Topzle Topzle

John Tenta

Updated: Wikipedia source

John Tenta

John Anthony Tenta Jr. (June 22, 1963 – June 7, 2006) was a Canadian professional wrestler and sumo wrestler (rikishi) best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation as Earthquake. After a promising start to his sumo career, using the name Kototenzan, Tenta switched to professional wrestling and became a high-profile star for the WWF, feuding with Hulk Hogan and winning the WWF Tag Team Championship as a member of The Natural Disasters with personal friend, Typhoon. His professional wrestling career also encompassed runs in World Championship Wrestling, where he was known as Avalanche and The Shark, All Japan Pro Wrestling and a return to WWF as Golga. Tenta died in 2006 after a long battle with bladder cancer. Tenta, as Earthquake, was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025 alongside Typhoon as The Natural Disasters.

Infobox

Born
John Anthony Tenta Jr.(1963-06-22)June 22, 1963Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Died
June 7, 2006(2006-06-07) (aged 42)Sanford, Florida, United States
Cause of death
Bladder cancer
Ring name(s)
AvalancheThe Canadian Earthquake Earthquake Earthquake EvansThe GargoyleGolgaJohn TentaKototenta (sumo)Kototenzan (sumo)The Shark
Billed height
6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Billed weight
468 lb (212 kg)
Billed from
Vancouver, British Columbia (as Earthquake) Mount Everett, Washington (as Avalanche) Great Barrier Reef (as Shark)
Trained by
Giant BabaJumbo TsurutaGreat KabukiTerry Gordy
Debut
1987
Retired
2004

Tables

Kototenzan Toshimitsu[16] · Sumo career › Sumo career record
1985
1985
Year
1985
JanuaryHatsu basho, Tokyo
x
MarchHaru basho, Osaka
x
MayNatsu basho, Tokyo
x
JulyNagoya basho, Nagoya
x
SeptemberAki basho, Tokyo
x
NovemberKyūshū basho, Fukuoka
(Maezumo)
1986
1986
Year
1986
JanuaryHatsu basho, Tokyo
West Jonokuchi #407–0Champion
MarchHaru basho, Osaka
East Jonidan #547–0–PChampion
MayNatsu basho, Tokyo
West Sandanme #537–0Champion
JulyNagoya basho, Nagoya
East Makushita #43Retired–
SeptemberAki basho, Tokyo
x
NovemberKyūshū basho, Fukuoka
x
Record given as wins–losses–absences    Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna — Ōzeki — Sekiwake — Komusubi — Maegashira
Record given as wins–losses–absences    Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna — Ōzeki — Sekiwake — Komusubi — Maegashira
Year
Record given as wins–losses–absences    Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna — Ōzeki — Sekiwake — Komusubi — Maegashira
Year
JanuaryHatsu basho, Tokyo
MarchHaru basho, Osaka
MayNatsu basho, Tokyo
JulyNagoya basho, Nagoya
SeptemberAki basho, Tokyo
NovemberKyūshū basho, Fukuoka
1985
x
x
x
x
x
(Maezumo)
1986
West Jonokuchi –0Champion
East Jonidan –0–PChampion
West Sandanme –0Champion
East Makushita –
x
x
Record given as wins–losses–absences Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna — Ōzeki — Sekiwake — Komusubi — Maegashira

References

  1. WWE Alumni
    http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/earthquake/
  2. "1989 WWF Results"
    http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/89.htm
  3. "1998 WWF Results"
    http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/98.htm
  4. "John Tenta Profile"
    http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/j/john-tenta.html
  5. wrestlezone
    https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1546752-report-natural-disasters-set-for-2025-wwe-hall-of-fame-induction
  6. USA TODAY
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2025/04/18/wwe-hall-of-fame-2025-highights-inductes-time-how-to-watch/83159482007/
  7. The Globe and Mail
  8. Andy Adams, "Kototenta: Canadian Comet!", Sumo World, May 1986, pg. 4
  9. Gerry Toff, "Ex-Wrestling Champ to Enter Sumo", Sumo World, January 1986, pg. 11
  10. Gerry Toff, "Ex-Wrestling Champ to Enter Sumo", Sumo World, January 1986, pg. 12
  11. Andy Adams, "Kototenta: Canadian Comet!", Sumo World, May 1986, pg. 3
  12. Andy Adams, "Kototenta: Canadian Comet!", Sumo World, May 1986, pg. 3-4
  13. Andy Adams, "Kototenzan Quits Sumo!", Sumo World, September 1986, pg. 11
  14. Chicago Tribune
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/07/06/sudden-sayonara-to-sumo/
  15. Andy Adams, "Kototenzan Quits Sumo!", Sumo World, September 1986, pg. 12
  16. "Kototenzan Toshimitsu Rikishi Information"
    http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?r=5079
  17. The History of Professional Wrestling: The Results WWF 1963–1989
  18. www.youtube.com
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siaw-vpQ4Ck
  19. Full Event Results
    http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1989/results/
  20. "Full WrestleMania VI Results"
    http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/6/results
  21. Full Event Results
    http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1990/results
  22. Full Event Results
    http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1991/results
  23. "Full WrestleMania VII Results"
    http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/7/results
  24. "Archived copy"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070528010858/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/91.htm
  25. Bleacher Report
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1365430-wwe-alum-earthquake-vs-koji-kitao-a-history-of-pro-wrestling-shoots-part-1
  26. "Full WrestleMania X Results"
    http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/10/results
  27. "1994 Results"
    http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/94.htm
  28. Mac, Eddie (June 23, 2016), "This Day in Wrestling History (June 23): Austin 3:16 is Born", Cageside Seats (Retrieved: A
    https://www.cagesideseats.com/2016/6/23/11954132/this-day-in-wrestling-history-june-23-austin-3-16-is-born
  29. Derrick Cannon, Wrestling Columns: A Tribute to John "Earthquake" Tenta Onlineworldofwrestling.com, August 21, 2004, Acc
  30. Earthquake John Tenta compilation (AJPW All Japan TV December 2002 to July 2003)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQJHULclvrw
  31. www.facebook.com
    https://www.facebook.com/LegendsFanFestPA
  32. prowrestlinghistory.com
    http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/alljapan/miscaj.html#hvywt
  33. www.purolove.com
    http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl88.php
  34. www.cagematch.net
    https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=339&page=12
  35. Wrestling Observer Newsletter
    https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0417-wcw-spring-stampede-1994-309086
  36. "Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121016020657/http://www.purolove.com/tokyosports.php
Image
Source: —
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.