If you are a fan of wrestling, you might have wondered if Haku, the legendary Tongan wrestler, is related to The Rock, the most popular wrestler of all time. The answer is not as simple as you might think. Haku and The Rock are not blood relatives, but they are part of a larger family of Samoan wrestlers that have dominated the sport for decades. Here is how they are connected and why they call each other uncle and nephew.
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Who is Haku?
Haku, whose real name is Tonga Fifita, was born in Tonga in 1959. He moved to the United States in 1978 and started his wrestling career under the name King Tonga. He later changed his name to Haku and joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1986. He was known for his toughness, strength and viciousness in the ring. He won the WWF Tag Team Championship twice, once with Andre the Giant and once with Tama as part of The Islanders. He also won the WCW Hardcore Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championship three times with The Barbarian as part of The Faces of Fear.
Haku is widely regarded as one of the most feared wrestlers of all time, both inside and outside the ring. He has been involved in several backstage fights and incidents that have earned him a reputation as a legitimate tough guy. Some of his opponents have claimed that he could bite off noses, rip out eyeballs and break bones with ease. He is still active in wrestling today, working for various independent promotions around the world.
Haku is not biologically related to The Rock, whose real name is Dwayne Johnson. However, they are part of a larger family of Samoan wrestlers that have been called the Samoan Dynasty or the Anoa’i Family. This family traces its roots back to two brothers, Afa and Sika Anoa’i, who were known as The Wild Samoans in the WWF. They were cousins of Peter Maivia, who was a high chief in Samoa and a wrestling legend in his own right. Maivia was also the grandfather of The Rock, making him and Afa and Sika second cousins.
Haku was trained by Peter Maivia and became close friends with Afa and Sika. He married their sister, Dorothy Anoa’i, making him their brother-in-law. He also became an honorary member of the Anoa’i Family and was given the title of Uncle Tonga by The Rock and other members of the family. Haku considers The Rock as his nephew and has been very supportive of his career.
The Rock has also shown his appreciation for Haku on several occasions. In 2015, he surprised him with a new truck as a Christmas gift and shared a heartfelt story on Instagram about how Haku helped him when he was starting out in wrestling. He wrote:
I’ll never forget what he did for me when I had nothing.
The Rock also referred to Haku as one of the greatest human beings he knows.
Who else is part of the Samoan Dynasty?
The Samoan Dynasty is one of the most successful and influential families in wrestling history. Besides Haku and The Rock, it includes many other famous wrestlers such as:
- Yokozuna: The nephew of Afa and Sika who became a two-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and a Royal Rumble winner.
- Rikishi: The son of Sika who became a three-time WWF Tag Team Champion and a one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion.
- Umaga: The son of Sika who became a two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion.
- Roman Reigns: The son of Sika who became a four-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion and a Royal Rumble winner.
- The Usos: The twin sons of Rikishi who became seven-time WWE Tag Team Champions.
- Nia Jax: The daughter of Sika’s brother who became a two-time WWE Women’s Champion.
- Tamina: The daughter of Jimmy Snuka who became a one-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion.
- Naomi: The wife of Jimmy Uso who became a two-time WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion.
- And many more.
The Samoan Dynasty is still growing and producing new stars in wrestling. They are known for their charisma, athleticism and passion for the sport. They are also proud of their heritage and culture, often incorporating Samoan elements into their gimmicks, moves and attire.
Conclusion
Haku and The Rock are not blood relatives, but they are part of a larger family of Samoan wrestlers that have dominated the sport for decades. They call each other uncle and nephew out of respect and affection. They are both legends in their own right and have inspired many fans and wrestlers around the world. They are also part of a larger story of Samoan strength, pride and excellence that continues to this day.
