The Anoa’i family has been one of the greatest ones in the professional wrestling business. With stars such as Dwayne Johnson, Roman Reigns, and Rikishi having their roots in the family, they add to the glory of the professional wrestling industry.
Dwayne Johnson did not kick off his professional wrestling career with a bang. Instead, his first gimmick of Rocky Maivia was a failure. However, with time, he bounced back harder and engraved his name in golden letters in WWE before becoming a popular actor.
The Rock and his relatives have often represented their Samoan heritage in the ring. Their descent speaks loudly of their strength and valor. However, there are many stars who have worked for professional wrestling promotions other than WWE. Here are all the stars who have a connection to the Anoa’i family, either directly or indirectly.
Stars from the Anoa’i family apart from Dwayne Johnson who have worked for WWE
Peter Maivia
Born on April 6, 1937, Peter Maivia was among the first members of the Anoa’i family to join the professional wrestling business. He started working for the industry in promotions such as International Wrestling Enterprise, WCCW, and WWWF. Peter held many championships in his career, and this earned him love and popularity all across the globe.
Peter Maivia was the blood brother of Amituanai Anoa’i. This led him to the legacy of the legendary Anoa’i family. Already having many credentials, Peter could have done better had it not been for his cancer. Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia was diagnosed with cancer in 1981. Having ignored the requests of his close ones to see a doctor, he passed away the following year at the age of 45.
Rocky Johnson
Dwayne Johnson’s father, Rocky Johnson, had not been a part of the Anoa’i family by blood. Instead, he married Ata Fitisemanu Maivia, the daughter of Peter Maivia. Though Ata was his second wife, their marriage brought Rocky into the Anoa’i family. He too was a professional wrestler and built a great name for himself.
Also Read: Is Samoa Joe Related to Dwayne Johnson?
Ava Raine
One of the most latest additions from the Anoa’i family to the professional wrestling business is Ava Raine. The daughter of Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, Ava, aka Simone, has also taken her first step in the professional wrestling industry in the gold and black brand of WWE.
Afa Anoa’i
Born on November 21, 1942, Afa Amituana’i “Arthur” Anoa’i began his professional wrestling journey under the guidance of his uncle, Peter Maivia, and cousin, Rocky Johnson. By the 1970s, he also helped his brother, Sika Anoaʻi, into the WWE business, and the duo came to be known as the Wild Samoans.
Sika Anoa’i
Leati Sika Amituana’i Anoa’i came to be known by the fans by his ring name of Sika. Almost two years younger than his brother Afa, Sika went ahead to step into his brother’s footsteps. He made his debut in 1973, bringing their Samoan culture into massive limelight.
The duo of Afa and Sika worked for various promotions, including Stampede Wrestling, International Wrestling Enterprise, and the WWF. The two also hold a place in the WWE Hall Of Fame for their contributions to the professional wrestling industry. After their retirement, the Wild Samoans have often appeared in the ring to support their successors in their life’s ventures.
Samu
Another addition to the list of iconic Anoa’i family is Samula Fred Anoa’i, aka Samu. In his four-decade-long career run, Samu has worked for the WWF, WCW, and NJPW, amongst others. The son of Afa Anoa’i, the 60-year-old holds numerous championships to his name.
Manu
Apart from Samu, Afa Anoa’i and Lynn Anoa’i have another kid who is into the pro wrestling industry. Afa Anoa’i Jr. came to be known as Manu by the WWE Universe. Although his WWE run was limited, it gave him global recognition as he went ahead to represent the Anoa’i family.
Lloyd Anoa’i
Lloyd Anoa’i is another one of Afa’s kids who adopted professional wrestling as their future. While he adopted various gimmicks and personas, L.A. Smooth was his most popular in-ring name. He was one of the students of Afa and Sika and has been in business since 1987.
Roman Reigns
The son of Sika Anoaʻi, Roman Reigns has stood true to his family’s legacy. Making his main roster debut in 2012 for WWE, no one had imagined that the 38-year-old would remain undefeated in his championship reign. With a glorious career until now, he is sure to cross many other milestones in the years to come.
Rosey
Roman Reigns’ elder brother, Matthew Anoa’i, came to be known as Rosey inside the ring. However, his career wasn’t as glorious as his younger brothers’. He worked for various promotions before his death on April 17, 2017 due to heart failure.
Yokozuna
Afa and Sika have another brother named Afoa, to whom Rodney was born. Born on October 2, 1966, Rodney stepped into his uncle’s footsteps and joined the professional wrestling business in 1985. Working for NJPW, AWA, and WWE, he came to be known as the Great Kokina and Yokozuna. He left for his heavenly abode on October 23, 2000, due to pulmonary edema.
The impact of Afa and Sika Anoa’i has been tremendously deep in the hearts of future generations of the family. Not just their kids, but their siblings’ kids were greatly inspired by them. The two had a sister named Elevera Anoaʻi (Vera), whose kids went ahead and adopted professional wrestling as their fate.
Samuel Fatu
Known as the Samoan Savage, Tonga Kid, or Tama, Samuel has his roots in the professional wrestling industry. Working for the WWF, Samuel’s career lasted for almost 36 years. The twin brother of Rikishi, Samuel, too, joined his father in carrying the legacy of their family ahead.
Also Read: Are Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu Related?
Rikishi
Solofa Fatu Jr. aka Rikishi, is the twin brother of Samuel Fatu. One of the most popular names in the Anoa’i family, Rikishi has held numerous championships for the promotions that he has worked for. He also holds a place in the WWE Hall of Fame, making his legacy immortal in the eyes of the fans.
Also Read: “We All Knew Him and His Father” – Rikishi Opens up on His Relationship With The Rock
Jey Uso
Born on August 22, 1985, Joshua Samuel Fatu, aka Jey Uso, made his professional wrestling debut in 2007. Working alongside his twin, Jimmy Uso, on the majority of his run, he didn’t stay behind, leaving his individual mark in the hearts of the fans.
Jimmy Uso
Jonathan Solofa Fatu, aka Jimmy Uso, forms the other half of The Usos. He too made a debut alongside his twin, Jey Uso, in 2007, and the two earned multiple championships. The Usos performed together on almost all occasions until the two split in 2023. Jimmy married Trinity Fatu, aka Naomi in 2014 who also holds a place in the list of former WWE stars.
Solo Sikoa
Solo Sikoa is the youngest of Rikishi’s sons who have chosen professional wrestling as their path. He made his professional wrestling debut in 2018 at the age of 25. He has been gaining exponential growth since he signed with WWE in 2021.
Umanga
Edward Fatu, aka Umanga, is the younger brother of Rikishi and Samuel Fatu. He decided to step in his brother’s footsteps in 1995. He worked for promotions including Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling and WWE. On December 4, 2009, Umanga was found lying on his couch with blood coming out of his nose. Later that evening, he was pronounced dead by the doctors in the hospital where he was rushed. His absence doesn’t stop the fans from cherishing the legacy that he has left behind.
Professional wrestlers from Anoa’i family who did not work for WWE
Lance Anoa’i
Samu decided to carry his family’s legacy forward and inspired his little one, Lance Anoa’i, into the family business. Working for Major League Wrestling, Lance has had the experience of various promotions, working alongside many notable names in the promotion. He also gave multiple WWE tryouts but did not work for long in the promotion.
Jacob Fatu
Jacob Fatu is the son of Samuel Fatu, a former WWF star. Working for Major League Wrestling, Jacob holds his name in the golden letters of the promotion for holding the MLW World Heavyweight Champion for the longest reign of 819 days.
Apart from these, there have been stars who have an indirect connection to the Anoa’i family. Gary Albright, the professional wrestler who worked for AJPW, was married to Monica Anoaʻi, the daughter of Afa Anoa’i. With this, the family tree is expanding, creating an ever-greater legacy than in the last decade.