Notice how Rikishi almost always refers to CVV as "Chris", he doesn't say "man", "bro", "dude". Rikishi is such a respectful guy. That is something I have noticed with Samoan people, they are the most respectful human beings but if you piss them off, they will eat you alive. Mad respect to Rikishi for being so polite and well mannered.
Not saying that a person who says "man, dude, bro" isn't respectful but someone who refers to another person with their name every time, shows that they are going that extra mile to show respect to them. It's something so little but I instantly noticed Rikishi saying "Chris" repeatedly because that is something we are not used to hearing in today's world. I loved it.
Yea, not mentioning 2 Cool in his HOF speech was totally positive right? He’s a jackass, forgot the people that helped him along the way. 2 Cool and Rikishi were a major tag team, remembered till this day. I lost respect for him after that
I'm 56 yrs old and I've watched your family wrestle since the days of Afa & Sika and all I can say is : Thank You from the bottom of my heart, and today I love watching your sons and their cousin wrestling today. Of course I mean The Uso's & Roman. I watch MLW also.
I met Rikishi two years ago LITERALLY in my former neighborhood. 3 minute walk from my house! We usually had a series of food market events in the summer up until the end of fall, and Rikishi was a special guest towards the end of the season. Super incredibly nice dude, took the time out to meet people who didn't even have a ticket and didn't rush along any conversations or any instances of people glossing over him. He even gave a speech before the M&G discussing his motion of the "each one, teach one" and it's pretty awesome to have seen him bring it up in this interview here. Just goes to show you, you absolutely CANNOT knock the heart of a strong and truer man, let alone someone from the Samoan Dynasty. Dude is REAL as it gets!
I'm honestly jealous. After growing up in foster care and getting kicked out of the system at 18, I can only imagine what it's like to have the sort of family pride these people have. I just do my best to do it on my own.
The good news for you though is you're the progenitor and patriarch. You get to create your own family and decide what kind of legacy you want to pass on without generational curses your biological family would have passed on to you. No disrespect to the hardships I'm sure you faced though. I pray you have a successful, peaceful and joyful life.
Same here bro foster care survivor. But like homie said now you get to be a patriarch I’m married now with 6 kids and it’s surreal to be a family man although I didn’t grow up in a strong family. My biggest trauma has turned out to be my biggest blessing, some days are hard though having to be pretty much the complete leader of myself no father no brothers no mother or grandparents or uncles or aunties to lean on and learn from, but I wouldn’t trade it. It’s dope watching my kids cause they have so many cousins and siblings and auntys and uncles, god parents and grandparents that come through for them from my wife’s side of the family . Stay up bruh your comment made me tear up cause I can relate so much. Hope you have a blessed life. Shout out to all my wards of the state.
Legendary interview!!! Wow i was really taken by the fact that he had forgiveness for the guy who almost took his life. That just shows what kind of man he is. Much love salute to the OG Big Kish!!!!!!
What a likeable guy! I was just going to listen to a few min of this then go get groceries and come back for the rest but i sat here and the whole interview flew by! I even had to go back and watch too cool debut with Rikishi and the classic hell in a cell bump.. That was the first PPV i ever watched! I was 9 and it was amazing!
@@AD-ur1fk I agree with you that when he was a baby face that theme completely symbolized his role. The bad man theme was a great theme according to his heel role. That’s all I’m saying.
Rikishi is one of the best superstar I've ever seen on the screen. And I follow wrestling since '99. Hand off, one of my favourite wrestler of all time.
Between Rikishi describing those entering his school as winners "already in my eyes", to him describing how when they enter the ring he gives them time to feel the ropes etc., he's such a positive dude. Much respect.
Man, Chris... As always, you really do bring out the best in the individual and the business with your heart for the sport. That's truly special and amazing. Love what you stand for and what an awesome, emotional interview.
I loved Rikishi in the attitude era. I love watching him now, it's good to see one of the people you looked up to is a good dude. Agree about Jacob Fatu, the guy has so much talent its unreal. If AEW where serious about challenging WWE they've got a ready made top guy there they can build around.
One of my clearest teenage memories of pro-wrestling was the way Rikishi used to take clotheslines: he sold it like getting smacked by a helicopter blade, doing something like a 540 twist in the air (particularly when he fought Chyna). Probably fits in the Shawn Michaels school of overselling, but seeing a such husky dude do such an agile maneuver was a sight to behold and kind of inspiring... and it was just for a clothesline!
@@ChrisVanVliet Was there ever an interview that you ended up hating, Chris? Like it didn't go well? The interviewee wasn't as nice as you had hoped, or open or whatever?
@@christianhafer9819 Possibly. But, all I know is that when he's been asked what his worst interview is he's said MJF, and when he's been asked who he'd never wanna interview again, he's said MJF, so that's just my take on it.
He IS really positive, especially since his brother Jamal/Umaga and cousin Rosey went while still being relatively young. But maybe that's where the strength of family comes in.
He was my favorite wrestler as a kid when he was Fatu in the headshrinkers aww man I used to go nuts. Them and his uncle. They could also make you laugh alot too with their promos
Rikishi is a wrestling legend wow i grew up watching rikishi thee minute warning rosey and the hurrycain jimmy and jey and now roman reigns wow just wow❤💪🇬🇧uk
I've always been a big too cool fan, rikishi is the man I remember when he revealed he hit austin i was like ok random he's definitely one of my fav big guys always had great matches and he could bump his ass off especially when he got clotheslined
The part where he says "I know in my mind I'm gonna do whatever I can to make this character work".. that's exactly what you need to be a wrestler. The gimmick could be dumb as shit but if you really put your mind to it you could get it over
Another wrestler who was a fine example of that, is Steven Richards. He made Heat fun to watch with Stevie Night Heat etc. Or Dr Stevie in TNA as it was ☺️☺️☺️
One of my favourite interviews of yours Chris. Always wanted to know the Samoan Family Tree as to who was related to who. 👏👏 always deliver you do, best interviewer out there man!
Wow, what a great interview. I have so much respect for Rikishi as an adult. I wish I could spend time and learn more from him…. I freakin hated the stinkface as a kid tho! lol!
I meet rikishi at a gas station he walked right passed me to go to the bathroom I was like "theres only one big man with bleach blonde hair" when he came out I said do u wrestler. He said yeah with this face she knows who I am lol I said RIKISHI OMG LOL It was the day after the WrestleMania in San Francisco. I'll never forget.
Damn, had no idea Rikishi grew up in Sunnydale; he's right, that place is legitimately rough now, and was exponentially worse back when he got shot. I hope he had some nicer memories of the Bay, but I can't blame him for leaving.
Something that’s not really talked about is that Rocky, Dwayne, Ata & Nia’s side of the family and Rikishi’s side of the family are not blood, but are “related” through the “blood brother”hood of Peter Maivia and Amituana'i Anoa'i.
@@fillgollinsdergroarticheme8442 I’m not gonna say that. I respect the whole “we’re so close we’re family” thing, I don’t care. I get it. I just feel like it goes unnoticed that The Rock and his family are not related by blood to the rest.
@@fillgollinsdergroarticheme8442 It's not BS. If you accept someone as a blood brother, you're telling the world this person is as good as blood related to me. For all intents and purposes, Peter Maivia and his line are family to the Anoa'i family. We do the same in my family. It's not uncommon.
I don’t know if they’re actually blood related or if they call themselves “cousin” or family because they’re from similar backgrounds. I found a family tree someone did on Wikipedia and it calls Rock an “honorary” family member, so I don’t know what the deal is.
About the USOs playing football first, alot of the great college players wind up bouncing to the CFL...apparently, there's a bunch of crap to deal with in the NFL as well.
So wait. There really is a third uso? WALE WAS RIGHT! Great video Chris. Awesome seeing Rikishi and hearing he story. And hearing how he's related to the family. Whether they are cousin or uncle. Really great video.
I think there's 4 grown sons from Rikishi, not including daughters or the younger son he mentioned in the interview. And they all look alike. If you look up Sefa Fatu you'll see what I mean.
Give Tiege Hanley a try & get a FREE toiletry bag with your first box at tiege.com/vanvlietrikishi
Chris Va Vilet I beg you, please interview Johnny Stamboli!!🙏🙏
Trish Stratus Loves Kissing 💋💋💋💋💋 Rikishi Big Hugs Ass With a Stinkface
He did this interview for the rock
He sounds just like the rock he sounded different on WWE
@@ryanpurplenintendoeater9869 yah he does sound like the rock a tad bit
SIGH
Take my upvote
Pretty much every Polynesian dude you’ll ever meet sounds a bit like him.
Rikishi, Rock, Roman and Miro. They all kinda have same the voices.
Notice how Rikishi almost always refers to CVV as "Chris", he doesn't say "man", "bro", "dude". Rikishi is such a respectful guy. That is something I have noticed with Samoan people, they are the most respectful human beings but if you piss them off, they will eat you alive. Mad respect to Rikishi for being so polite and well mannered.
Not saying that a person who says "man, dude, bro" isn't respectful but someone who refers to another person with their name every time, shows that they are going that extra mile to show respect to them. It's something so little but I instantly noticed Rikishi saying "Chris" repeatedly because that is something we are not used to hearing in today's world. I loved it.
Two ends of the scale ,rikishi and haku's reps
@@ECWoriginalECW brooooo
Rikishi is one of the most positive guys in wrestling, Never has a bad to say about anyone
Yea, not mentioning 2 Cool in his HOF speech was totally positive right? He’s a jackass, forgot the people that helped him along the way. 2 Cool and Rikishi were a major tag team, remembered till this day. I lost respect for him after that
@@MikeSmith-zo6eu
Yeah, After all he forgot. They still communicated and I'm sure they had a 'general understanding' of the situation.
@@TihetrisWeathersby honestly the Hof speeches would have me forgetting people too. They got a certain amount of time to say what they gotta say.
@@samg873
You remember when they rushed Ric, Or when they got to Goldberg people where leaving.
@@TihetrisWeathersby I remember. I'm interested to see how 2021 works out. I think they are doing 2020 class too
I'm 56 yrs old and I've watched your family wrestle since the days of Afa & Sika and all I can say is : Thank You from the bottom of my heart, and today I love watching your sons and their cousin wrestling today. Of course I mean The Uso's & Roman. I watch MLW also.
Chris Van Vliet is one of the absolute best interviewers. I always look forward to his interviews.
"damn, this is what it feels like..." that story and that moment is enough to give you goosebumps. another great interview with another great guy.
I met Rikishi two years ago LITERALLY in my former neighborhood. 3 minute walk from my house!
We usually had a series of food market events in the summer up until the end of fall, and Rikishi was a special guest towards the end of the season. Super incredibly nice dude, took the time out to meet people who didn't even have a ticket and didn't rush along any conversations or any instances of people glossing over him. He even gave a speech before the M&G discussing his motion of the "each one, teach one" and it's pretty awesome to have seen him bring it up in this interview here. Just goes to show you, you absolutely CANNOT knock the heart of a strong and truer man, let alone someone from the Samoan Dynasty. Dude is REAL as it gets!
This interview did NOT give me a stink face. I rate it 6 stars out of 5
Rikishi’s “put a little ass on it” still gets listened to till this day.
I'm honestly jealous. After growing up in foster care and getting kicked out of the system at 18, I can only imagine what it's like to have the sort of family pride these people have. I just do my best to do it on my own.
The good news for you though is you're the progenitor and patriarch. You get to create your own family and decide what kind of legacy you want to pass on without generational curses your biological family would have passed on to you. No disrespect to the hardships I'm sure you faced though. I pray you have a successful, peaceful and joyful life.
@@dahliaherrod4301 You're right :) Thank you.
Same here bro foster care survivor. But like homie said now you get to be a patriarch I’m married now with 6 kids and it’s surreal to be a family man although I didn’t grow up in a strong family. My biggest trauma has turned out to be my biggest blessing, some days are hard though having to be pretty much the complete leader of myself no father no brothers no mother or grandparents or uncles or aunties to lean on and learn from, but I wouldn’t trade it. It’s dope watching my kids cause they have so many cousins and siblings and auntys and uncles, god parents and grandparents that come through for them from my wife’s side of the family . Stay up bruh your comment made me tear up cause I can relate so much. Hope you have a blessed life. Shout out to all my wards of the state.
Legendary interview!!! Wow i was really taken by the fact that he had forgiveness for the guy who almost took his life. That just shows what kind of man he is. Much love salute to the OG Big Kish!!!!!!
Being Spanish/Mexican, hearing everyone being a cousin or uncle/auntie is just like "well, yeah, that's the way it is"
What a likeable guy! I was just going to listen to a few min of this then go get groceries and come back for the rest but i sat here and the whole interview flew by! I even had to go back and watch too cool debut with Rikishi and the classic hell in a cell bump.. That was the first PPV i ever watched! I was 9 and it was amazing!
Cue the Music!
“I’m a bad maaaaaaan!” 🎵🎶🎵🎶
His heel theme?
“You look fly today” is better
@@AD-ur1fk I agree with you that when he was a baby face that theme completely symbolized his role. The bad man theme was a great theme according to his heel role. That’s all I’m saying.
Rikishi is one of the best superstar I've ever seen on the screen. And I follow wrestling since '99. Hand off, one of my favourite wrestler of all time.
Smashed it again. I could watch you interview people all day. Rikishi came over so well there!
What a kind soul he is!
God Bless Rikishi stay safe keep loving and enjoying life all the very best you are an inspiration to us all.
Between Rikishi describing those entering his school as winners "already in my eyes", to him describing how when they enter the ring he gives them time to feel the ropes etc., he's such a positive dude. Much respect.
Rikishi is also a great teacher. I've been watching Jessica Roden and she's been kicking butt.
Man Rikishi, seems like such a chill and humble guy. Great dude. Another banger of an interview Chris 🔥🔥🔥
Cue the theme music.
"You look fly today." 🎧
Man, Chris... As always, you really do bring out the best in the individual and the business with your heart for the sport. That's truly special and amazing. Love what you stand for and what an awesome, emotional interview.
Emotional??
The more I watch your interview is the more I have respect ✊ for the pro wrestling industry!
I loved Rikishi in the attitude era. I love watching him now, it's good to see one of the people you looked up to is a good dude.
Agree about Jacob Fatu, the guy has so much talent its unreal. If AEW where serious about challenging WWE they've got a ready made top guy there they can build around.
Thanks Rikishi for everything
Can't believe I just discovered this...but Mahalo...so very much!
Such an underrated talent in my opinion. Can’t wait to hear this!
One of my clearest teenage memories of pro-wrestling was the way Rikishi used to take clotheslines: he sold it like getting smacked by a helicopter blade, doing something like a 540 twist in the air (particularly when he fought Chyna). Probably fits in the Shawn Michaels school of overselling, but seeing a such husky dude do such an agile maneuver was a sight to behold and kind of inspiring... and it was just for a clothesline!
Hearing the family connections segment was so entertaining
2:45 thanks for your time
22:50 HILARIOUS!!! Chris can't believe Rikishi is really related to all of those people.
Legit one of the best interviews I’ve ever seen. Also Rikishi was so underrated
This conversation is Too Cool, CVV. You really Make A Difference with these quality interviews.
I see what you did there hahaha
@@ChrisVanVliet Was there ever an interview that you ended up hating, Chris? Like it didn't go well? The interviewee wasn't as nice as you had hoped, or open or whatever?
@@christianhafer9819 I'm fairly confident I can answer this for him. It's MJF.
@@thegameslave2 I think MJF is just doing that for the cameras. Staying in character. I'm sure off camera, he's a delight.
@@christianhafer9819 Possibly. But, all I know is that when he's been asked what his worst interview is he's said MJF, and when he's been asked who he'd never wanna interview again, he's said MJF, so that's just my take on it.
Rikishi is underrated, every time that hat tipped I knew what time it was and it never disappointed
He IS really positive, especially since his brother Jamal/Umaga and cousin Rosey went while still being relatively young. But maybe that's where the strength of family comes in.
He was real close to Yokozuna too!
He was my favorite wrestler as a kid when he was Fatu in the headshrinkers aww man I used to go nuts. Them and his uncle. They could also make you laugh alot too with their promos
Rikishi is a wrestling legend wow i grew up watching rikishi thee minute warning rosey and the hurrycain jimmy and jey and now roman reigns wow just wow❤💪🇬🇧uk
One of the Top interviews I’ve seen!!
I'm sorry for multiple comments but this was one of the best interviews you have done.
Rakishi you rock man, I miss seeing you and hope you have a great life, god bless you and your family.
I loved the interview! I also really missed the outros, glad to see one again!
can we get some timestamps?
I've always been a big too cool fan, rikishi is the man I remember when he revealed he hit austin i was like ok random he's definitely one of my fav big guys always had great matches and he could bump his ass off especially when he got clotheslined
Rikishi is the reason I suffered multiple stinkfaces from my slob friends :(
Great Interview as always Chris 👍🏽, However I wish you would've ask him about that Cage Splash spot he did to Val Venis
I hate to be on the receiving end of that
Rikishi 1 of the greatest.
#TooCool #BadMan
great interview so far
What an awesome and respectful guy.
The part where he says "I know in my mind I'm gonna do whatever I can to make this character work".. that's exactly what you need to be a wrestler. The gimmick could be dumb as shit but if you really put your mind to it you could get it over
Another wrestler who was a fine example of that, is Steven Richards. He made Heat fun to watch with Stevie Night Heat etc. Or Dr Stevie in TNA as it was ☺️☺️☺️
Can already tell this will be good!
One of my favourite interviews of yours Chris. Always wanted to know the Samoan Family Tree as to who was related to who. 👏👏 always deliver you do, best interviewer out there man!
Thanks Sean!
@@ChrisVanVliet chris please try to interview mr kennedy
Rikishi grew up in the "Swamps" aka Sunnydale projects in SF which is right across the street from the legendary Cow Palace.
I like how he said that
Great interview. I would like to hear a Ric interview. I bet he has some great stories.
CCV: Why did you want to be a Pro Wrestler?
Rikishi: I did it for the Rock!!!!!
The Best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago
The Next best time is NOW!!!!
Food for thought Thanks...Chris
Great interview, Chris - looking forwards to an in-person round 2 down the line.
Thank you Rikishi 🫡
"Chris, who doesn't watch WWE?"
Rikishi looking like the evolved Pokémon form of Joey Diaz.
Love both these guys
Also. Too COol was so underrated and so over with the crowd. Their music STILL gets me hyped
Which one? The “You look fly today” can definitely get you hyped
@@sodokami6347 yes their main theme
@@zergmare7 Turn it up sucked
Still member when I met rikishi and grandmaster sexay ! At Laredo monster truck show almost 20 years ago !!! Feel old af
Wow, what a great interview. I have so much respect for Rikishi as an adult. I wish I could spend time and learn more from him…. I freakin hated the stinkface as a kid tho! lol!
Another great interview. Keep up the good work Christopher!!
I meet rikishi at a gas station he walked right passed me to go to the bathroom I was like "theres only one big man with bleach blonde hair" when he came out I said do u wrestler. He said yeah with this face she knows who I am lol I said RIKISHI OMG LOL It was the day after the WrestleMania in San Francisco. I'll never forget.
Damn, had no idea Rikishi grew up in Sunnydale; he's right, that place is legitimately rough now, and was exponentially worse back when he got shot. I hope he had some nicer memories of the Bay, but I can't blame him for leaving.
Rikishi was the person why i watched wwf/e
Love your work mate this Interview is one of the Best 😅
Something that’s not really talked about is that Rocky, Dwayne, Ata & Nia’s side of the family and Rikishi’s side of the family are not blood, but are “related” through the “blood brother”hood of Peter Maivia and Amituana'i Anoa'i.
yeah, from 21:40 on he's telling a lot of BS. Nia Jax, Peter Maivia, The Rock and the Snukas are not related to him.
@@fillgollinsdergroarticheme8442 I’m not gonna say that. I respect the whole “we’re so close we’re family” thing, I don’t care. I get it. I just feel like it goes unnoticed that The Rock and his family are not related by blood to the rest.
@@fillgollinsdergroarticheme8442 It's not BS. If you accept someone as a blood brother, you're telling the world this person is as good as blood related to me. For all intents and purposes, Peter Maivia and his line are family to the Anoa'i family. We do the same in my family. It's not uncommon.
@@dahliaherrod4301 it's like marriage: therefore BS.
@@fillgollinsdergroarticheme8442 LOL right!
ThankYOU!
There will never be anything better than the attitude era/ruthless aggression
Fun interview
Great vid
I've met only two of the Samoan wrestling dynasty: Samu & Umaga. They were both awesome.
Without the blonde hair he does look like a bigger version of Jimmy and Jey those Samoan genes run deep holy hell
All the samoans look alike. It's insane
Rikishi is super cool and down to earth
Such a dope interview
Wow that's a touching interview
good stuff, will subscribe to his podcast
Such a treat, thanks for this.
That Bossman impression had me dying.
I don’t even remember who won that hell in a cell match. He truly did steal the moment because that’s all I remember from the entire show.
hes a real one amazing man
I love how in your interview with the Rikishi and with the Usos, they couldn't quite explain how they were related to the Rock 😂😂
I don’t know if they’re actually blood related or if they call themselves “cousin” or family because they’re from similar backgrounds. I found a family tree someone did on Wikipedia and it calls Rock an “honorary” family member, so I don’t know what the deal is.
@@hothotheat3000 they’re very distantly related basically
Now this is what you call an interview good job Chris you're killing the game man one of the best in the business
Thanks very much Austin!
@@ChrisVanVliet you're welcome man
About the USOs playing football first, alot of the great college players wind up bouncing to the CFL...apparently, there's a bunch of crap to deal with in the NFL as well.
Any chance Jacob Fatu goes to WWE to add to the Roman storyline?
I love Rikishi so much!!
Undertaker vs rikishi for the "you know" championship 🤪
CVV you deliver quality time and time again. Excellent interview as always! 👌
Much appreciated!
i love the Keesh!
if Bow Wow gonna do rikishi's school, one thing he's gonna learn real quick, leave your fame at the door
Where’s the fountain of youth Chris? It’s somewhere in Canada I see lol
Good one cvv!!!!!!!
So wait. There really is a third uso? WALE WAS RIGHT! Great video Chris. Awesome seeing Rikishi and hearing he story. And hearing how he's related to the family. Whether they are cousin or uncle. Really great video.
I think there's 4 grown sons from Rikishi, not including daughters or the younger son he mentioned in the interview. And they all look alike. If you look up Sefa Fatu you'll see what I mean.
Even back then Jakob Fatu was doing his thing and they knew he would be a top guy.
Yo I remember when booker t threw up taking the stink face man memories!!!!
For some reason i thought Rikishi was dead. Glad i was wrong
Stay low-key
Amazing athletic skills
I Wish That Umaga Was Still Alive.
Umaga deserves to be in hall of fame