The wrestling world is in mourning following the death of former WWE star Siva Afi, who has passed away at the age of 77.
The tragic news was confirmed by his family on Thursday afternoon, though his official cause of death has not yet been publicly revealed.
Afi, whose real name was Papali’itele Max Amata Taogaga, rose to prominence in the mid-1980s and is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation.
While Afi enjoyed an unbeaten start to his WWF career after signing in 1986, his most iconic moment came prior to that, in 1985, in Hawaii. He famously wrestled Ric Flair to a grueling one-hour stalemate for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
After retiring from professional wrestling in 1997, however, Afi’s life took a dark and dramatic turn.
He was arrested and convicted in Ohio on charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and seven counts of kidnapping after acting as the getaway driver in a major crime plot.
More to follow…
