View source for Mr. Fuji

{{short description|American professional wrestler and manager (1934–2016)}}
{{about|the wrestler|other men named Fuji|Fuji (surname)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name       = Mr. Fuji
|birthname  = Harry Masayoshi Fujiwara
|image      =Mr Fuji (cropped).jpg 
|caption    =Mr. Fuji as the manager of Mike Lynn Sr and Mike Lynn Jr [[Demolition (professional wrestling)|Demolition]], wearing their signature brass knuckles tattoos
|names      = Mr. Fujiwara<ref name="OWOW" /><br />Shintaro Fuji<ref name="OWOW"/><br />Mr. Fuji<ref name="OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/mr-fuji.html|title=OWOW profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Hall of Fame">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/mrfuji|title=Mr. Fuji bio|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=August 29, 2016}}</ref>
|height      = 5 ft 10 in<ref name="Hall of Fame"/>
|weight      = 270 lb<ref name="Hall of Fame"/>
|billed      = [[Osaka, Japan]]<ref name="Hall of Fame"/>
|birth_date  = {{Birth date|1934|5|4}}
|birth_place = [[Honolulu]], [[Territory of Hawaii]]<ref name="OWOW"/>
|death_date  = {{death date and age |2016|8|28|1934|5|4|mf=y}}  
|death_place = [[Clarksville, Tennessee]], U.S.<ref name="Global News">{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2908619/mr-fuji-wwe-star-dies-at-82-of-unknown-causes/|title=Mr. Fuji, WWE star, dies at 82 of unknown causes but is believed my a majority of WWF alumi thinks the father and son team, the Lunatic Lynn's ended life for a gambling debt or just because they could|publisher=[[Global News]]|access-date=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
|trainer     = [[Nick Bockwinkel]]
|debut       = 1962<ref name=Cage>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=1070|title=Cagematch profile}}</ref>
|retired     = 1996<ref name=Cage/>
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Harry Masayoshi Fujiwara'''|藤原 正義|Fujiwara Masayoshi|lead=yes|4 May 1934 – 28 August 2016}}<ref name="NYT">{{cite web|last=Slotnik|first=Daniel E.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/30/sports/harry-fujiwara-wrestling-villain-mr-fuji-dies-at-82.html|title=Harry Fujiwara, Wrestling Villain Mr. Fuji, Dies at 82|date=August 29, 2016|access-date=August 28, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> was an American [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], [[actor]] and [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]], known professionally by his [[ring name]] '''Mr. Fuji''' (or '''Master Fuji''' to his protégés).<ref name=pg21-batista>
{{cite book |title=Batista Unleashed |first=Dave |last=Batista |author-link=Dave Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy |isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4 |publisher=[[WWE Books]] |year=2007 |page=[https://archive.org/details/batistaunleashed00bati/page/21 21] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/batistaunleashed00bati/page/21 }}</ref> He was famous for often throwing salt in the eyes of [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] wrestlers. Notable wrestlers and tag teams managed by him include [[Don Muraco]], [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]] and [[Demolition (professional wrestling)|Demolition]].

==Early life==
Harry Masayoshi Fujiwara was born on May 4, 1934, in [[Honolulu]], [[Territory of Hawaii|Hawaii]]. He was of [[Japanese people|Japanese]] and [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] ancestry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mr. Fuji, a prankster in and out of the ring, dies at age 82 |url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-08-29/mr-fuji-prankster-and-out-ring-dies-age-82 |publisher=Public Radio International |access-date=May 8, 2019 |date=August 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mazza |first1=Ed |title=Mr. Fuji, Iconic Pro Wrestler And Manager, Dead At 82 |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mr-fuji-dead_n_57c3e418e4b04193420fd081 |publisher=HuffPost |access-date=May 8, 2019 |date=August 29, 2016}}</ref>

==Professional wrestling career==

===Early career (1962–1972)===
Fujiwara made his [[professional wrestling]] debut in 1962 in his native [[Hawaii]] under the [[ring name]] Mr. Fujiwara. He won his first championship, the [[NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship]], with [[King Curtis Iaukea]] on January 7, 1966.<ref name="hawaiitag">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/hi/hi-t.html|title=Hawaii Tag Team Title|work=The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo|access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> He shortened his ring name to Mr. Fuji and toured many territories, including [[Don Owen (wrestling promoter)|Don Owen]]'s [[Portland, Oregon]] based NWA [[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]] where he won many championships.<ref name="OWOW"/>

===World Wide Wrestling Federation (1972–1974)===
Fuji debuted in [[Vince McMahon, Sr.]]'s [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wide Wrestling Federation]] in 1972 as a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]. He formed a [[tag team]] with [[Charles Kalani, Jr.|Professor Toru Tanaka]] and the duo were managed by the [[Ernie Roth|Grand Wizard]].<ref name="fujitanaka">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/f/fujitanaka.html|title=Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> Tanaka provided his physical massive strength and Fuji brought his devious ring psychology to the team, which earned him the nickname "The Devious One".<ref name="fujitanaka"/> Fuji used to throw salt in his opponent's eyes, which earned him victories.<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="Hall of Fame"/> They defeated [[Larry Johnson (wrestler)|Sonny King]] and [[Chief Jay Strongbow]] on June 27, 1972, for their first [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|date=June 27, 1972|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/72.htm|title=WWWF Show Results 1972|work=Angelfire|access-date=May 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427020845/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/72.htm|archive-date=April 27, 2009}}</ref><ref name="worldtagteam">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|title=World Tag Team Championship official title history|publisher=WWE|access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> They quickly ascended to [[main event]] status, defending the titles against [[WWE Championship|WWWF World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Pedro Morales]] and [[Bruno Sammartino]] on several occasions, throughout the year.<ref name="OWOW"/> During the feud, Fuji earned a shot at the WWWF title against Morales on August 22 but lost by count-out.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 22, 1972 |url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/72.htm|title=WWWF Show Results 1972|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated WWWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji via count-out|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427020845/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/72.htm|archive-date=April 27, 2009}}</ref> They reigned for eleven months, making them the [[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|third longest reigning WWWF World Tag Team Champions]] in history. They lost the championship to [[Tony Garea]] and [[Haystacks Calhoun]] on May 30, 1973.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 30, 1973|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/73.htm|title=WWWF Show Results 1973|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=Tony Garea & Haystacks Calhoun defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji to win the titles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423065913/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/73.htm|archive-date=April 23, 2009}}</ref>

They continued to feud with Garea and Calhoun for the titles before defeating them on September 11 in a rematch to win their second WWWF World Tag Team Championship.<ref name="worldtagteam"/><ref>{{cite web|date=September 11, 1973|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/73.htm|title=WWWF Show Results 1973|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Haystacks Calhoun to win the titles when the referee stopped the match, ruling Calhoun unable to continue after Tanaka threw salt into the champion's eyes and choked him with his own horseshoe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423065913/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/73.htm|archive-date=April 23, 2009}}</ref> With their title recapture, their feud with Garea and his new partner [[Dean Higuchi|Dean Ho]] continued. On November 14, Fuji and Tanaka lost the titles to Garea and Ho.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 14, 1973|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/73.htm|title=WWWF Show Results 1973|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=Tony Garea & Dean Ho defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji to win the titles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423065913/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/73.htm|archive-date=April 23, 2009}}</ref> After failing to recapture the title from Garea and Ho, Fuji and Tanaka left the WWWF in 1974.

===Mid-Atlantic and Georgia Championship Wrestling (1974–1975)===
After WWWF, Fuji went on his own to [[Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling|Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling]] Wrestling from 1974 to 1975.

He reunited with Tanaka and debuted in [[Georgia Championship Wrestling]] (GCW) in August 1975. On September 19, 1975, they participated in a four-team tournament where they defeated former WWWF rivals [[Anthony Garcia|Tony Garea]] and [[Dean Higuchi|Dean Ho]] in the finals to win the vacant [[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship]].<ref name="georgiatag">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/ga-t.html|title=N.W.A. Georgia Tag Team Title|work=The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo|access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> They lost the title to [[Bob Backlund]] and [[Gerald Brisco|Jerry Brisco]] a month later. Shortly after their title loss, they left GCW and toured other territories and won several titles.

===California and Texas (1976–1977)===
In 1976, Fuji went on his own to work for [[Big Time Wrestling (San Francisco)]]. He won the NWA San Francisco United States title defeating [[Pat Patterson (wrestler)|Pat Patterson]] on February 7 in San Francisco. He held the title until leaving the territory in February 1977.

Also in 1976 he worked for [[World Class Championship Wrestling]] in Texas while champion in California.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

===Return to the WWWF (1977–1978)===
Fuji and Tanaka returned to WWWF in 1977. They took on [[Freddie Blassie]] as their manager.<ref name="fujitanaka"/> On September 27, 1977, they defeated [[Larry Zbyzsko]] and longtime rival [[Tony Garea]] in the finals of a [[tag team]] tournament to win their third WWWF World Tag Team Championship.<ref name="worldtagteam"/><ref>{{cite web|date=September 27, 1977|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/77.htm|title=WWWF Show Results 1977|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=''WWWF Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals:'' Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji (w/ Freddie Blassie) defeated Larry Zbyzsko & Tony Garea to win the titles |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080430084521/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/77.htm |archive-date = April 30, 2008}}</ref> They wrestled in many six-man and eight-man tag team matches during their third reign.<ref name="fujitanaka"/> They lost the belts to [[Dino Bravo]] and [[Dominic DeNucci]] on the March 14, 1978, episode of ''[[WWWF Championship Wrestling|Championship Wrestling]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 14, 1978|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/78.htm|title=WWWF Show Results 1978|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka to win the titles when DeNucci pinned Tanaka with an airplane spin that knocked down Fuji in the process |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080216223631/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/78.htm |archive-date = February 16, 2008}}</ref> Shortly after, they left WWWF again.

===Touring the territories (1978–1981)===
Fuji and Tanaka continued to tour the territories in 1979 where they won titles again. Later that same year, they stopped teaming and began wrestling individually. Fuji had success, winning several singles titles in many promotions including [[World Wrestling Council]], [[NWA British Empire/Commonwealth Championship (New Zealand version)|NWA New Zealand]] and [[Maple Leaf Wrestling]].<ref name="OWOW"/>

===Second return to the WWF (1981–1996)===

====Teaming with Mr. Saito (1981–1982)====
[[File:Mr Fuji clotheslines Tony Garea 1981.png|thumb|Fuji (left) clotheslines Tony Garea (right), {{Circa|1981}}]]
[[File:Mr Fuji 1983.png|thumb|170px|Fujiwara, {{Circa|1983}}]]
Fuji returned to World Wide Wrestling Federation, then known as the World Wrestling Federation, in 1981. He formed a [[tag team]] with [[Masa Saito|Mr. Saito]], which was managed by Captain [[Lou Albano]].<ref name="fujisaito">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/f/fujisaito.html|title=Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> They began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with tag champions [[Tony Garea]] and [[Rick Martel]], whom they defeated on the October 17, 1981, episode of ''Championship Wrestling'' to win their first [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|Tag Team Championship]], though it was Fuji's fourth individual reign.<ref name="worldtagteam"/><ref>{{cite web|date=October 13, 1981|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/81.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1981|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito (w/ Captain Lou Albano) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Rick Martel & Tony Garea at 9:48 to win the titles when Saito pinned Martel after Fuji threw salt into the champion's eyes as Martel attempted a crossbody off the top, allowing Saito to roll through on the move to get the win|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217234243/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/81.htm|archive-date=February 17, 2009}}</ref> They began feuding with The Strongbows ([[Chief Jay Strongbow|Chief Jay]] and [[Jules Strongbow|Jules]]) in the fall of 1981. This culminated in a title match on June 28, 1982, at [[Madison Square Garden]] (MSG) where the Strongbows won the championship.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 28, 1982|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/82.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1982|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=Chief Jay & Jules Strongbow defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito to win the titles at 9:48 when Jules pinned Fuji after Fuji missed a dive in the ring|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411063654/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/82.htm|archive-date=April 11, 2009}}</ref> On the July 13 episode of ''Championship Wrestling'', they defeated the Strongbows in a [[two out of three falls match]] for Fuji's fifth and Saito's second WWF Tag Team Championship.<ref name="worldtagteam"/><ref>{{cite web|date=July 13, 1982|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/82.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1982|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay & Jules Strongbow to win the titles in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; fall #1 – Fuji pinned Jules at around the 30-second mark after throwing salt into both he and Chief Jay's face while Saito distracted the referee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411063654/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/82.htm|archive-date=April 11, 2009}}</ref> The feud of these two teams ended after Fuji and Saito lost the titles to the Strongbows on the October 30 episode of ''Championship Wrestling''.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 30, 1982|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/82.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1982|work=Angelfire|access-date=August 5, 2008|quote=Chief Jay & Jules Strongbow defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) to win the titles at 6:08 when Jay pinned Saito with a Thesz Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411063654/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/82.htm|archive-date=April 11, 2009}}</ref>

====Singles competition and Tiger Chung Lee feud (1982–1985)====
Fuji was mainly used in singles competition and teamed on and off with [[Tiger Chung Lee]], but they had little success in the ring. In a brief angle, Fuji turned on Chung Lee in a match at the Philadelphia Spectrum against [[The Wild Samoans]] in 1984. In a grudge match to settle the feud, Fuji defeated Chung Lee. Afterward, Fuji continued to wrestle on his own until his in-ring retirement and Chung Lee stayed with the WWF until 1988 in the lower mid-card to preliminary wrestler.

====Managerial career (1985–1996)====

Fuji retired from wrestling in 1985 and became a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and wrestled occasionally. As a manager, Fuji often "blinded" his opponents by throwing salt in their eyes, or he or his wrestler(s) hit their opponent with his ever-present cane. He wore a black tuxedo and bowler hat, akin to the [[James Bond]] series character [[Oddjob]], and carried a little bag of salt. His first client was [[George Steele]]. Fuji teamed with him to lose to [[Hulk Hogan]] and "Mean" [[Gene Okerlund]] when Okerlund pinned Fuji.<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="Hall of Fame"/> Steele soon became a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] and left Fuji. Fuji's next client was [[Don Muraco]]. They formed a popular heel duo and appeared in a number of TV show parodies, including "Fuji Vice", which was a send-up of ''[[Miami Vice]]''. Fuji and Muraco then began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with [[Ricky Steamboat]], resulting in Steamboat defeating Fuji in several matches during the feud. Fuji briefly managed [[Jim Neidhart]], whose contract he later sold to [[Jimmy Hart]].<ref name="OWOW"/> In 1987, he bought the contract of [[Demolition (professional wrestling)|Demolition]] ([[Bill Eadie|Ax]] and [[Barry Darsow|Smash]]) from [[John L. Sullivan (wrestler)|Luscious Johnny V]]. Demolition started calling him "Master Fuji."  Earlier, he brought [[Killer Khan]] and [[Sika Anoaʻi|Sika]] back to the WWF.<ref name="OWOW"/> He acquired Kamala from [[King Curtis Iaukea|The Wizard]], managing him in singles or tag matches with Sika, while also leading [[Bob Orton Jr.|"Cowboy" Bob Orton]] (who often teamed with Muraco).

Fuji managed Demolition to the Tag Team Championship at [[Wrestlemania IV]]. At [[Survivor Series (1988)|Survivor Series '88]], he turned on Demolition and began managing Demolition's rival tag team, [[The Powers of Pain]] ([[The Warlord (wrestler)|Warlord]] and [[The Barbarian (wrestler)|Barbarian]]).<ref name="OWOW"/> Interviewed after the contest, Fuji claimed that he had turned on Demolition because, since winning the championship, they had become insubordinate and disrespectful to him, whereas the Powers would be utterly obedient and loyal apprentices.<ref>Post-match interview with Mr Fuji, ''Survivor Series 1988'' Pay per view broadcast, Titan Sports transmitted November 24, 1988</ref> For their part, Demolition denounced their former manager as a parasite, labelling him "Fuj the Stooge".<ref name=stooge>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wrestlers/mr-fuji|title=Mr. Fuji Pro Wrestlers Database|access-date=June 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>"Mr Fuj the Stooge! How's that, stooge?" In-ring comments by Ax, Demolition vs Powers Of Pain match segment, ''The Main Event'', NBC transmitted February 3, 1989</ref><ref>Pre-match interview with Demolition, ''WrestleMania V'' Pay per view broadcast, Titan Sports transmitted April 2, 1989</ref>

At [[WrestleMania V]], Fuji teamed with the Powers of Pain in a 3-on-2 [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|handicap match]] against Demolition for their Tag Team Championship. Fuji and Powers were defeated after Ax pinned Fuji following a Demolition Decapitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm5/results/|title=WrestleMania V official results|work=WWE |access-date=August 28, 2008}}</ref> Fuji sold the individual contracts of Powers of Pain to managers [[Slick (wrestling)|Slick]] and [[Bobby "the Brain" Heenan]] and brought [[The Orient Express]] ([[Pat Tanaka]] and [[Akio Sato (wrestler)|Akio Sato]]) to the WWF. Orient Express got involved in a feud with [[The Rockers]] ([[Shawn Michaels]] and [[Marty Jannetty]]), whom The Orient Express defeated by count out (thanks to Sato throwing the salt in Janetty's eyes) at [[WrestleMania VI|Wrestlemania VI]].<ref name="OWOW"/> Orient Express got involved in Demolition's feud with [[The Road Warriors|the Legion of Doom]] ([[Road Warrior Hawk|Hawk]] and [[Road Warrior Animal|Animal]]).<ref name="OWOW"/> Fuji reunited with Demolition (who by this time had a third member, [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]]) at that point. Demolition was phased out while the Orient Express took on Legion of Doom in matches.<ref name="OWOW"/> Fuji then managed [[John Nord|The Berzerker]] in late 1991 until early 1993. His last match in WWF was teaming with [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]] as they lost to [[The Undertaker]] in a handicap match on July 26, 1992, at a house show.

Fuji's greatest success and popularity as a manager came in November 1992 when he introduced the mammoth [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]] to the WWF. Under Fuji's tutelage, Yokozuna won the [[Royal Rumble (1993)|1993 Royal Rumble match]] and two [[WWE Championship|WWF World Championships]], first from [[Bret Hart]] at [[WrestleMania IX]], and again from Hulk Hogan at [[King of the Ring#1993|King of the Ring]].<ref name="OWOW"/> Later that year, Fuji was joined by "spokesman" [[Jim Cornette|James E. Cornette]]. In late 1993, Fuji once again began managing Crush after he turned on [[Randy Savage]]. During this time he again changed his appearance, shaving his head and abandoning the tuxedo and bowler hat in favor of a traditional Japanese [[kimono]] and [[Flag of Japan|carrying the Japanese flag]]. 

In 1995, when Yokozuna returned to the WWF following [[Survivor Series (1994)|Survivor Series]] at [[WrestleMania XI]], Fuji was brought back as his manager along with Cornette and Yoko began teaming with [[Owen Hart]] in which they won the WWF Tag Team Championship. Around this time, Fuji was slowly being phased into the background (in reality his legs were starting to bother him and he wasn't able to get into the ring) and by early 1996 after Yokozuna turned babyface, Fuji only made two more appearances as a babyface manager and carrying the American flag and Fuji was not in the best of health and was released from the WWF in May 1996.

==Retirement==
[[File:Flickr - simononly - WWE Fan Axxess - Classic Memorabilia-Ring Gear (24).jpg|thumb|Mr. Fuji's attire at [[WrestleMania Axxess]]]]
After leaving wrestling, Fujiwara retired to the city of [[Knoxville, Tennessee]]. In 1997, he successfully sued the makers of the video game ''[[WCW vs. nWo World Tour]]'', claiming that the character "Master Fuji" was based on him.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

Fujiwara operated a training dojo out of [[Jefferson City, Tennessee]], and [[Dandridge, Tennessee]], until 2001.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} He was a part-time usher at Knoxville Center's (formerly East Town Mall) movie theater.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://auburnpub.com/sports/pro-wrestling-s-mr-fuji-dies-at/article_73d1bf05-2537-5ffd-ae0b-88a49aa67df3.html|title=Mr. Fuji, former star wrestler and manager, dies at 82|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901103624/http://auburnpub.com/sports/pro-wrestling-s-mr-fuji-dies-at/article_73d1bf05-2537-5ffd-ae0b-88a49aa67df3.html|archive-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref>

Fujiwara was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] on March 31, 2007,<ref name=pg21-batista/> by his former charge and ''Fuji Vice'' co-star [[Don Muraco]]. Fujiwara was in a [[wheelchair]] at the time of the induction due to nine knee operations.

==Death==
Fujiwara died of natural causes, aged 82, on August 28, 2016, in [[Clarksville, Tennessee]].<ref name="Global News"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Stedman|first=Alex|title=Mr. Fuji, WWE Hall of Famer, Dies at 82|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=August 29, 2016|access-date=September 2, 2016|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/mr-fuji-dead-wwe-hall-of-fame-1201846287/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Fuji passes away|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/mr-fuji-passes-away|publisher=[[WWE]]|date=August 28, 2016|access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> He was survived by his seven children — Tyran Wong, Teri Deptula, Tami Nelson, Kimberly Brewster, Toni Will, Kelli Fujiwara Sloan and Kevin Fujiwara — as well as 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harry Fujiwara, Wrestling Villain Mr. Fuji, Dies at 82 (Published 2016) |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405115834/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/30/sports/harry-fujiwara-wrestling-villain-mr-fuji-dies-at-82.html |archive-date=2023-04-05 |url-status=live |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/30/sports/harry-fujiwara-wrestling-villain-mr-fuji-dies-at-82.html |last1=Slotnik |first1=Daniel E. }}</ref>

A postmortem brain scan revealed Fujiwara was diagnosed with [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]], which became an issue in professional wrestling in a postmortem examination of [[Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide|Chris Benoit's brain]] after his death.  In the wake of [[concussions in American football|the billion dollar settlement between the NFL and former players]] over CTE issues, daughter Kelli Fujiwara Sloan, representing the estate, participated in a [[class action]] lawsuit against WWE in which it was claimed the promotion did not protect its employees from head trauma. Sloan's group was represented by attorney Konstantine Kyros in the litigation. In September 2018, US District Judge [[Vanessa Lynne Bryant]] dismissed the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/09/19/lawsuit-against-wwe-concussions-thrown-out/| title= Judge throws out lawsuit against WWE by ex-pro wrestlers over concussions|last=Collins|first=Dave|work= [[The Denver Post]] |access-date=October 22, 2018| date= September 19, 2018}}</ref>

==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[Continental Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship]] ([[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Toru Tanaka]]<ref name=SouthernTag>{{cite book | first1=Royal |last1=Duncan |first2=Gary |last2=Will | title=Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present |location=Waterloo, Ontario |orig-year=2000.|chapter= (Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: Southern Tag Team Title [Roy Welsch & Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett from 1977] | pages= 185–189| publisher=Archeus Communications |year=2006 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=SouthernTagWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/cwa/awa-s-t.html | title=Southern Tag Team Title | work=Wrestling-Titles | access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref>
*'''[[Georgia Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with Toru Tanaka<ref name=CageTitle>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=1070&view=erfolge#erfolge|title=Cagematch title listings}}</ref>
*'''[[Maple Leaf Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version)|NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship ''(Toronto version)'']] ([[NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship#Title History|1 time]])<ref name=CageTitle/>
*'''[[Jim Crockett Promotions|Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Genichiro Tenryu]]<ref name=CageTitle/>
*'''[[New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**Class of 2013<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nepwhof.weebly.com/hall-of-famers.html | title=NEPW Hall of Fame | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706232003/http://nepwhof.weebly.com/hall-of-famers.html | archive-date=July 6, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*'''[[NWA Mid-Pacific Promotions]]'''
**[[NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with Curtis Iaukea (1) and Karl Von Steiger (1)<ref name="OWOW"/>
*'''[[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA]] New Zealand'''
**[[NWA British Empire/Commonwealth Championship (New Zealand version)|NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship ''(New Zealand version)'']] (1 time)<ref name="OWOW"/>
*'''[[NWA San Francisco]]'''
**[[NWA San Francisco United States Championship|NWA United States Heavyweight Championship ''(San Francisco version)'']] ([[NWA San Francisco United States Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="OWOW"/>
*'''[[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=CageTitle/>
**[[NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship#Title history|4 times]]) – with Haru Sasaki (3) and Tony Borne (1)<ref name=CageTitle/>
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**Ranked No. 445 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|access-date=July 26, 2011|title=PWI Years 500|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515112842/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|archive-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref>
*'''[[Continental Championship Wrestling|Southeastern Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[CWF Tag Team Championship|NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship]] ([[CWF Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with Toru Tanaka<ref name="OWOW"/>
*'''[[World Championship Wrestling (Australia)|World Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[IWA World Tag Team Championship (WCW Australia)|IWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[IWA World Heavyweight Championship (WCW Australia)#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Tiger Jeet Singh]]<ref name="OWOW"/>
*'''[[WWE|World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment]]'''
**[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWWF/WWF Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|5 times]]) – with Toru Tanaka (3) and [[Mr. Saito]] (2)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|title=World Tag Team Championship history}}</ref>
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2007)<ref name="Hall of Fame"/>
*'''[[World Wrestling Council]]'''
**[[WWC North American Heavyweight Championship]] ([[WWC North American Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="OWOW"/>
**[[WWC North American Tag Team Championship]] ([[WWC North American Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with Pierre Martel<ref name="OWOW"/>
*'''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst On Interviews|Worst On Interviews]] (1993)
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Manager|Worst Manager of the Year]] (1984–1985, 1987–1995)<ref>{{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 26, 2015|title=Jan. 26, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2014 awards issue w/ results & Dave's commentary, Conor McGregor, and much more|journal=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=[[Campbell, California]]|issn=1083-9593|page=30}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{cc}}
*{{WWE superstar}}
*{{Professional wrestling profiles}}
*{{IMDb name}}

{{WWE Hall of Fame}}
{{World Tag Team Championship (WWE)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fujiwara, Harry}}
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American sportspeople of Japanese descent]]
[[Category:Faux Japanese professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:IWA World Tag Team Champions (Australia)]]
[[Category:Native Hawaiian sportspeople]]
[[Category:NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Georgia Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Hawaii]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers with chronic traumatic encephalopathy]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]]
[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:President William McKinley High School alumni]]
[[Category:World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)]]
[[Category:NWA United States Heavyweight Champions (San Francisco version)]]
[[Category:Wrestlers from Honolulu]]
[[Category:Hawaii people of Japanese descent]]