Sonny Siaki
Encyclopedia
Sonny Siaki is a retired American
professional wrestler
. Unlike many Samoans in professional wrestling, he is not part of the large Anoa'i or Fatu family
.
, then California
in the United States of America
before settling in Wilmington, North Carolina
. Siaki graduated from New Hanover High, received a football scholarship to play at East Carolina University, and majored in Physical Education. He played inside linebacker until a serious stinger
injury forced him to stop playing football, preventing him from pursuing a career within the National Football League
.
notified Siaki that the WCW Power Plant
was holding tryouts in early 1999, Siaki attended the tryout and was awarded a WCW developmental contract. He graduated after seven months and wrestled his first televised match on WCW Saturday Night
against Alan Funk
. Siaki largely appeared on Saturday Night and faced other Power Plant graduates, though he did make several appearances on Thunder
and Nitro. Siaki eventually left WCW, unhappy with the way he was being utilized.
Siaki moved on to the Urban Wrestling Alliance in California, where he was known as "Money". After nine months, the UWA folded and Siaki joined Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
where he received further training from the TCW owner, Dusty Rhodes
.
pay-per-view
as one-third of The Flying Elvises with Jimmy Yang
and Jorge Estrada
. The Elvises were a comedy heel
stable who impersonated Elvis Presley
. The Elvises eventually split, with Siaki defeating Yang in a singles bout on August 21, 2002.
Siaki now heel, went on to joined Vince Russo
's Sports Entertainment Xtreme; a faction that tried to take (kayfabe
) over TNA. There he was then given a valet
, Desire, a fellow TCW graduate, and earned the nickname "The Ace in the Hole".
On December 11, 2002 Siaki defeated Jerry Lynn
for the TNA X Division Championship
. He held the belt until February 12, 2003 when he lost to Kid Kash.
In July 2003 Siaki began a feud
with D'Lo Brown
, who he defeated in a Casket match. In October 2003 he formed a tag team
with Ekmo
(Umaga), which split when Ekmo began working for All Japan Pro Wrestling
.
Siaki eventually became a face, and in April 2004 he and Simon Diamond
began feuding with Glenn Gilberti
and Johnny Swinger. After Siaki and Diamond were victorious in a tag match, their opponents were forced to wear Irish
and Samoan
native dress respectively, punishing Gilberti and Swinger for the ethnic jokes they had made in the preceding weeks.
Siaki formed a tag-team with Apolo
. On April 24, 2005 at TNA Lockdown
he and Apolo defeated Lance Hoyt
and Chris Candido
in a steel cage tag match. Candido died four days after this match due to a blood clot brought on by a broken leg
he suffered in the match. Throughout mid-2005 Siaki and Apolo feuded on a casual basis with The Diamonds in the Rough
.
In December 2005, Siaki's contract with TNA expired, and he declined to re-sign, instead leaving the promotion on good terms.
. He debuted in the WWE developmental territory Deep South Wrestling on February 2, 2006, suffering a minor injury in the process.
On February 23, 2006, Sonny returned to Deep South Wrestling as a heel having a match with Damian Steele. Going by the moniker "Cocky Siaki", he and Eric Perez
(as Urban Assault) would win the Deep South Tag Team Titles
on November 30, 2006. He then began teaming up with Afa Anoa'i, Jr.
Both Siaki and former partner Eric Perez were working Raw house shows in March but Siaki suffered a back injury during that tour which left him out of action for 1 month.
Siaki continued to tag with Afa Jr. in Deep South until it closed in April 2007.
(WWE) name, Florida Championship Wrestling
. On September 15, 2007, it was reported that Siaki had been released from his developmental contract. Three days after the release, Siaki issued a statement saying that he has had some "personal issues" at home and that his focus was on his family right now, not wrestling.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
. Unlike many Samoans in professional wrestling, he is not part of the large Anoa'i or Fatu family
Anoa'i family
The Anoa'i family, originating from American Samoa, is a family of professional wrestlers. Family members have comprised several tag teams and stables within a variety of promotions.-Family members:...
.
Early life
When Siaki was three, his family moved to HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, then California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
before settling in Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
. Siaki graduated from New Hanover High, received a football scholarship to play at East Carolina University, and majored in Physical Education. He played inside linebacker until a serious stinger
Stinger (medicine)
In medicine, a stinger, also called a burner or nerve pinch injury, is a neurological injury suffered by athletes, mostly in high-contact sports such as ice hockey, basketball, rugby league football, rugby union, american football, wrestling, and roller derby...
injury forced him to stop playing football, preventing him from pursuing a career within the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
Early career
After his school friend Brad Cain (Lodi)Brad Cain
Bradley "Brad" Cain is an American professional wrestler, author and personal trainer, better known by his ring name, Lodi...
notified Siaki that the WCW Power Plant
WCW Power Plant
The WCW Power Plant was a professional wrestling school located in Atlanta, Georgia and owned and operated by World Championship Wrestling. The Power Plant, which was developed from a school operated by Jody Hamilton, was in operation throughout the 1990s...
was holding tryouts in early 1999, Siaki attended the tryout and was awarded a WCW developmental contract. He graduated after seven months and wrestled his first televised match on WCW Saturday Night
WCW Saturday Night
WCW Saturday Night was a weekly Saturday night TV show on TBS produced by World Championship Wrestling. The program existed through various incarnations under different names before becoming WCW Saturday Night in 1992...
against Alan Funk
Alan Funk
Alan Eric Funk is an American professional wrestler, who has previously worked in promotions such as World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, often with comedic personas...
. Siaki largely appeared on Saturday Night and faced other Power Plant graduates, though he did make several appearances on Thunder
WCW Thunder
WCW Thunder was a professional wrestling show produced by World Championship Wrestling which aired on TBS from January 8, 1998 to March 21, 2001...
and Nitro. Siaki eventually left WCW, unhappy with the way he was being utilized.
Siaki moved on to the Urban Wrestling Alliance in California, where he was known as "Money". After nine months, the UWA folded and Siaki joined Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling was a Southeastern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Marietta, Georgia. It was founded by retired wrestler and former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dusty Rhodes in 2000 and, during its three years in operation, held events throughout the...
where he received further training from the TCW owner, Dusty Rhodes
Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)
Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr. , better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler currently working for WWE...
.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
On June 19, 2002 Siaki debuted on the first Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
as one-third of The Flying Elvises with Jimmy Yang
James Yun
James Carson Yun is an American professional wrestler and actor, best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Jimmy Wang Yang, in World Championship Wrestling as one-third of the Jung Dragons as Yang, and in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and the independent circuit...
and Jorge Estrada
Jorge Estrada
Jorge Moraza is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Jorge Estrada. He is a former National Wrestling Alliance North American Heavyweight champion and participated in the first televised match of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Moraza was...
. The Elvises were a comedy heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
stable who impersonated Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. The Elvises eventually split, with Siaki defeating Yang in a singles bout on August 21, 2002.
Siaki now heel, went on to joined Vince Russo
Vince Russo
Vincent James "Vince" Russo is an American creative writer and author, well known for his work in the professional wrestling industry. He is notable for his tenure with World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
's Sports Entertainment Xtreme; a faction that tried to take (kayfabe
Kayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
) over TNA. There he was then given a valet
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
, Desire, a fellow TCW graduate, and earned the nickname "The Ace in the Hole".
On December 11, 2002 Siaki defeated Jerry Lynn
Jerry Lynn
Jeremy "Jerry" Lynn is an American professional wrestler who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
for the TNA X Division Championship
TNA X Division Championship
The TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
. He held the belt until February 12, 2003 when he lost to Kid Kash.
In July 2003 Siaki began a feud
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
with D'Lo Brown
D'Lo Brown
Accie Julius Connor better known by his ring name D'Lo Brown , is an American professional wrestler. Well known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment, he is currently working as an agent for Impact Wrestling.Connor has held forty-eight championships in various promotions during...
, who he defeated in a Casket match. In October 2003 he formed a tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
with Ekmo
Eddie Fatu
Edward Smith "Eki" Fatu was a Samoan-American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Umaga...
(Umaga), which split when Ekmo began working for All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
.
Siaki eventually became a face, and in April 2004 he and Simon Diamond
Pat Kenney
Patrick Joseph Michael "Pat" Kenney , known also by his ring name, Simon Diamond, is a retired American professional wrestler, currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent...
began feuding with Glenn Gilberti
Glenn Gilberti
Glenn Gilbertti is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling as Disco Inferno. He is also a former road agent for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
and Johnny Swinger. After Siaki and Diamond were victorious in a tag match, their opponents were forced to wear Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Samoan
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
native dress respectively, punishing Gilberti and Swinger for the ethnic jokes they had made in the preceding weeks.
Siaki formed a tag-team with Apolo
Germán Figueroa
Germán Figueroa is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler, better known as Nuevo Gran Apolo, or simply Apolo. Figueroa began performing in Puerto Rico's independent circuit, before entering the International Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Council...
. On April 24, 2005 at TNA Lockdown
TNA Lockdown
Lockdown is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced every April by the American professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action , is considered one of the flagship PPVs in the company, alongside Slammiversary and Bound for Glory...
he and Apolo defeated Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling as Lance Archer. He is best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Kid Kash while the title was under the TNA banner...
and Chris Candido
Chris Candido
Christopher Raul Candito was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Chris Candido...
in a steel cage tag match. Candido died four days after this match due to a blood clot brought on by a broken leg
Broken Leg
Broken Leg is an indie rock song written and recorded by Australian indie rock band Bluejuice. The song was voted no. 5 in the 2009 Triple J Hottest 100. The accompanying music video was voted in at no. 1 on Rage's RAGE FIFTY countdown that was voted for by viewers and shown on the last weekend of...
he suffered in the match. Throughout mid-2005 Siaki and Apolo feuded on a casual basis with The Diamonds in the Rough
The Diamonds in the Rough
The Diamonds in the Rough was a professional wrestling stable in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, led by the eponymous Simon Diamond and consisting primarily of lower- to mid-card wrestlers...
.
In December 2005, Siaki's contract with TNA expired, and he declined to re-sign, instead leaving the promotion on good terms.
Deep South Wrestling
In late December 2005, Siaki signed a contract with World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
. He debuted in the WWE developmental territory Deep South Wrestling on February 2, 2006, suffering a minor injury in the process.
On February 23, 2006, Sonny returned to Deep South Wrestling as a heel having a match with Damian Steele. Going by the moniker "Cocky Siaki", he and Eric Perez
Eric Perez
Eric Alexander Pérez is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler who currently performs under the ring name Eric Escobar. He is best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment , where he spent most of his career in developmental territories...
(as Urban Assault) would win the Deep South Tag Team Titles
Deep South Tag Team Championship
The DSW Tag Team Championship was the tag team championship in Deep South Wrestling, a former developmental territory of World Wrestling Entertainment...
on November 30, 2006. He then began teaming up with Afa Anoa'i, Jr.
Afa Anoa'i, Jr.
Afa Anoa'i, Jr. is an American professional wrestler of Samoan descent. He is best known for his work in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he competed on its Raw brand under the ring name Manu.-World Xtreme Wrestling:...
Both Siaki and former partner Eric Perez were working Raw house shows in March but Siaki suffered a back injury during that tour which left him out of action for 1 month.
Siaki continued to tag with Afa Jr. in Deep South until it closed in April 2007.
Florida Championship Wrestling
Siaki then re-debuted with Afa, as The Samoan Fight Club, in the new development territory, under the World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE) name, Florida Championship Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
. On September 15, 2007, it was reported that Siaki had been released from his developmental contract. Three days after the release, Siaki issued a statement saying that he has had some "personal issues" at home and that his focus was on his family right now, not wrestling.
Retirement
On September 17, 2008, Siaki retired from professional wrestling because he plans to donate one of his kidneys to his dying brother, Bernard. Siaki would only have one kidney remaining, and thus the doctor told him he could not wrestle anymore, effectively ending his ten year career.In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Siakalypse (Running corkscrew neckbreaker)
- Siakalypse Now (Pumphandle reverse piledriver)
- Signature moves
- Belly to belly suplex
- Double knee backbreaker
- Flip Mode / Somersault leg drop
- Pumphandle suplex
- Reverse STO
- Samoan drop
- Samoan Pop (Scoop lift spun out into a cutterCutter (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a cutter is a common term that refers to the three-quarter facelock bulldog maneuver. The move is also described as an inverted neckbreaker, though it is not one, it only bears an inverted style to it...
) - Siaki Drop (Pumphandle fallaway slam)
- Siaki Spike (Inverted swinging neckbreaker)
- Snap swinging neckbreaker
- Superplex
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- DesireKim NeilsonKim Neilson is an American professional wrestler and valet best known for working in World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as Desire.-Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling:...
- Robert FullerRobert FullerRobert Welch is a professional wrestler and manager better known by his ring names Robert Fuller and Col. Robert Parker. Robert and his brother Ron co-owned Continental Championship Wrestling for a time.-Career:...
- Monopoly Man
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s - "Mr. Ace In The Hole"
- "Mr. Number One"
- "Cocky Siaki"
- "The Samoan Stallion"
- Entrance themesMusic in professional wrestlingMusic in professional wrestling serves a variety of purposes. The most common uses of music in professional wrestling is that of the entrance theme, a song or piece of instrumental music which plays as a performer approaches the ring...
- "Flyin' to GracelandNWA: TNA The Music, Vol. 1NWA: TNA The Music, Vol. 1 was the first of two CDs released from NWA: TNA, in early 2003. Because TNA were unable to make a deal with major distributors due to their lack of popularity and overall publicity at the time, these CDs were not available in stores and instead sold exclusively on their...
" by Dale Oliver (TNA) (used as part of The Flying Elvises)
- "Flyin' to Graceland
Championships and accomplishments
- Deep South Wrestling
- Deep South Tag Team ChampionshipDeep South Tag Team ChampionshipThe DSW Tag Team Championship was the tag team championship in Deep South Wrestling, a former developmental territory of World Wrestling Entertainment...
(1 time) – with Eric PerezEric PerezEric Alexander Pérez is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler who currently performs under the ring name Eric Escobar. He is best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment , where he spent most of his career in developmental territories...
- Great Championship Wrestling
- GCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- GCW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with David YoungDavid Young (wrestler)David Williams , better known by his ring name, David Young, is an American professional wrestler. Though he has mainly appeared with NWA Wildside and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Young has also competed for Ring of Honor, Asistencia Asesoría y Administración and ZERO-ONE...
and The Wrestler
- Independent Professional Wrestling Alliance
- IPWA North American Championship (1 time)
- NWA Wrestle BirminghamNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA Wrestle Birmingham Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Elix SkipperElix SkipperElix Skipper is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling, where he was a one-time Cruiserweight Champion and a one-time Cruiserweight Tag Team Champion, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a four-time NWA World Tag Team...
- Swiss Wrestling Federation
- SWF Powerhouse Championship (1 time)
- Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
- TNA X Division ChampionshipTNA X Division ChampionshipThe TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
(1 time)
- Turnbuckle Championship WrestlingTurnbuckle Championship WrestlingTurnbuckle Championship Wrestling was a Southeastern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Marietta, Georgia. It was founded by retired wrestler and former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dusty Rhodes in 2000 and, during its three years in operation, held events throughout the...
- TCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jorge EstradaJorge EstradaJorge Moraza is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Jorge Estrada. He is a former National Wrestling Alliance North American Heavyweight champion and participated in the first televised match of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Moraza was...