The Fatu family has been a cornerstone of WWE‘s Samoan wrestling dynasty for decades, with twins Jimmy and Jey Uso, along with their brother Solo Sikoa, representing the current generation. Their father, Rikishi Fatu, gained significant prominence in WWE during the late 1990s. In a conversation with Cody Rhodes on What Do You Want To Talk About?, Jey Uso shared memories of his father breaking into the wrestling world during his high school years.
Experiencing Rikishi’s Dedication Amid Family Struggles
Jey Uso recalled the challenges his family faced as his father struggled to establish himself in wrestling.
“Man, my dad’s cool as s**t,”
Uso said.
“Now that I’m in the game, man, I see how hard he [worked]. … Just trying to hustle, being broke, being kids of a wrestler, not having money because he’s doing territories. He didn’t get his break ’til I hit high school, freshmen. We was kind of grown, wearing hand-me-down clothes, like old enough to know. Luckily, we was good in football. That kind of covered us, you know?”
Growing up in a large Samoan family in Florida, Jey described how their presence was well-known in their community. Despite Rikishi’s demanding wrestling schedule, which often kept him from attending his sons’ football games, when he did show up, he attracted a noticeable crowd, especially after joining WWE in 1999.
The Impact of Rikishi’s Presence on His Sons
Reflecting on those moments, Jey shared, That’s when he hit Rikishi, highlighting how his father’s arrival always energized the support around him.
“When he would walk in the [park], I could just see a crowd. Like I’m on the field, I know my dad’s here. Boom. Made me want to do good. … I know how much he worked and sacrificed, and still tried to make the games.”
Lessons Passed Down and the Influence on Jey Uso’s Career
Jey now recognizes that Rikishi instilled in him a crucial wrestling lesson: to continuously evolve and fully commit to whatever character resonates. This wisdom, inherited from his father, shapes how Jey approaches his own professional path and legacy within WWE.
