@@johnolmos8670 even as a heel, Rikishi was not on Umaga's level... Umaga did a fantastic job on bringing the wild, untamed islander into the 21st century
Because Umaga had serious addiction problems and he refused to go for rehab as advised by WWE. And as he died due to drug addiction. That's why they didn't do a tribute show for him
Umaga was a great wrestler and you can see his ring moves within the Usos they do alot of his moves so its like he is wrestling through them RIP UMAGA!!!
I was watching a video one day and the Usos said that Umaga was the one that brought them into the business and when they got their contracts Umaga passed away
Almost every Samoan did a backdrop, I don't know ring move(s) what J+J Pooso are doing that are homage to Umaga. I'm just glad I never have to see them both jump over the top rope. Boring af. Rather see William regal get the stink face.
When I watch interviews like this with guys who wrestled in "my era" I cant help feeling guilty. I feel guilty because as a 9 year old kid who had no means of understanding the pains and hardships these guys endured in order to make a living and to put a smile on kids faces you begin to realise that the price these guys paid can't be justified or rationalised by the amount of money they earned. They've lost brothers, fathers and friends all in the name of entertainment and I hope that in their days of retirement they can at least tell themselves that to kids like me who are adults today, they can understand that my childhood and millions of others wouldn't have been half as memorable as it was if they hadn't been selfless enough to put the fans needs before their own.
The Elmafia I wouldn't call that grammar, rather the mistake of using the more common spelling of a proper noun for lack of exposure to it in print.....until now, but thanks, haha!
man, I loved these cats. I appreciate the realness and style they brought to the ring directly from the streets. Glad I had a chance to see them perform and shock us with some tremendous athleticism. Thanks for the memories brothers...R.I.P Umaga Love n Respect
The Samoan/Pacific Islanders are the most amazing loving people you'll come across, long as you're not on any BS or betray them. I love hearing these stories about them!!
Eki went to Cleveland elementary too. I was at Burbank with him too. He could beat box hella tight! Raw! I miss my brother. Long Live Eki Fatu and much love too all his family. God Bless
I wish WWE would make an Anoa’i family faction. USos Tamina Roman, Nia Jax and bring back Manu and have them managed by Rikishi or or the wild Samoans. Let them be heel and win all of the belts on both Raw and Smackdown and let them dominate. Make it serious and have Vince ask Rock to talk to them about how they don’t listen but they end up jumping Rock for “Selling out to Hollywood” and not staying true to his roots.
Rikishi was always one of my favorites to watch as a kid. This interview made me gain so much more respect for the guy. He's a wrestler truly passionate about the business.
Does that mean that you alsp admire the Usos? Afterall, they are Rikishi sons and not to mention they keeping the legacy alive being 4th Generation Wrestlers who done so well within their Family in Tag Team History.
MRWIL246 I admire that they're keeping wrestling in their family alive, yes. Although, I don't agree 100% with their booking but that goes for most of WWE's roster so...
I agree with rikishi the WWE isn't what it use to be. There's no excitement and most of the wrestlers are either retired dead or wrestling at tna. It's just not the same
Eddie Fatu you will never be forgotten. I still watch all your matches on the movies I have with you in them. Your memory will live on forever. I remember the day you passed away it broke my heart. Always and forever your biggest fan. S h a n a rest in heaven and tell your cousin Rosie. Hello. Keep watching over your beautiful wife. LT Fatu and your for boys
I liked the part when he mentioned about how he and Yoko sat in the limo and blasted Ice Cube while cruising. I wonder if they listened to Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. at all.
Umaga was so athletic, if I'm about to wrestle and Umaga's my surprise opponent that day, then you know what, I'm scared. I agree, we need more characters in the WWE to suspend disbelief and just to have fun. I think in today's time too many fan's take wrestling way too seriously. Sure there is alot of realism but wrestling is still supposed to be fun.
I agree. Thats because most of the fans of today dont know wrestling, they just like it. To prove my point, look at the greatest matches of all time voted by the fans that WWE put out. Theres no way the order or the matches they put out are the greatest. I think they had the TLC matches twice. Granted they were different matches, but come on, that don't make no sense to me. Let me give you a list and you will see greatest matches of all time. ✌
he comes over as a really nice guy and its a shame he never got a run with the big gold belt. to this day the memory of his splash on triple crap from the top of the cage still mesmerizes, and the fact neither was seriously injured bears testament to his ability as an in ring performer
Rikishi nailed it! I don't have no disrespect or the WWE what so ever. I don't watch much because they have no character. They are great athletes but are being crewed by the writers . I'm a Rikishi fan. I love teachers if they know what they are talking about!. Shut your mouth and listen! You are not born with ignorance. Ignorance is a choice! My favorite wrestling was when the company was called WWF.
WWE doesn't maintain kayfabe anymore. The internet in a way ruined wrestling. Everyone knows everything about all the wrestlers, the storylines, the secrets, the people who portray them, etc. So there is no more mystique or intrigue about the characters and the product cuz everything is out in the open.
Rikishi spoke old school the real truth Shut your mouth, open your eyes and listen. True there is no character in representing their own creative personal identity. Muchlove Brotha Rikishi !!!!
Tonga Kid did what, for me, was the best ever headbutt in a pro wrestling match, both the delivery, and the sell from the guy on the receiving end, and I didn't even see it during a wrestling show. it was at the start of my favourite film, Highlander, Tonga Kid was on a team in a six man tag against the Freebirds, and I've never seen a headbutt that looked so real and brutal, and the sell from the other guy, as he went down was awesome (wasn't Michael Hayes, was one of the other two, can't remember his name)
PREACH!! Truer words were never spoken in regards to characters. I remember thinking Yoko was Japanese as a kid too! Didn't find out he wasn't till I was older via the internet. This is good stuff!
I'm confused, at 6:55 Rikishi says Umaga was 38 when he passed away, although according to Wikipedia he was 36. Rikishi's 46 at the time of this interview. He says they're 8 years apart, which is also true on Wikipedia (Rikishi born in '65 and Umaga in '73). Perhaps he just said the wrong number, who knows...
I know exactly what Rikishi is talking about with being 'hooked' back in by the entertainment. I was away from wrestling lots of times over the years but then so happened to watch and got 'hooked' back in by guys who were great workers and entertainers like when Randy Savage just joined the wwf, that was one of those times that 'hooked' me back. Also I got hooked back in by Razor Ramon when he was just starting out, and when Mick Foley was just breaking out of his Mankind character, and when the Ringmaster became Stone Cold Steve Austin. It was those great characters that did it for me. So Rikishi knows exactly what he's talking about.
adam hayworth if you understood true history you would understand what I am saying is not racist but just the flat out fucking truth, facts, reality, and the fact that we are talking about this on thanksgiving, why the fuck is thanksgiving a holiday? its like celebrating the fuckin holocaust
Historically, they have lived closer to the equator & their physiology has adapted to being out in the sun for longer periods of time. It's not too hard to figure out...
Rikishi and family and King Haku and family are some of my favorite wrestlers...rest in peace to those that have passed much love too all. I remember the movie "Body Slam" from my childhood and seeing Tonga Kid, man the memories that brings back.
Sonia by birth and Poly is in the blood of tradition and family. Rakishi is definitely one of my many favorite wrestlers of the Polynesian dynasty. Love and respect to the Polynesian family.
When I was in grade 5 the first 2 wrestlers I knew were John Cena and umaga. I was in grade 5 September 05- June 06. People at school did the you can't see me. And some did the umaga Samoan arms out and tongue out. Umaga was special
Good to see Rikishi in a in depth interview about his family and the wrestling game nowadays. Hopefully his sons the Uso's will win the WWE tag team titles soon. Thanks for posting.
This was Gr8t. Being able to listen to Rikishi outside of Wrestling. I think he should have his own Channel. Can we get A Damoan Dynasty , or just Rikishi Channel ? This was really kool. Grit interview Castro. Hope all is well ✊ be safe 🌎 Wassup Rikishi 👋
cool heartfelt interview Bro'r! i've always love to watch & listen to The Rikish personal thoughts about wrestling & his familia. Umaga, que descanses en paz...(RiP)
I totally agree with Rikishi! The wrestlers of today don't have any real identity or character that separates them from their real persona. This is sports entertainment, but quite frankly, it's gotten dull after the Attitude Era.
1989 - 1990, as The Samoan Swat Team (Samu & Fatu) managed by Paul E. Dangerously & briefly as The New Wild Samoans (Fatu, Samu & The Samoan Savage (Tama)), managed by "The Big Kahuna" Oliver Humperdink
I love you ❤️ kasha so much looking at my best friend rikkish kasha love you kasha so much kasha my best friend kasha for ever and ever kasha love 💕 you kasha
these samons for their size are so talented agile athletes ... wen see rikishi take a closeline and does that flip bump its awesome .. samoa joe the rock umaga even yokozuna even took some good bumps .. bring samoa joe to wwe his the best technical samoan wrestler tbh..
Rikishi is spot on, the guys need characters. Look how that helped Daniel Bryan get over. Most of the creative characters are on NXT and really need to get pushed. The only problem is when they are ready to go on to the big stage.
And Iove you kasha so much kasha kk so my love you kasha so much kasha my best friend kasha for ever and ever kasha love you kasha and I can't wait to see you on next Sunday at church kasha love you and I love you miss you too my friend kasha for ever and ever kasha love you kasha
