Lance AnoaŹ»i is retiring from professional wrestling in March 2027, at what he describes as his seventeen-year mark in the business. The 34-year-old announced it on Instagram, giving himself a run of a few more months before he stops.
“After almost 17 years in professional wrestling, I will be officially calling time on my in-ring career in March 2027, once I reach that 17-year milestone.”
“This journey has given me memories, friendships, battles, victories, losses, and experiences that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me, believed in me, shared a locker room with me, and helped me along the way.”
“For so many years, wrestling has taken up my weekends, my time, and countless moments away from the people I love most. I’ve reached a point where I want to dedicate that time to my wife and my kids and be there for the moments that matter most.”
“I also want to say how proud I am of my family and everything they continue to do in this business. I love what they’re building, I love being part of it in any way I can, and I will always support them 100 percent in everything they do going forward.”
“Walking away from something you’ve dedicated nearly 17 years of your life to isn’t easy. Wrestling will always be a part of who I am, and I’ll always love this business.”
“Thank you, wrestling, for everything you’ve given me. 17 years. One hell of a ride. And in March 2027, it’s time for family. This isn’t goodbye just yet though. We still have a few months to go.”
View this post on Instagram
AnoaŹ»i was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and was trained by his grandfather Afa AnoaŹ»i and at his uncle Afa Jr.’s Battlefield Pro Wrestling. His father is Samu, who worked in the WWF as part of the Wild Samoans, the Samoan SWAT Team and the Headshrinkers, the last of those alongside Rikishi. Afa Jr. wrestled as Manu, and another uncle, Lloyd AnoaŹ»i, worked as L.A. Smooth. Roman Reigns is a cousin.
He debuted in April 2010, beating Chrono Chris on a National Wrestling League show in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Much of his early career was spent in World Xtreme Wrestling, his grandfather’s promotion, often in matches involving his father, his uncle, and Sean Maluta, and he worked steadily for Maryland Championship Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Syndicate, and House of Hardcore.
His best-known run was in MLW. AnoaŹ»i debuted there in March 2018 at Spring Break, losing to MJF, and competed in the first two Battle Riots. He teamed with his father as the Samoan Island Tribe from that October, and in January 2023 won the MLW World Tag Team Championship with Juicy Finau as the Samoan SWAT Team, beating EJ Nduka and Calvin Tankman at Blood and Thunder. They held the titles for 182 days before losing them to Akira and Rickey Shane Page at Never Say Never. He announced his release from MLW that October, after roughly five years with the company. He also worked Pro Wrestling Noah in 2023, taking part in the N-1 Victory tournament.
His WWE history is the part that never quite came together. AnoaŹ»i made his television debut on the January 2, 2015 SmackDown as enhancement talent, losing alongside Rhett Titus to the Ascension. He appeared at an NXT event in February 2017 in connection with a tryout, had another tryout in 2019, and wrestled Shane McMahon on the May 27, 2019 Raw, losing by submission after Drew McIntyre attacked him at ringside. Reigns made the save afterwards.
He finally signed in August 2024 and was announced as part of the Performance Center class for that November, assigned to NXT. He was injured almost immediately, and Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported at the time that he was not expected to be cleared until early 2025, something WWE was aware of when it signed him. He then suffered a second injury while working his way back. AnoaŹ»i announced his own departure on October 10, 2025, without having wrestled a single match for the company, and said afterwards that he still had two years left on the contract when he was let go.
