Peter Maivia
| Peter Maivia | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Ring name(s) | "High Chief" Peter Maivia |
| Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1] |
| Born | April 6, 1937 American Samoa |
| Died | June 13, 1982 (aged 45) 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 American Samoan professional wrestler better known as "High Chief" Peter Maivia. He was head of the famous Samoan wrestling family. He was the grandfather of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and was also the promoter for the National Wrestling Alliance's promotions in Hawaii.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Personal life
Maivia, also known as the Flying Hawaiian, was of the Alii lineage of Malietoa.[2] Maivia's tribal tattoos, which covered his abdomen and legs, were a symbol of his High Chief status.[1][3] 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.[citation needed]
Maivia disapproved of his daughter's relationship with Rocky Johnson because he was a professional wrestler.[4] The duo married despite Maivia's objections.[1] His son, Peter Jr, also wrestled in Hawaii and the west coast after the passing of Peter Sr. sometimes under the name "Prince Peter Maivia".
In 2008, Maivia was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his grandson Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The award was accepted on his behalf by his daughter Ata Maivia-Johnson.
Maivia was considered a "blood brother" by Amituanai Anoa'i, the father of the Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika), thus the Anoa'i family regard the Maivia line from him on forward as an extension of their own clan.
Maivia was also in the fifth James Bond film, You Only Live Twice, where he plays a driver that drives a disguised Bond to Osato headquarters. In 1981, Maivia was diagnosed with cancer.[1] He died on June 13, 1982.[1] On October 19, 2008, Maivia's wife, Lia Maivia, died.[5]
[edit] In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Stump Puller (Inverted Boston crab)
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers trained by Maivia
[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)
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Hall of Fame: High Chief Peter Maivia". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/petermaivia/. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ Ahching, Leiataua Ahching. Polynesian Interconnections (p.19)
- ^ Funk, Terry. More Than Just Hardcore (p.197)
- ^ The Rock. The Rock Says... (p.6-7)
- ^ Brecher, Elinor J. (2008-10-25). "Grandmother of 'The Rock,' promoter". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/wrestling/story/741025.html. Retrieved 2008-11-17.[dead link]
[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.
[edit] External links
- Peter Maivia at Find a Grave
- WWE Hall of Fame profile
- Online World of Wrestling profile
- BodySlamming.com profile
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
