History of Sika Anoa‘i in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 27, 2024

Leati Sika Amituana'i Anoaʻi, known as Sika, was an American Samoan professional wrestler famous for being part of the Wild Samoans tag team with his brother Afa. They were three-time WWF World Tag Team Champions, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012. Sika was part of the renowned Anoaʻi wrestling family and father to wrestlers Rosey and Roman Reigns.

April 5, 1945: Birth of Sika Anoaʻi

Sika Anoaʻi was born on April 5, 1945, in Leone, American Samoa.

1959: Move to San Francisco

At the age of 14, Sika Anoaʻi moved to San Francisco, California with his family in 1959.

1969: End of Merchant Marine Service and Transition to Wrestling

Sika Anoaʻi ended his service with the United States Merchant Marine in 1969, worked as a dockworker, and then joined his brother Afa in professional wrestling.

1970: Birth of Matt Anoaʻi

Sika Anoaʻi's son, Matt Anoaʻi, was born in 1970.

1973: Wrestling Debut as "Sika"

Sika Anoaʻi made his professional wrestling debut in 1973 in Stampede Wrestling under the name "Sika".

1977: First Tour of Japan with IWE

The Wild Samoans embarked on their first tour of Japan with International Wrestling Enterprise in 1977.

January 1978: IWA World Tag Team Championship Victory

The Wild Samoans briefly held the IWA World Tag Team Championship in January 1978.

1979: Conclusion of IWE Tours

The Wild Samoans concluded their repeated tours of Japan with International Wrestling Enterprise in 1979.

January 1980: WWF Debut

The Wild Samoans debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in January 1980.

March 1980: WWF Championship Match

Sika Anoaʻi unsuccessfully challenged Bob Backlund for the WWF Championship in March 1980.

April 12, 1980: First WWF Tag Team Championship Victory

The Wild Samoans won their first WWF World Tag Team Championship by defeating Ivan Putski and Tito Santana on April 12, 1980.

August 9, 1980: Loss of WWF Tag Team Championship

The Wild Samoans lost the WWF World Tag Team Championship to Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales on August 9, 1980, at Showdown at Shea.

September 9, 1980: Second WWF Tag Team Championship Victory

The Wild Samoans regained the WWF World Tag Team Championship on September 9, 1980, after Backlund and Morales vacated the title.

November 8, 1980: Loss of WWF Tag Team Championship to Garea and Martel

The Wild Samoans lost the WWF World Tag Team Championship to Tony Garea and Rick Martel on November 8, 1980.

December 1980: Departure from WWF

The Wild Samoans left the WWF in December 1980.

February 1981: New Japan Pro-Wrestling Tour

The Wild Samoans toured Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in early 1981, competing in the New Year Golden Series.

April 1981: Debut in Mid-South Wrestling

The Wild Samoans debuted in Mid-South Wrestling in April 1981.

June 1981: First Mid-South Tag Team Championship Reign

The Wild Samoans' first reign as Mid-South Tag Team Champions began in June 1981.

December 1981: Second New Japan Pro-Wrestling Tour

The Wild Samoans embarked on a second tour of Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in late 1981, participating in the Madison Square Garden Tag League.

March 1982: Debut in Georgia Championship Wrestling

The Wild Samoans began competing for Georgia Championship Wrestling in March 1982.

May 1982: End of Run with Mid-South Wrestling

The Wild Samoans concluded their run with Mid-South Wrestling in May 1982.

August 1982: NWA National Tag Team Championship Victory

The Wild Samoans won the NWA National Tag Team Championship in August 1982, defeating The Fabulous Freebirds.

December 1982: Vacated NWA Tag Team Championship and Return to WWF

The Wild Samoans vacated the NWA National Tag Team Championship and returned to the WWF in December 1982.

January 1983: Return to WWF

The Wild Samoans returned to the WWF in January 1983 with Lou Albano as their manager.

March 8, 1983: Third WWF Tag Team Championship Victory

The Wild Samoans won the WWF World Tag Team Championship for the third time on March 8, 1983, defeating Chief Jay Strongbow and Jules Strongbow.

November 15, 1983: Loss of WWF Tag Team Championship to Soul Patrol

The Wild Samoans lost the WWF World Tag Team Championship to Soul Patrol (Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas) on November 15, 1983.

April 1984: WWF Championship Match Against Hulk Hogan

Sika Anoaʻi unsuccessfully challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship in April 1984.

January 1985: Departure from WWF

The Wild Samoans left the WWF again in January 1985.

1985: Appearances in Various Promotions

The Wild Samoans wrestled in various promotions, including the American Wrestling Association, Jim Crockett Promotions, and International Championship Wrestling, in 1985.

August 1986: Return to WWF as a Singles Wrestler

Sika Anoaʻi returned to the WWF as a singles wrestler in August 1986.

November 1986: Loss to Pedro Morales

Sika Anoaʻi's undefeated streak ended with a loss to Pedro Morales in November 1986.

1986: Appearances in Various Promotions

The Wild Samoans wrestled in various promotions, including the American Wrestling Association, Jim Crockett Promotions, and International Championship Wrestling, in 1986.

March 1987: Tag Team with Kamala

Sika Anoaʻi formed a tag team with Kamala in March 1987.

August 1987: Dissolution of Tag Team with Kamala

The tag team of Sika Anoaʻi and Kamala dissolved in August 1987.

September 1987: King of the Ring Tournament

Sika Anoaʻi competed in the King of the Ring tournament, losing in the first round to S.D. Jones, in September 1987.

September 23, 1987: Recording of Saturday Night's Main Event XII

Sika Anoaʻi's WWF Championship match against Hulk Hogan was recorded on September 23, 1987, for Saturday Night's Main Event XII.

October 3, 1987: WWF Championship Match Against Hulk Hogan

Sika Anoaʻi unsuccessfully challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship on October 3, 1987, at Saturday Night's Main Event XII.

December 16, 1987: Incident at the Slammy Awards

Sika Anoaʻi ate the envelope containing the winner's name for "Song of the Year" at the Slammy Awards ceremony on December 16, 1987.

March 27, 1988: WrestleMania IV Appearance

Sika Anoaʻi participated in a battle royal at WrestleMania IV on March 27, 1988.

1988: Retirement from Wrestling

Sika Anoaʻi retired from professional wrestling in 1988.

August 15, 1997: Reunion at IWA Night of the Legends

Sika Anoaʻi and Afa reunited for one night at IWA Night of the Legends on August 15, 1997.

1999: Founding of XW 2000

In 1999, Sika Anoaʻi established XW 2000, an independent wrestling promotion based in Pensacola, Florida.

2003: Joseph Anoaʻi's College Football Career Begins

Sika Anoaʻi's younger son, Joseph Anoaʻi, began his college football career at Georgia Tech in 2003.

2006: Joseph Anoaʻi's College Football Career Ends

Joseph Anoaʻi finished his college football career at Georgia Tech in 2006.

March 31, 2007: WWE Hall of Fame Induction

The Wild Samoans, consisting of Afa and Sika Anoaʻi, were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 31, 2007. The honor was bestowed upon them by their sons, Matt and Samu Anoaʻi.