WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i has died at the age of 81. Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer broke the news on X, formerly Twitter, that Anoa’i passed away, claiming confirmation from the Anoa’i family. He leaves behind his wife Lynn and seven children. Reports of Anoa’i’s death spread the night before, based on a social media tribute from his son, Samu. Afa’s death comes nearly two months after the death of Sika Anoa’i, his brother and tag team partner.

“It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of my father Afa Anoai Sr.,” his son Samu wrote on Facebook. “It was a peaceful transition and he was surrounded by loved ones. Please respect our privacy as we mourn our father.”

According to the Wrestling Observer, Afa had been recently admitted into hospice care and experienced two heart attacks while battling pneumonia in January.

“Our family has suffered another great loss with the passing of my uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Gataivasā Afa Amituana’i Anoa’i,” Roman Reigns wrote on X on Friday. “We thank everyone for their support and are comforted by the fact that he now rests in peace. Afa and my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’I were loving brothers, the greatest tag team of their generation, and now they’re reunited together in heaven. Rest in Power Wild Samoans.”

Afa had his first match in 1971 after receiving training from Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia. Afa then started teaming with his brother Sika. The two formed The Wild Samoans and went on to compete for Stampede Wrestling and numerous NWA territories. By the late 1970s, Afa and Sika joined WWF and were initially managed by Lou Albano. In April 1980, they defeated Ivan Putski and Tito Santana to capture their first WWF Tag Team Championship.

After leaving WWF to spend time in Mid-South, The Wild Samoans returned in 1983 and quickly regained the tag gold by defeating Chief Jay Strongbow and Jules Strongbow in a two-out-of-three falls bout. During his third stint that began in 1992, Afa managed The Headshrinkers, Samu and Rikishi. Afa’s last WWF match occurred in 1994 and The Wild Samoans were eventually inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

Afa’s only worked a handful of matches since his initial retirement, with his last one taking place in 2014. Afa and Sika opened their own training facility and have been credited for their roles in training the likes of Hulk Hogan, Roman Reigns, and the Usos.

WWE issues statement on the passing of Afa Anoa’i:

WWE is saddened to learn that Afa Anoa’i Sr. — a WWE Hall of Famer and one-half of the iconic Wild Samoans tag team — has passed away.

Anoa’i was best known for teaming alongside his brother Sika Anoa’i as the legendary tag team The Wild Samoans. The siblings began teaming up in the 1970s, collecting accolades and championships in Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling promotion and the National Wrestling Alliance before debuting in WWE in 1979. The brothers dominated WWE in the 1980s, capturing the World Tag Team Championship three times and becoming known as one of the most feared teams in WWE history. 

Afa returned to WWE in 1992 as the manager for The Headshrinkers, a team comprised of his son Samu and nephew Fatu, aka Rikishi, before retiring from WWE in 1995.

Afa and Sika later opened The Wild Samoan Training Facility, where the legendary duo would train future generations of WWE Superstars, including Batista. In 2007, The Wild Samoans were bestowed with the highest honor in sports-entertainment when they were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, where they will be forever enshrined as one of the greatest tag teams of all time.

WWE extends its condolences to Anoa’i’s family, friends and fans.