Rikishi Reflects on the Passing of WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i

The wrestling world is mourning the loss of WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i, one half of the legendary Wild Samoans, who passed away recently. Among those deeply affected by his passing is his nephew, WWE legend Rikishi, who took to Twitter/X to share a heartfelt tribute.

In his message, Rikishi expressed the difficulty in finding the right words to convey his feelings, ultimately choosing to reflect on the personal moments he shared with his uncle, moments that the public never saw.

“I really wanted to take my time to try and find the right words to express my feelings regarding the passing of my Uncle Gataivasã AFA Amituana’i Anoa’i, and sometimes there are no ‘right words.’”

Rikishi reminisced about the private times they shared, where he saw firsthand his uncle’s deep love for professional wrestling and his desire to pass that knowledge on to those willing to put in the hard work.

“I choose to remember and reflect on what the world didn’t see or have access to, simple fun times with just my Uncle and me and in those moments of private time, I witnessed a man who loved professional wrestling more than anything and wanted to teach it to anyone willing to do the work, and I mean WORK!”

He shared a story about how Afa would have him build a wrestling ring, only to tear it down and rebuild it repeatedly. At the time, Rikishi questioned the purpose of this exercise, not realizing that his uncle was teaching him the fundamentals of the business—lessons that extended beyond just the physical aspects of wrestling.

“Not knowing he was teaching me the foundation of the business and how to understand it piece by piece and how everything is always connected…you learn more by DOING!”

Rikishi closed his tribute by honoring Afa’s lasting legacy in professional wrestling, as well as the invaluable personal memories and lessons he imparted, which Rikishi will carry with him forever.

“My Uncle Afa leaves behind a long legacy within the world of professional wrestling, however, what he leaves for me personally is priceless memories & lessons learned that will rest in my heart forever and I remain grateful. Rest In Power The Wild Samoans Forever!! Love and Respect.”

The passing of Afa Anoa’i marks the end of an era, but his impact on the world of wrestling and the lives he touched, including Rikishi’s, will endure for generations to come.

How has Afa Anoa’i’s legacy and the influence of the Wild Samoans shaped the world of professional wrestling in your view? What are some of your favorite memories or matches involving the Wild Samoans that have left a lasting impression on you? Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below to honor his memory and contributions to the sport.