johnson, who managed to slam Yoko in his 1st appearance..
• January 20, 1996–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Phil Apollo.
• January 21, 1996 – Royal Rumble: Yokozuna & Vader (both Cornette camp wrestlers) clashed during the Royal Rumble match..
• ~~~This led to Jim Cornette, Vader, British Bulldog & Owen Hart attacking Yokozuna and “breaking his leg”..
• January 29, 1996–RAW: Shawn Michaels defeated Yokozuna.
• February 5, 1996–RAW: Shawn Michaels & Diesel defeated The British Bulldog & Yokozuna by Count-out.

World Wrestling Federation – Babyface:

• Yokozuna & Mr Fuji officially turned babyface..
• February 17, 1996–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Billy Mack & Jay S. Storm in a handicap match.
• February 18, 1996 – In Your House: Yokozuna defeated The British Bulldog w/Jim Cornette by disqualification..
• February 26, 1996–RAW: Yokozuna defeated Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith by disqualification.
• March 9, 1996–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Denny Parton, Mark Kyle & Reginald Walker in a handicap match.
• March 11, 1996–RAW: Yokozuna & The Undertaker defeated Owen Hart & The British Bulldog by disqualification.
• March 16, 1996–Superstars: Ahmed Johnson & Yokozuna defeated Owen Hart & The British Bulldog in a dark match.
• April 8, 1996–RAW: Vader defeated Yokozuna when the referee deemed Yokozuna unable to continue..
• ~~~After the match, medical staff carried Yokozuna out on a forklift because of a “storyline” broken leg..
• March 31, 1996– WrestleMania XII: Owen Hart & British Bulldog & Vader beat Yokozuna & Jake Roberts & Ahmed Johnson..
• May 28, 1996–In Your House 8: Beware Of Dog: Vader defeated Yokozuna.
• June 1, 1996–Superstars: Yokozuna defeated Tony Johnson.
• June 10, 1996–RAW: Owen Hart defeated Yokozuna in the 1st round of the King Of the Ring tournament.
• Yokozuna took the summer off, encouraged by WWF management to lose some weight before he returned.

World Wrestling Federation – Babyface:

• June 22, 1996 – House Show: Yokozuna defeated Vader.
• June 26-27, 1996 – House Show: Yokozuna defeated Goldust.
• June 27-30, 1996 – House Show: The British Bulldog defeated Yokozuna.
• July 25-26, 1996 – House Show: Yokozuna defeated Goldust.
• August 2, 4, 1996 – House Show: Yokozuna defeated Goldust.
• August 8, 10, 1996 – House Show: Yokozuna defeated Owen Hart.
• August 18, 1996 – SummerSlam: Steve Austin beat Yokozuna in ‘Free-for-all’ Match.. Yoko went up for the Bonzai drop and the top rope broke!
• ~~~This sent Yokozuna crashing to the mat, where he was easily pinned by Steve Austin..
• August 19, 1996 – RAW: Shawn Michaels defeated Yokozuna.
• September 8-9, 1996 – House Show: Yokozuna defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
• September 10, 12, 1996 – House Show: Steve Austin defeated Yokozuna.
• November 17, 1996 – Survivor Series: Yokozuna, Jimmy Snuka, Flash Funk & Savio Vega vs. Vader, Faarooq, Fake Razor & Fake Diesel ended in a double disqualification..
• Yokozuna failed a physical by the New York State Athletic Commission, which revolked his wrestling license in just about every State.
• Yokozuna was never seen in a WWF ring again.

In The Meantime:

• Yokozuna was spotted around the independent circuit for the next few years..
• November 4, 1998 – MCW: AJ Fritzoid, The Bruiser & Yokozuna defeated 2-Dope, Sucka Punch & Sydeswype.
• November 6, 1998 – MCW: AJ Fritzoid & Yokozuna defeated Sucka Punch & Sydeswype.
• October 1999 – Heroes of Wrestling PPV: King Kong Bundy & Jim Neidhart beat a 700 lbs Yokozuna and a ‘drunk’ Jake Roberts..
• 2000: Yokozuna participated in a tour in Australia, then began a tour of Europe..
• October 23, 2000: While in Europe, Yokozuna passed away in his sleep due to heart failure — he was 580lbs at time of death.
• April 2012 – Yokozuna was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.