WWE Hall of Fame member and father of Roman Reigns, Sika Anoa’i, died at the age of 79 on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, as reported by his nephew, Jahrus Anoa’i.
The sorrowful news was shared on Instagram by Jahrus, who said, “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Former Hall of Famer Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th. Sika was a celebrated figure whose contributions and legacy have left an indelible mark. His memory will live on through his achievements and the many lives he touched.”
Sika Anoa’i, from the famous Anoa’i family of American Samoa, gained fame in the 1970s with his brother Afa as part of the tag team The Wild Samoans. Recognized for their wild appearance and unusual antics, The Wild Samoans rapidly became a formidable presence in the WWE, then referred to as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
The duo of The Wild Samoans started in WWF in 1979 and secured their first World Tag Team Championship in April 1980. They won the titles three times, with their last reign concluding in 1983. After retiring from in-ring competition in the late 1980s, Sika Anoa’i turned to coaching, helping to shape the future of the sport. He trained many well-known wrestlers, including Yokozuna, Rikishi, and Batista, at The Wild Samoan Training Center, which he and his brother Afa established.
Sika’s sons, Matthew and Joseph Anoa’i, also pursued wrestling careers, furthering their father’s legacy. Matthew, known as Rosey in the wrestling circuit, had an early career with WWE before his death in 2017. Joseph, more commonly known as Roman Reigns, has been a leading figure in WWE since his 2012 debut. Reigns held the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship for an impressive 1,316 days, one of the lengthiest reigns in WWE history, before the title was lost at WrestleMania 40.
On social media, Roman Reigns expressed his appreciation for his family’s support: “My father had a profound impact on my entire family, and we are forever grateful for the foundation he built for us. There’s no way to fill the void left by his passing, but my sisters and I will do our best to represent him and his legacy. Rest in Power, Dad. We love you.”
The Wild Samoans were honored with a WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2007, highlighting their enduring impact on the wrestling community. Sika’s last appearance in WWE occurred in 2020 when he and his brother Afa celebrated Reigns’ victory at Hell in a Cell.
