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{{short description|Professional wrestling tag team}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}{{Infobox Wrestling team
|article_name=Wild Samoans 
|type=T
|image=Wild Samoans, Dec 1983.jpg
|caption=
|members= [[Afa Anoaʻi|Afa]]<br />[[Sika Anoaʻi|Sika]]
|names=The Samoans <br />The Samoan Warriors <br />The Wild Samoans<br />The Islanders
|debut=1973
|disbanded=1997
|heights= {{height|ft=6|in=2}} each
|weights= {{convert|645|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=shields143/>
|billed= "[[Samoan Islands|The Isle of Samoa]]"
|trainer=[[Peter Maivia]]<ref name=shields143/>
}}
The '''Wild Samoans''' were the [[professional wrestling]] [[tag team]] of [[Afa Anoaʻi]] and [[Sika Anoaʻi]] in the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) and the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). They held 20 tag team championships around the world.{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}

==Gimmick==
The Wild Samoans rarely spoke in interviews, instead grunting in a primitive dialect that only their manager [[Lou Albano|Capt. Lou Albano]] could understand. They had afros and [[Fu Manchu moustache]]s.<ref name=shields144>Shields, Brian. ''Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s'' (p.144)</ref> Completing their "wild man" image, the duo engaged in outrageous behavior such as nose picking, biting opponents, and eating raw fish during interviews.<ref name=shields144/><ref name=wwehof>{{cite web|title=The Wild Samoans|work=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/wildsamoans/bio/|access-date=2007-12-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071225172414/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/wildsamoans/bio/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>

They are members of the [[Anoaʻi family]]. Their father Amituana'i Anoaʻi was a [[blood brother]] to their trainer [[Peter Maivia]].

==History==

=== Early years (1973–1979) ===
The team began its career in [[Stu Hart]]'s [[Calgary, Alberta]], [[Canada]] based [[Stampede Wrestling]] in 1973, where they won the [[Stampede International Tag Team Championship]] on two occasions.<ref name=shields143>Shields, Brian. ''Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s'' (p.143)</ref> Then they went to [[NWA All-Star Wrestling|Vancouver]] and won the tag titles there. In 1975 they made their debut in the United States for [[Big Time Wrestling (Detroit)|Big Time Wrestling]] in Detroit. They spent the majority of the 1970s in various [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) territories.<ref name=shields143/>

From 1977 to 1979, the Samoans made repeated tours of Japan with [[International Wrestling Enterprise]]. In January 1978, they briefly held the [[IWA World Tag Team Championship (International Wrestling Enterprise)|IWA World Tag Team Championship]].<ref name="KreikenbohmIWE">{{cite web|title=The Samoans - matches - International Wrestling Enterprise|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=861&page=4&promotion=1153|website=Cagematch.net|access-date=July 25, 2023|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}</ref>

=== World Wrestling Federation (1979–1980) ===
In 1979, the Wild Samoans joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). They were initially billed as simply "The Samoans" before reverting to their better-known name. Occasionally, they were introduced as "Lou Albano's Wild Men" during TV tapings. They made their [[Madison Square Garden]] debut on January 21, 1980, in a [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match against [[Tito Santana]] and [[Ivan Putski]], who retained their title.<ref name=shields143/> In the upcoming months, both men became contenders for [[Bob Backlund]]'s [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]], but neither man won the gold.<ref name=shields143/> They won their first championship in the WWF, the tag team championship, by defeating Santana and Putski on April 12, 1980.<ref name=shields143/> They reigned as champions for approximately five months, until [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Drop|dropping]] the title to Backlund and [[Pedro Morales]] in a [[two out of three falls match]] at [[Showdown at Shea (1980)|Showdown at Shea]].<ref name=shields143/> Because Backlund was already the reigning WWF Champion, the team had to forfeit the title, and a tournament was held to crown new tag champions.<ref name=shields143/> On September 8, 1980, the Wild Samoans defeated [[Tony Garea]] and [[Robert Bédard (wrestler)|Rene Goulet]] in the tournament finals to win the title.<ref name=shields143/> Their reign lasted for one month, until they lost to Garea and his new partner, [[Rick Martel]].<ref name=shields143/> The Wild Samoans [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] with the champions for the rest of the year, but they were not able to recapture the gold.<ref name=shields143/>

=== Mid-South and Georgia (1981–1982) ===
In late 1981, changing their name back to the Samoans they joined [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|Mid-South Wrestling]]. With [[Ernie Ladd|"Big Cat" Ernie Ladd]] as their [[financial adviser]] and manager, and then changing their team name from The Samoans to The Samoan Warriors, they won the [[UWF Tag Team Championship|Mid-South Tag Team Championship]] and [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] with [[Junkyard Dog]] and [[Dick Murdoch]].<ref name=shields143/> After also attacking Ladd, the two began a feud with their former adviser.<ref name=shields143/> In response, Ladd sold their contract to [[Skandor Akbar]] and formed a team with [[Mike Sharpe|"Iron" Mike Sharpe]], with whom he forced the Wild Samoans to leave Mid-South.<ref name=shields143/>

After leaving Mid-South, the duo appeared in [[Georgia Championship Wrestling]]. As part of the territory, they defeated the [[Fabulous Freebirds]] for the [[NWA National Tag Team Championship]], which they later vacated.<ref name=shields144/>

=== Return to WWF (1982–1985) ===
The Wild Samoans eventually ended up back in the World Wrestling Federation with their former manager [[Lou Albano|Capt. Lou Albano]] in 1982. This time they grew full beards that were scruffy and bushy looking.<ref name=shields144/> Afa and Sika began their third [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] reign on March 8, 1983, by defeating [[Chief Jay Strongbow|Chief Jay]] and [[Jules Strongbow]].<ref name=world>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|title=World Tag Team Title history|publisher=WWE.com|access-date=2007-12-31}}</ref> In a rematch on March 19, they were also victorious.<ref name=shields144/> Also during this time, while feuding with [[Rocky Johnson]], [[Jimmy Snuka]], and [[André the Giant]], the duo added Afa's son [[Samula Anoaʻi|Samula]] to their team,<ref name=shields144/> first as a replacement for Sika when he got hurt, then as their backup upon his return.

They lost their tag team title to the team of [[Rocky Johnson]] and [[Tony Atlas]] on November 15.<ref name=shields144/><ref name=world/><ref>{{cite book|last=Foley|first=Mick|title=Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=0-06-103101-1|year=2000|page=36}}</ref>

During the match, Albano tried to interfere on the Samoans' behalf by attempting to hit Atlas over the head with a chair.<ref name=shields144/> He accidentally hit Afa instead and Atlas covered him for the win.<ref name=shields144/> The North-South Connection, Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch, would later defeat Atlas and Johnson for the tag title on April 17, 1984. The Samoans turned face and challenged them in a lengthy feud. After failing to regain the belts, the duo eventually left the WWF in 1985 and reappeared in Pro Wrestling USA (NWA/AWA) where they had a dream match vs the Road Warriors. The bout ended in a Double DQ .<ref name=shields144/>

Sika reappeared for a lengthy run in the WWF from 1986 to 1988, now managed by [[Mr. Fuji]], performing both in singles competition and as a tag team (partnered with [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]]). Kamala and Sika's biggest match as a tag team was a loss to the [[Can-Am Connection]] on ''Superstars of Wrestling''. Sika also participated in the invitational battle royal that opened [[Wrestlemania IV]]. He was the second one eliminated.

Afa returned to WWF in 1992 and went on to manage his son, [[Samu (wrestler)|Samu]] and his nephew [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Fatu]] as [[The Headshrinkers]]. He left the WWF in 1995.

=== Later years (1985–1997) ===
After WWF and AWA they went to wrestle in the [[independent circuit]] from 1986 to 1991. In 1987 they made a few appearances in [[National Wrestling Federation (1986-1994)|National Wrestling Federation]].

On September 10, 1988, they lost to [[Jimmy Valiant]] and [[Rufus R. Jones]] by disqualification at the 15th [[WWC Aniversario]] in 1988 in Puerto Rico. In 1991, they split up and both men went their separate ways. Sika would retire from wrestling and trained wrestlers at the Wild Samoans Training Center. Afa managed [[The Headshrinkers]] in the WWF from 1992 to 1995. After WWF, Afa continued to train other wrestlers. In 1996 Afa, founded [[World Xtreme Wrestling]] based in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="TimesLeader1999-MAR28">{{cite news |last=Fitzhenry |first=Mark |date=March 28, 1999 |title=Wild Samoan not so wild about trend |page=1G, 6G |work=The Times Leader |location=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania}}</ref>

On August 15, 1997, both men reunited for one night teaming with [[Disco Inferno (wrestler)|Disco Inferno]], [[Gene Ligon]] and the Big Cheese as they defeated [[Ken Timbs]], George Love, Jay Love, Gary Royal and Kane Adams at IWA Night of the Legends in Kannapolis, North Carolina.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |author-link=Dave Meltzer |date=August 25, 1997 |title=Plum Mariko dies after match, WCW adding two-hour show on Thursdays, more! |magazine=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |location=Campbell, California |quote=8/15 Kannapolis, NC (IWA - 600): Assassin b Kevin Kirby, Samoan Gangstas b Metal Maniac & Hunter Thompson, Doink the Clown (Ray Apollo) b Dan Grundy, Billy Kidman b Flamingo Kid, Malia Hosaka b Leilani Kai, Manny Fernandez & Vic Steamboat b Frank Parker & Roger Anderson, Road Warriors b Vladimir Koloff & Nikolai Volkoff, Afa & Sika & Big Cheese & Disco Inferno & Gene Ligon b Jay & Georgia Luv & Gary Royal & Ken Timbs & Kane Atoms, Rick Steamboat ref:Jimmy Snuka b Masked Superstar-DQ}}</ref>

==Post-tag team careers==
During the late 1970s, Afa Anoaʻi opened the Wild Samoans Training Center, and the school's graduates include [[Paul Orndorff]], [[Junkyard Dog]], [[Luna Vachon]], [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael P.S. Hayes]], [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]], [[Bam Bam Bigelow]], [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]], [[Sherri Martel]], [[Mike Jones (wrestler)|Virgil]], [[Billy Kidman]], [[Gene Snitsky|Gene Snisky]], [[Chris Kanyon]] and [[Dave Batista|Batista]].<ref name=shields144/> They also promoted live wrestling shows under the [[World Xtreme Wrestling|WXW]] banner.<ref name=shields144/><ref name="TimesLeader1999-MAR28"/>

In 2007, on the eve of [[WrestleMania 23]], the Wild Samoans were inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]]. They were inducted by their sons [[Samu (wrestler)|Samula]] and [[Rosey (wrestler)|Matt Anoaʻi]].

In 2013 and 2014 Afa came out of retirement to wrestle for his promotion [[World Xtreme Wrestling]] at age 71.

The pair appeared at the 2020 [[Hell in a Cell (2020)|Hell in a Cell]] to celebrate [[Roman Reigns]]' victory.

On June 25, 2024, Sika died at the age of 79, and then, on August 16, 2024, Afa died at the age of 81.

==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[Continental Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship]] ([[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=SouthernTag>{{cite book | first1=Royal |last1=Duncan |first2=Gary |last2=Will | title=Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present |location=Waterloo, Ontario |orig-year=2000.|chapter= (Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: Southern Tag Team Title [Roy Welsch & Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett from 1977] | pages= 185–189| publisher=Archeus Communications |year=2006 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=SouthernTagWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/cwa/awa-s-t.html | title=Southern Tag Team Title | work=Wrestling-Titles | access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref>
*'''[[Continental Championship Wrestling|Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship#NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship|NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]])
*'''[[Georgia Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA National Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA National Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]])
*'''[[International Wrestling Enterprise]]'''
**[[IWA World Tag Team Championship (International Wrestling Enterprise)|IWA World Tag Team Championship]] (1 time)
*'''[[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|Mid-South Wrestling]]'''
**[[UWF Tag Team Championship|Mid-South Tag Team Championship]] ([[UWF Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]])
*'''[[NWA All-Star Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)|NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (''Vancouver version'')]] (1 time)
*'''[[NWA Detroit]]'''
**[[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version)]] ([[NWA Detroit World Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]])
*'''[[NWA Mid-America]]'''
**[[NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version)|NWA United States Tag Team Championship]] (''Mid-America version'') ([[NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version)#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=USTagMA>{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan and Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications | chapter= Tennessee: U.S. Tag Team Title | pages= 194 | year= 2000 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=USTagMAWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/nwa/tn-us-t.html | title=NWA United States Tag Team Title (Mid-America) | publisher=wrestling-titles.com | access-date=April 23, 2015}}</ref>
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**PWI ranked them # '''93''' of the 100 best tag teams during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
*'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame#2012|Class of 2012]]
*'''[[Continental Championship Wrestling|Southeastern Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship#NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Southern Division)|NWA Southern Tag Team Championship ''(Southern Division)'']] (2 times)
*'''[[Stampede Wrestling]]'''
**[[Stampede International Tag Team Championship]] ([[Stampede International Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]])<ref name=shields143/>
*'''[[World Wrestling Council]]'''
**[[WWC World Tag Team Championship]] (1 time)
*'''[[World Wrestling Federation]] / [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame (2007)|Class of 2007]])
**[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|3 times]])

==References==
'''General'''
*{{Cite book|author=Brian Shields|title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s|year=2006|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=1-4165-3257-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mainevent00bria}}
* {{cite book | author=Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson | title= The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams | publisher=ECW Press | year=2005| chapter= The Evil Foreigners: the Wild Samoans | isbn=978-1-55022-683-6}}

'''Specific'''
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.wildsamoan.com The Wild Samoan Training Facility]
*{{wwe superstar}}
*{{professional wrestling profiles}}

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[[Category:Anoaʻi family]]
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