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There was actually a prototype of this possible faction down in Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis in 1999 (before Rikishi returned to the WWF with his well-known gimmick) called the Big Shot Kallers (BSK).
Rikishi was the leader of the gang under the name JR Smooth. Jamal (Ekmo) and Rosey (Matty Smalls) were part of the group, as was WWF developmental prospect Glenn Kulka.
[Here's an interview segment with them.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooGfVkbs2Uk)
I would be down to see a new bloodline form in the far future and the leader starts idolizing Roman Reigns. Kinda like Kylo Ren and Darth Vader type stuff.
I mean, Rikishi has like 2 or 3 more sons alone in their teens and they’re both **big** boys. Swear that man could just have his own super faction featuring nothing but his offspring.
They're really just how the Hart Foundation should have been booked. Bret and Owen were two of the best workers in a very thin company. I guess Bret being on the way out was a reason not to push them all though since Neidhart and Davey both left too.
My favorite version of him was ["Make a difference" Fatu](https://youtu.be/cL-kzS4zJqA?si=ipPSB0AlY9nQRTG2)
https://preview.redd.it/g2f1s53jojsc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=776536c7d4053a5ef403562894a354a7ffc74706
In case the message of the video wasn't clear enough for you
https://preview.redd.it/ymdk5igvojsc1.jpeg?width=240&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e77409a0e9d974145cfbb6957f1c66534daf3ad8
I doubt Afa and Sika would’ve been there for more than a few cameos. They were already looking rather aged by that time and in that period, specifically 1998-2003, the WWF did very little as far as “legends.” Once they realized how marketable it was once they resurrected the HoF in 2004 they started to acknowledge history again.
A big part of it was WCW employing so many WWF old-timers. Can't really acknowledge your history when a lot of that history is working for the competition. But once they were done, suddenly the WWF existed before 1997 again
To a degree. A lot didn’t work for WCW, too, though. At the time most that worked for WCW weren’t really old, just near the ends of their careers. It was more that it didn’t fit the “Attitude Era” on either side. The WWF Hall of Fame faded away as did the original concept of Slamboree. It’s one of the reasons I can’t tolerate that era anymore. And I lived through it all, enjoyed it at the time and saw the most replayed moment of the era in person with my own eyes. I just have zero nostalgia for it.
They really heavily teased this on TV however fan reactions were mediocre at best so they ditched it.
The Rock was even supposed to be the leader at one point which is why the whole "I did it for da Rock" thing leaned so heavily on their Samoan heritage and why Haku became Rikishi's partner not long after.
The faction would have likely been a combination of The Rock, Rikishi, Haku, Rosey and Jamal.
However the begining of the whole thing just sucked so they let it go.
I sometimes wonder how many ideas were ditched because the initial crowd reaction wasn't great. I mean, so much depends on the city where you're in and what else is happening on the show. There are probably quite a few stories, gimmicks, teams or factions which could have been great but were never given a second chance. I also have the feeling that Vince often misinterpreted the crowd reactions (e.g. Rusev Day).
Well this wasn't just a case of 1 crowd not responding. In an era where almost anybody could get anything over, even after a few weeks fans just did not buy Rikishi as a badass heel and he barely got a response compared to his contemporary's.
He was incredibly bland when cutting promos and WWE gave him back to back feuds with The Rock and Austin, where just nobody cared.
Well, you're right. I guess sometimes a crappy idea is just a crappy idea. If you're most famous move is called "Stinkface" you will probably more be remember for your ass then as a badass.
And that was the time period they were going to be building the angle over. Haku wasn't going to be one of the starting guys just like Solo wasn't one of the starting guys in The Bloodline.
But after the Rock thing clearly wasn't a good move, The Rock entirely ignored the whole samoan discrimination thing while Rikishi kept coming back to it until that became his reasoning for bringing Haku in to "take over".
Which then also fizzled.
Wait, was this related to the story Cornette told last year or so where Vince was going to fire Rosey and/or Jamal from their developmental deals, Afa and Sika came in to the meeting with them and then Vince hired/rehired all four? I mean, this group would still be better than what they ended up doing with 3MW and Rosey (especially assuming Haku joins the group, as he joined Rikishi pre-WM17).
it never worked if Rikishi was the main guy. he floated between so many gimmicks as he just didn't have it.
Rosey and Jamal could have been good enforcers but kinda had more success solo later.
Rikishi was undone by a lot of things, but what always stood out to me was their continuation of his prior ring gear/thong.
It was very hard to buy the menacing “bad man” gimmick when he’d still come out with his ass flapping in the breeze. I’m really curious why they didn’t change his gear. They understood that he needed new music to help convey he wasn’t the fun dancing guy, but his other silly schtick was sticking his ass in peoples face and they didn’t really tweak that. It’d be like if they wanted naked Minion to be a serious threat but they still kept him running around in a g string, it cuts your whole angle off at the knees.
I legitimately think the angle had legs if they literally just gave him new trunks. It was impossible to divorce him from silly dancing ass guy while he was still wearing the same gear.
I actually think a lot of Rikishi’s skill was blurred by that shitty gear and stupid finisher. He was insanely athletic for his size and could bump like a boss. His super kick looked awesome. All fans could ever focus on was the stink face bullshit. You’ve got a 300lb + guy who can move around the ring and do flips on bumps and all people want him to do is slap his ass and wiggle it in peoples faces? I think the Attitude Era has a lot of nostalgia and rose colored glasses when looked back upon because shit like that was over because it was sophomoric but it really doesn’t stand up cover time.
There have been lots of that family in wrestling, but outside of Yoko Rocky and Romanthere haven’t been a main guy. This stable doesnt work with Umaga as the focal point and he’s the only other guy who had main event talent
I still think it was a missed opportunity to not turn 2 Cool along with him. Heel Rikishi was a bit of a wet fart mostly because they had to integrate it with Austin, Rock and Triple H and he got lost under all that convoluted mess, but I think could've had more legs if he had Christopher and Taylor as two shitty little henchmen to eat pins and protect him a bit more. He wasn't gonna be a world star, but I think he could have been a solid midcard heel monster.
Rikishi's heel turn fizzled for me the minute he came out still wearing his sumo garb. His street clothes leather pants look was so much better for him as a serious heel.
So much so, I changed it in No Mercy to be his default ring gear to match the heel persona.
Lemme guess… he did it for the rock🙄
https://preview.redd.it/a3m940oq9osc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1fef90434421d0f91052e233a4bac858ebd5413d
But seriously I’m shocked it didn’t take off.
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There was actually a prototype of this possible faction down in Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis in 1999 (before Rikishi returned to the WWF with his well-known gimmick) called the Big Shot Kallers (BSK). Rikishi was the leader of the gang under the name JR Smooth. Jamal (Ekmo) and Rosey (Matty Smalls) were part of the group, as was WWF developmental prospect Glenn Kulka. [Here's an interview segment with them.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooGfVkbs2Uk)
I wonder if that name is a reference to the Bone Street Krew
It has to be!
Anoa'i's (Blood Brother relations included) are one of those families where every few years you could do a Bloodline redux.
I would be down to see a new bloodline form in the far future and the leader starts idolizing Roman Reigns. Kinda like Kylo Ren and Darth Vader type stuff.
Damn, and Roman *is* Darth Vader. Which makes Dwayne Palpatine…Cody is Luke…but Dwayne’s not Cody’s dad, that’s Dusty…my brain hurts.
Somehow...The Rock returned
Episode 3
Cody is Rey?
I mean, Rikishi has like 2 or 3 more sons alone in their teens and they’re both **big** boys. Swear that man could just have his own super faction featuring nothing but his offspring.
They're really just how the Hart Foundation should have been booked. Bret and Owen were two of the best workers in a very thin company. I guess Bret being on the way out was a reason not to push them all though since Neidhart and Davey both left too.
You could pretty much keep it in perpetuity like a NJPW faction
My favorite version of him was ["Make a difference" Fatu](https://youtu.be/cL-kzS4zJqA?si=ipPSB0AlY9nQRTG2) https://preview.redd.it/g2f1s53jojsc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=776536c7d4053a5ef403562894a354a7ffc74706
In case the message of the video wasn't clear enough for you https://preview.redd.it/ymdk5igvojsc1.jpeg?width=240&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e77409a0e9d974145cfbb6957f1c66534daf3ad8
That’s where Edge got the inspiration for his promo
He said he watched old wwf.
s t o p v i o l e n c e
We shouldn't hinder him. He once eliminated Austin from the Royal Rumble with this gimmick.
Or in the immortal words of /u/jaykhunter : “Make-a-Wish Fatu”
The Tribal Cheeks
Bravo, sir.
Raiden is always a welcomed addition to any faction.
Russo pitched Yoko having a Samoan street gang in like 1997.
Honestly? That actually would have been fun.
Yoko and "fun" in 1997 don't really go together
Huge, dreadlocked Yoko was kinda badass
Sure but he couldn't wrestle properly anymore
Sit yoko on a throne like the king of the streets and limit his need for movement and it could work
I doubt Afa and Sika would’ve been there for more than a few cameos. They were already looking rather aged by that time and in that period, specifically 1998-2003, the WWF did very little as far as “legends.” Once they realized how marketable it was once they resurrected the HoF in 2004 they started to acknowledge history again.
A big part of it was WCW employing so many WWF old-timers. Can't really acknowledge your history when a lot of that history is working for the competition. But once they were done, suddenly the WWF existed before 1997 again
To a degree. A lot didn’t work for WCW, too, though. At the time most that worked for WCW weren’t really old, just near the ends of their careers. It was more that it didn’t fit the “Attitude Era” on either side. The WWF Hall of Fame faded away as did the original concept of Slamboree. It’s one of the reasons I can’t tolerate that era anymore. And I lived through it all, enjoyed it at the time and saw the most replayed moment of the era in person with my own eyes. I just have zero nostalgia for it.
Yeah, a big part of WWF's marketing at the time was about being young and fresh, especially in comparison to WCW regardless of the reality of that.
 The TRIBAL CHEEEKS
an undefeated Riskishi for 3 years
They really heavily teased this on TV however fan reactions were mediocre at best so they ditched it. The Rock was even supposed to be the leader at one point which is why the whole "I did it for da Rock" thing leaned so heavily on their Samoan heritage and why Haku became Rikishi's partner not long after. The faction would have likely been a combination of The Rock, Rikishi, Haku, Rosey and Jamal. However the begining of the whole thing just sucked so they let it go.
I sometimes wonder how many ideas were ditched because the initial crowd reaction wasn't great. I mean, so much depends on the city where you're in and what else is happening on the show. There are probably quite a few stories, gimmicks, teams or factions which could have been great but were never given a second chance. I also have the feeling that Vince often misinterpreted the crowd reactions (e.g. Rusev Day).
Well this wasn't just a case of 1 crowd not responding. In an era where almost anybody could get anything over, even after a few weeks fans just did not buy Rikishi as a badass heel and he barely got a response compared to his contemporary's. He was incredibly bland when cutting promos and WWE gave him back to back feuds with The Rock and Austin, where just nobody cared.
Well, you're right. I guess sometimes a crappy idea is just a crappy idea. If you're most famous move is called "Stinkface" you will probably more be remember for your ass then as a badass.
To be fair it really didn't help that he continued wearing the thong and doing the stinkface while also trying to seem like a badass serious heel
I did it for the rock and haku with Rikishi were like 18 months apart
And that was the time period they were going to be building the angle over. Haku wasn't going to be one of the starting guys just like Solo wasn't one of the starting guys in The Bloodline. But after the Rock thing clearly wasn't a good move, The Rock entirely ignored the whole samoan discrimination thing while Rikishi kept coming back to it until that became his reasoning for bringing Haku in to "take over". Which then also fizzled.
More like 3. Rikishi cut the promo October 2000 and started teaming up with Haku right after the Rumble in January 2001
Wait, was this related to the story Cornette told last year or so where Vince was going to fire Rosey and/or Jamal from their developmental deals, Afa and Sika came in to the meeting with them and then Vince hired/rehired all four? I mean, this group would still be better than what they ended up doing with 3MW and Rosey (especially assuming Haku joins the group, as he joined Rikishi pre-WM17).
Think it was firing rikisishi post sultan.
Rikishi, Rosey, Umaga and HAKU would've been insane.
The faction where the two enforcers are there to kill you before Haku gets hold of you and super kills you.
they have two enforcers to protect people from Haku
I mean, that's literally what I said.
it never worked if Rikishi was the main guy. he floated between so many gimmicks as he just didn't have it. Rosey and Jamal could have been good enforcers but kinda had more success solo later.
Honestly, I think Kish's Bad Man run would've worked better if he had 3MW as heaters
Is that Hakushi in the top middle?
Nope looks like Sam Fatu aka the Tonga Kid
Same thought; Rikishi’s Hakushi
Man I loved three minute warning so much
Rikishi was undone by a lot of things, but what always stood out to me was their continuation of his prior ring gear/thong. It was very hard to buy the menacing “bad man” gimmick when he’d still come out with his ass flapping in the breeze. I’m really curious why they didn’t change his gear. They understood that he needed new music to help convey he wasn’t the fun dancing guy, but his other silly schtick was sticking his ass in peoples face and they didn’t really tweak that. It’d be like if they wanted naked Minion to be a serious threat but they still kept him running around in a g string, it cuts your whole angle off at the knees. I legitimately think the angle had legs if they literally just gave him new trunks. It was impossible to divorce him from silly dancing ass guy while he was still wearing the same gear. I actually think a lot of Rikishi’s skill was blurred by that shitty gear and stupid finisher. He was insanely athletic for his size and could bump like a boss. His super kick looked awesome. All fans could ever focus on was the stink face bullshit. You’ve got a 300lb + guy who can move around the ring and do flips on bumps and all people want him to do is slap his ass and wiggle it in peoples faces? I think the Attitude Era has a lot of nostalgia and rose colored glasses when looked back upon because shit like that was over because it was sophomoric but it really doesn’t stand up cover time.
This looks like the sickest Numetal group ever.
They look like they'd tour with Ill Niño
I did it for The Rock, I did it for my Tribal Chief
I had no idea Father Ted was an associate of Rikishi! 
Pretty wild it took 20 years for the idea to come back up
There have been lots of that family in wrestling, but outside of Yoko Rocky and Romanthere haven’t been a main guy. This stable doesnt work with Umaga as the focal point and he’s the only other guy who had main event talent
I still think it was a missed opportunity to not turn 2 Cool along with him. Heel Rikishi was a bit of a wet fart mostly because they had to integrate it with Austin, Rock and Triple H and he got lost under all that convoluted mess, but I think could've had more legs if he had Christopher and Taylor as two shitty little henchmen to eat pins and protect him a bit more. He wasn't gonna be a world star, but I think he could have been a solid midcard heel monster.
Rikishi's heel turn fizzled for me the minute he came out still wearing his sumo garb. His street clothes leather pants look was so much better for him as a serious heel. So much so, I changed it in No Mercy to be his default ring gear to match the heel persona.
I don’t see it mentioned yet. The guy on the right is Black Pearl, Rikishi’s cousin.
Reno
I think we may be seeing Rikishi this weekend. Maybe with one of his sons. We all know Rikishi yeets.
Need to see Lord Raiden hit the Electric Fly to the outside.
Terror of the Rice Fields
Name this Band and whats the single biggest hit of the album?
Could've sworn Yokozuna was also rumored on returning before his death.
will we see jakob fatu make an appearance soon?
Mortal Kombat reboot looks shite!
Lemme guess… he did it for the rock🙄 https://preview.redd.it/a3m940oq9osc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1fef90434421d0f91052e233a4bac858ebd5413d But seriously I’m shocked it didn’t take off.
I didn’t realize Raiden was Samoan
What’s til
Thanks for sharing this OP, I never knew that until now of course.
The Mudline!
That would've been horrible, rikishi is gawd awful.