10 Weird Secrets To Wrestlers' Success

9. Rikishi - Doing Everything Backwards

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WWE.com

The cycle is clear.

In WWE, the monster hoss will soften over time as their career arc flits between two of Vince McMahon's great loves: the grunting beast and "person who displays uncharacteristic trait because it is funnier that way".

It happened to Vladimir Kozlov; his outrageous mega-push failed dismally, and he was soon reimagined as the gurning moron mate of Santino Marella. Braun Strowman's arc is far more chaotic and nonsensical - he was last seen playing the monster after dancing around with the New Day in December 2019 - but he also proves the theory to be true. Ditto The Big Show. Ditto Kane, come to think of it.

Rikishi was different, inexplicably so. Destined for an Ed Leslie-adjacent career as a journeyman, he actually got over to a major extent by settling into life as a big daft lad who danced in the guise of Rikishi. It worked in an indeterminate way, helped very much by the fact that he wasn't some mince-thick caricature who just loved to have fun!!1.

He only danced at the urging of Too Cool, and he didn't do it just to do it, like some clown. He was also a badass with a killer finish.

Stunning in its subtlety - this, after all, was a crater-assed behemoth wearing sunglasses and getting down - Rikishi was too fun not to fall for.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!