One half of the wrestling duo known as the Wild Samoans has died, the WWE or World Wrestling Entertainment announced.
Afa Anoa’i Sr died at the age of 81 just two months after the other half of his team, his brother Sika Anoa’i, died at 79 in June.
Together they won three World Tag Team Championships in the 1980s. They retired in the 90s to open their own training facility and are credited with developing wrestling superstars such as Batista, according to the Bleacher Report. The WWE also credited them for such wrestling talent as champion Yokozuna and former WWE Superstars Rikishi, Tonga Kid, Virgil, Michael P.S. Hayes and Billy Kidman.
The WWE inducted both Anoa’i brothers into its Hall of Fame in 2007.
The family announced the passing on Facebook.
“It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of my father Afa Anoai Sr,” Samu Anoa’i wrote. “It was a peaceful transition and he was surrounded by loved ones. Please respect our privacy as we mourn our father.”
The impact of their achievements has crossed boundaries.
MMA Knockout said the two brothers “left a legacy that won’t be forgotten soon.” It credited the two for inspiring a long line of wrestlers from Samoa.
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