10 Fascinating WWE Survivor Series 2000 Facts
7. Rikishi Only Agreed To Turn Heel Based On Future Match-Ups
The conclusion of the "Who Ran Over Stone Cold?" mystery proved unsatisfactory for many. Rikishi being revealed as the assailant, for race-related reasons, fell flat, stinking like his favorite turnbuckle attack.
Rikishi himself admitted that he hated the storyline, for the same reason: he hated having to play "the race card" as his storyline motivation. The fun-loving, dancing Rikishi that popped crowds with his joviality was suddenly a militant villain not above committing attempted murder in order to reach his goals.
The 2000 Survivor Series saw Rikishi square off with The Rock, who in story had refused to benefit from Rikishi's helpful acts of violence. Matches like this, as well as with Austin the previous month, were the entire reason Rikishi agreed to turn heel: because he knew feuds with Rock and Austin could prove fruitful to his bottom line. However, the heat fizzled by early-2001, and Rikishi was turned back babyface months later.