Afa Amituanaʻi “Arthur” Anoa’i (1942-2024) Find a Grave Memorial
Afa Amituanaʻi “Arthur” Anoa’i (1942-2024) Find a Grave Memorial, Afa Anoaʻi Samoan-American professional wrestler dies at 81, Find a Grave Afa Anoaʻi, Afa Anoaʻi Death and Burial Details, Famous Memorial.
Afa Amituanaʻi “Arthur” Anoa’i
| Birth Name | Gataivasā Afa Amituanaʻi Anoaʻi |
|---|---|
| Birth | 21 November 1942, Western Samoa Trust Territory |
| Death | 16 August 2024 (aged 81) |
| Cause of Death | Experienced two heart attacks while battling pneumonia in January. |
| Spouse | Lynn Anoaʻi (Married 1960) |
| Children | Afa Anoa’i Jr., Samu, Lloyd Anoa’i, Vale Anoai, Monica Anoa’i, Bernadette Anoa’i-Shroyer, Komiti Trotter Anoa’i |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 326 lb (148 kg) |
| Debut | 1971 |
| Retired | 1995 |
| Nationality | American |
| Burial |
Bayview Memorial Park
Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida, United States
|
He was a Samoan-American professional wrestler and manager. He is best known for performing with his brother Sika as The Wild Samoans. After retiring from professional wrestling in 1995, he operated the World Xtreme Wrestling promotion and trained wrestlers at the Wild Samoan Training Center in Minneola, Florida.
Afa Amituanaʻi “Arthur” Anoa’i Life, Career and Death
Anoaʻi was born on an island in the Western Samoa Trust Territory, administered by the Dominion of New Zealand. His family relocated to San Francisco, California, when he was young. At 17, Anoaʻi enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
Professional Wrestling Career
Upon leaving the Marine Corps, Anoaʻi trained as a wrestler under relatives Rocky Johnson (cousin) and Peter Maivia (uncle), with additional training from Kurt Von Steiger. His first match was in 1971 in Phoenix, Arizona. He trained his brother Sika, and they formed the tag team known as The Wild Samoans.
Throughout the 1970s, The Wild Samoans wrestled for the Canadian Stampede Wrestling promotion, receiving further training from Stu Hart, and for various National Wrestling Alliance affiliates. In 1978, they traveled to Japan to wrestle for International Wrestling Enterprise, winning the IWA World Tag Team Championship.
World Wrestling Federation
In 1979, The Wild Samoans joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), managed by Lou Albano and known as “Albano’s Wildmen.” They won the WWF World Tag Team Championship and challenged Bob Backlund for the WWF Heavyweight Championship several times. They left the promotion in 1980.
The team then wrestled in Mid-South Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions before returning to the WWF in 1983, regaining the WWF World Tag Team Championship. After Sika suffered an injury, the team was supplemented by Afa’s son Samu, with the trio remaining in the WWF until 1984. Anoaʻi left the WWF in mid-1984 after missing work to attend the birth of his son.
Anoaʻi returned to the WWF in 1992 as the manager and occasional tag partner of The Headshrinkers (Samu and Anoaʻi’s nephew, Fatu). He wrestled his final match on May 22, 1994, at the Rosemont Horizon. After Samu left WWF, Anoaʻi managed Sionne and departed the WWF in mid-1995.
Post-WWF Career
After leaving the WWF, he began training wrestlers at the Wild Samoan Training Facility with Sika. On August 15, 1997, he reunited with Sika for one night at IWA Night Of The Legends in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
On March 31, 2007, The Wild Samoans were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Samu and Sika’s son, Matt. Anoaʻi also served as a wrestling trainer for Darren Aronofsky’s 2008 film, The Wrestler.
In 2013 and 2014, Afa came out of retirement to wrestle for his promotion, World Xtreme Wrestling, at age 71. The Wild Samoans appeared at Hell in a Cell in 2020 to celebrate Roman Reigns’ victory.
Afa Amituanaʻi “Arthur” Anoa’i Personal Life
In 1999, Afa and Lynn Anoaʻi started the Usos Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to the Wild Samoans Training Center and aims to steer youth away from drugs, gangs, and poverty.
Afa Anoaʻi Cause of Death
Afa had been recently admitted into hospice care and experienced two heart attacks while battling pneumonia in January.
Afa Anoaʻi Death
On August 15, 2024, a statement was posted by Big Sam Anoa’i about Afa’s health, with Dave Meltzer reporting via X that he had died.
However, Afa’s daughter Vale confirmed that he was still alive, and updates would come from his family. The following day, Samu Anoa’i officially confirmed Afa’s death at age 80, nearly two months after Sika’s passing.
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FAQs About Afa Anoaʻi
Q: What was Gataivasā Afa Amituanaʻi “Arthur” Anoaʻi best known for?
A: He was best known for performing with his brother Sika as The Wild Samoans.
Q: When did Afa Anoaʻi retire from professional wrestling?
A: He retired in 1995.
Q: What was the name of the promotion Afa operated after his retirement?
A: He operated the World Xtreme Wrestling promotion.
Q: Which tag team championship did The Wild Samoans win in Japan?
A: They won the IWA World Tag Team Championship.
Q: When did The Wild Samoans join the World Wrestling Federation (WWF)?
A: They joined in 1979.
Q: Who managed The Wild Samoans during their time in the WWF?
A: They were managed by Lou Albano.
Q: What was the name of Afa Anoaʻi’s son who was also a wrestler?
A: His son’s name is Samu.
Q: When were The Wild Samoans inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame?
A: They were inducted on March 31, 2007.
Q: What non-profit organization did Afa and Lynn Anoaʻi start?
A: They started the Usos Foundation.
Q: When did Afa Anoaʻi pass away?
A: He passed away on August 16, 2024.