There’s been nothing hotter in professional wrestling in recent years than the WWE faction of Polynesian wrestlers known as the Bloodline. Though this dominating force was formed in 2021, it’s roots stretch back through multiple generations of wrestling history. One of the most dominating members of this Samoan family is Rikishi, whose twin sons the Usos are heavily embroiled in the ongoing Bloodline saga. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015, Rikishi took part in this year’s Dragon Con Wrestling event, where he was also inducted into the DCW Hall of Fame. During a brief break from fan photos, panels and signing autographs at the Dragon Con Walk of Fame, Rikishi held a press conference that Wrestling with Pop Culture was fortunate enough to attend.
What does it mean to you to represent Pacific Islanders and your culture on such a big stage like WWE? How did that play a part in the development of your characters of Fatu and Rikishi?
Well, it means a lot. I come from a family of faith, church and culture. Our culture has always started in what I like to call “our” wrestling ring, and that’s the living room. That really helped me transcend into the world of entertainment and professional wrestling. We do dances in church, we sing in the choir, so entertainment was always part of life. It’s a blessing, man. We love what we do. Professional wrestling has truly saved most of our lives and our families. We come from a small island on the other side of the world, which is only one hour from one side to the other side.
A lot of us played football back in the day. But when we came to the States – my grandfather was a preacher – we started to open up churches up and down the West Coast. We were traveling with our families to help these different churches and stuff like that. So, we got to learn the business part as well. I’m so glad to be able to uplift and represent the culture. Nobody really knew who Samoans were until uncle Afa and Sika [the Wild Samoans], then people like me, came on the scene in wrestling. We just do our best to continue to help pave the way.
Conventions like this didn’t always include wrestling. Dragon Con was one of the first to include it. What does it mean for you to come here and be part of the fanaticism of this type of convention?
Man, it’s awesome. This is my first time working with the amazing crew of Dragon Con. When I found out it was in ATL, you know, I used to back body drop and slam everybody right down the street at Center Stage. So, to be able to come back to ATL where I started my career, and be a part of [my first] Dragon Con, I feel like I’m home. People here in the South are just a different vibe. They’re just so loving and open. And I get to get my Waffle House, some of that smothered and covered, chocolate chip waffle and sweet tea. I’m like that Samoan/Polynesian Southern boy. So, I feel at home and I want to thank Dragon Con for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic show.
Can you speak specifically to your induction into the Dragon Con Wrestling Hall of Fame and your participation in the event last night?
Oh, man! What an honor. I had no idea. When I go to different wrestling events, I never know what’s going to happen. All I know is that for me, personally, it’s just that vibe between me and the fans because I miss you guys so much. But I don’t miss the ring. I stepped into the ring last night and I started getting goosebumps. They were like, “Alright ‘Kishi. Calm down.” Then, when they presented me with the DCW Hall of Fame plaque, I was very honored. It’s really something to be recognized. I love seeing the newcomers of the industry today. I’m coming as a fan, so I got a chance to watch some of the cosplayers and independent wrestlers. I always think back to, at one time that was me.
I guarantee you these poor kids weren’t looking to make money, because you don’t get rich off of wrestling. But it’s the experience of wrestling in front of – I think there was, like, 500 people in there. You can imagine a kid just getting into being able to perform in front of 500 crazy wrestling fans. It’s a big deal for them. I thought they had a great show. I heard it’s been [happening for] 22 years and this might be the last one. Hopefully not, because I feel it’s a good product added onto the con. It’s got a cosplay type of vibe and it’s a fun place to let your stress release out. You just go to the wrestling matches and scream your head off and you’ll be alright.
In WWE, you’re starting to see more superstars have superhero and anime-inspired uniforms. I’m curious if you have [anyone] you’d like to cosplay in the ring.
I’m a superhero guy. I love Superman. In my crazy mind of sports entertainment and cosplay, I would have wanted to be some kind of king from the Highlands with blonde dreadlocks and a culture type of outfit. You know, I was the baddest man to wear a thong. Anything on top of the thong, I think, is pretty safe for me. It’s always, for me, presentation to let people know who I am, but at the same time, try to keep it to where they understand the culture that I represent. Hopefully, one day maybe I’ll get picked up in some type of Marvel movie as some type of Polynesian king or something like that.
I’ve got 13 grandkids. I’m semi-retired now, so I do a lot of the picking up the kids and dropping them back off to their parents. A lot of times, we go watch movies and anime and my grandkids say, “How come we never see people like me on the screen?” I said, “OK. This is another one for my to-do list.” I want my grandkids, when I’m long gone, to [see] that Marvel movie or that cosplay character – they, too, can see it and be able to dream about it.
That’s my thing with professional wrestling; it’s a lot of characters. I like the big characters that can be a fun character for me. But, at the same time, it’s a platform statement [with] something behind it that transcends the performer in the ring.
Speaking of characters, can you tell us a little bit of what it was like working with the Undertaker?
Undertaker’s a good friend of mine. He’s very respectful, very respected, a team leader. Business-wise, he’s a professor of professional wrestling, a guy that likes to teach the younger generation coming through the industry, to be able to pass on knowledge. A straight shooter, no BS whatsoever. Funny guy. We love country music and hip-hop.
He’s part of the first diversity crew, 25 years ago, we were called BSK [Bone Street Krew]. This crew here – a white guy, a Japanese guy, a Samoan guy, a black guy, a country guy, a Hawaiian guy – we were all diverse. Everybody thought we were a gang. BSK started with Yokozuna and Undertaker, which were very, very different. Yokozuna is my first cousin. You had Godfather, Krush, [Mr.] Fuji, the two crazy hillbillies the Godwinn brothers, Yoko and Savio Vega.
‘Taker and Yoko were kind of the leaders of that. These guys came together, not because we were a gang, but we were just a bunch of guys in the locker room killing time and we just loved playing dominoes (“bones”), and talking shit to each other – just stress release before you go out there and perform in front of 30,000 people.
‘Taker is a guy that you can learn a lot from. When you’re in the ring with this guy, he’s such a professional, he makes you up your game. Say I went out last night and I’m feeling sluggish, when we’re in the ring together, he don’t expect nothing else but the utmost best performance. He’s your friend, [but] this is the business. So, he sets that bar very, very high. I’m very proud to call him one of my brothers – a brother from another mother.
My favorite match that I’ll always remember with ‘Taker was in the Hell in a Cell. When we saw the flatbed during the walkthrough, there [were no] railings. It was just a flatbed. But coming from 50 feet to the bed, in my mind, if I don’t hit that flatbed directly, I’m able to kind of try to break my fall at least on the floor or whatever. While the match is going, the flatbed comes in, time to go home. This flatbed has aluminum railings. Now my chances have just shrunken. If I don’t hit that mark right on the spot, at 450 pounds, coming off the top, that aluminum railing is going to pierce right through me. ‘Taker sees it and says, “You don’t have to do this.” When you hear 30 or 40,000 people yelling, that energy, that’s what we do. He grabbed me and said, “You ready?” When I landed, I was just shaking. God took the wheel and planted me where I was supposed to be. That fall paid for my kid’s house.