Joe Anoa'i
Encyclopedia
Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoa'i (born May 25, 1985) is a professional wrestler
and former Canadian football
defensive tackle. He is signed to WWE and wrestles in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling
(FCW) under the ring name Leakee.
, and was named first-team All-ACC his senior year. After going undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft
, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings
. Upon being waived by the Vikings, he was added to the Jacksonville Jaguars
roster to provide depth at defensive tackle. In 2008, Anoa'i was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos
and accepted a spot on the team's practice roster.
(WWE) and was later assigned to their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling
(FCW). He began wrestling under the ring name
Roman Leakee. On February 3, 2011, Leakee and Donny Marlow earned a shot at the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
s against Damien Sandow
and Titus O'Neil
but won by disqualification. They challenged Sandow and O'Neil again the following week for the titles in a losing effort. On April 14, 2011, He challenged Lucky Cannon for the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship
but the match ended in a draw
. In May 2011, he shortened his ring name to simply Leakee.
. He is the son of Sika
and the brother of Matt
, who are both also professional wrestlers.
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...
and former Canadian football
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
defensive tackle. He is signed to WWE and wrestles in its developmental territory 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...
(FCW) under the ring name Leakee.
Football career
Anoa'i is a former Georgia Tech Yellow JacketGeorgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
, and was named first-team All-ACC his senior year. After going undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
. Upon being waived by the Vikings, he was added to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
roster to provide depth at defensive tackle. In 2008, Anoa'i was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
and accepted a spot on the team's practice roster.
Developmental territory
In July 2010, Anoa'i signed a developmental 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...
(WWE) and was later assigned to their developmental territory 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...
(FCW). He began wrestling under the ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
Roman Leakee. On February 3, 2011, Leakee and Donny Marlow earned a shot at the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
The Florida Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their tag team division...
s against Damien Sandow
Aaron Stevens (wrestler)
Aaron Haddad is an American professional wrestler. He is contracted to WWE, and appears in Florida Championship Wrestling , a WWE developmental territory, as Damien Sandow. He is the current FCW 15 Champion...
and Titus O'Neil
Thaddeus Bullard
Thaddeus Michael Bullard is an American professional wrestler and former college and professional football player. Bullard played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally in the Arena Football League. Bullard is a professional wrestler, and is signed...
but won by disqualification. They challenged Sandow and O'Neil again the following week for the titles in a losing effort. On April 14, 2011, He challenged Lucky Cannon for the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship
FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship
The FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their heavyweight division...
but the match ended in a draw
Draw
Draw, draws or drawn may refer to:* The act of drawing, or making an image with a writing utensil* A part of many card games* A part of a lottery* Wire drawing...
. In May 2011, he shortened his ring name to simply Leakee.
Personal life
Anoa'i is a member of the Anoa'i familyAnoa'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:...
. He is the son of Sika
Sika Anoa'i
Leati "Sika" Anoa'i is a former professional wrestler and a member of the Anoa'i family.-Career:Sika teamed with his brother Afa to form the tag team the Wild Samoans. They teamed in various promotions including WWF and Mid-South. In 1979, they signed with the World Wrestling Federation...
and the brother of Matt
Matt Anoa'i
Matthew "Matt" Anoa'i is a professional wrestler, best known for his time on the independent circuit under numerous ring names, and his time in World Wrestling Entertainment , where he competed as Rosey....
, who are both also professional wrestlers.
Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #371 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011