The legendary Samoan superstar Rikishi has publicly thrown his support behind Al Snow for both a WWE Hall of Fame induction and a prominent creative position within the company’s writing department. The endorsement comes as WWE continues to reshape its creative team following recent departures from key leadership positions.
A Respected Voice from WWE’s Golden Era
Rikishi, whose real name is Solofa Fatu Jr., has maintained strong connections within WWE circles since his legendary run during the company’s Attitude Era and beyond. His recent comments highlight what many within the wrestling industry have long argued—that Al Snow’s contributions to professional wrestling deserve greater recognition and reward from the promotion where he had some of his most memorable moments[1].
The suggestion represents more than just casual praise from a fellow veteran. Rikishi’s position as a respected figurehead in professional wrestling gives significant weight to his endorsement, particularly regarding creative matters that require an intimate understanding of wrestling psychology, character development, and storytelling structure.
Al Snow’s WWE Legacy and Unfinished Business
Allen Ray Sarven, known professionally as Al Snow, had multiple stints with WWE spanning from the mid-1990s through 2006[1]. His tenure with the company saw him develop from a young competitor into a versatile performer capable of adapting to various roles within the company’s ever-changing landscape. During his active years, Snow competed against some of the biggest names in professional wrestling, including memorable encounters against Rikishi himself during the SmackDown era[2][3].
Snow’s career has extended far beyond WWE, with championship reigns across numerous independent promotions including Jersey All Pro Wrestling, where he held the JAPW Heavyweight Championship[1]. His ability to successfully perform across different wrestling environments suggests the kind of creative adaptability that WWE’s writing staff desperately needs.
However, despite his extensive in-ring accomplishments and proven track record as a performer, Snow’s Hall of Fame candidacy has remained a topic of debate among WWE management. Rikishi’s public support could reignite discussions within WWE’s decision-making circles about recognizing Snow’s overall contributions to the sport.
The Creative Vacancy Problem
The landscape of WWE’s creative department has undergone significant changes in recent years. The departure of long-standing creative leaders has created opportunities for fresh perspectives and experienced voices who understand modern wrestling psychology while maintaining respect for wrestling tradition.
According to a WWE insider familiar with the company’s current creative operations, “The writing room benefits most when it’s staffed by people who have genuine main event experience and understand how to build compelling narratives. Al Snow brings both legitimate credibility and the kind of hands-on knowledge that comes from working across multiple wrestling territories and promotions.”
Snow’s experience wrestling in ECW, WCW, and various independent circuits gives him a unique perspective on what makes wrestling compelling to different audiences. His time in ECW particularly established his credentials in hardcore wrestling storytelling—an approach that influenced how WWE presents its most intense storylines even today.
Why Al Snow Fits the Profile
Rikishi’s endorsement specifically focuses on Snow’s creative potential, suggesting that the veteran performer has the narrative instincts necessary to help guide SmackDown’s storytelling direction. Throughout his wrestling career, Snow demonstrated an ability to work with virtually any performer, adapting his in-ring style to maximize the strengths of his opponents and create meaningful matches that entertained audiences.
These same skills translate directly to creative writing. A person who can work successfully across different wrestling styles and character types understands the nuances necessary to develop compelling character arcs for diverse talent. This versatility is exactly what modern WWE creative operations require when managing a roster as large and varied as the one currently under contract.
Snow’s promotional experience extends beyond in-ring work. His involvement with various wrestling organizations and developmental territories means he understands how to train, evaluate, and nurture emerging talent—a critical function for anyone involved in WWE’s creative direction. The company’s NXT brand, in particular, requires leadership that comprehends how to develop young performers into main roster-ready competitors.
Hall of Fame Recognition: The Overdue Conversation
Perhaps the most significant aspect of Rikishi’s endorsement involves the Hall of Fame discussion. Professional wrestling’s Hall of Fame selections often involve subjective criteria, but few would argue that Snow lacks the credentials necessary for serious consideration. Multiple championship reigns across multiple promotions, longevity spanning multiple decades, and matches against virtually every major star from his era all support his candidacy[1].
The fact that a performer of Rikishi’s stature is publicly advocating for Snow’s induction suggests that the conversation within wrestling circles extends beyond casual observation. When respected veterans begin publicly endorsing their peers for industry honors, it often signals shifting sentiment among the broader wrestling community.
WWE’s Hall of Fame ceremony has historically recognized performers whose careers defined eras or significantly influenced wrestling’s evolution. While Snow may not have been a main event-headlining draw like some of his contemporaries, his consistency, reliability, and ability to elevate any match he participated in should factor prominently into Hall of Fame considerations.
Looking Forward
The convergence of Rikishi’s endorsement with WWE’s ongoing creative restructuring creates an interesting moment in professional wrestling’s landscape. Whether WWE’s decision-makers will seriously consider Snow for both the Hall of Fame and a creative position remains to be seen. However, the public advocacy from respected veterans like Rikishi ensures that the conversation continues within wrestling circles.
For Al Snow himself, the endorsement from a performer he once competed against on major WWE programming represents validation from someone who understands the wrestling business at the highest levels. It remains a meaningful acknowledgment of his career contributions and potential future value to the industry that raised him as a performer.
As WWE continues evaluating its creative direction and Hall of Fame candidates, Rikishi’s arguments for Al Snow’s recognition merit serious consideration from company leadership.