If you are a fan of WWE, you have probably heard of the famous Anoa’i family, a dynasty of wrestlers that spans several generations and includes some of the biggest names in the industry. Two of the most prominent members of this family are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Roman Reigns, who have both achieved success and popularity as WWE superstars. But how are they related to each other? And what is the history of their family?
The Blood Brothers
The Rock and Roman Reigns are not biologically related, but they belong to the same family through a bond of blood brotherhood. This is a tradition that involves two men who are not related by blood, but feel a kinship that is stronger than family ties, and perform a ceremony called “The Blood Oath” to become blood brothers of one another. This practice is not native to Samoa alone, but is carried out all across the world, from Scandinavia to Eastern Europe to South East Asia and even among Native Americans, usually to forge a tie between two tribes.
The blood brothers in this case were High Chief Peter Maivia, The Rock’s grandfather, and Reverend Amituana’i Anoa’i, Roman Reigns’ grandfather. They were both professional wrestlers who came from Samoa and became close friends and allies in the business. They regarded each other as brothers and treated their families as one.
The Third-Generation Cousins
The Rock and Roman Reigns are both third-generation wrestlers who inherited their passion and talent from their ancestors. The Rock’s father was Rocky Johnson, a Canadian wrestler who married Ata Maivia, the adopted daughter of Peter Maivia. The Rock’s original ring name of Rocky Maivia was a tribute to his father and grandfather, who were both pioneers in the wrestling industry.
Roman Reigns’ father was Sika Anoa’i, one half of the legendary tag team “The Wild Samoans” with his brother Afa Anoa’i. They were both sons of Amituana’i Anoa’i and nephews of Peter Maivia, who they saw as their uncle. Roman Reigns’ real name is Leati Joseph Anoa’i, and he followed his father’s footsteps by becoming a wrestler.
The Rock and Roman Reigns are therefore first cousins once removed, as their parents are first cousins. They share the same great-grandfather, Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia, who was Peter Maivia’s biological father. They also share the same tribal tattoos that celebrate their Samoan heritage and culture.
The Anoa’i Family Legacy
The Rock and Roman Reigns are not the only members of the Anoa’i family who have made an impact in WWE. The family has produced many other wrestlers who have won championships and accolades over the years. Some of them are:
– Yokozuna: The son of Afoa Anoa’i and cousin of Roman Reigns. He was a two-time WWE Champion and a WWE Hall of Famer who portrayed a sumo wrestler from Japan.
– Rikishi: The son of Vera Anoa’i and Solofa Fatu Sr. and cousin of Roman Reigns. He was a three-time WWE Tag Team Champion and a WWE Hall of Famer who was known for his signature move “The Stinkface”.
– Umaga: The son of Vera Anoa’i and Solofa Fatu Sr. and cousin of Roman Reigns. He was a two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion who was nicknamed “The Samoan Bulldozer”.
– Rosey: The son of Sika Anoa’i and brother of Roman Reigns. He was a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion who teamed up with The Hurricane as a superhero.
– The Usos: The sons of Rikishi and cousins of Roman Reigns. They are seven-time WWE Tag Team Champions who are currently aligned with Roman Reigns as “The Bloodline”.
– Nia Jax: The daughter of Renate Fanene and cousin of Dwayne Johnson. She is a former WWE Raw Women’s Champion and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion who is known for her power and size.
– Tamina: The daughter of Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka and niece by marriage of Amituana’i Anoa’i. She is a former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion who often teams up with Nia Jax.
– Naomi: The wife of Jimmy Uso and cousin by marriage of Roman Reigns. She is a two-time WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion who is known for her athleticism and glow.
The Anoa’i family is still growing and producing new talents, such as Solo Sikoa, the younger brother of The Usos, who recently debuted on WWE SmackDown and joined The Bloodline. The family is also rumored to have a potential clash with The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, where they could settle their differences and determine who is the real “Head of the Table” and “Tribal Chief” of the family.
The Anoa’i family is undoubtedly one of the most influential and successful families in WWE history, and The Rock and Roman Reigns are two of its brightest stars. They are related by blood brotherhood, but also by a legacy of wrestling excellence that spans generations
