Siva ‘Superfly’ Afi, former wrestler known for Ric Flair feud, dead at 77

The wrestling world is in mourning after the death of Siva Afi.

The wrestler, whose real name was Papali’itele Max Amata Taogaga, passed away at the age of 77.

The tragic news confirmed by his family on Thursday, with his cause of death unknown.

The man nicknamed “Superfly” joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1986 and was quickly introduced to the WWE faithful as the cousin of Jimmy Snuka.

Afi enjoyed an unbeaten start to his career. While he found early success, the fans didn’t end up taking to him as Vince McMahon had hoped, and he eventually faded out of the organisation.

Before joining the WWF, Afi had wrestled in nearly 30 matches for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

But it was in Hawaii where he became a household name.

Afi wrestled Ric Flair to a stalemate in a one-hour time limit match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, to much fanfare.

He would eventually retire from the sport in 1997. He was also convicted on a count of aggravated burglary, two counts of aggravated robbery, and seven counts of kidnapping after acting as the “getaway driver” for a robbery, burglary and kidnapping that went down in January 1996 in Ohio.

He was found guilty and sentenced to 15-40 years. But he was deported back to Samoa a decade later after several appeals.

Once he returned to the island nation, he dedicated the remaining years of his life to rehabilitation programs and community work.

And as news leaked out of his passing on Thursday, the wrestling world was quick to remember the man known as ‘Superfly’.

“Sorry to hear about the death of Siva Afi, another protege of Peter Maivia. Afi’s most famous match was a 60-minute draw with NWA champ Ric Flair at Aloha Stadium before what is still the largest crowd for pro wrestling in Hawaii,” wrestling reporter Dave Meltzer wrote on X.

“Sadly we’ve lost the last of my mother’s siblings. Papali’itele Tuivaisigano Amata Taogaga,” Hitro Okesene said.

“Uncle was a former WWF Wrestler known to everyone as ‘Siva Afi’. From babysitting our cousin ‘The Rock’, to attending his wedding, to stepping into the ring with Ric Flair, and ultimately finding god and helping to change peoples lives for the better.

“What an amazing journey his life was. Thank you for the memories and your stories. Rest peacefully now Uncle. You will be deeply missed, forever loved and never forgotten.”

Pro wrestler booking account Book Pro Wrestlers said in a statement: “We are saddened to learn that Siva Afi has passed away, as confirmed by his family. From his memorable WWF run to his work as Burt Reynolds’ bodyguard and stuntman, Siva lived a remarkable life.

“More importantly, he earned the respect of those who shared a locker room with him — so many of the wrestlers we’ve spoken with over the years remembered him as a genuinely kind and well-liked man. Rest in peace, Siva Afi. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”