Peter Maivia

**Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia** (born **Fanene Pita Anderson**; April 6, 1937 – June 12, 1982) was a Samoan-American professional wrestler better known as **Peter Maivia**. He is the maternal grandfather of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, part of the famous Anoa'i family and was a promoter for the National Wrestling Alliance in Hawaii.

## Professional wrestling career

After spending his first twenty years in American Samoa, Mavia moved to New Zealand.

He began his wrestling career, wrestling not as The High Chief, but as Prince Peter Maivia. Athletic, naturally talented and a quick study, Maivia received his original ring training in New Zealand, under the watchful eye of local wrestler/promoter Steve Rickard.

Both in and out of the ring, Rickard taught the young Samoan a great deal about his new profession, and under his guidance, Maivia developed at an amazing rate. On August 3, 1964, after less than a year in the business, the popular rookie sensation stunned new Zealand's wrestling fanbase by toppling the rugged, experienced Rickard to win the prestigious New Zealand Heavyweight title in Auckland.

The title victory was impressive, indeed, however Maivia's reign turned out to be extremely short, and he held the coveted New Zealand title for just three days, dropping the championship back to Steve Rickard in Wellington on August 6, 1964.

The point had been made though, and from that period forward, Maivia enjoyed main-event status in the NWA's New Zealand territory.

Later in 1964, Maivia followed up his previous success by winning another very prestigious championship, the NWA Australasian Heavyweight title.

Maivia became the new Australasian champion by defeating Kangaroo Kennedy in Auckland, and he would go on to carry the belt for four consecutive years before finally losing his title to Steve Rickard in 1968.

After developing his repertoire and ring skills in New Zealand, Maivia slowly began to branch out and take bookings in other (and often times larger) promotions, with success invariably following the popular islander.

   During his stay in the then called World Wide Wrestling Federation, he was one of its most prominent stars, making numerous appearances on Championship Wrestling. He worked matches with many well known wrestler who would go on to be WWE Hall of Famers, such as Superstar Billy Graham, Ivan Putski and Bob Backlund.

Maivia, also known as the Flying Hawaiian, was of the Ali'i lineage of Malietoa. Maivia's traditional Samoan tattoos, which covered his abdomen and legs, were a symbol of his High Chief status. 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.
Maivia disapproved of his daughter's relationship with Rocky Johnson because he was a professional wrestler. The duo married despite Maivia's objections. 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".

Maivia was considered a "blood brother" by Amituanai Anoa'i, 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 who transports a disguised Bond to Osato headquarters. His character also fights Bond, is hit with a sofa, wields a katana, and is put down with a statue. He was the (uncredited) stunt fight co-ordinator for the film.

## Death and legacy

In 1981, Maivia was diagnosed with cancer. He died on June 12, 1982. Maivia was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, along with his son-in-law Rocky Johnson, in 2008 by his grandson Dwayne Johnson. The award was accepted on his behalf by his daughter Ata Maivia-Johnson.

During his tribute video, WWE chairman Vince McMahon refers to him as a 'tough S.O.B.' and somebody 'you didn't want to mess with' outside the ring, but added he was 'a real wonderful, likable guy'. On October 19, 2008, Maivia's wife, Lia Maivia, died.

In the 2016 Disney animated film, Moana, the character design of Maui was derived from photographs of Peter Maivia, according to interviews with his grandson, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who voices Maui in the film.