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Post by Some Guy on Dec 30, 2011 19:25:06 GMT -5
50/50 on this one. But either way, he was nothing more than an upper midcarder. Sure he got that ran over Austin thing in 2000, and was thrown off the cell at Armageddon. But apart from that, the rest of his run wasn't all that memorable. Although for a while, he did hold the record for the most Rumble appearances not that it means much. His jump off the cage in 2000 was pretty damn huge for the time considering no one had really jumped off a cage in a long time.
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Post by Snaptastic on Dec 30, 2011 20:19:22 GMT -5
50/50 on this one. But either way, he was nothing more than an upper midcarder. Sure he got that ran over Austin thing in 2000, and was thrown off the cell at Armageddon. But apart from that, the rest of his run wasn't all that memorable. Although for a while, he did hold the record for the most Rumble appearances not that it means much. His jump off the cage in 2000 was pretty damn huge for the time considering no one had really jumped off a cage in a long time. The disguised crash mat didn't help the spot, but I understand it's probably the safest way you can have a guy of his size perform a spot like that.
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Post by jason1980s on Dec 30, 2011 20:28:33 GMT -5
If there was no Too Cool dance and the times didn't allow for a half naked ass to be in another wrestler's face it would be hard to think Rikshi would do well with the gimmick. It was sort of a Yokozuna gimmick, with the bonzai drop and outfit but Fatu's had so many gimmicks that went nowhere. He was in an IC title match at WM 13 but there weren't many better choices, he was just a guy who was there.
The Headshrinkers were popular but they were a gimmick that didn't need to do much to be interesting, just be brutal. I consider the New Headshrinkers a different gimmick and I don't blame Barbarian for that team being boring, just the tag team scene wasn't very good and WWF needed something different like Yokozuna and Owen or Smoking Gunns to emerge after two years with the company as the team.
Fatu went to Make a Difference and that went no where. The gimmick couldn't do anything for him and he certainly didn't do anything for the gimmick. Then he's grouped with Mr. Backlund and Iron Sheik and if they can't do anything for you, you're in trouble. Sultan couldn't help Fatu and Fatu couldn't help the Sultan gimmick.
Finally, when I saw him as Rikishi I figured it was just another gimmick of Fatu's that would flounder until finally leaving and then coming back a few months later with a new gimmick. If Too Much doesn't become Too Cool I don't think Rikishi goes anywhere. Once the face Rikishi was gone it was all downhill.
He was a long time employee with a very famous and well liked family but what does he have without the 400 lb dancer gimmick and stinkface? Interesting gimmick that went downhill, gimmick that went nowhere, second gimmick that went nowhere, another gimmick that probably would've gone nowhere. Anyone can go in the Hall of Fame if the criteria is right and the timing is right with a PPV or nostalgia or DVD release. It's fun seeing a guy like Koko get on the big stage and have a moment and it's fun seeing a Baseball or Football (only HOF's I read about) get a moment after years of being overlooked on the ballot. The player usually gets a lot of press and requests for autographs but once the induction is over and next year's players gets in those past players are forgotten about again. It's the big names that do it. Now Riksihi doesn't belong with Piper or Hogan but he was a long time employee and after years of wrestling finally got a gimmick he can call his own. When we think about those beautiful ladies doing the stink face we can't help but think of the originator, Rikishi and when we think of Brian Christopher getting no reaction on RAW (sad, he was a favorite of mine) and someone brings up Too Cool we think of Rikishi.
He's one of those guys, that if it were a major Sporting Hall of Fame, would probably take a long time to get in but he was popular, well liked and played real well and after years of waiting his time comes. But he's one of those guys who would make up the numbers (4-7 needed for Football HOF). Seriously, take away the dancing and stinkface and he's just list of poor gimmicks Fatu. Take away the hos and Godfather is just list of poor gimmicks Papa Shango. The Attitude Era helped a lot of guys get over who were a list of poor gimmicks and struggling.
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Post by crimsonwolf on Dec 30, 2011 20:44:54 GMT -5
Ehhh, no. Rikishi was part of a popular act with Too Cool, but that was about it. His main-event run flopped. He's essentially a fat Billy Gunn.
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Post by Citizen Snips on Dec 30, 2011 21:10:17 GMT -5
I'll go yes. Between his family legacy and the fact that he stuck out several lame gimmicks before finding a money one, he'll get a "loyalty/thank you" induction some year. For the record, I imagine the Godfather goes in someday for the same basic reason.
Actually, the way he made the Rikishi gimmick work is a textbook example of a guy turning a lame gimmick into gold. The original sumo gimmick was lame, he was partnered with a lower mid-card act in a comedy gimmick..and a few months later, he was possibly the 2nd most over face in the company.
Furthermore, he was always one of the better "big man" workers in the company. He moved incredibly well for his size and most of his offense looked devastating.
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mizerable
Fry's dog Seymour
You're the lowest on the totem pole here, Alva. The lowest.
Posts: 23,475
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Post by mizerable on Dec 30, 2011 21:14:11 GMT -5
Sure, he was pretty over and quite popular. Also he took some impressive spots that aren't used for some reason in highlight videos. If you took this line of logic, every midcarder from the Attitude Era should be in the hall of fame. While that's true, he was pretty insanely over in 2000, I'd go so far as to say one of the top 5 biggest pops.
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The OP
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
changed his name
Posts: 15,785
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Post by The OP on Dec 30, 2011 21:47:08 GMT -5
By the standard of the WWE Hall of Fame there should be absolutely no question that he qualifies. I don't even see a debate.
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Big L
Grimlock
Posts: 13,883
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Post by Big L on Dec 30, 2011 21:49:25 GMT -5
No disrespect but no
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Bub (BLM)
Patti Mayonnaise
advocates duck on rodent violence
Fed. Up.
Posts: 37,742
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Post by Bub (BLM) on Dec 30, 2011 21:54:43 GMT -5
Yes. He was mega-over during one of the hottest eras in company history. Honestly, I don't know why some people seem to think that only main-eventers with a dozen title runs deserve to be in the HOF. It's there to honor memorable characters, that's it. It doesn't matter where they typically were on the card.
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Post by jabronidrive on Dec 30, 2011 22:06:35 GMT -5
Absolutely. He was a prince amongst thieves and crooks.
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Post by RareTradU on Dec 30, 2011 23:54:47 GMT -5
Should go into Hall of Fame: Probably not. I think he'd deserve it more than most of the midcard stars of the 90s.
Could he go into the Hall of Fame: I can see WWE inducting him in the future. He seemed always on good terms with them and that's really the main criteria it seems most of the time.
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Celgress
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
The Superior One
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Post by Celgress on Dec 30, 2011 23:59:25 GMT -5
Yes and furthermore, they should do it fer da Rock.
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TheDieselTrain
Fry's dog Seymour
Chicks Dig Hootie.
Is Stone Cold gonna have to smack a bitch?? WHAT!!!?????
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Post by TheDieselTrain on Dec 31, 2011 0:18:53 GMT -5
That having been said, people don't talk about that time he splashed Val Venis from the top of a steel cage nearly often enough. That blew my mind the first time I saw it. I cant believe they didnt end the match after that. That still baffles me.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2011 9:44:06 GMT -5
No, he should not, unless it was part of the Anoi family in general. My exact thinking. And they'll just probably have the Rock induct them.
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Post by 747 on Dec 31, 2011 11:14:25 GMT -5
i'll go with the proverbial answer: If Coco B Ware is in the Hall of Fame, ANYBODY can make it. True, but it's not unlike his (Koko's) induction was without controversy. I said no to Rikishi being in the Hall of Fame, but of course as part of his family it would be acceptable.
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Post by Slingshot Suplay on Dec 31, 2011 11:28:16 GMT -5
Sure, he can visit anytime he wants.
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percymania
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Percymania will live forever! Oh yeah!
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Post by percymania on Dec 31, 2011 12:52:23 GMT -5
No. His most memorable moment for me was the jump off the cage... into a bed of hay.
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zeez
Patti Mayonnaise
Yeah. That's right.
Posts: 32,702
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Post by zeez on Dec 31, 2011 14:21:05 GMT -5
His ass is more worthy of a spot than he himself.
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Cranjis McBasketball☝🏻
Crow T. Robot
Knew what the hell that thing was supposed to be
Peace Love and Nothing But
Posts: 41,799
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Post by Cranjis McBasketball☝🏻 on Dec 31, 2011 15:14:54 GMT -5
Yes, he should in fact be the first inductee in the "Dat Ass" category. Before Stacey?!!! Rikishi in the HOF......don't see it.
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Post by showster22 on Dec 31, 2011 15:16:45 GMT -5
Keep In mind he's part of that wrestling family so he could maybe be grouped in with them.
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