The second night, Tama debuted the newest member to Bullet Club, Taiji Ishimori. Leone is the cousin of Bullet Club member Bad Luck Fale, they both spent their early childhoods in Mua, Tonga without meeting. Or, maybe its because Reigns is related to someone with a similar name as Tama Tongas. As soon as Tama Tongas Twitter lockdown was lifted, he was quick to respond and accused Reigns of snitching him to the Twitter police. Fightful Select reports that WWE is interested in Tama Tonga, who recently competed at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 and defeated WWE's Karl Anderson. In the spring of 1999, when Ric Flair was the (kayfabe) president on WCW programming, the barbaric Meng would often annihilate Flair's enemies per his instructions. While speaking on the. 330 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003, The Heartbreakers (Heartbreaker Apollo and Heartbreaker Adonis), The Wildcats (Mike Anthony and Dobby Gillies), The Starr Corporation (Bouncer Bruno and Victor the Bodyguard), The Huertas Brothers/The Invaders (Maelo Huertas and, Salt 'n' Pepper (Derrick King and Stan Lee), The Texas Outlaws (Todd Dean and Brian Gamble), D'Jour Twins (Dave D'Jour and David D'Jour), This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 15:13. 15 Things You Didn't Know About The Anoa'i Family. Tama Tonga Looking to Prove He Can Win As a Singles Competitor A featured part of Bullet Club, Tama Tonga is a six-time IWGP tag champ. [27] Despite this, Hikuleo appeared at the event in the corner of Bullet Club. [34] [29] Later in the Burning Spirit tour on September 25, Hikuleo betrayed Bullet Club by attacking Jay White along with Tama Tonga, turning face and joining the Guerillas of Destiny stable with his brothers Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa along with Jado.[30]. Since 2003, Fifita has been essentially retired, returning to the wrestling ring on a few occasions over the years. Late in the match Andr attempted to interfere, but Haku accidentally struck him with a savate kick which left Andr tied in the ropes; Haku was pinned shortly after this. Also Read: Is Tama Tonga Related to Roman Reigns? The professional wrestler, the Tongan warrior, is an original member of the Bullet Club with fellow non-Japanese wrestlers - Prince . Haku, once again representing Bullet Club, returned at the G1 Special in San Francisco. But thats where the connection of the Tonga wrestlers and the Anoai ends. The two teams are set to collide at IMPACT No Surrender. [30] His debut match for CMLL saw him participate in the 2012 edition of CMLL's Leyenda de Azul tournament. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens defeated Chaos members Yoshi-Hashi, Gedo, Rocky Romero, Yoh and Sho, after making Gedo submit to the Tongan Death Grip. Tonga, born Alipate Aloisio Leone, is Tongan American and not Samoan. [32] Hikuleo appeared on the August 11th episode of AEW Dark, defeating Thad Brown. New Japan Pro-Wrestling has revealed the full lineup for its upcoming 51st Anniversary event to take place at the Ota Ward General Gymnasium on March 6th. would end up dropping the tag team titles at Wrestle Kingdom 13 to Sanada and EVIL in a 3 Way Match for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship that also included The Young Bucks. Haku ended the year mired in a lengthy losing streak. Tevita Fifita (May 7, 1983) is a Tongan-American professional wrestler, currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) under the ring name Tanga Loa. At the same time, his brother Tevita was playing college football with the UTEP Miners. [37] At Turning Point in November, Bey and Hikuleo were once again unsuccessful in capturing the Impact World Tag Team Championships from The Good Brothers. Born in the South Pacific island which shares his first name, Tonga Uliuli Fifita was entrenched in athletic competition from an early age. Part of that is because he has seen the different roles kayfabe plays in Japan compared to the United States. [87] Also at the event, Tonga was announced to be a part of the G1 Climax 32 tournament in July, where he would compete in the B Block. [12], Leone went to Japan in 2010, initially going to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) to train, he impressed enough to be hired by the company. Of course, the same thing came out. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. In the 2018 G1 Climax, Tonga participated in the B Block, where he tied for last place with 6 points, down from the 8 he posted in the previous two years. The latest Twitter feud stems from wrestling heavyweights Tama Tonga and Roman Reigns beefing online. Tevita and Alipate currently wrestle as Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The Anoai family (Samoan pronunciation: [a.noa.i] ah-no-AH ee) is a family of professional wrestlers originating from American Samoa.Family members have comprised several tag teams and stables within a variety of promotions.Famous members of the family include WWE Hall of Famers Rikishi, Yokozuna, and brothers the Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika Anoai). On 14 September, the team was eliminated from the tournament in the first round by Team ROH (Mike Bennett and Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson).[15][16]. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. He was eliminated from the match after submitting to Hiroyoshi Tenzan. Sione Vailahi, who would later become better known as pro-wrestler "The Barbarian", was also a part of this group. He is an expert in pro-wrestling and mixed martial arts, and has been featured on numerous high-profile websites and magazines. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa are currently in their seventh reign as IWGP Tag Team Champions. He, alongside [12][13] He joined the gaijin heel stable Bullet Club alongside his brothers Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga and his cousin Bad Luck Fale, substituting for the injured Kenny Omega. Tama Tonga is one of the most decorated tag team wrestlers never to sign with a major United States wrestling company. He challenged Randy Savage for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship on December 17 at The Spectrum but failed to win the title. For exclusive Tama's Island content please visit the Tama's Island Patreon page! During a phone call in 2004 they decided they would become professional wrestlers once they had finished their respective obligations three years later. He is currently wrestling for the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and the U.S. promotion Impact Wrestling under the ring name Hikuleo ( Hikureo), he is a former member of Bullet Club.He has joined his brothers of the Guerrillas of Destiny as of September. Hikuleo competed in the 2019 New Japan Cup for the first time in his career, in which he was eliminated in the first round by Mikey Nicholls. The 40-year-old hails from a wrestling family, much like Reigns, as he is the adopted son. Tama Tonga is the son of Haku. Maivia's daughter, Ata Maivia-Johnson, is Jax's aunt. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. [1] He is also known for his time in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he wrestled under the name Meng. Tevita Tu'amoeloa Fetaiakimoeata Fifita (born May 7, 1983) is an American professional wrestler, currently working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), under the ring name Tanga Loa ( Tanga Roa) (originally Tanga Roa).. Fifita started his wrestling career in WWE's farm territory Florida Championship Wrestling in 2009. The team was named "Guerrillas of Destiny" (G.O.D.). 28. [23], Following The Guerillas of Destiny's ejection from Bullet Club at No Surrender Hikuleo began to become more aggressive to stable leader Jay White, who was responsible for kicking out Hikuleo's brothers. Heenan said that if he hadn't been there and seen it himself, he wouldn't believe it. Fifita's youngest son Taula[21] made his professional wrestling debut in November 2016. 402. Alipate Aloisio Leone [7] (born October 15, 1982) is a Tongan-American professional wrestler better known by the ring name Tama Tonga ( Tama Tonga ). With the Bullet Club currently being stacked with talents such as Jay White, KENTA, and EVIL, it shouldn't be too hard for Guerrillas of Destiny to find a third man for a match against The Bloodline. He has a half-brother, Tama Tonga, and is the cousin and adopted brother of Tanga Loa and Vika. TAMA offers Drum Kits, Snare Drums, Original Percussion, Hardware, Microphone Stands and Sticks, plus drum accessories like bags, cases and practice goods. Bullet Club and Guerrillas of Destiny (20132018), Seven-time IWGP Tag Team Champion (2019-present), Bullet Club departure and Hontai (2022present), MSG Tag/IWGP Tag Title/Japan Cup Tag/Super Grade Tag/G1 Tag/World Tag League, NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions, NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship, "Tama Tonga finally getting a shot in North America with ROH", "Tama's Island: Tama's Time As A Young Boy At The NJPW Dojo on Apple Podcasts", "Seven in the chamber: Tama Tonga on BULLET CLUB's 7 years (1/2) | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING", "G.O.D. [15] Tonga was one of sixteen wrestlers who competed in the 2010 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. Thank you so much to Tama Tonga for taking the time to chat with myself. Meng finally won the title at the Sin pay-per-view on 14 January 2001. He was eventually released from the WWF in April 2002. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. [31] Following the tournament Tonga worked with a number of CMLL's top stars, including the Leyenda de Azul tournament winner Diamante Azul. The family also boasts a former wrestling champion, Sam Fatu, who went by several stage names. Tonga and Fale would team up again in the 2015 World Tag League for a worse result, picking up two wins for four losses to finish penultimate with four points. He is currently wrestling for the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and the U.S. promotion Impact Wrestling under the ring name Hikuleo ( Hikureo), he is a former member of Bullet Club. Your login session has expired. Fifita previously worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Micah and for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) under the name Camacho, the bodyguard and occasional tag team partner of Hunico, as well as occasionally . While Tama stayed neutral at Strong Style Evolved before a tag team match against Marty Scurll and Cody, Tama stated if he were to be on a team it wouldn't be Team Cody. Be the first one to comment on this story. [45] After a three-day reign, the three lost the title back to the Briscoes and Yano at The New Beginning in Niigata. His debut match came as part of the 2010 Super Junior Tag Tournament, where he teamed up with Davey Richards, losing in the first round to El Samurai and Koji Kanemoto. During the appearance he represented his son Tama Tonga's Bullet Club stable. Goldberg, too, had an impressive winning streak. Haku tried to ambush Andr; however, The Giant blocked Haku's kick and struck him repeatedly before leaving the ring alone to a standing ovation. It was in Baltimore Airportme and Siva Afi went over and there were lots of babyfaces there at the bar. Jax is a part of the Anoa'i family because of their "blood brother" relationship with the legendary High Chief Peter Maivia. Bocchi the Rock! The team also had a classic feud with The British Bulldogs that was started when the Islanders, along with Bobby Heenan, kidnapped the Bulldogs' mascot, a bulldog named Matilda. Tama Tonga (@Tama_Tonga) May 28, 2021 For months, Tama and Tanga (Guerrillas of Destiny) have been feuding with the Suzuki Gun duo of Zack Sabre Jr. and Taichi (Dangerous Tekkers). [17], After recuperating and spending six months training at the NJPW Dojo in Los Angeles, Hikuleo returned at Honor Rising: Japan in February 2019, accompanying his brothers to ringside. Haku is somehow related to the Rock and Romans branches of the family. They initially congratulated Omega, but suddenly turned and attacked Omega and the Young Bucks as they were celebrating on the ramp while wearing T-shirts referring to themselves as the "BC Firing Squad". [82][83][84] They lost the belts back to the Dangerous Tekkers on June 1. A new episode drops every Friday Morning! They have a daughter, Vika; a son, Tevita who is also a wrestler; and two adopted sons, Alipate and Taula. After a troupe of Japanese sumo wrestlers visited the island kingdom in an attempt to drum up local interest in the sport . Jeff Sharp is a freelance writer from Parts Unknown. No returns accepted. In matches through April and May, the former Heenan family member won most of his matches against Haku. Tama Tonga (Alipate Aloisio Leone) was born on 1982 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, is a Tongan professional wrestler. Hikuleo appeared in the crowd on Night 2 of Fyter Fest, watching the IWGP United States Championship match between Jon Moxley and Lance Archer, thus making his All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut. Is Tama Tonga related to WWE megastar Roman Reigns? He has also worked with NJPW's partner promotion in Mexico, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) where he has held the CMLL World Tag Team Championship twice. Leone and his younger brother Taula were adopted by their maternal aunt and her husband, professional wrestler Tonga Fifita better known as Haku or Meng from his native island of Tonga while they were visiting in 1991. The match was a 16-man torneo cibernetico elimination match, from which Tonga was eliminated when Atlantis and Shocker double teamed him. Meng later joined the Dungeon of Doom under the name "Face of Terror" and forming a tag team named the Faces of Fear with his previous WWF tag team partner The Barbarian, with the pair being managed by another former WWF alumnus, Jimmy Hart. Roman Reigns himself has been on a tear in WWE for months and it would certainly be a fascinating scenario to have the reigning Universal Champion share the ring with Bullet Club members. Haku would later go on to form the tag team known as The Colossal Connection with Andr the Giant and win the WWF Tag Team Championship from Demolition on 30 December edition of Superstars (taped on 13 December). Is Tama Tonga related to Roman Reigns? On the night of the G1 Climax finals, Tama, Loa, and Ishimori won the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships from the Super Villains in what was originally scheduled to be a showcase match but became a title match after Matt Jackson accepted a challenge from Loa to put the belts on the line. [72][73][74][75] They would soon immediately regain the belts at The New Beginning in the USA event in Atlanta, before again losing them without a defence to Golden*Ace (Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi) on a New Japan Road show in Korakuen Hall.[76][77][78][79][80]. Fresh off his victory over El Phantasmo at NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka, Tama Tonga is ready for new challenges. Heenan was also close friends with Andre the Giant and claimed that the only two men in the world that Andre feared were Meng and Harley Race. Few will understand the love and admiration I have for the country, fans and the people of Japan. Alipate Aloisio Leone, popularly known as Tama Tonga, is often linked with WWE Champion Roman Reigns. Tonga has spent his entire career in New Japan, but he does have some ties to WWE. 6 of the top 50 tag teams in the, WC Big Top Tag Team Championship (1 time) Tanga Loa, The Heartbreakers (Heartbreaker Apollo and Heartbreaker Adonis), The Wildcats (Mike Anthony and Dobby Gillies), The Starr Corporation (Bouncer Bruno and Victor the Bodyguard), The Huertas Brothers/The Invaders (Maelo Huertas and, Salt 'n' Pepper (Derrick King and Stan Lee), The Texas Outlaws (Todd Dean and Brian Gamble), D'Jour Twins (Dave D'Jour and David D'Jour), This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 23:19. 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