Sika Anoa'i
Encyclopedia
Leati "Sika" Anoa'i is a former professional wrestler
and a member of the Anoa'i family
.
to form the tag team the Wild Samoans
. They teamed in various promotions including WWF
and Mid-South. In 1979, they signed with the World Wrestling Federation
(now World Wrestling Entertainment). Along with Afa, Sika held the WWF Tag Team Championship on three occasions. They won their first title in the WWF by defeating the team of Ivan Putski
and Tito Santana
on April 12, 1980. The Wild Samoans held the belts for almost four months before losing them to Bob Backlund
and Pedro Morales
on August 9. The title was vacated the following day, however, because Backlund already held the WWF Championship
and could not defend both titles. A tournament was held to select the new champions, and The Wild Samoans defeated Tony Garea
and Rene Goulet
to regain the belts.
After losing the title to Garea and Rick Martel
, the Wild Samoans left the WWF to compete in Bill Watts
' Mid-South Wrestling. They won the tag team championship three times before leaving the promotion to wrestle in the National Wrestling Alliance
's Mid-Atlantic territory. While there, the Wild Samoans defeated the Fabulous Freebirds
to win the NWA National Tag Team Championship
. Sika and Afa soon left the promotion and vacated the championship.
Following their stint in the NWA, the Wild Samoans returned to the WWF. They won their third and final WWF Tag Team Championship on March 8, 1983 by defeating Jules Strongbow
and Chief Jay Strongbow
. Four days later, Sika sustained an injury during a match. As a result, he was forced to take time off while his nephew Samula Anoa'i
helped defend the title in his place. After Afa left the WWF, Sika teamed with Kamala and was managed by King Curtis Iaukea
until Mr. Fuji
took over management of the team. Sika also headlined the October 3, 1987 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event against Hulk Hogan
. On March 27, 1988 Sika was a part of the battle royal at WrestleMania IV
, but he did not win.
Anoa'i also appeared alongside Roddy Piper
and other WWF wrestlers in the 1987 film Body Slam
. In 1988, Sika teamed up with another relative, Kokina (better known as Yokozuna
). The pair wrestled as a tag team in Continental Wrestling Federation
and were managed by Alan Martin.
On the March 23, 2007 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, it was announced that Afa and Sika would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
as part of the Class of 2007. On March 31, 2007, the Wild Samoans were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Afa's son, Samu
, and Sika's son, Matt
.
Sika and Afa now run The Wild Samoan Training Center, a wrestling school that has produced such alumni as Umaga
and Batista, Rikishi, Billy Kidman, Chris Kanyon
... In March 2002, Sika suffered head and facial injuries when a beer truck hit his car near Pensacola, Florida
.
In 1999, Sika started up an independent wrestling promotion in Pensacola, Fl called XW 2000, along with its co-founders and therefore original members, Matt Anoai (aka Roz), Steve Savage, The Great Samu, Maxwel E Payne, Chief Iron Nipple Eddie Pitman, Rick Lamb (with Manager Mike 'Romeo' Flynn), Chris Cody, Deuce Mason among a plethora of young talent to help those in need through Fund Raising events. From 1999 until 2008, the promotion had a successful run, along with former WWE talents such as Rikishi, Luna Vachon, Gangrel, The Island Boyz Ekmo (aka Umaga) and Kimo (aka Rosey/Roz), Grandmaster Sexay, Heidenrich, Black Pearl and Dr.Shizitz. It also had a few up and coming stars such as B.A.D, Heavy B, Wendy G (formerly known as A-Man ), D Ray 3000 (formerly known as Kid Crisis), Steve Fury, James Ryker, Cameron Frost, Billy Rayz, Scotty Rayz, Sirus LaVaye ( aka Mister Omega ), DJ Pringle, and "Snow Plow" Jerry Reiner just to name a few... Now in 2010 XW 2000 is running Shows once again, under the same family-oriented show format, for Fund Raising Events to our War Veterans and help the Community in general across the Florida Panhandle.
. Eventually, he followed Afa's lead and began wrestling professionally.
Sika has two sons, Matt
and Joe
. Matt is a professional wrestler, who briefly wrestled in WWE under the name "Rosey". He currently works out of All Japan Pro Wrestling
. Joe played college football for Georgia Tech
from 2003-2006.
Joe has also followed the family legacy and entered the squared circle working for WWE's developmental territory under the name Roman Leakee.
He and his brother Afa are related to heavyweight boxer David Tua
and Wrestling Great Tiny Tiswell of APW.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
and a member of the Anoa'i family
Anoa'i family
The Anoa'i family, originating from American Samoa, is a family of professional wrestlers. Family members have comprised several tag teams and stables within a variety of promotions.-Family members:...
.
Career
Sika teamed with his brother AfaAfa Anoa'i
Arthur "Afa" Anoa'i, Sr. is a Samoan American retired professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager. Since retiring in the 1990s, he has operated the World Xtreme Wrestling promotion and trained wrestlers at the Wild Samoan Training Facility.-Early life:Anoa'i was born in Samoa, but...
to form the tag team the Wild Samoans
Wild Samoans
The Wild Samoans was the professional wrestling tag team of Afa and Sika in Mid-South Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance and the World Wrestling Federation . The Samoans held 21 tag team championships around the world.-Gimmick:...
. They teamed in various promotions including WWF
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
and Mid-South. In 1979, they signed with the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(now World Wrestling Entertainment). Along with Afa, Sika held the WWF Tag Team Championship on three occasions. They won their first title in the WWF by defeating the team of Ivan Putski
Ivan Putski
Józef Bednarski , is a Polish former professional wrestler and bodybuilder. He is known by the ring name Ivan Putski and was given the nicknames "The Polish Hammer" and "Polish Power"....
and Tito Santana
Tito Santana
Merced Solis better known by his ring name Tito Santana, is an American professional wrestler whose heyday spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, though he continues to appear on the independent circuit. He is best known from his time in the World Wrestling Federation...
on April 12, 1980. The Wild Samoans held the belts for almost four months before losing them to Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund
Robert Lee "Bob" Backlund is an American professional wrestler with an in ring career that spanned over 30 years. Over that time, he went on to become a two-time WWWF/WWF Champion...
and Pedro Morales
Pedro Morales
Pedro Morales is a retired Puerto Rican professional wrestler. He began his wrestling career as a teenager in 1959 and continued through to the late 1980s...
on August 9. The title was vacated the following day, however, because Backlund already held the WWF Championship
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
and could not defend both titles. A tournament was held to select the new champions, and The Wild Samoans defeated Tony Garea
Anthony Garcia
Anthony "Tony" Garcia is a retired New Zealand professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Tony Garea, who wrestled for the National Wrestling Alliance and the World Wrestling Federation , spending thirty-two of his thirty-five year career in the promotion...
and Rene Goulet
Robert Bedard
Robert Bédard is a retired professional wrestler better known as the #1 Frenchman Rene Goulet. He began his career in Quebec City, QC in 1957 with his first match being against Gerard Dugas....
to regain the belts.
After losing the title to Garea and Rick Martel
Rick Martel
Richard Vigneault is a retired Canadian professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation between 1980 and 1995 under the ring name Rick Martel...
, the Wild Samoans left the WWF to compete in Bill Watts
Bill Watts
William F. "Bill" Watts is a former American professional wrestler and promoter. Watts was famous under his "Cowboy" gimmick in his wrestling career, and then as a tough, no-nonsense promoter in the Mid-South area of the United States, which grew to become the UWF.In 1992, he was the Executive...
' Mid-South Wrestling. They won the tag team championship three times before leaving the promotion to wrestle in the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
's Mid-Atlantic territory. While there, the Wild Samoans defeated the Fabulous Freebirds
Fabulous Freebirds
The Fabulous Freebirds were a professional wrestling tag team that attained fame in the 1980s, performing into the 1990s. The team usually consisted of three wrestlers, although in different situations and points in its history, just two performed under the Freebirds name.-History:The Fabulous...
to win the NWA National Tag Team Championship
NWA National Tag Team Championship
The NWA National Tag Team Championship was the major tag team title in the NWA-affiliated Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1980 until 1986.The championship was introduced in November 1980 when Georgia Tag Team Champions the Fabulous Freebirds won a tournament to determine the first champions,...
. Sika and Afa soon left the promotion and vacated the championship.
Following their stint in the NWA, the Wild Samoans returned to the WWF. They won their third and final WWF Tag Team Championship on March 8, 1983 by defeating Jules Strongbow
Jules strongbow
Frank Hill is a former professional wrestler, who is best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Federation , where he used to wrestle as Chief Jules Strongbow or simply Jules Strongbow, the brother of Chief Jay Strongbow.-World Wrestling Federation :Jules made his wrestling debut in the 1970s...
and Chief Jay Strongbow
Joe Scarpa
Joseph Luke Scarpa is a former professional wrestler who was best known by his famous ring moniker, Chief Jay Strongbow...
. Four days later, Sika sustained an injury during a match. As a result, he was forced to take time off while his nephew Samula Anoa'i
Samula Anoa'i
Samula Anoa'i is a professional wrestler best known as one half of The Headshrinkers/Samoan Swat Team under the name Samu. His father is Afa Anoa'i who trained Samula for his professional wrestling debut....
helped defend the title in his place. After Afa left the WWF, Sika teamed with Kamala and was managed by King Curtis Iaukea
King Curtis Iaukea
Curtis Piehau Iaukea, III was a professional wrestler better known as King Curtis Iaukea. Iaukea won championships in several of the major regional US promotions, both as a single and in various tag team combinations, during the 1960s. He then competed in the World Wrestling Federation where he...
until Mr. Fuji
Harry Fujiwara
Harry Fujiwara is an American former professional wrestler and manager, best known by his ring name Mr. Fuji. He was infamous for often throwing salt in the eyes of face wrestlers...
took over management of the team. Sika also headlined the October 3, 1987 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event against Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
. On March 27, 1988 Sika was a part of the battle royal at WrestleMania IV
WrestleMania IV
WrestleMania IV was the fourth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on March 27, 1988 at the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey....
, but he did not win.
Anoa'i also appeared alongside Roddy Piper
Roddy Piper
Roderick George Toombs , better known by his ring name "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, is a Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler and film actor who is currently signed to WWE. In professional wrestling, he is best known for his work with WWE...
and other WWF wrestlers in the 1987 film Body Slam
Body Slam (film)
Body Slam is a 1987 American comedy film directed by Hal Needham, starring Dirk Benedict, Roddy Piper, Tanya Roberts, Sam Fatu and Captain Lou Albano. The film revolves around a down-and-out music promoter who inadvertently becomes a successful professional wrestling manager...
. In 1988, Sika teamed up with another relative, Kokina (better known as Yokozuna
Rodney Anoa'i
Rodney Agatupu Anoa'i was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation where he wrestled under the ring name Yokozuna. The term yokozuna refers to the highest rank in professional sumo wrestling in Japan...
). The pair wrestled as a tag team in Continental Wrestling Federation
Continental Championship Wrestling
Continental Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion based out of Knoxville, Tennessee from 1974 until 1988 and Dothan, Alabama from 1978 to 1990, managed by Ron Fuller. When Fuller sold the promotion to David Woods, it changed name to the Continental Wrestling Federation...
and were managed by Alan Martin.
On the March 23, 2007 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, it was announced that Afa and Sika would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
WWE Hall of Fame
The WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the February 1, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw television program...
as part of the Class of 2007. On March 31, 2007, the Wild Samoans were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Afa's son, Samu
Samula Anoa'i
Samula Anoa'i is a professional wrestler best known as one half of The Headshrinkers/Samoan Swat Team under the name Samu. His father is Afa Anoa'i who trained Samula for his professional wrestling debut....
, and Sika's son, Matt
Matt Anoa'i
Matthew "Matt" Anoa'i is a professional wrestler, best known for his time on the independent circuit under numerous ring names, and his time in World Wrestling Entertainment , where he competed as Rosey....
.
Sika and Afa now run The Wild Samoan Training Center, a wrestling school that has produced such alumni as Umaga
Eddie Fatu
Edward Smith "Eki" Fatu was a Samoan-American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Umaga...
and Batista, Rikishi, Billy Kidman, Chris Kanyon
Chris Kanyon
Christopher Klucsarits was an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, under the ring names Chris Kanyon and Mortis.-Early career:After college, he began training under Pete McKay Gonzalez, Ismael Gerena and Bobby...
... In March 2002, Sika suffered head and facial injuries when a beer truck hit his car near Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
.
In 1999, Sika started up an independent wrestling promotion in Pensacola, Fl called XW 2000, along with its co-founders and therefore original members, Matt Anoai (aka Roz), Steve Savage, The Great Samu, Maxwel E Payne, Chief Iron Nipple Eddie Pitman, Rick Lamb (with Manager Mike 'Romeo' Flynn), Chris Cody, Deuce Mason among a plethora of young talent to help those in need through Fund Raising events. From 1999 until 2008, the promotion had a successful run, along with former WWE talents such as Rikishi, Luna Vachon, Gangrel, The Island Boyz Ekmo (aka Umaga) and Kimo (aka Rosey/Roz), Grandmaster Sexay, Heidenrich, Black Pearl and Dr.Shizitz. It also had a few up and coming stars such as B.A.D, Heavy B, Wendy G (formerly known as A-Man ), D Ray 3000 (formerly known as Kid Crisis), Steve Fury, James Ryker, Cameron Frost, Billy Rayz, Scotty Rayz, Sirus LaVaye ( aka Mister Omega ), DJ Pringle, and "Snow Plow" Jerry Reiner just to name a few... Now in 2010 XW 2000 is running Shows once again, under the same family-oriented show format, for Fund Raising Events to our War Veterans and help the Community in general across the Florida Panhandle.
Personal life
One of 4 children, Sika moved to the United States when he was 14. His father was a pastor and was transferred to San Francisco. To help feed his family, Sika joined the Merchant MarineUnited States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
. Eventually, he followed Afa's lead and began wrestling professionally.
Sika has two sons, Matt
Matt Anoa'i
Matthew "Matt" Anoa'i is a professional wrestler, best known for his time on the independent circuit under numerous ring names, and his time in World Wrestling Entertainment , where he competed as Rosey....
and Joe
Joe Anoa'i
Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoa'i is a professional wrestler and former Canadian football defensive tackle. He is signed to WWE and wrestles in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling under the ring name Leakee....
. Matt is a professional wrestler, who briefly wrestled in WWE under the name "Rosey". He currently works out of All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
. Joe played college football for Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets is the name used for all of the intercollegiate athletic teams that play for the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. The teams have also been nicknamed the Ramblin' Wreck, Engineers, Blacksmiths, and Golden Tornado. There are 8 men's and 7 women's teams that...
from 2003-2006.
Joe has also followed the family legacy and entered the squared circle working for WWE's developmental territory under the name Roman Leakee.
He and his brother Afa are related to heavyweight boxer David Tua
David Tua
David "Tuamanator" Tua is a New Zealand professional heavyweight boxer, fighting out of South Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.He is a former WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental Heavyweight champion....
and Wrestling Great Tiny Tiswell of APW.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Samoan drop
- Stomach vice
- Signature moves
- Headbutt
- Multiple suplexSuplexA suplex is an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling . The move consists of one wrestler picking up his or her opponent off the ground and then using a large portion of his or her own body weight to drive the opponent down on the mat. Nearly all suplexes have the attacker going down...
variations- German
- Snap
- Super
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- General Skandor Akbar
- Lou AlbanoLou AlbanoLouis Vincent "Captain Lou" Albano was an Italian-American professional wrestler, manager and actor. He was active as a professional wrestler from 1953 until 1969, then he became a manager, until 1995....
- Ole AndersonOle AndersonAlan Robert Rogowski , better known by his ring name of Ole Anderson, is a retired professional wrestler and a promoter. He held numerous NWA World Tag Team Championships with Gene Anderson, who was portrayed as his brother...
- Brother Ernest Angel
- Abdullah Farouk, Jr.
- Mr. FujiHarry FujiwaraHarry Fujiwara is an American former professional wrestler and manager, best known by his ring name Mr. Fuji. He was infamous for often throwing salt in the eyes of face wrestlers...
- Ben Flaherty
- King Curtis IaukeaKing Curtis IaukeaCurtis Piehau Iaukea, III was a professional wrestler better known as King Curtis Iaukea. Iaukea won championships in several of the major regional US promotions, both as a single and in various tag team combinations, during the 1960s. He then competed in the World Wrestling Federation where he...
- Ernie LaddErnie LaddErnest "Ernie" Ladd , nicknamed "The Big Cat" was an American collegiate and professional football player and a professional wrestler.-Pro Football career:...
- Alan Martin
- Saul Weingeroff
- Harvey Wippleman
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley ClubCauliflower Alley ClubThe Cauliflower Alley Club is a non-profit fraternal organization, which includes a newsletter and website, comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America....
- Other honoree (1997)
- Continental Wrestling AssociationContinental Wrestling AssociationThe Continental Wrestling Association was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. The CWA was the name of the "governing body" for the Championship Wrestling, Inc. promotion which was usually referred to as Mid-Southern Wrestling...
- AWA Southern Tag Team ChampionshipAWA Southern Tag Team ChampionshipThe AWA Southern Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team title in the Tennessee area from the 1940s through the late 1980s. It was originally named the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship from its inception through 1977, when it was renamed the AWA Southern...
(1 time) - with Afa
- Georgia Championship WrestlingGeorgia Championship WrestlingGeorgia Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta, U.S., superstation WTBS. Though based in Atlanta, the company also ran live wrestling shows throughout its geographic "territory" of Georgia Georgia...
- NWA National Tag Team ChampionshipNWA National Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA National Tag Team Championship was the major tag team title in the NWA-affiliated Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1980 until 1986.The championship was introduced in November 1980 when Georgia Tag Team Champions the Fabulous Freebirds won a tournament to determine the first champions,...
(1 time) - with Afa
- Gulf Coast Championship WrestlingContinental Championship WrestlingContinental Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion based out of Knoxville, Tennessee from 1974 until 1988 and Dothan, Alabama from 1978 to 1990, managed by Ron Fuller. When Fuller sold the promotion to David Woods, it changed name to the Continental Wrestling Federation...
- NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Afa
- International Wrestling Alliance
- IWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Afa
- Mid-South Wrestling Association
- Mid-South Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Afa
- NWA All-Star Wrestling
- NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)The Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship was established in 1962 as the top tag team title in NWA All-Star Wrestling. The title held that status until late summer 1985, when the title was renamed the UWA Tag Team Championship upon All-Star Wrestling's departure as a member of...
(1 time) - with Afa
- NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)
- NWA DetroitNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA Detroit World Tag Team ChampionshipNWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version)The Detroit, Michigan version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1964 until 1980, when the Detroit promotion closed.-Title history:...
(2 times) - with Afa
- NWA Detroit World Tag Team Championship
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him # 462 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
- PWI ranked him # 93 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Afa in 2003.
- Stampede WrestlingStampede WrestlingStampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
- Stampede International Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Afa
- World Wrestling FederationWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
- WWE Hall of FameWWE Hall of FameThe WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the February 1, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw television program...
(Class of 2007)
- WWE Hall of Fame
- WWF World Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Afa