From Leukemia Patient to Universal Champion: The Story of Joe Anoa’i
If you are familiar with WWE, then the Anoa’i name will sound familiar to you. Since the inception of the company, members of the Anoa’i family have taken charge. From Rikishi to Yokozuna, the Wild Samoans to The Rock, the Anoa’i lineage has made its mark.
Being the son of Sika Anoa'i (The Wild Samoans) and brother of now-deceased Matthew Anoa'i (F.K.A. Rosey), Joe was under pressure to follow in his family's footsteps. That's until he decided that he wanted to write a different story for himself. He began to pursue a professional football career. Following his senior year of high school, he was signed to the Georgia Tech Football roster.
He had an incredibly successful career, making the first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference his senior year. He was eventually signed to a (brief) stint with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, until his blood test came back with concerning results. His white blood cell levels were through the roof. He was recommended to visit a doctor, where he received the scariest diagnosis of his life - Leukemia. Having to step away from the dream he worked so hard for, Anoa'i entered a deep state of depression and anxiety. Without a job and with a child on the way, he felt defeated for the first time.
Luckily, through modern-day science, Joe was able to quickly enter remission. When asked about his thoughts, he credits his physical shape and youth to his body's resilience towards the cancer. With football being out of the picture, it was now time to pursue his secondary plan - following in his family's footsteps.
Joe began learning the basics of wrestling from his twin cousins, Josh and John Fatu. The twins, professionally known as The Usos, are the sons of WWE Hall of Famer, Rikishi. They felt the same calling to pursue sports entertainment. "We went from the porch to the Pay-Per-View," says Anoa'i, when asked about his relationship with his twin cousins.
Anoa'i then made his way through FCW, a developmental program run by WWE. He then made it to NXT, which is a branch-off, "minor-league" comparison to the main WWE roster. It was in that program that he met Ambrose and Rollins. CEO Vince McMahon saw potential and put the three of them into a group.
They made their official debut on November 18, 2012, at the Survivor Series pay-per-view.
WWE would never be the same.
As world-class athletes, WWE Superstars often undergo blood tests and drug tests to make sure that they aren't using prohibited substances. Anoa'i recalls the day he found out about his Leukemia relapse.
"I was at a live show, either a Saturday or Sunday, and I just remember one of our doctors telling me that something was going on with my blood. I went and did another [test]. On Monday, the ref came to me and told me to go to the [Training Room], 'Dr. Mark wants to see you.' When I got there, the whole crew was there, and they brought to my attention that my white blood count was obviously elevated. You could point fingers in certain directions, but with my history, we already knew what was going on. The quickest thing that hit me was the fact that I was going to have to drop the title. It sucked, man."
Being the face of WWE, the thought of another cancer diagnosis was harrowing. Would he officially have to hang up his boots for good? In an organization where Superstars go as fast as they come, Anoa'i was unsure of his wrestling future.
Until February 25, 2019.
In a startling return, Roman Reigns made his way down to the ring for the first time in six months. In what feels like an episode of deja vu, he grabs a microphone from a stagehand.
"I said I was going to swing for the fences. We did better than that, y'all. We didn't just swing for the fences. We hit a home run. So when I tell you this, I'm so grateful and so humbled and so honored to announce this," he starts. "The good news is, I'm in remission, y'all. So with that being said, the Big Dog is back!"
Deafening cheers erupted from the crowd.
Although in the absence of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins met Reigns at the top of the ramp once again, celebrating the return of his best friend.
Now, Joe Anoa'i wrestles with a different purpose. He uses his platform to bring awareness to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, often paying visits to patients and raising money. Anoa'i believes that the best way to repay the fans who had his back is by making sure that other Leukemia fighters know he has theirs.
The moment now comes full circle. On Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against former UFC Champion and current WWE Champion, Brock Lesnar. Although Roman Reign’s championship future is uncertain, the future of Joe Anoa'i isn't. His list of accomplishments is long, but no title or accolades will ever match the title of "Two-Time Leukemia Survivor."
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For more information on WWE's partnership with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, click here.
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