Sika was a WWE Hall of Famer who left a lasting legacy to the wrestling world.
Sika Death – Undisclosed Causes
1945-2024 (Age 79)
Sika Anoa’i played a savage monstrous heel in the ring, but outside he was a beloved figure who gave back to his family and community.
Sika and his brother Afa performed as The Wild Samoans, a bad-to-the-bone tag team that terrorized wrestling in the 1970s and 1980s. The Samoans would launch a wrestling dynasty that continues to grow stronger.
Samoan Stampede
The man who would be known best as Sika was born on April 5, 1945 in American Samoa. Sika broke into wrestling thanks to his brother Afa and fellow professional wrestler Kurt Von Steiger.
The burly brothers quickly succeeded in Calgary Stampede Wrestling. The two became known as The Wild Samoans. Afa and Sika would win tag team gold in Calgary, Detroit, and Georgia. However, their true success would be achieved in the WWE.
WWE Success
The Wild Samoans are best-known for their time in the WWE where they held the promotion’s tag team championship three times. The two big men made surviving in the ring tough enough. Winning a match would near-impossible, especially with heel manager “Captain” Lou Albano guiding them.
The Wild Samoans battled teams such as Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas; Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales; and The Strongbow Brothers (Jules and Jay). Sika and Afa also would work in singles matches in the WWF.
Afa began to step back from active wrestling by the mid-1980s. His brother continued in the WWF for several years but his career began to slow down. The big man teamed with an even bigger man, his nephew Yokozuna, but focused more time on training wrestlers. According to the WWE”s website:
Following his remarkable career, Sika opened The Wild Samoan Training Facility alongside Afa where the duo trained future generations of WWE Superstars, including Batista.
Sika and Afa were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. The Wild Samons would become the foundation of the Anoai’i wrestling dynasty. Sika’s sons Rosey and Roman Reigns became WWE Superstars.
The Death of Sika
Sika Anoaʻi died on June 25, 2024. He was 79 years old. The mighty Samoan’s nephew Jahrus Anoa’i issued a statement on social media. Here is an excerpt from Jahrus Anoa’i’s statement about his uncle’s passing:
“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,”
Ten-Bell Salute will have an expanded article in the near future.
Other wrestlers who died in 2024 include Ole Anderson, Ice Train, Chris Markoff, Paul Vachon, and Virgil.
What are your favorite memories of Sika Anoa’i? Let us know in the comments below
