August 31, 20169 yr comment_5766132 Random thought, wouldn't it have made more sense for John Tenta to be booked in the Yokozuna roll? They could have played up his actual history with Sumo and presented him as an anti-USA turncoat ala Jerry Blackwell or Sgt. Slaughter. I'd keep Yoko with the Headshrinkers and eventually when they turn face we have a big money feud with Tenta and blow it off with the Sumo match. Actually all of that sounds terrible too. I liked Fuji in the 70's is what I'm saying.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766393 They just added a Mr. Fuji section the the WWE Network, some classics including against Bruno in 1974 and Morales in 1972 (first time the Morales match has ever been re-shown in full)
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766395 I was stunned to see an obit, including photo, of Fuji in the NYT today. Didn't think there was any chance he'd merit that recognition.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766408 Meltz said that Fuji helped clean up the Rick McGraw mess (and may have played a role in the Nancy Argentino debacle too), hence why he had a job for so long in WWF despite basically bringing nothing to the table. It's a bit like the chauffeur getting in the HOF. NYT ? Well, I guess all the guys from the Hulk Hogan era were considered as stars.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766410 It's a bit unfair to say he brought NOTHING to the table. He was a very effective worker in the late 70s / early 80s, always had good heat. Was effective at ring-side as a manager, even if he wasn't the best promo. I'd argue pretty integral to the overall Yokozuna package also. Also, about that dog story. I've heard the victim as being Snuka, Prof Tanaka, Harold Sakata and various other people. Changes in almost every source, so it seems like one of those things that is a complete urban myth that has taken on a life of its own over the years. He did some extreme ribs, but that one seems so wildly disparate from shoot to shoot and source to source, that I don't believe it.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766412 He brought fucking nothing to the table as a manager. He was playing a racist stereotypical japanese salt-throwing sadist, couldn't cut a promo and was not the bumping type. Yoko ? Hey, it's no wonder they brought in Cornette to cut the promos for him once they had to build a money feud for Luger. Fuji was terrible. I'd watch Harvey Whippleman over Fuji.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766413 You underrate the level of his deviousness at ring side. His crowd psychology was better than Slick's (for example). Being a manager isn't just doing promos and standing by the apron. He knew what he was doing and did it well.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766414 He was a big part of Demolition getting over so well, for example.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766415 He is asked about the rib in which he cooked a dog and fed it to other wrestlers. Fuji said he marinated and grilled it “teriyaki style” while Muraco bought a bunch of beers. After they ate, Muraco revealed the bag and the guys found out it was dog and began to puke. Fuji said that Billy White Wolfe and possibly Skandor Akbar were the ones who ate the dog. Fuji tells another story of how he invited Tony Altimore, Peter Maivia, and Toru Tanaka over for spaghetti and meatballs. However, the meatballs were actually Alpo dog food. http://blogofdoom.com/index.php/2016/02/18/rf-video-shoot-interview-with-mr-fuji/
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766418 He was a big part of Demolition getting over so well, for example. A *big* part ? Seriously ? The Demos had that fucking SM leather outfit, makeup and a great music theme and were killing people. They didn't need Fuji at all. Who did Fuji managed at that time who got over like the Demos ? The Powers of Pain (just joking) ?
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766419 Fuji had pretty good timing when it came to interference, and his act was simple but effective when it came to mid-late 80s promos. It was nuts he won so many WON worst manager awards in a world with Frenchy Martin, Coach, and Big Daddy Dink. I think he was portrayed as more of a physical threat than most other managers and they got a lot of mileage out of that.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766420 Wondering where and when it was that Fuji, Don Muraco, Billy White Wolf and Skandor Akbar were all in the same place at the same time.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766421 Wondering where and when it was that Fuji, Don Muraco, Billy White Wolf and Skandor Akbar were all in the same place at the same time. Glad I wasn't the only one.
September 2, 20169 yr comment_5766428 He was a big part of Demolition getting over so well, for example. A *big* part ? Seriously ? The Demos had that fucking SM leather outfit, makeup and a great music theme and were killing people. They didn't need Fuji at all. Who did Fuji managed at that time who got over like the Demos ? The Powers of Pain (just joking) ? Demolition wasn't over with Johnny V
September 3, 20169 yr comment_5766498 He was a big part of Demolition getting over so well, for example. A *big* part ? Seriously ? The Demos had that fucking SM leather outfit, makeup and a great music theme and were killing people. They didn't need Fuji at all. Who did Fuji managed at that time who got over like the Demos ? The Powers of Pain (just joking) ? Demolition wasn't over with Johnny V They never needed a manager as they were good enough at cutting promos. Then again, I can't think of any heel tag teams at this time that didn't have a manager.
September 5, 20169 yr comment_5766702 Figured this is as good a place to ask as any. On The Best of the WWF Vol. 16 there's a match with Fuji vs some unknown wrestler from Saudi Arabia. They never mention who it is, and the commentary is in Arabic. I havent been able to find any info on this match or Fuji's opponent at all. Im thinking its from the early 80s (near the end of Fuji's run as a full-time wrestler) but thats all i can come up with.
September 5, 20169 yr comment_5766708 I think it was from Kuwait in 1985, but don't know who the opponent was
September 5, 20169 yr comment_5766718 I think it was from Kuwait in 1985, but don't know who the opponent was The Fuji Kuwait match was definitely from 1983 or earlier, a match with Salvatore Bellomo & Moondog Spot from the same show was aired on the Christmas Day edition of All American Wrestling in 1983: https://youtu.be/Hm11dzYHv3U?t=34m5s
September 6, 20169 yr comment_5766771 Was it this guy? Randy Rich! Tommy Rich's fake cousin who somehow looks more like a relative than actual cousin Johnny Rich.
September 6, 20169 yr comment_5766989 I was always a fan of him as a character and a manager. I know he would win "worst manager" like almost every year in the Observer..........but I was a kid in the 80's and didn't see my first Observer til the late 90's.......and I was like "WTF" when I found this out He wasn't a great promo, but he was entertaining and a great heel. As a wrestler.....I've really only seen him when he was way past his prime......and the WWWF/WWF style was slow and plodding anyway. He had good timing and manarisms and knew how to get heat. I have to assume he was a better worker when he was younger. Dave on WOR said he was a pretty good bumper earlier in his career which led to his injuries, and I was surprised to find out he had a year long run with the top belt in San Fran in the late 70's. I'd thought he was one of those WWWF mainstays during that period Anyway, I was a fan. RIP.
September 10, 20169 yr comment_5767452 In the WON obituary there's a great story about a rib Lonnie Mayne & Dutch savage pulled on Fuji in Portland.
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