WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi recently opened up about the concern he felt for his family members traveling to Saudi Arabia for WWE’s recent international tour and gave his reaction to the major title change within his family. Speaking on his Rikishi Fatu Off The Top podcast, the patriarch of the Anoa’i dynasty shared his thoughts as both a father and a wrestling legend.
With his sons, The Usos and Solo Sikoa, as well as his nephew Jacob Fatu, all performing in Riyadh for the Friday Night SmackDown taping and the Night of Champions Premium Live Event, Rikishi admitted he was worried given the current world climate.
“Yes, I was nervous,” he stated. “I was nervous for the family members. I was nervous for all the roster, the staff, everybody that had anything to do with the part of the show… We’re going through some scary times… to be able to, you know, take a risk, to fly out there… it’s a very scary thing for a parent or family member… knowing that they’re going into harm’s way like that.”
The Night of Champions PLE featured a major match within the Bloodline, as Solo Sikoa defeated his cousin, Jacob Fatu, to become the new United States Champion. As the father of Solo and the uncle of Jacob, Rikishi remained neutral and expressed pride for both men.
“Well, you know what? I can’t pick sides for neither one of them,” he said. “I’m very happy that, you know, I’m assuming… they had one hell of a match. And you know, I look forward to getting home and to see it, but, you know, it’s a good feeling. I was happy when Jacob won it, and now I’m happy that Solo has won it. So let’s see where they’re able to go.”
Solo Sikoa’s United States Championship win marks his first main roster singles title in WWE. He is set to have a championship celebration, hosted by Paul Heyman, on this week’s live episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Rikishi Fatu Off The Top with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
