The wrestling world is mourning the loss of a true legend as WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i has passed away at the age of 81. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by the Anoa’i family, with Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer sharing the sad announcement on X (formerly known as Twitter). Afa, a patriarch of the storied Anoa’i wrestling dynasty, leaves behind his wife, Lynn, and their seven children.
Afa’s passing comes just two months after the death of his brother and tag team partner, Sika Anoa’i, marking a somber period for the Anoa’i family and the wrestling community. The loss was first hinted at in a social media tribute by his son, Samu, which spread across the wrestling world, bringing fans and colleagues together in remembrance of Afa’s immense contributions to the industry.
Afa Anoa’i began his wrestling journey in 1971, trained by none other than Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia, two other pillars of wrestling history. Alongside his brother Sika, Afa formed the iconic tag team The Wild Samoans, a duo that would go on to leave an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. Competing in various NWA territories and for Stampede Wrestling, the brothers eventually found their way to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the late 1970s.
Managed by the legendary Lou Albano, The Wild Samoans captured their first WWF Tag Team Championship in April 1980, defeating Ivan Putski and Tito Santana. Their savage, untamed personas and powerful in-ring performances made them a force to be reckoned with, leading to multiple reigns as tag team champions.
The Wild Samoans took a brief hiatus from WWF to compete in Mid-South Wrestling but returned in 1983, reclaiming tag team gold by defeating Chief Jay Strongbow and Jules Strongbow in a thrilling two-out-of-three falls match. Afa’s wrestling career spanned decades, with his final in-ring appearance occurring in 1994. He later managed The Headshrinkers—his son Samu and nephew Rikishi—continuing the Anoa’i family legacy in the squared circle.
In 2007, The Wild Samoans were rightfully inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, cementing their place in wrestling history. But Afa’s contributions extended beyond his own in-ring career; he and Sika founded a wrestling training facility, producing some of the industry’s biggest stars, including Hulk Hogan, Roman Reigns, and the Usos.
Afa’s impact on professional wrestling is immeasurable. As the elder of the legendary Bloodline, his influence will be felt for generations to come. The wrestling world has lost not just a Hall of Famer, but a mentor, a father figure, and a pioneer who helped shape the sport into what it is today.