Guide Note

Rodney Anoa'i was a professional wrestler, best known by his ring name, Yokozuna, in the WWE. Almost immediately after his debut there in 1992, he was pushed to main event status, winning the Royal Rumble in 1993, and receiving a shot at the WWE Championship at WrestleMania IX.

He pinned Bret Hart for the title at the event, only to lose it just minutes later to Hulk Hogan. Hogan and Yokozuna had a rematch at King of the Ring in June of that year, during which Yokozuna dropped a huge legdrop on Hogan, and beat him for the belt. Hogan left the WWE shortly thereafter, earning Yokozuna the credit of "ending Hulkamania."

He held onto the belt for nearly a year, despite attempts by Lex Luger and The Undertaker to defeat him. At WrestleMania X, he finally lost the title to Hart. In the following years, Yokozuna's weight eventually became a heatlh concern for WWE officials. He was dismissed from the company in 1998.

While working the independent circuit, Anoa'i died of fluid in his lungs in 2000.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Rodney Anoa'i
2. Born: October 2, 1966
3. Birthplace: San Francisco, California
4. Died: October 23, 2000
5. Billed height: 6'4"
6. Billed weight: 589 lbs
7. Finishing move: Banzai Drop
8. 2-time WWE Champion
9. First Samoan wrestler to win the WWE Championship