WWE HOFer Sika Anoa'i Dead at 79

Leati "Sika" Anoa'i (April 5, 1945 – June 25, 2024) was a Samoan American professional wrestler. He gained fame as one-half of the legendary tag team The Wild Samoans, alongside his brother Afa.

Sika was born in the village of Leone on the island of Tutuila in American Samoa. He was one of thirteen children born to Amituana and Tovale Anoa'i. In 1959, at the age of 14, Sika moved with his family to San Francisco, California. Shortly after the move, he enlisted in the United States Merchant Marine, working on ships sailing to the Philippines and Japan.

Sika began his wrestling career in 1973, trained by his brother Afa and Kurt Von Steiger. He adopted the ring name "Sika." Alongside Afa, Sika formed the iconic tag team known as The Wild Samoans. They gained notoriety for their wild afros, sarongs, and unique wrestling style (including wrestling barefoot and eating raw fish in the ring). The Wild Samoans competed in various promotions, including Big Time Wrestling, Continental Wrestling Association, Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling, NWA All-Star Wrestling, NWA Mid-America, Stampede Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Council. They won multiple tag team championships during the 1970s.

In January 1980, The Wild Samoans debuted in the WWF with Lou Albano as their manager. They quickly became a dominant force in the tag team division, winning the WWF World Tag Team Championship. Sika and Afa were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012. Sika was a proud member of the Anoa'i family, which includes other wrestling legends. He was also the father of professional wrestlers Rosey and Roman Reigns.