Afa Anoa'i

Professional wrestling career Early career (1971–1979)

Upon leaving the Marine Corps, Anoaʻi began training as a wrestler under his uncle Peter Maivia and cousin-in-law Rocky Johnson.

Throughout the 1970s, The Wild Samoans wrestled for the Canadian Stampede Wrestling promotion (where they received further training from Stu Hart) and for numerous National Wrestling Alliance affiliates. In 1978, The Wild Samoans traveled to Japan to wrestle for International Wrestling Enterprise, winning the IWA World Tag Team Championship.

World Wrestling Federation (1979–1995) In 1979, The Wild Samoans joined the World Wrestling Federation, where they were managed by Lou Albano and referred to as "Albano's Wildmen". The "wild" nature of the brothers was conveyed through their unorthodox behavior (which included communicating only in unintelligible grunts and consuming unprepared raw fish, during interviews and while approaching the wrestling ring). While in the WWF, The Wild Samoans won the WWF World Tag Team Championship. Both members also challenged Bob Backlund for the WWF Heavyweight Championship on several occasions. They left the promotion in 1980.

Anoaʻi returned to the WWF for a third time in 1992, as the manager and occasional tag partner of The Headshrinkers (Samu and Anoai's nephew, Fatu). He wrestled his final match on May 22, 1994, teaming with The Headshrinkers to defeat The Quebecers and Johnny Polo at the Rosemont Horizon. Anoaʻi left the WWF in mid-1995.

Training and semi-retirement (1995–2024) After leaving the WWF, he began training wrestlers at his Wild Samoan Training Facility, along with Sika.

On March 31, 2007, the Wild Samoans were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Samu and Sika's son, Matt.

In 2013 and 2014, Afa came out of retirement to wrestle for his promotion World Xtreme Wrestling at age 71.

Usos Foundation In 1999, Afa and his wife Lynn started the Usos Foundation, a non-profit organization aiming to turn youth away from drugs, gangs, and poverty by providing scholarships to the Wild Samoans Training Center.

Personal life Anoa'i was married to Lynn Maluta. His sons Afa Jr, Lloyd, and Samuel were professional wrestlers. Anoa'i held the matai title of Gataivasā.

Championships and accomplishments Big Time Wrestling NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (2 times) – with Sika Continental Wrestling Association AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Sika Georgia Championship Wrestling NWA National Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Sika Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Sika International Wrestling Enterprise IWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Sika Mid-South Wrestling Association Mid-South Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Sika NWA All-Star Wrestling NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (1 time) – with Sika NWA Mid-America NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (1 time) – with Sika Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2012 – Inducted as a member of the Wild Samoans Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI ranked him # 346 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003 PWI ranked him # 93 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Sika in 2003 Southeastern Championship Wrestling NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Southern Division) (2 times) – with Sika Stampede Wrestling Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Sika World Wrestling Entertainment / World Wrestling Federation WWF Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Sika WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2007) The Official Wrestling Museum The Official Wrestling Museum Hall Of Fame (2025)

Acting career Body Slam (1987) Miami Vice (1987) in the episode "By Hooker by Crook" as "Henchman #2" Mr. Nanny (1993)