Solo Sikoa, known for his rise within WWE and his recent innovations with The Bloodline, opened up about a memorable warning from his father, Rikishi. The 32-year-old star credited this funny yet motivating caution for keeping him focused, emphasizing how it shaped his approach both inside and outside the ring.
Sikoa made his main roster debut almost three years ago and has steadily climbed the ranks. In June 2025, he established a new faction called MFT and captured the United States Championship from Jacob Fatu, marking a milestone in his career. This Solo Sikoa WWE Rikishi warning reveals the personal side of the champion’s journey.
How Rikishi’s Warning Encouraged Focus on School and Family
In a recent interview, Solo Sikoa detailed how his father used a mix of humor and toughness to keep him on track academically. Sikoa revealed that Rikishi threatened to give him a stinkface—a signature WWE move—if his grades slipped. This clever but strict reminder ensured Sikoa stayed committed to his studies, preventing any academic setbacks.
Despite Rikishi’s busy schedule on the road, which caused him to miss important family events like birthdays, Christmases, and anniversaries, Sikoa recognized the sacrifices his father made for their family’s well-being. Reflecting on this, he said:
“My dad told me if I got bad grades he was going to Stinkface [trademark move in the ring] me, so I made sure I got good grades. My dad was always on the road. He missed a lot of birthdays, Christmases, and anniversaries. I just knew he was grinding and working for our family,” Sikoa said. —Solo Sikoa, WWE United States Champion
Solo Sikoa’s Championship Defense and Growing Rivalries
After suffering a defeat to Roman Reigns during the debut of RAW on Netflix, Solo Sikoa took a brief hiatus. Upon his return, he found himself overshadowed by Jacob Fatu and missed competing for the United States Championship at WrestleMania 41. The rivalry intensified, culminating in Fatu betraying Sikoa during the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, heightening tensions between the two.
With the alliance of Talla Tonga, Sikoa eventually triumphed over Fatu at WWE Night of Champions 2025 to claim the United States Championship. Their feud reached its peak at SummerSlam in New Jersey, where Sikoa successfully defended his title in a Steel Cage match, solidifying his place as champion.
Most recently, Solo Sikoa has entered into a rivalry with Sami Zayn on WWE’s SmackDown brand. Having already secured two victories against Zayn, Sikoa is set to defend his United States Championship against him on SmackDown, just prior to WWE Clash in Paris 2025. Fans are eager to see if Zayn can claim the title in the French capital.
The Impact of Rikishi’s Guidance on Solo Sikoa’s Career
The humorous but firm warning from Rikishi demonstrates the father’s influence on Solo Sikoa’s dedication and discipline, both academically and professionally. This foundation has contributed not only to Sikoa’s in-ring success but also to his ability to lead his faction and defend his championship under considerable pressure.
As Solo Sikoa continues to defend his United States Championship and build his legacy, the lessons instilled by Rikishi remain a core part of his journey. His upcoming clash with Sami Zayn could be another defining moment, reflecting how the guidance from his father still echoes in his career’s trajectory.
