Nia Jax is a WWE superstar who has made a name for herself as one of the most dominant and powerful women in the industry. She is also a member of the famous Anoa’i family, which has produced many legendary wrestlers over the years. But how is she related to The Rock, one of the most popular and successful wrestlers of all time? Here’s what you need to know about their family connection.
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Nia Jax was born Savelina Fanene on May 29, 1984, in Sydney, Australia. Her father, Joseph Fanene, is the first cousin of Peter Maivia, who was The Rock’s grandfather. Peter Maivia was a Samoan wrestler and a “High Chief” of his people. He married Lia Maivia, who was also a wrestling promoter. Their daughter, Ata Maivia, married Rocky Johnson, a Canadian wrestler and The Rock’s father. Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, was born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California.
This means that Nia Jax and The Rock are cousins, albeit distant ones. They are both part of the Anoa’i family tree, which includes many other wrestlers such as Roman Reigns, Jimmy and Jey Uso, Rikishi, Yokozuna, Umaga, Afa and Sika (The Wild Samoans), and more. The Anoa’i family is considered one of the most influential and respected wrestling dynasties in the world.
Nia Jax was inspired by The Rock to become a wrestler
Nia Jax did not grow up dreaming of becoming a wrestler. She was more interested in basketball and modeling. She played college basketball at Palomar College in California and later pursued a career in plus-size modeling. She also worked as a contractor for a security company.
However, everything changed when she watched The Rock vs John Cena at WrestleMania 28 in 2012. She was so impressed by the match and the atmosphere that she decided to give wrestling a try. She contacted her cousin Dwayne Johnson and asked for his advice. He encouraged her to audition for WWE and helped her get a tryout at the Performance Center in Orlando.
Nia Jax impressed WWE officials with her size, strength, and charisma. She signed a developmental contract in 2014 and debuted on NXT as Zada. She later changed her ring name to Nia Jax, which is a tribute to her aunt who passed away from cancer. She quickly rose through the ranks of NXT and became one of the top heels (villains) of the brand.
Nia Jax and The Rock have supported each other throughout their careers
Nia Jax made her main roster debut on RAW in 2016 and soon established herself as a force to be reckoned with. She won the RAW Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 34 by defeating Alexa Bliss. She also became the first woman to enter both the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches in 2019. She formed a tag team with Shayna Baszler and won the Women’s Tag Team Titles twice.
Throughout her career, Nia Jax has received support and guidance from The Rock. He has praised her work ethic, talent, and personality on social media and in interviews. He has also given her tips on how to improve her skills and presence in the ring. He even surprised her with a visit backstage at WrestleMania 33.
The Rock has also been supported by Nia Jax in his endeavors outside of wrestling. She has congratulated him on his movie roles, his tequila brand, and his philanthropic efforts. She has also defended him from critics who accused him of abandoning his wrestling roots or selling out to Hollywood.
Nia Jax and The Rock have shown that they are more than just cousins; they are friends and allies who share a passion for wrestling and entertainment. They have also proven that they are not like most people; they are exceptional performers who have made their mark on WWE history.
