10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (May 10)
5. Who Convinced The WWF Office Taka Michinoku Was Yakuza
This is the final story from Bruce Prichard's podcast, promise. It's too good to leave out however.
When Taka Michinoku joined the WWF in 1997, Bruce was high on his work and thought he could become a major star. Others behind the scenes weren't so sure, but Prichard had a plan. He'd make up some lore for Taka that'd buy him street cred with the office. For some reason, Bruce decided to tell everyone that Michinoku was Yakuza.
One of the creative team did some digging and found out that Japanese mafia members are expected to cut off a pinkie finger if they mess up. That punishment, and the fact Taka had all his digits, made them doubt Prichard's claim. Ever the resourceful one, Bruce told them he was a big time wrestler in Japan and was asked to cut off a toe instead.
People bought it, if you can believe that. For the first few months of his WWF career, Taka Michinoku walked around none the wiser as company staff feared his mafia connections.