Former WWF Star Samu Reveals Battle With Cancer

Former WWF Superstar Samu — real name Samula Anoa’i — publicly revealed today that he is battling stage four liver cancer and is waiting for a liver transplant.

Anoa’i revealed his battle in a Facebook post this morning addressing complaints about T-shirts he began selling this week, which some criticized as being exploitive after his cousin, Roman Reigns, revealed his ongoing battle with leukemia.

Anoa’i wrote:

I want to take a minute to address the situation with myself and that of my family.

I recently have posted I am selling shirts “Anoa’i Strong”

These shirts have been for sale for many years and in light of the current situation that has struck myself and my family, I have decided to change the shirts to various colors for cancer.

My cousins news has struck the world and we are all devastated at this time. What many of you may or may not know is I am also dealing with stage 4 liver cancer and am currently waiting for God’s grace to help me get a transplant.

I am an elder member of my family and in no way am I or my family attempting to profit from any serious sickness. Instead, I want to use our name in order to help doctors and researchers find ways to cure this evil sickness.

I do not endorse or will I ever endorse profit on the misfortune of others or myself or that of my family.

I want all of my friends, family and fans to know we will always remain “Anoa’i Strong.” and these shirts will remain for sale and we will be speaking with various cancer organizations on how we can help.

Until you can stand in the shoes we stand in you will never know the pain and the struggle we endure daily.
Respectfully
Samu Anoa’i

Anoa’i is best known as for his time in the World Wrestling Federation from 1992 to 1994 as one-half of The Headshrinkers with Fatu (aka Rikishi). They captured the WWF World Tag Team Championship from The Quebecers in April 1994 before dropping the straps to Shawn Michaels and Diesel at SummerSlam 1994.

Here is video of The Headshrinkers’ title win.

Anoa’i also wrestled for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1989 and 1990, Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1996, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in the 1980s.

Anoa’i currently operates World X-treme Wrestling (WXW) in Allentown, Pennsylvania and still wrestles at the age of 55. He most recently teamed with his son, Lance Anoa’i, on October 4 at a Major League Wrestling event in New York City.