Afa Anoa’i, part of WWE Hall of Fame tag team, dies at age 81

known for being one-half of the Wild Samoans pro wrestling tag team, has died at 81.

His death was announced by his family Friday, two months after his younger brother and tag team partner, Sika, died in June.

Afa is the uncle of WWE superstar Roman Reigns.

“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.

WWE paid tribute to Afa on Friday, observing a moment of silence during “Friday Night Smackdown.”

Afa and Sika were a prominent tag team in WWE (then WWF) during the early 1980s and were three-time WWF tag team champions. They worked in a number of promotions, including the NWA, Mid-South Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling and the AWA, winning 20 tag team championships around the world.

The Wild Samoans were inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

Afa and Sika last appeared in WWE at the “Hell in a Cell” premium live event in 2020 to celebrate Roman Reigns’ victory over Jey Uso.

“Our family has suffered another great loss with the passing of my uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Gataivasā Afa Amituana’i Anoa’i,” 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.”

His long-time friend Barry Rose confirmed the news of his passing in a statement issued to Slam Wrestling:

“With the heaviest of hearts, we are devastated to have to report the passing of the legendary Kevin Sullivan. May he RIP and his family, friends and fans find comfort in how much he was loved.”

The WWE soon followed with their confirmation and offered condolences to Sullivan’s friends and family.

The cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Sullivan had been dealing with health problems over the past several months after an accident suffered during an autograph signing on May 12. A GoFundMe page was established on July 5 to cover expenses for emergency surgery, which came with complications including sepsis and encephalitis. Although the campaign successfully met its goal, Sullivan passed away just over a month later.

Hailing from Boston, Sullivan’s in-ring career began in the early 1970s. He was best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and frequently portrayed the heel with memorable feuds against Hulk Hogan, Dusty Rhodes and Chris Benoit.

His creative mind was lauded in the industry, creating memorable personas such as The Taskmaster and leading stables including Army of Darkness and Varsity Club. By 1997, Sullivan began to take on booking responsibilities for WCW and was elevated to head booker until the company was sold to WWE in 2000. He remained in the business behind the scenes and worked with TNA Wrestling, Ring of Honor and independent promotions.

“Kevin Sullivan had one of the most unique minds in the history of our industry, pushing creative boundaries and developing some of the most intriguing characters to step into the ring,” former wrestler Triple H, now an executive with WWE, wrote on X. “He had an unwavering passion for what we do. My thoughts are with his family, friends & fans.