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Toa Liona

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Téa Leoni.

Toa Liona
Toa Liona in August 2024
Birth nameBruce Orlando Leaupepe[1]
Born (1991-01-30) January 30, 1991 (age 33)
San Jose, California, U.S.
Alma materSan Diego State University
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Toa Liona
Billed height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Billed weight301 lb (137 kg)
Billed fromSamoa
Trained byRikishi
Debut2020

Bruce Orlando Leaupepe (born January 30, 1991) is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Toa Liona and is one-half of the tag team Gates of Agony. He also wrestles for AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former two-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion.[2]

Early life

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Leaupepe was born in San Jose, California. He attended Oak Grove High School, where he played football and basketball. After graduating in 2009, he attended the City College of San Francisco and De Anza College. In 2011, he enrolled in San Diego State University, majoring in criminal justice.[3] He played football for the San Diego State Aztecs until being forced to quit after suffering a popped disc in his lower back. He worked as a personal trainer before deciding to become a professional wrestler.[4]

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (2020–2021)

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Liona was trained to wrestle by Rikishi. He began wrestling on the independent circuit in 2020, wrestling primarily for promotions in Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. In early-2021, he formed a tag team with Juicy Finau named "Toko Uso".

All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2021–present)

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See also: Cage of Agony, Gates of Agony, and the Embassy / Mogul Embassy

On October 23, 2021, Liona made his All Elite Wrestling debut on AEW Dark: Elevation, teaming with Mike Reed in a loss to FTR. On October 24, he appeared on AEW Dark teaming with Bison XL, losing to 2point0.[5][6]

On April 1, 2022, Liona was named as one of Tully Blanchard's new clients, teaming with Kaun to form the Gates of Agony.[7] The team defeated Shinobi Shadow Squad (Cheeseburger and Eli Isom) at the event.[8] On May 25, Liona teamed with Juicy Finau in a GCW Tag Team Championship match, losing to BUSSY.[9]

On July 6, Gates of Agony made their AEW Television debut on AEW Rampage, defeating Jonathan Gresham and Lee Moriarty.[10] On July 23, 2022, at Death Before Dishonor, Prince Nana announced he had purchased Tully Blanchard Enterprises and reformed The Embassy, with Cage, Kaun and Liona.[11] They would go on to defeat the team of Alex Zayne, Blake Christian and Tony Deppen during the preshow.[12] At Final Battle, The Embassy defeated Dalton Castle and The Boys, to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.[13]

Gates of Agony suffered a loss to FTR at Battle of the Belts IV when they challenged for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.[14] At Rampage:Grand Slam, The Embassy lost the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships to The Elite members "Hangman" Adam Page and The Young Bucks.[15] On November 1, 2023, on AEW Dynamite, The Embassy regained the titles.[16]

On the May 8, 2024 episode of Dynamite, Cage and the Gates of Agony turned on Swerve Strickland, disbanding the Mogul Embassy in the process.[17] On the May 25 episode of Rampage, Gates of Agony and Cage revealed their new team name to be "Cage of Agony".[18] After Cage left the group, Kaun and Liona were left as a tag team.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2023)

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On November 13, 2023, it was announced that Gates of Agony (Liona and Kaun), would make their New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) debut, by competing in the 2023 World Tag League. The duo were announced to be competing in the A-Block.[19] On November 29, Gates of Agony would seemingly join House of Torture, but would reveal it to be a trick on the following December 1 show. The duo finished with 4 points and were unable to qualify for the semi-finals.

Personal life

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Liona is of Samoan and Puerto Rican descent.[20]

Championships and accomplishments

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  • Future Stars of Wrestling
    • FSW Tag Team Championship (1 time)[21] – with Juicy Finau
  • KnokX Pro Entertainment
    • Urban Empire Championship (1 time)[22]

References

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  1. ^ "Bruce Orlando Leaupepe, Born 1/30/1991 in California". CaliforniaBirthIndex.org. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  2. ^ Shijas, Muhammed. "WATCH: AEW Dark star Toa Liona shows off incredible power after bench pressing 500 pounds". Sportskeeda. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "#55 Bruce Leaupepe". GoAztecs.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Monteagudo Jr., Luis (June 5, 2023). "'Full Circle' Moment for Former Aztec, Now Wrestler, Toa Liona at AEW Show". TimesOfSanDiego.com. Times of San Diego. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  5. ^ "Toa Liona: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  6. ^ Taylor, Sanchez (October 24, 2021). "Spoilers For AEW Dark October 24 Tapings At Universal Studios". WrestleTalk. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  7. ^ Mueller, The Doctor Chris. "ROH Supercard of Honor 2022 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  8. ^ Quarrinton, Norman (April 2, 2022). "ROH Supercard Of Honor Full Results And Recap: Several Titles Change Hands As The Tony Khan Era Kicks Off". TheSportster. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  9. ^ "Toa Liona – Online World of Wrestling". www.onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  10. ^ Rose, Bryan (July 2022). "Jonathan Gresham & Lee Moriarty vs. The Gates of Agony set for AEW Rampage". WON/F4W – WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  11. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 23, 2022). "Prince Nana Announces He's Purchased Tully Blanchard Enterprises At ROH Death Before Dishonor". Fightful. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "ROH Wrestling.com Death Before Dishonor 2022 Results".
  13. ^ "The Embassy Win ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles At ROH Final Battle 2022".
  14. ^ Rose, Bryan (October 5, 2022). "Two title matches added to AEW Battle of the Belts IV". WON/F4W – WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  15. ^ Murphy, Don (September 22, 2023). "AEW Rampage results (9/22): Murphy's review of Sting and Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage and Luchasaurus, AEW Trios and ROH Six-Man Tag Titles matches, four-way tag for a shot at the ROH Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  16. ^ Powell, Jason (November 1, 2023). "AEW Dynamite results (11/1): Powell's live review of Orange Cassidy vs. Claudio Castagnoli for the AEW International Title, Hikaru Shida vs. Willow Nightingale for the AEW Women's Title, Tony Khan's announcement". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  17. ^ Mueller, Chris (May 8, 2024). "AEW Dynamite Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From May 8". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  18. ^ "AEW RAMPAGE RESULTS (5/25): Pac vs. Rocky Romero, Jericho-Hook-Shibata interaction, Rush vs. Kassidy, plus Samoa Joe, Statlander, Willow". Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  19. ^ "411Mania".
  20. ^ Cloete, Faden (February 1, 2022). "AEW Dark Preview: 12 matches announced, featuring Lance Archer, Anthony Ogogo, and former WWE stars". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  21. ^ "FSW Tag Team Championship History".
  22. ^ "KnokX Pro Entertainment". Facebook. September 2, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  23. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (December 10, 2022). "ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
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