Yokozuna (wrestler)

American professional wrestler (1966-2000)

Rodney Agatupu Anoa'i (October 2, 1966 – October 23, 2000) was an American professional wrestler. He is best known for wrestling for the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Yokozuna. He is a member of the famous Anoa'i family. The Rock, Roman Reigns, Rikishi, Samu, Rosey, Manu, The Usos, Solo Sikoa and Umaga were related to him. He was a two time WWF Champion, a two-time Tag Team Champion, and the winner of the 1993 Royal Rumble.

Yokozuna
Yokozuna in 1995
Born(1966-10-02)October 2, 1966
San Francisco, California, United States
DiedOctober 23, 2000(2000-10-23) (aged 34)
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Great Kokina
Kokina Maximus
Wild Samoan Kokina
Yokozuna
Billed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Billed weight608 lb (276 kg)
Billed fromJapan
Polynesian Islands
Trained byAfa Anoa'i
Debut1984
Retired2000

On March 31, 2012, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by The Usos and Rikishi.[1]

On October 23, 2000, Anoa'i died at the age of 34 from pulmonary edema in his room at the Moat House Hotel in Liverpool, England while touring for an independent wrestling show.[2] At the time, it was reported that he died of heart failure or a heart attack but this was found to be incorrect because his lungs showed severe signs of blockage due to fluid.[3] He is buried in Green Hills Memorial Park in California.[4]

Championships

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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 "2012 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee: Yokozuna". WWE. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  2. "Yokozuna dead at 34". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved December 1, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  3. "Third Time Charm For Bischoff?". MikeMooneyham.com. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  4. "Rodney "Yokozuna" Anoai". Find a Grave. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  5. "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 1993". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on September 19, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  6. "Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  7. "WWE Championship - Yokozuna (April 04, 1993 - April 04, 1993)". WWE. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  8. "WWE Championship - Yokozuna (June 13, 1993 - March 20, 1994)". WWE. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  9. "World Tag Team Championship - Owen Hart & Yokozuna (April 02, 1995 - September 24, 1995)". WWE. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  10. "World Tag Team Championship - Owen Hart & Yokozuna (September 25, 1995 - September 25, 1995)". WWE. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  11. "Royal Rumble 1993: Rumble Match". WWE. Retrieved December 1, 2013.

Other websites

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