Wrestler Siva Afi, Who Served Prison Time for Robbery and Kidnapping, Dies at 77

com reported. His family announced the death on Thursday, July 17, 2026, with no cause disclosed. Afi signed with the World Wrestling Federation in 1986 and was positioned as the cousin of Jimmy Snuka, beginning his tenure there with an unbeaten streak after competing in nearly 30 matches for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Afi was embraced as a hometown hero in Hawaii. One of his most noted matches came against Ric Flair in a one-hour time-limit bout for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship that ended in a draw. He retired from wrestling in 1997.

In January 1996, Afi served as the getaway driver in a robbery, burglary, and kidnapping in Ohio. He was convicted of one count of aggravated burglary, two counts of aggravated robbery, and seven counts of kidnapping. The court sentenced him to 15 to 40 years in prison. After serving approximately 10 years, he was deported to Samoa.