Peter Maivia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Peter Maivia | |
|---|---|
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| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | "High Chief" Peter Maivia |
| Billed height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1] |
| Born | April 6, 1927 American Samoa |
| Died | June 13, 1982 (aged 55) Hawaii |
| Billed from | The Isle of Samoa[1] |
| Trained by | Steve Rickard[1] |
| Debut | 1962 |
Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia (April 6, 1937 – June 13, 1982) was a Samoan professional wrestler better known as "High Chief" Peter Maivia. He was head of the famous Samoan wrestling family. He was the grandfather of actor and former WWE superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and was also the promoter for the National Wrestling Alliance's promotions in Hawaii.[1]
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[edit] Career
He started training in the 1960s in New Zealand under Steve Rickard.[1] . He also trained for some time in London. He wrestled throughout the South Pacific and Hawaii before moving to the continental United States.[1] On the West Coast, he won various NWA Tag Team Championships with Pat Patterson, Billy White Wolfe, and Ray Stevens.[1] He briefly wrestled in Texas.[1]
Maivia debuted in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1977.[1] He wrestled Superstar Billy Graham for his WWF title.[1] The next year, Maivia teamed with new champ Bob Backlund. In 1978, Maivia turned heel by betraying Backlund in match against Victor Rivera and Spiros Arion after Backlund won the WWF title from Graham, setting up a series of title matches around the northeast.[1][2] Maivia, however, never won the championship.[1] Subsequently, Maivia also turned on another one of his team mates, Chief Jay Strongbow.[2] During this time, Maivia was managed by "Classy" Freddie Blassie,[1] who, in storyline, paid him to turn on his former teammates.[2]
After leaving the WWF, Maivia wrestled once again in California and Hawaii, feuding with Victor Rivera.[1] He also spent time training wrestlers, including Afa Anoa'i, and Rocky Johnson.[1]
In 1979, Maivia bought the National Wrestling Alliance's Hawaiian promotion, NWA Polynesian Wrestling from Ed Francis, father of NFL star Russ Francis.[1]
On February 25, 2008, Maivia was announced as an inductee for the 2008 class of the WWE Hall of Fame along with his son-in-law Rocky Johnson. They were inducted into the Hall of Fame on March 29, 2008 by his grandson and former professional wrestler, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
[edit] Personal life
Maivia was of the Alii lineage of Malietoa.[3] Maivia's tribal tattoos, which covered his abdomen and legs, were a symbol of his High Chief status.[1][4] According to Superstar Billy Graham, they were completed in three days. Maivia's grandson Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson revealed that they were done with traditional Samoan instrumentation: a small hammer, a needle, and ink.
Maivia disapproved of his daughter's relationship with Rocky Johnson, not because of anything personal against Johnson, but because of his chosen profession.[5] The duo married despite Maivia's objections.[1]
In 1981, Maivia was diagnosed with cancer.[1] He died on June 13, 1982 at the age of 55.[1]
[edit] Relatives in wrestling
- See also: Anoa'i family
He was the head of the Maivia/Johnson wrestling family, which includes his son Peter Maivia, Jr., his son-in-law "Soulman" Rocky Johnson and his grandson Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.[1] He was a blood brother to the Anoa'i family, which includes The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika), Eddie Fatu (Umaga), and Solofa Fatu (Rikishi).
[edit] Other media
Maivia is featured in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice.[1]
[edit] In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
- Stump Puller[1] (Inverted Boston crab)
- Wrestlers trained
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- NWA All-Star Pro Wrestling
- NWA Australasian Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Mid-Pacific Promotions
- NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Jim Hady (1), Billy White Wolf (1), and Sam Steamboat (2)
- NWA New Zealand
- NWA New Zealand British Empire Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him # 268 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "Hall of Fame: High Chief Peter Maivia". WWE.com (February 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
- ^ a b c Floyd Conner. Wrestling's Most Wanted (p.104)
- ^ Peter Leiataua Ahching. Polynesian Interconnections (p.19)
- ^ Terry Funk. More Than Just Hardcore (p.197)
- ^ The Rock. The Rock Says... (p.6-7)
[edit] References
- The Rock and Joe Layden (2000). The Rock Says.... HarperEntertainment. ISBN 978-0060392987.
- Ric Flair and Keith Elliot Greenberg (2004). Ric Flair: To Be the Man. Pocket Books. ISBN 978-0743456913.
- Classy Freddie Blassie and Keith Elliot Greenberg (2003). The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie. World Wrestling Entertainment. ISBN 978-0743463164.
