"He was a huge inspiration on my career" - WWE Hall of Famer pays tribue to Sika after his passing
WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray (Bubba Ray Dudley) has paid tribute to wrestling legend Sika Anoa'i, who passed away this week. He revealed that the latter was a big inspiration in his career.
The Wild Samoan member passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79. He was a three-time WWF/E World Tag Team Champion and was inducted into the company's Hall of Fame in 2007 alongside his brother Afa. They appeared at Hell in a Cell 2020 after Sika's son Roman Reigns' Universal Championship match against Jimmy Uso.
During an episode of Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray paid tribute to the late Hall of Famer and stated that the latter was a huge inspiration in his career.
"We always try to celebrate life here," Ray said. "Sika led a long life, he was 79 years old. He was a huge inspiration on my career, especially when I first saw wrestling."
Bully Ray also recalled Roman Reigns being embraced by his father and uncle at WWE Hell in a Cell.
"What a proud moment that must have been for him," said Ray. "Knowing that at the inception of Roman's run when he became the Head of the Table, when this all began, that he was able to be on stage with his son." [H/T Wrestling INC.]
WWE veteran Bully Ray on what Sika represented to The Bloodline as a member of the family
Roman Reigns started calling himself the Tribal Chief and the Head of the Table after he returned to WWE in 2020. He earned the right to do so, as his father and uncle acknowledged him with the ulafala at Hell in a Cell that year.
Bully Ray spoke about the ongoing Bloodline storyline and what the Wild Samoan member represented to the family.
"It's definitely sad because when you look at what's going on right now in the WWE with the entire Bloodline story and what Afa and Sika represent to the family," said Ray.
Last week on SmackDown, Jacob Fatu, another member of the Anoa'i family, was introduced as the newest member of The Bloodline. It remains to be seen when Roman Reigns will return to TV.