WWE Superstar Roman Reigns belongs to the Samoan Family. The wrestling industry knows the Samoan Family for its wrestling background. For over 3 decades, the Samoan Family has been an integral part of the wrestling business.
Many wrestlers were also a part of the WWE and went on to have great wrestling careers. The prime examples are The Rock, Umaga, and the Wild Samoans. Many of the wrestlers are Roman Reigns, family members. The Head of the Table has a vast family with wrestling success. One of them was the Hall of Famer Yokozuna.
Yokozuna is one of the most iconic WWE wrestlers and dominated his opponents. He is the cousin of Roman Reigns and Umaga.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Yokozuna is Reigns’ first cousin. He is the son of Junior Anoa’i who is Roman Reigns’ Uncle. Yokozuna’s real name is Rodney Anoa’i. His WWE legacy is prominent in the Anoa’i family. He was the most dominant heel during the New Generation Era (Early to mid ’90s) in WWE.
Yokozuna’s WWE Career
Rodney Anoa’i debuted in WWE under the ring name of Yokozuna in a sumo wrestler’s gimmick. The funny fact is that he had never actually been a sumo wrestler before that. He was accompanied by Mr. Fuji as his master.
On this day in 1992, #Yokozuna competed in his first WWE pay-per-view match and the @WWEUniverse was thankful. #SurvivorSeries pic.twitter.com/59n80PYGMK
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) November 25, 2021
He even main-evented WrestleMania 2 times in a row at WrestleMania IX and X. He won his first WWE title against Bret Hart at WrestleMania IX.
In his tenure in WWE, Yokozuna competed in many iconic matches. His WWE title victory against Hulk Hogan was insane. The match got an immense crowd to cheer up. Hulk Hogan gave his best to retain his title. However, Hogan got an interruption from the cameraman as his camera sparked lightning. In the end, Hogan got defeated, and Yokozuna became champion.
Although Yokozuna was a good wrestler, he faced certain issues with his gigantic body. His weight increasing in a short span forced WWE to release him because of a previous unexpected death of Brian Pillman seven months earlier.
Read More: Significance of Roman Reigns Red Glove
In 2000, Yokozuna died because of a fluid blockage in the lungs. During his death, he weighed 260 kg. Later, WWE inducted Yokozuna into the Hall of Fame.
Roman Reigns continues his 453 days Universal Championship Reign
The ‘Tribal Chief’ Roman Reigns is close to breaking ‘The Beast’ Brock Lesnar’s record of WWE Universal Championship reign. Currently, Brock Lesnar holds the record for the longest Universal Title reign with 504 days.
Although Roman Reigns is close, Brock Lesnar still stands in his way as a big rock. Reigns had successfully defended his title over the year with amazing matches. At Survivor Series, he displayed his potential against the WWE Champion Big E.
Recently, WWE journalist Kayla Braxton announced the upliftment of Brock Lesnar’s suspension. Next week, he will show up on Friday Night SmackDown. That means the threat to the Bloodline comes back next week.
Will Roman Reigns face Brock Lesnar? Or is there a new plan cooking up in the Tribal Chief’s mind? Let us know what you think about the same.
Watch This Story: WWE SmackDown Results: Roman Reigns Trashes Brock Lesnar, Charlotte Flair “Pies” Toni Storm and More!
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad