Cocoa Samoa Sabu the Wildman High Chief Onasahi[2] Tami Samoa[2] The Black Ninja Jack Snuka
Billed height
5"11
Billed weight
238 lb (108 kg)
Debut
1976
Retired
1997
Ulualoaiga Onosai Tuaolo Emelio[1] (March 9, 1945 – January 9, 2007) was an American Samoan professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Cocoa Samoa.
Professional wrestling career
He began his training by studying martial arts in Japan.[2] His had his first matches in Japanese promotions.[2]
In 1994, Samoa returned to wrestling working in Puerto Rico. Later in his career he worked in the independent circuit and All Pro Wrestling in California until retiring in 1997.
Personal life
Samoa established a janitorial company to provide jobs to homeless people.[2] He also worked for motorcycle companies, offering publicity by making cross-country rides.[2] He spent time in prison after working as a money collector for a drug dealer.[2] After being released from prison, Samoa became a preacher and visited other inmates to preach about Christianity.[2]
He estimated that he had fathered 11 children by nine different women.[2] At the time of his death, however, he was married to a woman named Esperanza and had five known sons and three daughters.[1] He had 31 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.[1] During his career, he befriended other wrestlers such as Harley Race and Antonio Inoki.[2] He was also close friends with Jimmy Snuka, whom he referred to as his brother.[2]
