WWE official credits Roman Reigns' father Sika for legendary act after his passing
The WWE Universe is paying tribute to Sika Anoa'i tonight. Better known as one-half of The Wild Samoans with brother Afa, the father of Roman Reigns and Rosey passed away peacefully earlier today at the age of 79. Tributes to Sika are coming in from around the world of professional wrestling, including one story on how the Samoan legend is credited for another legendary faction. This was from WWE Hall of Famer Michael Hayes.
The Wild Samoan #2 made his wrestling debut in 1973. Sika and Afa earned several championship reigns in various promotions, in multiple countries. The three-time WWE World Tag Team Champions joined the company in 1979, with Captain Lou Albano as their manager. They went to Mid-South Wrestling in 1981, then had a brief run in Georgia Championship Wrestling. Before returning to World Wrestling Entertainment in 1982, Sika and Afa defeated The Fabulous Freebirds in GCW to capture the NWA National Tag Team Championship. The Freebirds were represented by Michael "P.S." Hayes and Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy that night.
The former Dok Hendrix took to X tonight to pay tribute to Sika. WWE's Vice President of Creative Writing & Booking also works as a Senior Producer for the company, and often books matches and segments for Reigns and The Bloodline. Hayes declared that The Fabulous Freebirds existed because of The Wild Samoans. The 65-year-old said Sika was like an older brother to him.
"Words can not express my feelings on the passing of Sika. If not for Sika, and Afa, there would be no Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, Fabulous Freebirds, period. Sika was as always like an older brother to me. Prayers to Afa, Joe and the entire family. Now Sika rests with God. [folded hands emoji x 2]," Michael Hayes wrote.
WWE inducted The Freebirds (Hayes, Gordy, Buddy Roberts, Jimmy Garvin) into the 2016 Hall of Fame Class, while The Wild Samoans were inducted in the Class of 2007. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted Hayes, Gordy, and Roberts in 2015, while Afa and Sika were inducted in 2012.
Roman Reigns on advice from his WWE Hall of Famer father
Roman Reigns is recognised as The Tribal Chief of The Bloodline. However, long before Roman signed a WWE developmental deal in 2010, his father Sika teamed with uncle Afa as The Wild Samoans.
The Wild Samoans and the rest of The Anoa'i Family have dominated pro wrestling for decades. Reigns recently revealed important advice from his father. While speaking to A&E for his own Biography documentary, Roman recalled Sika telling him the most important thing about the business.
"From the very beginning, my dad always taught me that when you come around this ring, it's only about money. It's only about drawing money," Roman Reigns said.
Sika and Afa held the WWE World Tag Team Championship on three occasions. They held the WWC World Tag Team Championship in Puerto Rico once, and the Stampede International Tag Team Championship in Canada twice. The duo held tag team gold 14 more times in various companies and territories such as Mid-South Wrestling and the NWA.