Late Wednesday night on X, Roman Reigns shared a heartfelt message expressing gratitude for the support his family received following the death of his father, WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i, whose passing was reported earlier in the day.
Reigns, whose real name is Leati Joseph Anoa’i, issued a poignant statement acknowledging his father’s influence and the significant loss his passing leaves.
He wrote:
“My family and I thank everyone for the outpouring of support in the name of my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’i, who will forever be remembered as one half of The Wild Samoans tag team. My father had a profound impact on my entire family and we are forever grateful for the foundation he built for us. There’s no way to fill the void left by his passing but my sisters and I will do our best to represent him and his legacy.
Rest in Power, Dad. We love you.”
Sika Anoa’i, known to fans as one half of the legendary tag team The Wild Samoans, left an indelible mark on professional wrestling. Alongside his brother Afa, Sika dominated the tag team division in the 1970s and 1980s, earning a place in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.
As a patriarch of the Anoa’i wrestling family, Sika laid the groundwork for future generations of wrestlers, including his sons Roman Reigns and Rosey (Matthew Anoa’i), and many other relatives. His influence is evident in the careers of wrestlers like The Rock, Rikishi, and the Usos, solidifying the Anoa’i family as one of wrestling’s most storied dynasties.
In the wake of Sika’s passing, the wrestling community has rallied around Reigns and his family, offering condolences and sharing memories of Sika’s impactful career. Fans, fellow wrestlers, and industry insiders have taken to social media to pay tribute to Sika, celebrating his contributions to professional wrestling and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.
Natalya Neidhart, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Jim Neidhart, said on X, “My dad always spoke so highly of Sika and Afa and my grandfather had so much respect for The Wild Samoans when they wrestled in Stampede Wrestling. Sika was a legend and a pioneer in our industry in so many ways.”
As Roman Reigns honours his father’s memory, the wrestling world joins him in mourning a true legend.
Rest in Power, Sika Anoa’i. Your contributions to professional wrestling and your enduring legacy will never be forgotten.