Sika Anoa’i, WWE Hall of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, died on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the age of 79, according to his nephew Jahrus Anoa’i.
Jahrus announced the news on Instagram, stating, “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, part of the legendary Anoa’i family from American Samoa, rose to prominence in the late 1970s alongside his brother Afa in the tag team The Wild Samoans. Known for their unkempt appearance and unconventional behavior, The Wild Samoans quickly became a force to be reckoned with in WWE, then known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
The Wild Samoans joined WWF in 1979 and won their first World Tag Team Championship in April 1980. They captured the titles three times, with their final reign ending in 1983. After retiring from active competition in the late 1980s, Sika Anoa’i transitioned to a training role, where he continued to shape the future of professional wrestling. He trained numerous stars, including Yokozuna, Rikishi, and Batista, at The Wild Samoan Training Center, which he co-founded with his brother Afa.
Sika’s legacy is further cemented by his sons, Matthew and Joseph Anoa’i, who followed in their father’s footsteps. Matthew, known in the wrestling world as Rosey, had a stint with WWE early in his career before passing away in 2017. Joseph, better known as Roman Reigns, has been a dominant force in WWE since his debut in 2012. Reigns held the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship for 1,316 days, one of the longest reigns in WWE history, before losing the title at WrestleMania 40.
Roman Reigns expressed his gratitude on social media platform X 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 inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007, a testament to their lasting influence on the wrestling world. Sika’s final appearance in WWE was in 2020 when he and his brother Afa celebrated Reigns’ victory at Hell in a Cell.
