Sika Anoa’i, WWE Corridor of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, died on Tuesday, his nephew Jahrus Anoa’i introduced. He was 79.
“It’s with profound unhappiness that I share the information of the passing of Former Corridor of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i,” Jahrus posted on Instagram Tuesday. “He handed away peacefully on June twenty fifth. Sika was a celebrated determine whose contributions and legacy have left an indelible mark. His reminiscence will stay on by means of his achievements and the numerous lives he touched.”
A part of the legendary Anoa’i household and identified professionally as Sika, Anoa’i rose to prominence within the late Nineteen Seventies along with his brother, Afa, to kind the tag crew The Wild Samoans. Afa was educated by his uncle Peter Maivia and cousin Rocky Johnson, who then then educated his brother.
The duo arrived in WWE, then generally known as World Wrestling Federation, in 1979 and have become a dominant power off the bat. They received their first World Tag Crew Championship in April 1980 and after their reign lasted 4 months, they received the title once more in September. The pair left the corporate that very same yr however returned in 1983 and received the World Tag Crew Championship for a 3rd time.
Sika Anoa’i additionally participated within the WrestleMania 4 battle royal in 1988. He retired from competitors within the late Eighties, however he turned a coach and continued to affect the career for many years, coaching stars like Yokozuna, Rikishi and Batista.
“The Wild Samoans’ impression within the ring as performers was immense, and so they have continued to have a huge effect on the world of wrestling since their in-ring escapades ended,” WWE stated. “They now not have the unorthodox conduct that made them so harmful within the ‘70s, however they’ve over 30 years of wrestling data to share with their college students at The Wild Samoan Coaching Middle.”
Anoa’i used to be the daddy to 2 sons, Matthew and Joe, who went on to wrestle. Matthew carried out beneath the identify Rosey and hung out with WWE early in his profession earlier than he died in 2017. Joseph is named Roman Reigns, who has been a dominant power in WWE since his debut in 2012. Reigns was Undisputed WWE Common Champion for 1,316 days till he misplaced the title at WrestleMania 40.
The Wild Samoans had been inducted into the WWE Corridor of Fame in 2007. Anoa’i final appeared in WWE in 2020, when he joined his brother to have fun Reigns’ win at Hell in a Cell.