Afa Anoa'i Passes Away

Afa Anoa'i - one-half of the legendary Wild Samoans tag team - has passed away at the age of 81.

Samu Anoa'i announced his father's passing on Facebook, writing: "It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of my father Afa Anoai Sr. It was a peaceful transition and he was surrounded by loved ones. Please respect our privacy as we morn our father."

Afa began his professional wrestling career in the early 1970s, following in the footsteps of other members of his family in Rocky Johnson and "High Chief" Peter Maivia. He formed The Wild Samoans with his brother Sika and they wrestled in Stampede Wrestling and across the NWA territories until arriving in WWE (then-WWF) in 1979. The tag team left in 1980 but returned to WWE in 1983 for another short run. After leaving again in 1984, Afa joined WWE for a third time in 1992 to manage The Headshrinkers, again leaving in 1995.

Across their career in WWE and the NWA, The Wild Samoans became three-time WWE World Tag Team Champions and two-time Stampede Wrestling Tag Team Champions, among many other accolades. The Wild Samoans were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2007.

Afa's brother and tag team partner Sika passed away earlier this year in June.

We here at Cultaholic extend our condolences to the friends and family of Afa Anoa’i.