The Rock honored his late grandmother, Lia Maivia, by inducting her into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
“She was a trailblazer, a protector of our family, the real Final Boss.”
The Rock expressed this in his video announcement on Instagram.
Lia Maivia broke barriers as a pioneering wrestling promoter, laying the groundwork for one of the most distinguished lineages in wrestling history. Born Ofelia Fuataga in Lalomanu, Aleipata, Samoa, she, alongside her husband, WWE Hall of Famer “High Chief” Peter Maivia, played pivotal roles in Hawaii's wrestling scene.
Following her husband's passing in 1982, Lia assumed control of the National Wrestling Alliance territory in Hawaii, known as Polynesian Pro Wrestling, becoming one of the first female promoters in wrestling history.
With Maivia's strength and influence, the Anoa'i family grew as one of the industry's most iconic dynasties, with WWE Superstars like The Rock, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Yokozuna, Rikishi, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and others achieving global acclaim.
Although Maivia passed away in 2008 at the age of 77, her legacy continues to resonate within the wrestling industry and beyond, leaving an enduring impact that is felt to this day. Her contributions to wrestling paved the way for many, and her spirit of determination and passion for the sport continue to inspire generations.
Images provided by the featured individuals or sourced from their public social media profiles and online platforms. All rights remain with the original creators. Originally published in PMN+ Magazine, May 2024 (Vol. 1 No. 1).
May 2024 · Digital Magazine
