Samula Anoaʻi - Professional Wrestling Career

Professional Wrestling Career

Anoa'i had his first professional match at age 14 under the careful supervision of his father Afa and his uncle Sika. Six years later, Anoa'i began appearing in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) when Sika (part of the reigning WWF Tag Team Champions) was injured on March 12, 1983. Known simply as "Samula", he helped the Wild Samoans defend the tag team championship a handful of times while Sika recovered. When Sika returned Samula would remain with the WWF backing up his father and uncle. In January 1984 he received a shot at then WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund but ended up losing by disqualification. During the summer of 1984 Samula turned face after the Wild Samoans left the WWF. Samula twice teamed with Hulk Hogan during WWF’s tours in Japan, both times facing Japanese legends Antonio Inoki and Tatsumi Fujinami. These matches were among the last matches Samula wrestled in the WWF before leaving in January 1985.

After the WWF Samula joined up with Gino Brito and Dino Bravo’s “International Wrestling" territory based in Montreal. In Montreal he was given the name The Great Samu and was managed by Eddie "The Brain" Creatchman who used the Samoan to target the top faces in the territory. Samu would eventually feud with the top baby face in the territory Dino Bravo, even going so far as to defeat him for the "International Heavyweight Title" on June 30, 1986. Samu held on to the title until November 3, 1986 where he was beaten by David Schults. When International Wrestling closed a few months later Samu went looking for warmer weather.