Pro wrestling’s Mr. Fuji dies at 82
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Harry Fujiwara, a former wrestler known as “Mr. Fuji,” has died according to World Wrestling Entertainment.
STAMFORD, Conn. >> World Wrestling Entertainment says the former star wrestler and manager Harry Fujiwara, better known as Mr. Fuji, has died at age 82. An obituary posted on WWE’s website Sunday said Fujiwara died that morning. The obituary doesn’t say where he died or list a cause of death. The WWE hasn’t responded to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Fujiwara starred as a tag team champion in the ring before shifting into a bad guy manager role in the 1980s. “Magnificent” Don Muraco, Yokozuna and George “The Animal” Steele were among those he managed. He was known for his trademark tactic of throwing salt into the eyes of opponents.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.
21 responses to “Pro wrestling’s Mr. Fuji dies at 82”
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Wow. Too bad. I remember watching him with Mr. Saito when I was a youth.
Shows you how naive I am? Never heard of him!
Ahhh brings back memory of 50th State Wrestling at the old Civic Auditorium.
sure does. Long time ago.
I used to go there and watch, Curtis “Da Bull” Iaukea, Handsome Johnny Barrend, Lord TallyHo Blears, Neff Maiava, Ripper Collins and more……. Those were the Days………
Thanks for the memories.
Tag Team champion? He started as the stooge for the Bull, Curtis Iaukea. In High school I started the Fuji fan club as he was such a pathetic character. He will be missed.
“Show ’em your stuff Fuj”! Curtis Iaukea used to sat this every Saturday when Big Time Wrestling was on TV.
Yes, I knew “Harry Fujiwara” the fun loving happy go lucky guy…I didn’t know “Mr. Fuji”, or as mentioned the stooge for the “Bull”, or the sneaky partner of “Mr. Saito” ~ Like Gil Ane, take them all out of the ring or the public eye, and they were just a group of, cool, calm, great friends….will miss you Harry! Aloha My Friend.
50th State Wrestling, had to watch. Fuji and Iaukea what a pair.
One of wrestling notorious villains….. “Back in Da Day”. Remember when Mr. Fuji would come into the ring, chest puffing out, acting so tough, giving his opponents “The stink eye”! And as soon as he gets hit! He immediately escapes under the ropes and out of the ring! Haaaaaaaaaaa!lol. Even though most of the wrestling was somewhat fake,it sure was fun to watch Mr. Fuji, The Missing Link,”Handsome”Johnny Berend and the gang perform their magic in the ring. God speed Brahh! God speed to you all!
It is so sad that everyone has died. From Lord Tally Ho Blears, to now Fuji, I believe they are all gone. Sadly they generally weren’t that old. I mean Curtis was in his low seventies. Luther Lindsey was only around 50 I believe. Sad to see them gone.
Curtis “da bull”, Handsome Johnny Barand, Lord Blears, Neff Maiava, Gentleman Jim Hattey, Ripper Collins (sp) all cool guys with Mr. Ed. Francis as the promoter. So many cool guys. Billy Whitewolf and the Fabulous Don Muraco are still around. Good by Fuji-san. Rest in peace.
I think Don Muraco lives in Sunset Beach. Still surfing?………Maybe.
neff maiava is still around at 102 years old…………
So Sad to see these guys leave one by one. I loved the way Ripper Collins murdered the Hawaiian Island names. Handsome Johnny Barend with his fairy tales, back facing the camera. And of course Curtis the Bull and Fuji. They used to come to Molokai and put on a great show then we would see all of them sitting together at breakfast the next morning in Mid Nite Inn talking story. Miss those childhood days.
Awww man Mr. Fuji. RIP. 50th state wrestling was unmatched.
Ha ha…I remember on 50th State Big Time Wrestling Tosh Togo ( Harold Sakata ) and Mr. Fuji would karate chop the metal rubbish cans in the locker rooms on a regular basis..must have cost Ed Francis some money to replace those rubbish cans frequently…..lol….
I remember as a kid, trying to find 50th state wrestling on TV. I would come across a ring and think, ITS ON!!! When it would turn out to be boxing, I used to be so bummed!!
I still can’t believe the 49ers would let Russ Francis wrestle! He would always win some championship (usually with brother Billy) earlier in the off season, then lose the title as training camp rolled around!
The one scene I remembered so vividly was when Superstar Steve Strong slapped Michael W. Perry and thus was born the KKUA trophy and grudge match! Memories!
RIP. As mentioned by so many others – I loved to watch the wrestling on TV. Loved it even when my uncle and dad told me it was all “shibai”. I got my childhood nickname because friends said I looked like him.
Didn’t he get fined for throwing salt in his opponent’s eyes? Instant replay would catch this.