10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Oct 20)

4. Rikishi Invented The Stinkface By Accident

Rikishi Stinkface
WWE.com

On a podcast dedicated to exploring national identity and the use of stereotypes in pro wrestling, we ended up finding out why, when and how Rikishi started using his trademark Stinkface move. On The World According To Wrestling, Rikishi revealed that the entire spot came about by accident, and it only happened because some woman in the crowd called for it.

Wrestling The Big Boss Man on a house show one Sunday night, Rikishi clotheslined his peer into the corner and then performed his soon-to-be cherished slow turn. Right then and there a fan shouted, "stick your butt in his face". When Rikishi looked over at his co-worker, Boss Man encouraged him to give the fans what they wanted.

Rikishi experimented with drawing out the spot so that it would have maximum impact, and was thrilled when the audience went nuts. Hopefully, Boss Man was given a bonus that night, because he took one for the team and helped create one of WWE's most popular babyfaces.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.