WWE: Roman Reigns And The 6 Samoans Who Changed Wrestling

4. "High Chief" Peter Maivia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n1M8cXu8Dc Chief Peter Maivia is considered the patriarch of the Anoa'i/Maivia dynasty, having wrestled in Hawaii and then along the Pacific coast in NWA, before eventually debuting in WWF during the late-1970s and garnering rightful respect and national fame. A quick search of his name on the new WWE Network, and it's not hard to see why this family would give rise to the Electric style that would be passed on and carried into the modern era. On "WWE Old School" in a 1977 spectacle headlined by Bruno Sammartino, Chief Peter Maivia is featured making his MSG debut. "This is one, rugged Samoan, this Maivia," announcer Vince McMahon exclaims. He makes quick work of his opponent with a combo barrage of quick strikes and signature headbutts. After his victory, he lays across the top ropes for a 'quick siesta' before prancing around the ring in celebration, with the capacity crowd completely behind him. Maivia would go on to train the likes of "Superstar" Billy Graham, The Wild Samoans, and eventually Rocky Johnson.
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Thom Fain is a journalist with more than a thousand bylines across the web. He's written for 155+ publications from local to international, covering topics like politics and sports. Thom enjoys the athletic spectacle of NJPW, and the excellence of its Japanese tradition.