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Duggan, upon seeing Yokozuna, immediately charged at him and knocked him off his feet again; late in the match, after Bam Bam Bigelow distracted Duggan, Michaels attacked the challenger from behind and threw him out of the ring to where Yokozuna was standing. In 1992, Anoai was contacted by Vince McMahon of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and offered a roster spot along with The Samoans (Fatu and Samoan Savage). [2][37] Their second reign was shorter, as the Smoking Gunns defeated them that night for the belts. The Yokozuna Memorial Show was held in Allentown, Pennsylvania in November 2001, shortly after the first anniversary of his death. 3 Minute Warning: Rosey (left) with tag partner Jamal. He then moved to Mexico, where he continued learning, participating in a few wrestling games. To celebrate, he held a "Bodyslam Competition" aboard the USSIntrepid, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, on Independence Day. Yokozuna was married to Monica Anoai and had two kids: a daughter Keilani Anoai, and a son Justin Anoai. Awards. Snuka's son Jimmy Snuka Jr. wrestled for WWE as Deuce and his daughter Taimane also wrestles under the ring name Tamina. And what legacy did he leave behind? [2][40] Although Cornette had tried to make peace between him and new acquisition Vader, many observers felt Yokozuna was being relegated. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. [2], The next night on Raw, Yokozuna faced then WWF Champion Shawn Michaels for the title, teasing turning heel again. Anoa'i, of Philadelphia . 1 [] * CFL statistics only. Yokozunas height was an advantage in most matches, wrestling against smaller players. Afa and Sika (The Wild Samoans, siblings) are two patriarchs with their bloodlines including Yoko, Rikishi/Fatu and Samu (Headshrinkers/Samoan Swat Team, cousins), Umaga, The Usos, Roman Reigns - this is just in WWE, there are others like Lance Anoa'i on the independent circuit. The Rock main-event the most-bought PPV worldwide in WWE history (WrestleMania XXVIII), the most bought PPV domestically in WWE history (WrestleMania X-Seven), the highest-rated Raw and SmackDown in history and was also a part of the highest-rated segment in WWE history. Samoan Gangstas feuded with each other after their splitting until Smalls left WXW and began wrestling as Kimo. At first, officers said that he died of a heart attack, but after post-mortem, they found fluids in his lungs and mentioned the cause of his death as pulmonary edema. Amituana'i considered fellow wrestler Peter Maivia a High Chief of the American Samoa Mlietoa lineage and known in the ring as The High Chief his "blood brother." 54K 2.1M views 2 years ago Before Roman Reigns battles Jey Uso at WWE Clash of Champions, look back at these members of the legendary Anoa'i, like Yokozuna, The Rock and Nia Jax, square off. He had two children, Justin and Keilani. He was best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) where he wrestled under the ring name Yokozuna. Yokozuna was the first Samoan wrestler to become WWF World Heavyweight Champion. [1][2][39], Yokozuna was officially released from the WWF in May 1998, a decision that came directly from Vince McMahon due to his weight issues. The Samoan wrestlers have contributed greatly to the pro wrestling world throughout the decades. Keilani AnoaI belongs to the famous Anoai family, a family of professional wrestlers from American Samoa. The Wild Samoans were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. Mr. Linked to the family by marriage but not actually a blood relative is wrestler "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka. Anoa'i trained as a wrestler under his uncle, Afa Anoa'i, debuting in 2002 as "Reno the Black . We have Reigns now ruining the uppercard and his fat fucking twin relatives destroying the tag team division. He has rightfully earned his spot as one of the great Samoan wrestlers. After a lot of struggle (as well as damaging the Undertaker's "magic" urn), the group managed to shove the Undertaker into the casket, giving the win to Yokozuna. The promoters made a last-minute change and ordered Yokozuna to team with Roberts against Bundy and Neidhart, and Yokozuna's team lost.[1]. The group is led by Roman Reigns, who currently is recognized as the undisputed WWE Universal Champion, as he concurrently holds both the WWE and Universal Championships. Solofa F. Fatu Jr. wrestled under the name Rikishi, which was the Japanese term for a sumo wrestler, similar to his cousins name Yokozuna. Rikishi joined the WWF in 1992 as a part of the tag team The Headshrinkers, along with his cousin Samu (Samula Anoai). He was a two-time world champion. Hollywood stuntman Tanoai Reed (known as Toa on the new American Gladiators) is the great nephew of wrestling promoter Lia Maivia (Peter Maivia's wife),[3][4] while professional wrestler Lina Fanene (Nia Jax) is Dwayne Johnson's second cousin once removed. Uso's are Rikishi's sons. They were both eliminated by double-count-out. As a two-time WWF champion, Yokozuna was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame on March 31, 2012. The Anoa'i family includes the likes of Roman Reigns, The Usos, The Rock, Rikishi, Yokozuna and Umaga, and continues to grow in the wrestling world on a regular basis. 4. The mere presence of The Rock in the arena changed its composure and its aura. Austin attained the victory. Some members of the Dwayne Johnson family have played a major role in the pro wrestling business, especially The Wild Samoans, Yokozuna, The Rock and Roman Reigns. They returned in the summer of 1997 and defeated Siberian Express (The Mad Russian and Russian Eliminator), on September 17 to win their second WXW Tag Team Championship.[11]. Justin Anoai hails from one of the most famous wrestling families, the Anoai family. In one of the matches not broadcast, Yokozuna defeated Vader. What she does for a living is also a mystery. In 2013, they began wrestling at the WWC promotion in Puerto Rico. Boxer David Tua, actor Solo Siaopo are also related to the Anoa'i family. related to Robertta Morales, 57 Lynn Anoai, 37 Sheila Kleckner, 63 Peter nor the Rock have no actual real DNA ties to the Anoa'i family. (Leati Joseph Joe Anoai) has been built up as the face of WWE and despite receiving some initial heat from the WWE Universe at the beginning of his push, he managed to win their favor and has been doing a great job as the Big Dog of the company. Matt Anoa'i was part of the legendary Samoan wrestling dynasty, which includes the likes of Yokozuna and Umaga, both of whom also passed away before age 50. Despite using his big size, Yokozuna lost the match to Michaels. In an Article in Pro Wrestling Illustrated Samoa Joe claims to share a distant ancestor with the Anoa'i Family, but well before Reverend Amituana'i Anoa'i, so he is not a member of the family. In 1992, Keilanis father joined World Wrestling Federation, debuting on September 1, 1992, using the ring name Kokina. [28] At King of the Ring 1994, Yokozuna and Crush failed to win the WWF Tag Team Championship from The Headshrinkers (Samu and Fatu). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anoa'i_family. Family members have comprised several tag teams and stables within a variety of promotions. The Usos are the son of Rikishi and also the first cousins once-removed of Yokozuna. Yokozuna, The Usos, Umaga, and The Rock are some of the family members. The Anoai family (Samoan pronunciation:[a.noa.i] ah-no-AH ee) is a family of professional wrestlers originating from American Samoa. Jax made her NXT debut in May 2015 and joined the main roster in July 2016. The Sons of Samoa are a tag team currently wrestling in the Puerto Rican wrestling promotion World Wrestling Council and WXW. His infamous signature maneuver. When WWE fans saw the shocking debuts of Io Shirai and Dakota Kai at SummerSlam 2022 under the management of Triple H, we thought the women's divisions would be on the rise again. Matthew "Matt" T. Anoa'i was born in San Francisco, CA and grew up in Pensacola, FL. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Every single branch of his family tree is either fat, or lifeless. Keilani Anoai is the daughter of American wrestler Rodney Anoai famously known as Yokozuna, and his wife, Monica Anoai. Matt furthered his education at Mississippi Delta Community College and the . A member of the Dwayne Johnson family, he is the cousin of Yokozuna, Rikishi, Umaga, The Tonga Kid (Sam Fatu) and the first cousin-once-removed to The Usos and The Rock. Her family members still wrestling include The Usos, Roman Reigns, The Rock and Nia Jax. Fatu's first cousin Jey Uso currently presides of The Island of Relevancy sitting . Managed by Mr. Fuji, Yokozuna debuted on the October 31, 1992 edition of Superstars with his then new gimmick of a stereotypical sumo wrestler, who competed under the Japanese flag; though the WWF tactfully acknowledged his Samoan roots. The Usos were his first cousins, while Sika, Afa, and The Wild Samoans were his uncles. Apr 18, 2017 at 1:06 pm ET 1 min read. [39], Yokozuna returned at In Your House 8: Beware of Dog to wrestle Vader. The Yokozuna Memorial Show was held in Allentown, Pennsylvania in November 2001, shortly after the first anniversary of Anoai's death. He was best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he wrestled under the ring name Yokozuna, a reference to the highest rank in professional sumo wrestling in Japan. However, the institutions she attended and whatever she pursued are unknown. Matt Anoa'i, a former WWE tag team champion and member of the famed Anoa'i Samoan wrestling dynasty, died Monday at age 47. Yokozunas cousins, The Usos and Rikishi, inducted him posthumously into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012. [2][21] Yokozuna and Luger continued to feud until Survivor Series, where each chose a team of allies for an elimination match. Afa's Three sons are all wrestlers Samuel (best known as The Great Samu), Afa Jr.(best known as Manu), Lloyd (best known as L.A. Thursday, March 2. The Usos wrestled in WWEs developmental brand FCW in 2009 and then joined the main-roster on May 24, 2010, along with their cousin Tamina Snuka. They have imprinted their footprints on the pro wrestling world, chiefly in WWE and in the various NWA promotions around the world. Hogan seemed to have the match won, but a photographer, planted at ringside among a legitimate Japanese wrestling press group, shot a blast of fire into Hogan's face. He was best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he wrestled under the ring name Yokozuna, a reference to the highest rank in professional sumo wrestling in Japan. Anoa'i family. She showcased her dominance and feuded with the top women wrestlers of the company -. L'quipe de l'tiquette a t cre en 1997 dans la socit appartenant WXW Afa Anoa'i sr. Smooth. He is best known for wrestling for the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Yokozuna. Oui Monsieur-hehe (via pm);46479770 said: Your signature should say 'Pretty big Bryan mark *too*'. )[11] He made his pay-per-view debut at Survivor Series, easily defeating the much smaller Virgil with his huge weight advantage. He is without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest Samoan wrestler of all time. The O.C. Reverend Amituana'i Anoai and Peter Maivia were blood brothers,[1] a connection that continued with Afa and Sika, who regard Peter as their uncle. Dwayne Douglas Johnson a.k.a The Rock is one of the greatest professional wrestlers in the history of the sport. At WrestleMania, Yokozuna, now weighing in at 641lb (291kg), was revealed as his partner, and the team managed to defeat the Gunns and win the WWF Tag Team Championship.