Whether it is the 'People's Champ', or 'The OTC', the Samoans have made a name for themselves in WWE!
The Anoa’i family has a rich history of producing superstar wrestler for a very long time now. The Samoan family members are known for their sheer power and unmatchable intensity in the ring. From Yokozuna, Umaga, and Dwayne Johnson to OTC Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu, the Samoan family is known for its stocky build and massive strength.
The Samoan culture emphasizes family, community collaboration, and respect for elders. The rich Polynesian culture dates back thousands of years. Whether it’s the “People’s Champ” the Rock, or the OTC Roman Reigns, all have made a name for themselves in WWE while taking the entertainment business to new heights.
Here is our list of the top 10 Samoan WWE wrestlers!
‘The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment’ and WWE history, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson doesn’t need an introduction. Dwayne Douglas Johnson was born to Mataniufeagaimaleata “Ata” Fitisemanu, the former wrestler also known as Rocky Johnson. The 6’5″ superstar is a global star in and out of the ring. From Hollywood to the WWE ring, ‘The Brahma Bull’ has turned anything he touched into gold.
Whether it’s his promos or his Rock Bottom, millions and millions of Rock fans never got enough of the People’s Champ. His in-ring antics and off-stage promo made him the superstar he is today. Word would never be enough to praise the aura of “The Great One”.
The eight-time WWE champion was a regular feature during the Attitude Era in WWE. The “Final Boss” is known for his charismatic trash talks. He is a member of the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, which gives him the name “The Final Boss” in WWE.
Roman Reigns, the former Undisputed WWE Champion stunned many superstars with his Superman Punch and Thunderbolt Spear. Born to Sika Anoa’i as Leati Joseph “Joe” Anoa’i, The OTC made his in-ring debut in 2012 alongside Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins as a member of The Shield. Standing 6’3″, Reigns is regarded as one of the best professional wrestlers in the world.
The longest reigning champion since 1988, he held the Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Championship for 1,316 days. He added numerous accolades to his name from the WWE United States Championship to the WWE Intercontinental Championship he has won it all.
Superstar of the Year at the 2014 Slammy Awards, he holds the previous record of 12 eliminations in the Royal Rumble Match and a joint record of 4 eliminations in a Survivor Series Match.
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Rocky Johnson was born as Wayde Douglas Bowles was born to Lillian and James Henry Bowles. He is the father of the Brahma Bull, The Rock. A former boxer, “Soul Man” Rocky Johnson was one of the legends to wrestle inside the squared ring. The G.O.A.T Hall of Famer started his career in sports entertainment in the mid-1960s. The Trailblazer has won numerous accolades during his tenure in NWA and WWE.
Making his debut in 1966, Johnson competed globally before settling for NWA. After winning numerous regional NWA singles and tag team titles, he moved to WWE. He teamed up with Mr. USA and immediately made an impact winning the World Tag Team Championship.
Agatupu Rodney Anoa’i belongs to a family of wrestlers. Trained by his uncles the Wild Samoans, Afa Anoa’i, and Sika Anoa’i, Yokozuna was known for his strength. He was a physical feat of strength standing at 6 ft 4in and weighing in at 589 lbs.
A two-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, Yokozuna was a Samoan American hailing from Polynesia. He teamed up with Owen Hart and won the WWF Tag Team title twice. The 1993 Royal Rumble winner left the world at the age of 34, leaving a big hole in the WWE universe.
The twin brothers were tag team partners for a very long time. Jimmy and Jey are sons of the 2015 WWE Hall of Fame, Rikishi. The Usos were a dominant tag team in the past winning the RAW Tag Team Championship thrice and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship five times. They hold the record for the longest-reigning tag team in WWE history at 622 days. They were the first team to win both RAW and SmackDown Tag Team titles and hold the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship.
‘Main Event’ Jey Uso also won the Intercontinental Championship, his first singles title, which he lost to Bron Breakker following an interruption from his elder brother Jimmy.
Known for his swift moves with his bulgy body, Rikishi is a 2015 WWE Hall of Fame. Other than his in-ring performance, he was known for his dance moves. Rikishi’s legacy in the WWE is carried forward by his sons, Jimmy and Jey Uso.
Solofa Fatu Jr. was born to Solofa Fatu Sr. and Elevera Anoa’I Fatu. He has held the World Tag Team Title twice and the WWE Tag Team Title and Intercontinental Championship title once during his tenure with WWE.
Edward Smith Fatu was born to Solofa Fatu and Vera as a member of the Anoa’i family. His younger brother of Rikishi, and a Nephew of his the Wild Samoan from his maternal side. The two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion went undefeated on the RAW brand for an entire year before he was defeated by the WWE Champion John Cena.
Umaga suffered a heart attack and however the paramedics were able to revive his heart the first time, he was brain dead. He suffered another heart attack when he was on life support on that day. The paramedic declared him dead the same day, on December 4, 2009, at the age of 36.
Omaga’s nephew, Joseph Yokozuna Fatu, is known as Solo Sikoa in WWE. The Samoan was born to Rikishi. A younger brother to Jimmy and Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa already had his roots in the WWE.
The self-proclaimed Tribal chief made his own Bloodline with Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu. He has been seeing eye-to-eye with Roman Reigns for the Tribal Chief, and the OG Bloodline had to take help from CM Punk to beat him at WarGames. He uses Samoan Spike to pay tribute to his dead uncle Umaga.
Savelina Fanene performs on the SmackDown brand of WWE as Nia Jax. Her father is of Samoan descent while her mother is of German descent. Nia Jax was moved to the WWE main roster in the 2016 WWE Draft.
The current WWE Women’s Champion is so dominant that most of the superstars of the women’s roster can’t beat her. The Annihilator is known for her size and brutal display of strength in the ring. The Irresistible Force is a two-time WWE Women’s Championship and 2024 Queen of the Ring. She also won the WWE Tag Team Championship twice with Shayna Baszler.
Jacob Parmar Fatu was born to Sam Fatu and his uncles are Umaga and Rikishi. He was trained by Rikishi. He performs on the SmackDown brand of the WWE as a member of Bloodline 2.0.
The Enforcer is an anomaly known for his brutal strength and big body along with speed and agility. Standing at a height of 6’2″ and weighing 270 lbs, Fatu uses his momentum to strike fear in the opponent’s heart. The Samoan Werewolf can move his big body at sheer speed and is swift while performing in-ring maneuvers like Moonsault and Crossbody Slam.
His commitment to Solo is what made Solo a dominant force. It was due to him, that the OG Bloodline was unable to beat Solo. Michael Cole even said that he is not human and he doesn’t have any limitations. He is able to kick-out off most of the finishers. He can be the next big thing in the WWE coming from the Anoa’i family.
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(Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn)
