10 WWE Gimmick Reboots That Saved The Wrestler's Career

7. Fatu/The Sultan To Rikishi

Much like The Godfather and Hardcore Holly, Rikishi had to go through a few iterations before he settled on the gimmick that would define his career. Solofa Fatu started in the WWF in 1992 as a member of the Headshrinkers tag team. Mildly successful, the team won the tag team championship in 1995. After Samu left the WWF, Fatu returned in bright colors and tried to preach positivity and "make a difference." That was incredibly short-lived. In late 1996, Fatu was repackaged as The Sultan, whose highlight was facing Rocky Maivia for the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania 13. He didn't do anything else. Fatu returned to the WWF two years later as Rikishi Fatu. He had gained a significant amount of weight, and wore a sort of thong to show his rear end. He quickly joined Too Cool (who had just undergone a gimmick re-packaging themselves), turned babyface, and was a beloved character. For the next five years, Big Kish stayed near the top of the card, winning the Intercontinental and Tag Team Titles. Rikishi was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year, and that would have never happened if he was simply a Headshrinker or a Sultan.