WWE star Roman Reigns’ uncle, WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i, has died.
He was 81.
The retired wrestler’s daughter, Vale Anoa’i, shared the news via X on Friday, writing, “Today, all of our lives are irreparably changed. I love you so much, Dad. More than any words could ever express. Your strength was absolutely superhuman. You fought all the way to the end, and the end was peaceful. That’s all I could have hoped for.”
Vale explained that she had just “received the phone call” from her mother that her “beloved father, the center of [her] universe,” had passed away.
She marveled that she “got to spend the vast majority of [her] life right there by his side, through the best of times and the hardest of times,” going on to thank him “for every priceless life lesson” he taught her and “for being someone who cared, always.”
Though devastated, Vale is admittedly not shocked, as Afa had faced numerous health issues in recent months.
“I’ve been preparing to say goodbye to my Dad since January, when he had those two heart attacks. I was prepared to say goodbye to him in March when he fell and broke his back in two places and had to have major surgery. I was prepared to say goodbye to my Dad when he had his heart valve replacement surgery,” she confessed.
“I was prepared to say goodbye to him when he was having the second back surgery. I was prepared to say goodbye to my Dad when we had to tell him the news of Uncle Sika’s passing.”
WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i — Afa’s brother and partner in the legendary Wild Samoans tag team, as well as Reigns’ father — died in June at the age of 79.
“For the last month, l’ve been preparing to say goodbye to my Dad, as his health declined, as he was put on hospice care, as he grew weaker and more fragile,” Vale penned, adding that she has “realize[d]” that she’ll “never have to say goodbye, because a very strong part of him” will “always” be part of her.
“This is just the end of your lifetime on Earth,” she shared, speaking directly to her father. “I will always love you. You will be remembered, honored, missed, and respected forever.”
Vale called Afa the “strongest man” she’s ever known.
“The 3-count comes for us all, eventually, but you fought it all the way to the end. You kicked out more times than anyone else ever has. You are forever our undisputed champion,” she wrote, reiterating her love for him and thanking him for all the “memories” he shared “over the last few days.”
