Posted on 8/16/124 by Colin Vassallo
WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoaʻi, one half of the legendary Wild
Samoans, has passed away at age 81.
His passing comes just two months after his brother Sika,
father of WWE Superstar Roman Reigns, passed away at age 79.
The news was announced by his son, Samu.
“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. Please respect our privacy as
we morn our father,” he wrote.
Afa had been dealing with several health issues lately,
including two heart attacks. He also underwent several
surgeries after falling earlier this year.
Afa started his wrestling career in 1971 and was trained by
his cousin Rocky Johnson and uncle Peter Maivia. He teamed
up with his brother and started terrorizing promotions such
as Stampede Wrestling, the NWA, and others, before moving to
the WWF in 1979.
He and Sika had two stints with the WWF and returned alone
in 1992 as the manager of The Headshrinkers. He had his
final match for WWF in 1994. He also managed Samu and Sione,
the man formerly known as The Barbarian.
After his departure from national television, Afa started
the Wild Samoans Training Center where he trained several
people along the way and ran his wrestling promotion World
Xtreme Wrestling.
Afa, a former three-time WWF tag team champion, was inducted
into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 along with his brother. He
last appeared on WWE television at the Hell In A Cell
premium live event in 2020 to celebrate Roman Reigns’
victory.