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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.

 

Updated: February 12, 2024 @ 3:00 pm

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Trained By

Wild Samoans

Debut

1985-October 2000

Birthday

October 2, 1966 - October 23, 2000

Hometown

Polynesia

Gender

Male

Height

6'4"

Weight

600lbs

Finishing Move(s)

Bonzai Drop

Favorite Move(s)

Sidekick,
Belly to Belly Suplex,
Throat Thrust,
Legdrop

Notable Feuds

Bret Hart,
Lex Luger,
Hulk Hogan,
The Undertaker,
Smoking Gunns,
Shawn Michaels,
Diesel,
Mabel,
Ahmed Johnson,
Vader

Status

Deceased