October 23, 2026, marked the 26th anniversary of the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Yokozuna, an occasion that saw The Undertaker offer an emotional tribute to the late wrestling icon. Rodney Anoaʻi, known to fans as Yokozuna, died in Liverpool, England, on October 23, 2000, at the age of 34. A dominant force in the WWF during the early to mid-90s, he was famously managed by Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette. October 23, 2026, marked exactly 26 years since the tragic passing of WWE Hall of Famer Yokozuna, and The Undertaker has broken down while paying tribute to him. Get all the hottest wrestling news FIRST by clicking here. Calling him both an “awesome talent” and a “dear, dear friend.”, that lasting bond is why The Undertaker still pays tribute to Yokozuna 26 years after his passing.
Despite the intensity of their on-screen rivalry, which included high-stakes casket and championship matches, the two men maintained a deep, genuine friendship off-screen. As members of the Bone Street Krew, they bonded over card games, dominoes, and the rigors of life on the road. Reflecting on their enduring connection, The Undertaker honored his late peer by describing him as an “awesome talent” and a “dear, dear friend.” The latter has shared his experience working with The Deadman.
Yokozuna’s professional accomplishments remain a significant part of WWE history. He secured victory at the 1993 Royal Rumble and famously defeated Bret Hart for the WWF Championship at WrestleMania IX. Although he dropped the belt to Hulk Hogan in an impromptu match immediately following that victory, he reclaimed the title at the 1993 King of the Ring event. During his career, he held the championship for 280 days and earned two tag team title reigns alongside Owen Hart. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012. However, he lost the title minutes later to Hulk Hogan in an impromptu match that same night and eventually regained it in a rematch with Hogan at King of the Ring 1993.
In related wrestling discussions, WWE Hall of Famer Kane recently reflected on his own storied history with The Undertaker. During a Q&A session at the Big Texaz Comic Con, Kane praised their long-standing feud as one of the sport’s greatest mythological storylines. He noted that the narrative was exceptionally well-crafted and succeeded in resonating with audiences well beyond the professional wrestling sphere.
