Hey everyone, it’s your boy here, back with another one of my wild adventures. Today, I’m gonna talk about my experience with becoming “The Sultan” in the WWF, now known as WWE. Man, what a ride that was!
Getting Started
So, let’s rewind back to the early ’90s. I stepped into the WWE scene, not as The Sultan right away, but as Fatu. That was my initial gig, and let me tell you, it was a whole different world. I come from the Anoa’i family, a family that’s pretty much wrestling royalty. We’ve got a ton of folks in the business. My twin brothers were doing their thing as The Tonga Kid and Tama. My younger brother, who many of you might remember, was Umaga. And yeah, I’ve got some famous cousins too – The Rock, Roman Reigns, Yokozuna, and Rosey, to name a few. Even my sons, Jimmy and Jey Uso, they’re killing it in the tag team scene.
The Transformation
Fast forward to August 1996, and bam! I got a makeover. I became this heel character called The Sultan. I’m telling you, it was a trip. I had to wear this red mask and these curved shoes, and the kicker? I couldn’t talk. Not a single word. My real name is Solofa Fatu Jr., born on October 11, 1965, in San Francisco, California. But in the ring, I was this mysterious, silent Sultan character. It was a wild time, and a huge change from being just Fatu.
Living the Gimmick
Being The Sultan wasn’t just about the matches. It was about living this whole persona. Offstage, I’m Solofa, a regular guy, born and raised in San Francisco. Now, I live in Pensacola. But when I stepped into that ring, I had to switch into this whole other character. The fans loved it, or loved to hate it, which is what being a heel is all about. But man, those shoes! They took some getting used to, let me tell you.
Family Ties
One thing that was always cool was the family connection. Even though I was doing my own thing as The Sultan, I always had that tie to my family. My sons, Jimmy and Jey, they were making their own waves in WWE. And I even have a fourth son, Thamiko. There was some talk about him possibly joining the WWE family too. It’s like wrestling is in our blood, you know?
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back, the whole Sultan thing was a crazy chapter in my life. It was a chance to do something totally different. To step out of the usual and be this unique, kind of bizarre character. It wasn’t always easy, but it was definitely memorable. I got to explore a different side of wrestling, and of myself. It was a time of growth and learning, both in and out of the ring. And yeah, it was fun messing with people’s heads as this silent, masked guy.
Wrapping Up
So, that’s a bit of my story as The Sultan. It was a wild, unforgettable ride. I went from being Fatu to this silent, masked wrestler, and it was a whole different ball game. It just goes to show, you never know where life, or the wrestling business, will take you. I’m grateful for the experience and all the memories. It’s a part of my life that I’ll always look back on with a mix of amusement and pride.
Thanks for hanging out with me today, folks. Remember, life’s a wild ride, just like the wrestling ring. Embrace the changes, enjoy the journey, and always be ready for the unexpected. Catch you all later!
