Afa Anoa’i, the WWE Hall of Famer best known as one-half of the iconic Wild Samoans tag team, has passed away at the age of 81.
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His family announced his death on Friday, August 16 2024 just two months after the loss of his younger brother and tag team partner, Sika, in June 2024.
Afa Anoa’i was the uncle of WWE superstar Roman Reigns, who paid tribute to his uncle’s legacy on social media.
“Our family has suffered another great loss with the passing of my uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Gataivasā Afa Amituana’i Anoa’i,” Reigns wrote on X. “Afa and my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’i, were loving brothers, the greatest tag team of their generation, and now they’re reunited together in heaven. Rest in Power Wild Samoans.”
Afa’s son, Samu, also shared the news on Facebook, writing, “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 mourn our father.”
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Afa had recently been admitted to hospice care and suffered two heart attacks while battling pneumonia in January, according to the Wrestling Observer.
The WWE paid tribute to Afa on Friday night during “Friday Night Smackdown,” observing a moment of silence in his honor.
Afa and Sika were a dominant force in the wrestling world during the early 1980s, capturing three WWF Tag Team Championships.
The Wild Samoans competed in numerous promotions, including the NWA, Mid-South Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and the AWA, amassing 20 tag team championships worldwide.
The Wild Samoans were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007, cementing their legacy in the wrestling world. Their last appearance in WWE was in 2020 at the “Hell in a Cell” event, where they celebrated Roman Reigns’ victory over Jey Uso.
Afa Anoa’i’s passing marks the end of an era for one of wrestling’s most storied families, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered by fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
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