John Tenta, a deceased Canadian sumo wrestler turned professional wrestler, is best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF),now known as WWE, from 1989 to 1993. Initially, he went undefeated as a sumo wrestler but left the sport due to frustration with the lifestyle and knowing he would never achieve Yokozuna status.
Tenta trained in All Japan Pro Wrestling and made his debut in 1987, competing in various promotions, including Vancouver All-Star Wrestling and the UWA in British Columbia, Canada. He won the UWA World Heavyweight Title twice and the UWA Canadian Heavyweight Title once.
In 1989, WWE signed Tenta and he made his televised debut as an audience plant named John on the November 11, 1989 episode of "WWF Superstars of Wrestling." He was later introduced as the Canadian Earthquake, a monster heel, and faced Hulk Hogan at "SummerSlam 90."
Tenta formed the Natural Disasters with Tugboat in 1991 and turned face in 1992 after Jimmy Hart betrayed them. They held the WWE World Tag Team Titles from July to October 1992.
After leaving WWE in 1993, Tenta returned in 1994 and had a feud with Yokozuna before joining World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as Avalanche. He was repackaged as the Shark of the Dungeon of Doom in June 1995 and eventually dropped the gimmick, wrestling under his own name until his departure in 1997.
Tenta returned to WWE in 1998 as the masked Golga as part of the Oddities and was released in 1999. He continued to wrestle in Japan and on the independent circuit before returning to WWE for the Gimmick Battle Royal at "WrestleMania X-7," which he lost.
Tenta retired in 2003 due to contracting bladder cancer, which ultimately took his life in 2006 at the age of 42.
