Only a few families have left a mark as unforgettable as the Anoa’i clan in the world of wrestling. It began with High Chief Peter Maivia and was carried forward by his nephews, Afa and Sika Anoa’i, who brought their electrifying presence to the WWE in the late ’70s and early ’80s. And now continues with names such as Roman Reigns and Dwayne Johnson.
With the recent passing of Sika Anoa’i in June, the wrestling world has now mourned the loss of his brother and tag team partner, Afa Anoa’i. Dwayne Johnson, another shining star from the Samoan wrestling heritage, honored his late uncle with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
The Other Half of The Wild Samoans, Afa Anoa’i, Passes Away Two Months After His Brother Sika Anoa’i
Wrestling legend Afa Anoa’i passed away at the age of 81, as per his family announcement on X.com. This heartbreaking news follows the death of his brother and Roman Reigns‘ father, Sika Anoa’i, at the age of 79, just two months ago.
Afa Anoa’i’s journey in the wrestling world began under the tutelage of his uncle, Peter Maivia, and cousin, Rocky Johnson. Recognizing his brother’s potential, he also trained Leati “Sika” Anoa’i, and together they formed the iconic tag team known as The Wild Samoans.
Afa and Sika Anoa’i, The Wild Samoans, were a dominant force in the WWE. Their reign of terror spanned multiple title runs, with their longest championship hold exceeding eight months. They clashed with legendary duos like Tony Garea and Rick Martel, Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales, and even faced off against their cousin, Rocky Johnson.
Beyond their in-ring prowess, The Wild Samoans’ legacy extends far beyond the squared circle. Their training academy has produced a staggering number of wrestling superstars, including the big names people know today and are fans of, including Yokozuna, Rikishi, Batista, and Roman Reigns.
With over 50 championships between them, either as competitors or mentors, the duo’s impact on professional wrestling has been immeasurable. The world will forever remember this iconic duo.
Dwayne Johnson Pens Heartfelt Tribute in Honor of His “Uncle Afa”
Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram following the loss of his extended family member. While not biologically related, Johnson and Roman Reigns share a deep familial bond rooted in their wrestling heritage. The Rock expressed his overwhelming sorrow and reflected on the profound impact the Anoa’i family has had on his life. He wrote a long post, some of which read,
I love you uncle and I’ll never forget what you did for our family in ‘87. “Come to me”
Nashville to Bethlehem.–Give my grandpa and my dad a kiss and a hug from me.
To grasp the connection between The Rock and Roman Reigns, one has to look into their family tree. The Rock’s father, Rocky Johnson, married Ata Maivia, the adopted daughter of the esteemed High Chief Peter Maivia. Roman Reigns, on the other hand, is the son of Sika Anoa’i.
Sika and Afa Anoa’i, the sons of Amituana’i Anoa’i, viewed Peter Maivia as their uncle, thus connecting their renowned wrestling legacy with The Rock’s family history.