Tag: the wild samoans

The Rock pays tribute to Afa Anoa’i: ‘Rest in Love Uncle Afa’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has issued a public statement on the passing of his uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Afa Anoa’i.

Afa Anoa’i passed away on Friday at the age of 81. His brother and his Wild Samoans tag team partner, Sika Anoa’i, passed away in June. The Rock took to Instagram on Sunday to say that Afa was finally at peace along with his brother.

Rock captioned his post with:

“Rest in Love Uncle Afa ❤️🕊️
Uncle Afa Anoa’i is finally at peace with his brother, Uncle Sika Anoa’i.

‘The Wild Samoans’ were trailblazers in the world of professional wrestling.
Multi-time @WWE tag team champions and eventually, bestowed their rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame.

The last picture is one of my all time favorites- it’s my uncles Afa and Sika with my grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia – and I believe that’s Professor Toru Tanaka.

What I love about this picture is you can SEE & FEEL the LOVE & MANA amongst these smiling, loving men.

You can also see and feel that this wasn’t a table you wanted to f*ck with 😂💪🏾

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.”

Roman Reigns also paid tribute to his uncle Afa shortly after his passing. He wrote:

“Our family has suffered another great loss with the passing of my uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Gataivasā Afa Amituana’i Anoa’i,” he wrote. We thank everyone for their support and are comforted by the fact that he now rests in peace. Afa and my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’I were loving brothers, the greatest tag team of their generation, and now they’re reunited together in heaven. Rest in Power Wild Samoans.”

Afa’s daughter, Vale Anoa’i, responded to WWE’s tribute to Afa that aired on SmackDown, writing:

“Deeply touched and grateful for the absolutely beautiful tribute video @WWE put together for my Dad. That was perfect. My heart is full of love. Thank you so much”

WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i passes away at 81

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Afa Anoa’i — WWE legend and a vital member of one of pro wrestling’s greatest dynasties — passed away on Friday at 81 years old.

The WWE Hall of Famer had been battling for his life after entering hospice care recently. Today, Afa’s death was announced by his family. “It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of my father Afa Anoai Sr. It was a peaceful transition and he was surrounded by loved ones,” his son Samu wrote. “Please respect our privacy as we morn our father.”

Afa suffered two heart attacks this January while battling pneumonia. He then underwent multiple back surgeries after suffering a broken back in a fall that happened in March.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Afa and his younger brother Sika were a top act in the WWF as The Wild Samoans. They held the WWF Tag Team titles three times. In 2007, they were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Sika passed away at 79 years old this June.

Afa was a wrestling trainer after the end of his in-ring career and operated the indie promotion World Xtreme Wrestling.

Though both Wild Samoans have now departed, their legacy lives on through their Bloodline family. Afa & Sika last appeared on WWE programming when they congratulated Sika’s son Roman Reigns on his victory over Jey Uso at Hell in a Cell 2020.

Reigns posted the following tribute:

Our family has suffered another great loss with the passing of my uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Gataivasā Afa Amituana’i Anoa’i. We thank everyone for their support and are comforted by the fact that he now rests in peace. Afa and my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’I were loving brothers, the greatest tag team of their generation, and now they’re reunited together in heaven.
Rest in Power Wild Samoans.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque wrote:

Afa was devoted to his family, dominant in the ring, and dedicated to building future generations of @WWE Superstars. My thoughts are with the entire Anoa’i family as we remember the legendary Afa.

WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i passes away

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sika Anoa’i, a tag team legend and pivotal member of one of pro wrestling’s greatest families, has passed away at 79 years old.

His death was announced on Tuesday by nephew Jahrus Anoa’i. Sika was the father of five children including WWE star Roman Reigns (Joe Anoa’i) and late WWE wrestler Rosey (Matt Anoa’i).

“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Former Hall of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th,” Jahrus wrote.

“He was many things: a hard working father, a caring brother, a supportive uncle, and a proud grandfather. He was a cherished friend to many, a loving family member whose warmth and kindness knew no bounds, and an inspiration to countless individuals. His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, reminding us of the impact one person’s life can have on so many. Rest in love Uncle Sika.”

Sika was part of one of the top tag teams of the 1970s/1980s, teaming with his brother Afa as The Wild Samoans. They held the WWF Tag Team titles three times and were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

The Anoa’i family legacy continues to live on today with the ever-expanding Bloodline story that has dominated the WWE main event scene for much of the past four years.