Picture Credit: WildSamoan.com

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What made you want to get into the wrestling industry?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my late uncle High Chief Peter Maivia. I was very proud of what he had accomplished, and I wanted to let the world know that Samoan athletes are just as good as anybody if given the chance.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: How did you get your start in the wrestling industry?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: In the early 1970's, I was training under the guidance of my uncle Peter and Rocky Johnson. I had a close friend who was a wrestler by the name of Ricky Thompson, who had the same dream I did. He received a call from a promoter in Arizona who wanted to give him a tryout (Kurt Von Steiger). Ricky asked me to take the ride with him from Hayward, California to Arizona. I can still remember when we were in the hotel, I sat there and watched my friend pace back and forth in the room, going to the bathroom about ten times, because he was about five hours from having his tryout. While we were at the arena, the promotor asked me to jump in the ring because he liked the way I looked, I ended up being fortunate enough to get the job, and that's how I entered into the pro ranks.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: How did you get into the WWE? How did it feel to part of the WWE then, and what's it like being part of them today?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: Once I became a pro wrestler, I brought my brother Sika to join me in Arizona, and I trained him and we formed a tag team, which was called "The Anoa'i Brothers". We later became "The Islanders", and finally "The Wild Samoans". It was a long road of wrestling from territory to territory before we got our break in the WWE. We started out under the tutilage of the late great Stu Hart, and from there traveled throughout the United States and overseas. After many years of sacrifice, the late Andre the Giant and the Fabulous Moolah put a good word in for us with the late Vince McMahon Sr. We received a phone call from Mr. McMahon inviting us to Allentown, Pennsylvania for his upcoming TV taping. From that day on, we were part of the team, and I'm honored to say that I am still part of the WWE today. In the days that I was actively wrestling, I had the opportunity to see the world, become a role model, and live my dream. I have nothing but the upmost respect for the McMahons and the WWE, both then and now. Today I am still part of the company, not as an active wrestler or manager, but more on a training, talent scout level. I am one of the talent who has been blessed to have a long career with the WWE.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You were a former three time then WWF Tag Team Champion. What was it like holding the most important tag team championships in the world at the time? What is it like winning any title, knowing that a promoter has so much confidence in you to represent their company as its champion?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: When we first got into the wrestling business, we were thrilled to know that we were living our dream and putting our people on the map. We worked very hard and sacrificed a lot to build our careers, and it obviously paid off. It was a complete honor to be the first team to hold the WWE tag team belts on three occasions. I have all the respect in the world for the McMahons for believing in us and giving us the opportunity to carry the titles for their company, until we stepped down and handed over the torch to the newer generation. Throughout our careers, we held 21 titles. It is an amazing feeling knowing that you've earned the respect from the promotion, and it's also a great honor for them to give you the ball to run with.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You’re the patriarch of one of the most successful families in wrestling. How does it feel to be to have so many of your family members do so well in wrestling, from Rikishi to The Rock from Afa Jr to The Tonga Kid and everyone else?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: In our Samoan custom, we believe very strongly in family and respect for our elders. The day that my late uncle handed me the torch, I knew that it was my time to continue the family tradition that we started. After Peter came Sika and I. Our sons and nephews started out with Samu, Tonga Kid, the late Yokozuna, Rikishi, L.A. Smooth, The Rock, Rosie (Super Hero In Training), the Hamo Bull, Jamal, Afa Jr., and The Black Pearl. They have all followed in our footsteps. The Samoan dynasty does not end there. I have another nephew, Toa, who is working his way into the pro ranks, and in the very near future, my grandson Lance Anoa'i will be making a big name for himself. I feel very blessed when I sit back and watch my family carry on our name through the wrestling world. I am so proud of each one of them and what they have accomplished in their careers.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Why do you feel your family, who has been involved in wrestling for a long time, has been able to stay away from the bad stuff in wrestling, such as demons, while other wrestling families, such as the Von Erichs and The Harts have gone through the pain and demons numerous times in their history?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: It is unfortunate that the Harts and Von Erichs had so much heartache, because I think the world of both families on a personal level as well as professional. Both were very close families who contributed a lot to the wrestling industry. I believe that our family has held it together because of our strong belief in our custom, our religion, and cultural upbringing. We have experienced a lot of heartache with the loss of Peter, Yokozuna, and my son in law Gary Albright, but we feel very blessed that our family has continued to maintain our closeness and customs, considering the fact that we are all in different cities with very busy schedules.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What is your proudest memory and accomplishment in wrestling?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: My proudest memory was when my then 16-year old son Samu stepped up to the plate to help save the team "The Wild Samoans". My brother Sika had broken his hip, and Samu joined me and had his first big break in pro wrestling walking down the aisle with me in Madison Square Garden. How many fathers and sons in the world today can have that opportunity?

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you think about the drugs and death in wrestling, and what do you think can be done to prevent it?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: It's unfortunate that there have been deaths in the past few years related to drugs. Wrestling is a beautiful sport and a good business, and it's a shame that it receives a black eye so often for all of the negative things, and you don't hear about any of the rewards or positive things. I cannot pass judgement or tell anyone how to live their life, but I know for myself and family, we believe very strongly in God and lean on him and each other when things get hard, and when life feels too overwhelming. Hopefully if someone's loved one has a drug problem, they can see that that person needs help, and do whatever it takes for them to get it. I know this is not always possible, but all we can do is pray that someone is there to watch over the ones who cannot watch over themselves.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What has been your favorite match in the history of your career?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: My favorite match was The Wild Samoans -vs- The Late Andre the Giant and my cousin Superfly Jimmy Snuka.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Who has been your favorite opponent?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: My favorite opponents were a tie between the Road Warriors and the Steiner Brothers.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Being a tag team wrestler for most of your career, who is your favorite tag team of all time? Who is your favorite tag team you ever wrestled? Who is your favorite tag team today in the WWE? Who is your favorite tag team in the indies today?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: My favorite tag team of all time is Pat Patterson and Ray Stevens. My favorite team that I've ever wrestled was the late Junk Yard Dog and Jake the Snake Roberts. My favorite tag team today in the WWE is The Dudleys. My favorite tag team in the Indies today is The Briscoe Brothers.

Afa in a match with Rocky Johnson.
Picture Credit: WildSamoan.com

Afa with Fatu, Samu and Captain Lou Albano during the Headshrinkers WWF Run
Picture Credit: WildSamoan.com

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You currently run World Xtreme Wrestling. (WXW) Can you describe what WXW is and what WXW offers, for everyone not familiar with it?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: I started WXW in 1996 to give my graduate students a place to gain ring experience in front of a crowd. Throughout the years, WXW has grown and has been known as "The Dream League". We are currently airing our TV show "WXW Rage" in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the island of Samoa. We are the only independent promotion to my knowledge that has live television hitting millions of homes. WXW is a place to grow, establish yourself, and build a fan following. WXW offers old-school and current styles of wrestling, and is a promotion that fans of all ages can enjoy. www.wxwwrestling.com

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What are some of your favorite WXW moments?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: Our big annual Sportsfest shows, seeing my graduate students have their debut match, watching them have their dreams come true, giving young atheletes a chance to gain experience in the sport, and hand-picking the top atheletes for tryouts in the WWE.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You also run a training school, called The Wild Samoan Training Center. How does one go about getting into the school, and what does your school offer? Can you also tell readers of the DOI some of the names that went through your school?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: Complete information on our training program can be found on our website www.wildsamoan.com . Some of my students include Mean Gene Snisky, Smooth Tommy Suede, Molsonn, Frankie V, Belladawna, X-Treme Billy Dream, Batista, Billy Kidman, Gangrel and Luna Vachon, Sherri Martell, and Chris Kanyon, just to name a few. Of course, I trained my nephews and sons as well.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What is the USO foundation and what is its purpose?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: The Uso's Foundation was formed to give kids an opportunity to get off the streets and learn many possible career trades. I use wrestling as the attraction to lure the kids off the street, and offer them the opportunity to learn filming and editing, photography, website design, marketing, costume design, basic reading and writing skills, among other things. I hope the readers will take the time to visit our website www.samoanfoundation.com to learn more about our foundation.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: WXW is one of the few independent promotions to be associated with the WWE. If you were the sole booker of the WWE, what would you do to change it and improve it?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: Yes, we are affiliated with the WWE, which is something that I am very proud to offer to my wrestlers. I have enough of a time running WXW without worrying about running the WWE =)

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What's a family reunion like in the Samoan family?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: They are wonderful, I have over 250 immediate family members, and we are all very close, and yes, everyone knows each other's name and business. We have a family website which allows our family to stay extremely close, and when we are together, our wrestling titles stay in the arena. There is a lot of food, laughter, good times, and prayer.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What independent wrestlers do you think have "it"?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: Mean Gene, Low Ki, and Homicide are names that come to mind.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What has been the biggest WXW match in your opinion, in the history of WXW?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: The 30 Minute Iron Man Match between my son Afa Jr. and Sugaa.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Where do you see WXW going in the year 2004?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: Definitely moving forward. WXW has a great team of wrestlers, managers, and valets, and we plan for 2004 to be our best year yet.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you want to say to anyone reading this interview?

“The Wild Samoan” Afa: For anyone who has an interest in becoming a professional wrestler, feel free to visit my website at www.wildsamoan.com . If you're looking for a top-quality independent promotion to follow, check out WXW at www.wxwwrestling.com . For businesses or private donors that are looking for a non-profit foundation to donate to, please visit the Uso's Foundation at www.samoanfoundation.com . I am proud of the 30+ years that I have contributed to the sport of professional wrestling, and I hope that my family can continue my work through the Uso's Foundation.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Thank you for taking out time to do this interview.