THE STACHE BELONGS TO…
By Rock Mayock 9:00 a.m. | The infamous Harry Fujiwara, aka Mr. Fuji. For the small segment of FOOTBALLPHDS readers who do not know who Mr. Fuji is, we have taken the opportunity to draft this abbreviated biography of the best Asian Pacific Islander wrestler/manager of all time.
Mr. Fuji is not actually Japanese, he is Japanese-American born in Hawaii. He got his start in the wrestling game all the way back in 1965 under the ring name Mr. Fujiwara. After touring the local wrestling circuit under his better known name Mr. Fuji, Vince McMahon Sr. retained his services for the WWWF. Under the management of The Grand Wizard, the heel duo of Mr. Fuji and Professor Toru Tanaka garnered success for a three year stretch in which they won the tag team title twice and held the championship for 11 months, the third longest tag team championship reign in WWWF/WWF/WWE history. Mr. Fuji and Tanaka left the WWWF in 1974 on to return in 1977, this time under the management of Classy Freddie Blassie. Under the direction of Freddie Blassie the tag team duo won their third championship before departing from the WWWF in 1978.
Mr. Fuji returned to the newly formed WWF in 1981. During this last tour of duty as a wrestler, Mr. Fuji teamed with Mr. Saito and was managed by Captain Lou Albano. Mr. Fuji retired from wrestling in 1985 and became the ultimate heel manager. George “The Animal” Steele, Magnificent Don Muraco, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Demolition, Crush, Owen Hart, The Mighty Kamala, Powers of Pain, The Orient Express, The Berzerker, and Yokozuna were all clients of Mr. Fuji. The tuxedo and bowler hat wearing manager retired from the world of wrestling in 1996. Needless to say, Mr. Fuji is an icon of the wrestling world. All managers post mid 1990’s are cheap imitations of a true showman.
Congratulations to newcomer Paulie Walnuts for being the first person to not only name the mustache, but to also post the picture from which the mustache originated from. Paulie Walnuts has truly raised the bar for all Name the… contestants. Paulie, be sure to e-mail either Cousin Felipe (admin@footballphds.com) or myself your address so we can send you a prize.
Check in on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. for another opportunity to name something in honor of National Asian Pacific Islander month. In the interim, here is some classic Mr. Fuji action.
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May 4th, 2012 - 10:58
ah memories of the golden age of wrestling…I remember the ugandan headhunter quite vividly
May 4th, 2012 - 11:10
WWF got crappy when ultimate Warrior hit the scene. Dude was so roided out. I miss Sgt Slaughter and the camel clutch.
May 4th, 2012 - 13:20
wth rock, I ” named ” the stache, and was 100% sure., not 99.
May 4th, 2012 - 15:06
Hacksaw Jim Dugan was the best. when is mean gene coming back to the WWF?
May 5th, 2012 - 08:55
Why do i get the sinking feeling that we’re gonna hear about a dead wrestler next….
May 5th, 2012 - 09:29
Hate to be that guy, but Hulkamania is on the shortlist of who’s next