Photo Credit: WWE Gallery and Roman Reigns’ Instagram
Trigger Warning: This article has mention of death
The Anoa’i family is royalty in professional wrestling. With a dynasty of wrestling legends, the four generations of the family have created many legends, including the biggest name of this era, Roman Reigns. Apart from The Tribal Chief, The Rock, The Usos, Solo Sikoa, Rikishi, Umaga, etc, are some of the most recognized names from the family.
Belonging to the Anoa’i clan, Roman Reigns’ Father, Sika Anoa’i, is also a wrestling legend, becoming a notable figure of business in the 1980s. Due to his age, Roman and Sika never shared the same ring. Get acquainted with The Head of the Table’s father, aka Sika Anoa’i, with this article.
1) Sika Anoa’i Was A WWE Tag Team Champion
Sika Anoa’i’s professional wrestling career flourished as a tag team wrestler. Teaming up with his brother Afa Anoa’i, they formed a team, Wild Samoans, paying homage to their Samoan heritage. The duo was among the most successful tag teams of WWE in the 1980s. They enjoyed two different runs in WWE, with the second being the most fruitful.
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The Wild Samoans won the WWE Tag Team Championship three times. While they captured the twin golds in their first stint from 1979 to 80, they recaptured the golds during their WWE tenure from 1982 to 85.
2) Sika Anoa’i’ Wrestled For Various Promotions
In the 80s, when Sika Anoa’i was in his heyday, WWE wasn’t the undisputed market leader, especially before the rise of The Immortal Hulk Hogan. Hence, a handful of wrestling promotions operated in different parts of North America. Due to Sika and Afa’s reputation as tag team wrestlers, they received the opportunity to wrestle all over the continent.
Dominating the tag team wrestling scene, they clinched 20 titles across their careers, including the three WWE Tag Team Titles. Apart from Vince McMahon’s promotion, they left a lasting impact on NWA. Moreover, Sika actively wrestled in promotions like Mid South Wrestling, Continental Wrestling Promotion, and Stampede Wrestling.
3) He Worked As A Marine
Professional wrestlers often come from diverse backgrounds where they have worked in different jobs or played various sports before pursuing a full-time wrestling career. Roman Reigns, who is one of the most accomplished WWE Superstars today, was an athlete before yearning to be a wrestler.
Roman Reigns was a football player, and almost made a cut to the NFL, doing notably well for Georgia Tech in college football. Similarly, Roman father Sika Anoa’i was in a completely different profession before entering the world of wrestling. Once he was a Merchant Marine of the United States, during duties in Asian countries. He quit the job in 1969 at the age of 24.
4) Enjoyed A Wrestling Career Of 16 Years
Coming from the family of wrestlers in the Anoa’i family, professional wrestling has been in Sika’s blood since childhood. After working different jobs, he decided to pursue a serious career in the business following the footsteps of most family members at 28. Once he received training with his brother Afa and Kurt Von Steiner he officially debuted in the squared circle in 1973.
Debuting with Afa, The Wild Samoans reigned supreme in various places. A few years after departing from WWE, Sika retired from professional wrestling in 1989. After hanging up his boots, he adopted a trainer’s in The Wild Samoan Training Center, grooming the next generation of talents.
5) Passed Away Recently At The Age Of 79
Sika Anoa’i started refraining from wrestling roles in the 1990s. In his later stage of life, he witnessed the growth of his son Roman Reigns in WWE. From good guy Big Dog to the villainous Tribal Chief, he couldn’t help but feel proud witnessing Reign’s accomplishments over the years.
In his final WWE appearance at Hell In a Cell 2020, he gave the Ula Fala to Roman Reigns. Unfortunately, at the age of 79, Sika passed away on June 25, 2024, due to age-related health issues.
6) Roman Reigns’ Father Sika Anoa’i Is A WWE Hall Of Famer
Taking the six-time WWE World Champion Roman Reigns’ accomplishments into account, he is on the path to becoming a future WWE Hall of Famer. Meanwhile, his father has already attained the feat due to his illustrious career as a tag team wrestler and the tally of three championship honors.
Sika Anoa’i was in the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2007. Interestingly, his prestigious induction happened when Roman was still not signed by WWE. He received the honor as a member of Wild Samoans. Had WWE inducted Sika to HOF during the active years of Roman Reigns, he would have taken great pride in inducting him there.
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Avik Das is an English Literature graduate with an experience of over six years as a professional writer. He has written for renowned publications such as The Sportster, Sportskeeda, Pinkvilla, and The Things
