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WWE Legend Rikishi coming to Illinois for pro wrestling event

WWE Legend Rikishi coming to Illinois for pro wrestling event

Posted: Aug 21st 2021 By: Matt Sheehan

If you’re a pro wrestling fan, then the name Rikishi is one you’ve heard countless times.

On Saturday, the WWE legend will appear in Oregon, Illinois for the ZOWA Live: Back It Up event.

ZOWA is based in central Illinois, many of the wrestlers being from LaSalle County.

Rikishi joined Matt Sheehan for an interview to look ahead at Saturday’s event.

You can see Rikishi Saturday, August 21, at Northside BBQ in Oregon, IL. The address is 117 N 4th St, Oregon, IL 61061.

Sheehan: What can the fans expect from you this weekend?

“As always, Rikishi is going to back it up. I’m going to bring some of that attitude era back in the day, what they remember me from. Giving that infamous “stink face” and that’s if somebody steps out of line, my friend,” Rikishi said. “But I’m looking forward for ZOWA Live. I want to thank them for bringing Bik Kishi there to Oregon, Illinois. The fans, I encourage you guys to come on through because we’re going to have a good life.”

Sheehan: How does it feel that pro wrestling is back in full swing?

“It’s a great feeling. To be able to perform in front of a live crowd, it’s a different kind of energy you feed off of. When you have fans right there in front of your face booing you, cheering you on. For the past year and a half, it was very difficult because now you’re in an empty arena trying to perform and yell at a person and you’re not getting that feedback as if you were in a live arena. It feels really good,” Rikishi said. “Once Wrestlemania hit where WWE had their huge event, I’m sure a lot of the independent companies around the world were very very happy. Now for a professional wrestler, I get to go and perform in front of a live crowd and do what we love.”

Sheehan: I gotta get your reaction to John Cena vs. Roman Reigns at Summerslam Saturday.

“It’s good to see John Cena back in the loop. He’s a big name and brings a lot of attention to Summerslam, everyone knows Roman Reigns has been crushing it the last 12 years. Ever since he started. This is very difficult, I’m caught in between,” Rikishi said. “John Cena is a very good friend of mine, I have nothing but respect for John Cena. I also appreciate what he’s done for the business. But I also know my family member, Roman Reigns. My sons the Usos that are also involved. If you ask me, friend over blood, I gotta go blood.”

Sheehan: You’ve been doing a lot more in-ring training now than in-ring performing. Walk me through how that’s been to you.

“We opened up an academy in Los Angeles called Knox Pro Wrestling Academy,” Rikishi said. “There’s a lot of kids out there that are wanting to learn professional wrestling but aren’t getting the proper training.”

Rikishi said his academy is able to mold them into better professional wrestlers.

“Once they take that bump in the ring and hit that 3-quarter playwood. It’s like “oh, this is not a video game,” Rikishi laughed. “Your body has to survive when you’re on the road 200 days out of the year. For you to have longevity in this industry, you have to perfect your craft and learn the fundamentals.”

Rikishi’s family has been in the wrestling industry for over 75 years. It started with his family, and now Rikishi has sons and younger cousins who are at the top of the wrestling industry now.

One of Rikishi’s family members is WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Rikishi said he’s always been a superstar, and that he’s very proud of him for carrying on the family legacy.

“I’m also proud of my sons, the twins, Jimmy and Jey,” Rikishi said. “The family is happy to see those three are out there to keep on the family legacy. We just pray they stay safe, stay healthy, and come home to their families.”

Rikishi says he’s happy to see new faces to be getting new opportunities.

“I say this to the kids, be patient and work harder. Be patient and work harder. When that opportunity comes, and it might just come one time, you better be ready,” Rikishi said. “The whole world is trying to get a shot at WWE. They all gotta work hard to take that spot. When it comes to storylines, I think they need to be simpler. So for wrestling fans who have never watched before, it’s easy for that person to understand.”

Rikishi said the “Attitude Era” was the best era of professional wrestling.

“It was so easy for the fans to be attached to that era. From the first match to the main event, everything was entertaining,” Rikishi said.

Rikishi said his “Mount Rushmore of WWE” right now is Roman Reigns, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Shane McMahon.

Sheehan: Do you have one crazy story or memory you can share with me today from the WWE?

“At one time, it was 1994, we were all working non-stop. It was me, Godfather, Undertaker, Yokozuna, Goddwin, and Uncle Fuji. Pretty much the whole BSK (Bone Street Krew),” Rikishi said. All of a sudden the schedule switched. It was double shots. We’d do a show at 1:00 o’clock then a show at 7:00 o’clock. I probably came *this* close to quitting the business. It was such a grueling schedule. I wasn’t ready for that.”

Rikishi said usually you just wrestle once a night.

“That really tested my heart and mind. Do I want to go through with this? I want to thank God that I had good friends and family beside me,” Rikishi said. “I kept seeing them push through and I was just tagging along pushing with them.”

Pro wrestlers are oftentimes on the road most days of the year. They’re missing holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Rikishi said that’s extremely difficult to do.

“Hopefully a kid out there can hear me out, that if you decide to come into this industry, make sure you’re fully prepared,” Rikishi said. “The only thing everybody sees is what’s on TV. But behind the scenes, some people can break.”

Rikishi wants all up-and-coming wrestlers to know they are “worth it,” and says to keep going.

While it’s unsure right now if he’ll appear soon in WWE, he says it will always be he and his family’s home.

“I do miss the fans so much. But I do not miss the traveling and the butt-whooping we take in there,” Rikishi laughed"

Rikishi will also be in Skokie, Illinois August 22. At 2:00 p.m. he will be at the Village Inn Pizzeria, located at 8050 Lincoln Avenue, to sign autographs before the show and during intermission.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1977 Dick Murdoch def. Jerry Oates for the TSW North American Title
  • 1978 Jerry Stubbs became the TSW Mississippi Champion
  • 1999 Joey Casanova became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 2010 Jermaine Johnson def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2021 Koko became the WAH Living Hope Champion
  • 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
  • 2021 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Cpl. Punishment) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber, Reese, & T-Arsenal) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 2021 Danni Bee became the NCWO Women's Champion
  • 2021 Samedi def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Title
  • 2021 Ky-Ote became the NCWO Choctaw Nation Champion
  • 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
  • 2021 Akbar Farat def. Tino Valentino for the NCWO Heavyweight Title
  • 2022 Jason Jones def. Dimitri Alexandrov for the WFC Prime Title
  • 2022 Leo Fox became the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Skylar Slice for the ASP Women's Title
  • 2022 High Ratings (Maui Mike & Beau Betten) def. Chosen Influence (Malik Mayfield & Luke Richmond) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
  • 2022 Gatekeeper def. Mr. Nasty for the ASP 5-Star Title
  • 2022 Tino Valentino became the ASP Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 11-01 to Sat: 11-07

  • 11-01 1960 Tony Jiminez & Jesse Jiminez became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 11-01 1981 Ted DiBiase def. Paul Orndorff for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 11-01 1982 Al Madril def. Frank Dusek for the WCCW Television Title
  • 11-01 2008 El Hoto def. Martin Justice for the OECW Southwestern Title
  • 11-01 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Matthews III) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-01 2013 Steven Sterling def. Bobby Starr for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 11-01 2014 Guy Atticus became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 11-01 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 11-01 2019 Brock Landers def. Tego for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 11-01 2020 Double D became the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-01 2020 Drake Gallows became the EPW All-American Champion
  • 11-01 2020 Revan became the EPW Internet Television Champion
  • 11-01 2020 The Sidekicks (Kevin James Sanchez & Gemini [2nd]) became the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-01 2020 High Times (Father Padge & Dean Lambert) def. The Sidekicks (Kevin James Sanchez & Gemini [2nd]) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-01 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. The Trendsetters (Andre West & Nelly Rivers) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 11-02 1978 Ray Candy def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW Arkansas Title
  • 11-02 2002 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 11-02 2003 Ty Magnus def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-02 2003 John O'Malley def. Ty Magnus for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-02 2003 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-02 2003 Outcast def. X-Cal for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-02 2013 Kevin Morgan def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 11-02 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-02 2013 Miss Diss Lexia def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
  • 11-02 2014 Les Mayne def. Rick Russo for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 11-02 2019 Clint Poe became the EmpCW All American Champion
  • 11-02 2019 War Party (Gorgeous Garcia & Nytronis A’Teo) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the EmpCW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-02 2019 Dexter Hardaway def. Double D for the EmpCW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-02 2019 Karnage def. Naiomi Sanders for the BPW 365 Title
  • 11-02 2019 Unicorn def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
  • 11-02 2019 Karnage def. Unicorn for the BPW 365 Title
  • 11-02 2019 C. M. Burnham def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
  • 11-02 2019 Karnage def. C. M. Burnham for the BPW 365 Title
  • 11-02 2019 Naomi Sanders def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
  • 11-03 2001 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 11-03 2001 Splash Jackson def. Big Daddy Moore for the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 11-03 2012 The Old School Suckas (Randy Price & Bryan Cruize) def. Big Business (Damon Windsor & Kevin Morgan) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-03 2012 Erica def. Angel Blue for the IZW Queens Title
  • 11-03 2018 Damon Windsor def. Randy Price for the WCR Revolutionary Title
  • 11-04 1985 Rick Rude def. King Parsons for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 11-04 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. Jerry Lawler for the WCCW World Title
  • 11-04 2005 Beau Dalton & Bobby Dalton became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-05 1979 Jim Garvin & Herb Calvert def. Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 11-05 1980 Hector Guerrero & Ron Sexton def. Ron McFarlane & Doug Somers for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-05 2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-05 2004 Luc Lapointe def. Prophet for the SRPW Boys and Girls Club Title
  • 11-05 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 11-05 2004 Beau Dalton def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 11-05 2005 Justin Lee & Michael Faith became the TPW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-05 2011 Michael York & Ignition became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 11-05 2011 Brandon Walker def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 11-05 2011 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & David Kyzer) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-05 2016 Kareem Sadat def. Dean Lambert for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title
  • 11-06 1977 Dick Murdoch def. Jerry Oates for the TSW North American Title
  • 11-06 1978 Jerry Stubbs became the TSW Mississippi Champion
  • 11-06 1999 Joey Casanova became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-06 2010 Jermaine Johnson def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-06 2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-06 2021 Koko became the WAH Living Hope Champion
  • 11-06 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
  • 11-06 2021 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Cpl. Punishment) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber, Reese, & T-Arsenal) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 11-06 2021 Danni Bee became the NCWO Women's Champion
  • 11-06 2021 Samedi def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-06 2021 Ky-Ote became the NCWO Choctaw Nation Champion
  • 11-06 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-06 2021 Akbar Farat def. Tino Valentino for the NCWO Heavyweight Title
  • 11-06 2022 Jason Jones def. Dimitri Alexandrov for the WFC Prime Title
  • 11-06 2022 Leo Fox became the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 11-06 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Skylar Slice for the ASP Women's Title
  • 11-06 2022 High Ratings (Maui Mike & Beau Betten) def. Chosen Influence (Malik Mayfield & Luke Richmond) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
  • 11-06 2022 Gatekeeper def. Mr. Nasty for the ASP 5-Star Title
  • 11-06 2022 Tino Valentino became the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-07 1984 Bill Dundee def. Adrian Street for the MSW Television Title
  • 11-07 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. The Old School Express (Jason Jones & Jake Boulder) for the MStW Southern Tag Team Titles
  • 11-07 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 11-07 2015 The Terror Squad (D Money & Montego Seeka & Marce Lewis, Nytronis A'Teo & MVP) became the IWR Tag Team Champions
11-06
  • Frank Dunbar Nov 6th Today!
  • Darin Matthews Nov 6th Today!
  • Brian Faith Nov 6th Today!
  • Lu Kim Nov 6th Today!
  • Ken Patera Nov 6th Today!
  • Dominik Whiteheart Nov 7th
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  • Treach Phillips, Jr. Nov 8th
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  • Austin Mulitalo Nov 8th
  • Joyce Grable Nov 9th
  • Jean-Claude Boudreaux Nov 9th
  • Lance Osburn Nov 9th
  • Kolossus Nov 9th
  • Nick Patrick Nov 9th
  • Gil Knutson Nov 9th
  • Menace 2 Society Nov 9th
  • Bob Orton, Jr. Nov 10th
  • Prince Tapu Nov 10th
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  • Danny Savich Nov 10th
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  • Green Dragon Nov 11th
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  • Brett Taylor Nov 12th
  • Thud Powell Nov 12th
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  • Big Smooth Nov 13th
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  • Tiny Bell Nov 14th
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  • Snowman Nov 17th
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