WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi delivered a fiery and passionate monologue on his “Rikishi Fatu Off The Top” podcast, accusing WWE and its parent company TKO of disrespecting his family, the legendary Anoa’i/Fatu wrestling dynasty. His comments were sparked by his son Jey Uso’s recent short World Heavyweight Championship reign.
Rikishi began by directly addressing the booking of Jey Uso, who lost the World Title to GUNTHER on Raw after just 51 days. “I feel that those that are writing for this kid his storyline, you didn’t do him justice,” Rikishi declared. “You didn’t feed this champion right talent to be able to continue to make this champion… I say Fire, fire. Those that are writing for this kid here, if you can’t come up with some something simple to promote and push your champion that you… decide to put this kid in that position… get the hell out.”
The WWE legend then broadened his critique to include the recent reports that TKO may be looking to lower Roman Reigns’ pay due to his part-time schedule. Rikishi defended Reigns’ value, pointing to his consistent role as a WrestleMania main eventer. “Here’s a guy that Main Event Wrestlemania, six main events and more to come… Y’all do the math every Wrestlemania… That’s a lot of money. And guess whose face was on that, leading that… Roman Reigns, bloodline member,” he said.
These recent events fueled Rikishi’s primary point: that he feels his family’s decades-long contributions to the business are being forgotten or erased. “If you’re done with it, say it. You want to move on. Say it, but damn it. I’ll be damned I’m gonna sit back and you try to erase the history of our family, of what we put into this business,” he stated. He pointed to The Bloodline’s key role during the pandemic-era ThunderDome shows as an example of his family carrying the company.
As part of his defense of his family’s legacy, Rikishi also listed several members who he believes have more than earned an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. “Umaga, Eddie Fatu, the legendary Tonga Kid should be a Hall of Famer… Samuel, y’all forget his ‘Shrinkers, Tag Team Champions. He should be in a Hall of Famer.” He argued that induction should be for those “that earned the right, that put in work decade after decade.”
Rikishi made it clear that his family is not asking for special treatment, but for the respect he feels they have earned over 75 years in the industry. “We ain’t asking for no hand me down options. We ain’t asking for no special treatment. We just asking for a fair opportunity,” he declared. “My family has earned the right to speak on it and stand on business, because that’s what we are. We are good for business.”
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.
