Posted on 1/14/126 by Phil Johnson
In an exclusive interview with PWMania.com, wrestling
veteran and Bloodline family member, Lloyd Anoa’i, spoke
with Lee Tarrier about his behind-the-scenes involvement
with WWE, working directly with Paul Heyman, and the
cultural authenticity behind the Bloodline storyline. You
can read the entire interview by clicking here.
Watch the full interview here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmy7jHrjDH0
Here are some highlights:
On Paul Heyman personally bringing him into WWE creative in
2023:
“Paul Heyman called me and said Vince wanted me involved. So
I went with the crew to Pensacola to shoot with my uncle,
and then back to Orlando to film my dad.
Paul was hands-on with everything. He knew exactly what he
wanted, but he also wanted our voices and our culture
represented properly. That meant a lot to me, because it
wasn’t just about wrestling — it was about telling our
family’s story the right way.”
On the real cultural meaning behind the Tribal Combat
storyline:
“It was powerful, because the ulafala necklace Roman Reigns
wears is real — it’s a symbol of our culture, passed down by
our chiefs. That’s not something made up for TV.
Hearing my dad and my uncle explain its importance, in
Samoan and in English, was straight from the heart. That’s
something our family takes very seriously, and WWE respected
that.”
On seeing Samoan culture represented on WWE’s biggest stage:
“Watching my dad and uncle, The Wild Samoans, put Samoa on
the map — that’s my proudest memory. They led the way for
all of us.
From Uncle Peter Maivia to Rikishi, The Usos, Roman — it’s a
lineage I’m proud to be part of. Seeing our culture
represented on the biggest stage in wrestling, it touches my
heart every single time.”
Lloyd also discussed WWE’s collaborative approach with the
Anoa’i family and why authenticity has been key to the
Bloodline’s success. You can check out the complete
interview at the link below.