On August 28, 2016, the wrestling world mourned the passing of Mr. Fuji, an iconic wrestler, and manager who was an integral part of wrestling through his 30 + year career. Harry Fujiwara or Mr. Fujiwara or ‘Fuj The Stooge’ was a Japanese American from Hawaii, who entertained us both within the ring and with his antics as an evil heel manager.
Even though he retired as a babyface shortly after Wrestlemania XII, replacing his traditional Japanese flag with an American one; he will best be remembered for terrorizing his opponents by throwing salt in their eyes, in big ticket matches. His antics in the locker room too are the stuff of legends, and many wrestlers have suffered his ribbing. It will be impossible to summarize Mr. Fuji’s achievements in a few pages, but let’s give it a shot.
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5- Leading Demolition to the longest tag team title reign
If The New Day continue their reign as Tag Team Champions until December this year, they break Demolition’s all time record of 478 days at the top. But until then, Mr. Fuji’s team of Ax and Smash aka Demolition hold that distinction. Mr. Fuji bought their contracts from Luscious Johnny V. Demolition would defeat Strike Force and become the World Tag Team Champions at Wrestlemania 4.
They accomplished this when Ax struck Rick Martel in the back with Fuji’s cane. Funnily enough, this joy would be short lived as Mr. Fuji would turn on Demolition at Survivor Series, and begin to manage their arch rivals – The Powers of Pain. Fuji (kayfabe) felt that The Powers of Pain were a more obedient lot than Demolition, who’d become disrespectful after winning the titles. Be that as it may, Mr. Fuji still led Demolition to their historic title win.
4- Leading Yokozuna to victory in the first match on Raw
While Yokozuna defeating the much, much smaller Koko B Ware is no big feat in itself, bear in mind that Mr. Fuji and Yokozuna were asked to be a part of the first match in what was to become the flagship WWE show. Yokozuna decimated Koko B Ware with his finisher – The Banzai drop, and history was made that day. Little did the WWE Universe know, that with Mr. Fuji in tow, Yokozuna would go on to dominate wrestling in the months that followed.
This began with him eliminating a (then) record 7 men in the 1993 Royal Rumble and going on to win the match. Mr. Fuji was always by Yoko’s side, in a kimono with a smile on his face, waving the Japanese flag. They would become the most fearsome duo in wrestling in the early 90s.
3- Ending Hulkamania for good
There’s no doubting the fact that Hulk Hogan is the most popular superstar of all time, in the wrestling business. Through the late 80s and the early 90s, Hulk Hogan would reign supreme and be the top guy for the company. However, in 1993, he would start getting involved in Hollywood films and be on his way out of the wrestling business. Yokozuna, Mr. Fuji, and Harvey Wippleman would work as a unit and destroy Hulkamania for good at King of the Ring 1993.
This major loss for Hulk Hogan would be his final PPV in the company, until his return in 2002. Of course, he’d work in WCW but Hulkamania as we knew it, was over for good.
2- Winning World Tag Team Championships on 5 Occasions
With due respect to Booker T, Mr. Fuji was a 5 time, 5 time, 5 time World Tag Team Champion. In the early 70s, Mr. Fuji and Professor Toru Tanaka won the World Tag Team Championships a total of 3 times. But then began Mr. Fuji’s most famous tag team run, teaming up with Mr. Saito, when he was managed by the legendary Capt. Lou Albano.
The awesome twosome had many memorable feuds, in particular, the one with Rick Martel and Tony Garea, as well as the Strongbow Brothers feud. Legends!
1- Entering the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007
Mr. Fuji was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007, for his 30 + years of service to the wrestling business. He was inducted by none other than Don Muraco, his partner in crime (fighting) from Fuji Vice. Mr. Fuji accepted the distinction in a wheelchair, as a result of 9 knee operations. At this time, he was retired from the wrestling business, but he loved his return to the big stage.
In conclusion, we say that while Mr. Fuji may be gone, he will most certainly never be forgotten.
