Rodney (wrestler)

Rodney Anoa'i (October 2, 1966 – October 23, 2000) was an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring name Yokozuna. He was a member of the Anoa'i family, a renowned Samoan-American wrestling dynasty.

Yokozuna was portrayed as a villainous sumo wrestler, despite being of Samoan heritage and not Japanese. He held the WWF Championship twice and the WWF Tag Team Championship twice (with Owen Hart). He also won the 1993 Royal Rumble. His character was known for his imposing size and use of the Banzai Drop as a finishing move. He was managed primarily by Mr. Fuji.

After his departure from the WWF in 1998 due to weight issues, Anoa'i wrestled on the independent circuit until his death in 2000 from pulmonary edema. His legacy is that of a dominant heel character during the WWF's "New Generation Era". He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012.