(UnitedVoice.com) – Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’i, known as “Sika Anoa’i,” was an American professional wrestler. He and his brother formed the famed tag team known as the “Wild Samoans.” Sadly, he has now passed away.
On June 25, the wrestling legend passed away at the age of 79. Deadline reported Anoa’i’s nephew, Jahrus Anoa’i, confirmed his death, saying he “passed away peacefully.” He didn’t provide the location of his death or the cause. He said that his uncle “was a celebrated figure whose contributions and legacy have left an indelible mark.”
Anoaʻi was born on the island of Tutuila in American Samoa in 1945. He was one of 13 kids and moved with his family to San Francisco, California, when he was 14 years old. While he was there, he became a US Merchant Marine and worked on ships that traveled to Japan and the Philippines. He did that until 1969, when he decided to work as a dockworker before he quit to begin a wrestling career with his brother Afa.
The duo made their World Wrestling Federation (WWF) — now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) — debut in 1980. They went on to win the WWF Tag Team Championship three times.
Anoa’i was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. Five years later, they were indicted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The wrestler married Patricia Hooker and had five children with her. The couple later separated. Their oldest son, Matt, was also a WWE star. He performed under the name Rosey. He passed away in 2017 from congestive heart failure.
Their son Joseph played football in college and went on to join the WWE. He performed under the name Roman Reigns and won multiple WWE Championships as one of the most iconic wrestlers of this past decade. He shared a message on social media thanking everyone for their support. He said his dad had a “profound impact” on his whole family, and they are “grateful for the foundation he built” for them.
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