WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa'i has passed away at the age of 81 after suffering from a series of health setbacks.
Anoa'i was the brother of Sika Anoa'i and uncle to fellow WWE star Roman Reigns. His daughter, Vale Anoa'i, confirmed the wrestler's death in a social media post. “Today all of our lives have been irrevocably changed. I love you so much, Dad. No words can express how grateful I am,” she wrote on Twitter. The daughter went on to explain that the famous wrestler underwent two cardiac punctures in January and a fall in March that broke his spine in two places, requiring major surgery. He also underwent heart valve replacement surgery before undergoing a second spinal procedure. His health had declined with only one month to live, and he was placed in hospice care.
Today, all of our lives have changed irrevocably. Dad, I love you so much. No words can describe it. Your strength was simply superhuman. You fought to the end and in the end, you found peace. That's all I ever wanted. I love you so much. pic.twitter.com/0mt5blynH3
— Vale Anoai (@ValeAnoai) August 16, 2024
News of Anoa'i's death comes just months after Sika Anoa'i passed away at the age of 79.
The WWE star began his wrestling career shortly after leaving the Marines, winning his first match in 1971. TMZHe then began training with his brother Sika and the legendary tag team “The Wild Samoans” was formed.
In 1980, the brothers defeated Ivan Putoski and Tito Santana to win their first WWF Tag Team Championships. Wrestling Co., Ltd.
The Anoa'i family can confirm that Afa has passed away. Our hearts go out to the family. This past week has been a tough one for the wrestling industry with the passing of Kevin Sullivan, Dennis Brent and Afa.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) August 16, 2024
This powerful duo won the WWF Tag Team Championship three times. Anoa'i was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame alongside his brother in 2007. The pair were inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012. They then competed in Stampede Wrestling and in numerous NWA territories.
Anoa'i has competed in several matches since retiring, with his last one coming in 2014. The wrestling champion opened a training facility with Sika and is credited with helping train legendary wrestlers Hulk Hogan, Roman Reigns and The Usos.
“I love you, Dad. This is not goodbye because you are not losing me. This is just the end of your life on earth. I will always love you,” his daughter wrote in a statement.
“You will be forever remembered, honoured, missed and respected. You are the strongest man I have ever known. The three count comes for all of us eventually and you fought to the end.” (RELATED: WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa'i passes away at age 79)
Anoa'i is survived by his wife, Lynn, and seven children.
