The WWE Vault on Youtube has been pulling out some great, unseen footage lately. Long-rumored events and footage has resurfaced much to the joy of longtime curious fans. Recently, the dug up Yokozuna’s debut. While that might not sound impressive at first, it’s actually his debut before becoming Yokozuna.
Before he was Yoko, he was The Great Kokina. Joined by Wild Samoan Afa, the two are interviewed by “Mean” Gene Okerlund. As an aside, I miss those live interviews with the wide shot of the crowd behind them. It looks like the place is packed and shows the wrestlers and the company as a big deal.
Although he never wrestled on WWF television as The Great Kokina, it’s super cool to see this rare footage. It’s also incredible to hear Afa introduce him as a “big, big, volcano” and Gene stating “His name can’t be volcano,” as if there wasn’t an Earthquake and a Typhoon on the roster.
If Vince was quick enough, he could have renamed him Volcano, teamed him up with the Natural Disasters, and made the biggest three-man team of all time.