The legendary superstar and manager known as Mr. Fuji has died, as WWE acknowledged on Sunday.
WWE announced on their website that a true legend of the business has passed away. Harry Fujiwara, better known to fans as Mr. Fuji, died this morning at the age of 82. They broke the news early on Sunday.
As a manager, he mentored some of the biggest names in the industry. Ranging from Don Muraco and The Orient Express, to Demolition, he was no stranger to leading top names to a lot of success. His frequent distractions made for frustrating moments for opponents. He was known to use his cane he often brought to the ring, or even throwing salt in the eyes of opponents to temporarily blind them.
One of his biggest names he managed, literally and figuratively, was former WWE World Champion Yokozuna. Tipping the scales at over 500 pounds, Yokozuna dominated his way to the top of what was then known as the World Wrestling Federation. After winning the championship, he engaged in a number of feuds ranging from The Undertaker to Bret “Hitman” Hart. Mr. Fuji added a degree of distraction for a number of those matches.
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He also was an accomplished wrestler as well, having won various NWA championships around the country. He picked up the WWWF/WWF Tag Team Titles on five separate occasions, which gave him plenty of knowledge to lead Demolition to their reign as champions during his managerial run. Add the fact that he collected four AWA World Heavyweight Championships to his resume as well. In total, he enjoyed a career that lasted just over three decades.
"WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Harry Fujiwara, known to WWE fans as Mr. Fuji, passed away this morning at the age of 82. His career will be remembered by different generations for different reasons but Mr. Fuji, whether as a Superstar or manager, is one of the most entertaining performers in the history of WWE.WWE extends its condolences to Fujiwara’s family, friends and fans."
In addition, he is a 2007 inductee of the WWE Hall of Fame. Don Muraco inducted him into a class that also included the likes of fellow AWA alumni members such as “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig and Jerry “The King” Lawler.