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New York Post
Wrestling legend Afa Anoa’i, uncle of Roman Reigns, dead at 81
By Bryan Fonseca,
4 hours ago
Pro wrestling legend Afa Anoa’i died this week, his family announced.
He was 81.
His daughter, Vale Anoa’i, confirmed the news on X, writing, “Today, all of our lives are irreparably changed. I love you so much, Dad. More than any words could ever express.”
Anoa’i and his brother Sika — who died in June at 79 years old — were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.
Afa Anoa’i of the Wild Samoans has passed away after a long illness. For the Anoa’i family, this is the second death within a two-month period. George Napolitano / SplashNews.com
“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 said on X. “We thank everyone for their support and are comforted by the fact that he now rests in peace.”
He later added, “Rest in Power Wild Samoans.”
Our family has suffered another great loss with the passing of my uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Gataivasā Afa Amituana'i Anoa'i. We thank everyone for their support and are comforted by the fact that he now rests in peace. Afa and my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’I were…
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) August 16, 2024 The Wild Samoans were three-time WWE Tag Team Champions. George Napolitano / SplashNews.com Afa Anoa’i is both a WWE and Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee. George Napolitano / SplashNews.com
Anoa’i wasn’t only known for his WWE run, but with Sika, the Wild Samoans won tag team titles across 12 different promotions, including the Detroit version of the NWA World Tag Team Championships, which they won multiple times and held for a record 407 combined days.
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