After training at Funk's, Fatu returned on the November 13, 1999 episode of "WWF Metal" as Rikishi Fatu, beating Julio Fantastico. "Rikishi" is the general Japanese term for a sumo wrestler, similar to his cousin's ring name "Yokozuna". "Fatu" soon became "Phatu", until he dropped the last name entirely after he started teaming with Too Cool. No mention was made of his WWF past. He had gained some weight, bleached his hair blonde, and wore a thong loincloth. Per Vince McMahon's request and Fatu's own willingness to honor sumo tradition, nothing was worn underneath the thong and his buttcheeks were exposed; this was unlike Yokozuna, who wore tights underneath his sumo thong, which both McMahon and Fatu felt were unnecessary for the Yokozuna character.