Tamina Snuka

Tamina Snuka

Tamina in 2014.
Birth name Sarona Reiher
Born January 10, 1978[1]
Islands of Fiji and Samoa
Pacific Islands[2]
Resides Vancouver, Washington
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Sarona Snuka
Tamina[3]
Tamina Snuka
Billed height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Billed weight 150 lb (68 kg)[1]
Billed from The Pacific Islands
Trained by Wild Samoan Training Center
Debut 2009[2][4]

Sarona Reiher[2] (born January 10, 1978)[1] is an American professional wrestler and actress[2] currently signed with WWE under the ring name, Tamina Snuka.[5] She is the daughter of professional wrestler Jimmy Snuka and the younger sister of former WWE wrestler Deuce.[2]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2009)

Reiher first began in wrestling after she received the first Lia Maivia Scholarship to train in professional wrestling career at the Wild Samoan Training Center.[4]

World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE

Florida Championship Wrestling (2009–2010)

On December 26, 2009, WXW's official Twitter account announced that World Wrestling Entertainment had signed Reiher to a developmental contract and would report to their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) for further training.[6] Reiher debuted in FCW on March 19 competing in a six-women tag team match at a house show.[7] She transitioned to managing The Usos, while remaining a competitor in the women's division, and competed in the tournament to determine the new FCW Divas Champion.

Managing the Usos and Santino Marella (2010–2011)

Main article: The Usos
Snuka in the ring with The Usos.

On the May 24 episode of Raw, Reiher debuted as a heel, Tamina Snuka, along with Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso by attacking the Unified Tag Team Champions, The Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd, David Hart Smith, and Natalya).[3][8] The next week on the May 31 episode of Raw, Snuka and The Usos introduced themselves and stated that The Hart Dynasty was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and brawled and again laid out The Hart Dynasty. On the June 7 episode of Raw, Snuka and The Usos again attempted to attack The Hart Dynasty, but was unsuccessful after The Hart Dynasty getting the upper hand.[9] Snuka and The Usos made their pay-per-view debut on June 20 at Fatal 4-Way in a six-person mixed tag team match, but were defeated by The Hart Dynasty after Natalya pinned Snuka for the win.[10] Two weeks later on the June 21 episode of Raw, Snuka made her debut for the brand facing off with Natalya, but ended in a no contest after The Nexus interrupted the match. On the June 28 episode of Raw, Snuka and The Usos were scheduled to face The Hart Dynasty in another six-person mixed tag team match, but instead attacked them during their entrance, leading to Snuka throwing Natalya in the ring and executing the Super Fly Splash and left with the Usos.[11] On the July 12 episode of Raw, Snuka and The Usos won their first match by defeating The Hart Dynasty in a six-person mixed tag team match.[12] At the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, Snuka accompanied The Usos to a tag team match against The Hart Dynasty in a losing effort. On the July 26 episode of Raw, Snuka along with Jimmy Uso accompanied Jey Uso to a singles match against Randy Orton, but was unsuccessful in defeating Orton.[13]

On the August 8 episode of Raw, Snuka began flirting with Santino Marella, hinting a face turn. Two weeks later, Snuka accompanied The Usos in a tag team match against Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov in a losing effort, but Snuka would then afterwards stop the Usos from attacking Santino, and blew a kiss to Santino as she left the ring.[14] On the September 27 episode of Raw, Snuka competed in a #1 contender diva battle royal, which was ultimately won by Natalya.[15] On the October 11 episode of Raw, Snuka joined Santino Marella after his victory over Zack Ryder and celebrated with him.[16] A few weeks later on the November 8 episode of Raw, Snuka teamed with Alicia Fox and Maryse in a Diva Cup Match in a losing effort to Eve Torres and The Bella Twins. On the November 15 episode of Raw, Snuka accompanied The Usos to a #1 contender tag team match against Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov in a losing effort.[17] Snuka made a backstage appearance with Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov on the November 22 episode of Raw when she serenaded and kissed Santino. Two weeks later on the November 29 episode of Raw, Snuka teamed with Alicia Fox and Maryse in a six diva tag team match against Natalya, Gail Kim, and Melina, but was distracted by Santino Marella serenading her, and she left the ring with Santino, turning her character into a face.

On the December 6 episode of Raw, Snuka began an on-screen relationship with Santino Marella, beginning by accompanying him and his partner Vladimir Kozlov in a three elimination tag team match against the teams of The Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) and The Usos in a winning effort, as Snuka walked in the ring and kissed Santino, officially becoming the valet of the team.[18] On the December 20 episode of Raw, Snuka teamed with her on-screen boyfriend Santino Marella in a mixed tag team match in a winning effort against Maryse and Ted DiBiase Jr. after Snuka executed the Super Fly Splash to Maryse. The next week on the December 27 episode of Raw, Snuka accompanied Santino Marella in a singles match in a winning effort to Ted DiBiase, leading to Snuka and Santino being attacked by both DiBiase and Maryse, after Santino and Snuka made a comeback, they both executed The Cobra on DiBiase and Maryse. On the January 3 episode of Raw, Snuka accompanied Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov in a tag team match against The Usos in a losing effort, and was afterwards confronted by the Usos, who later was headbutted by Kozlov and received a double Cobra from Marella and Tamina.[19] On the February 2 episode of WWE Superstars, Snuka competed in her first singles match as a fan favorite, losing to Melina.

Divas Championship pursuit and injuries (2011–2013)

Snuka at a live SmackDown event in January 2012.

After being drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2011 supplemental draft,[20] Snuka made her SmackDown debut as a heel on the May 27 episode of SmackDown teaming with Alicia Fox in a diva tag team match defeating The Chickbusters (AJ and Kaitlyn) who were accompanied by their mentor Natalya with Fox pinning Kaitlyn.[21] A week later on SmackDown, Snuka and Fox again defeated The Chickbusters, with Snuka pinning AJ.[22] On the June 13 episode of WWE Superstars, Snuka competed in a 6 diva tag team match with Alicia Fox and Rosa Mendes in a losing effort to AJ, Kaitlyn, and Natalya with AJ pinning Fox.[23] Snuka then began appearing on the fifth season of NXT Redemption, where she continued her feud with Kaitlyn debuting on the October 26 episode of NXT Redemption in a losing effort.[24] On the November 2 episode of NXT Redemption, Snuka would lose again in a rematch against Kaitlyn, thus ending their feud.[25] Snuka would then begin an on-screen relationship with JTG, becoming his valet. She accompanied him on the November 9 episode of NXT Redemption in a losing effort against old partner Jimmy Uso, who was also accompanied by Jey Uso.[26]

On the December 30 episode of SmackDown, Snuka teamed with Natalya in a losing effort to Alicia Fox and Kaitlyn with Fox pinning Natalya, and would afterwards attack Natalya, turning face in the process, and beginning a feud between the two about their respective families.[27] Over the next two weeks on SmackDown, Snuka would defeat Natalya in singles competition.[28][29] On the February 10 episode of SmackDown, Snuka saved Alicia Fox from an attack by Divas Champion Beth Phoenix; the two would then have a stare down which resulted in Snuka challenging Phoenix for her title.[30] Snuka received her title shot on February 19 at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, but was defeated by Phoenix.[5]

On the April 25 episode of NXT Redemption, Snuka teamed with Kaitlyn in a diva tag team match defeating the team of Maxine and Natalya. On the May 9 episode of NXT Redemption Snuka competed in singles competition against Maxine in losing effort.[31] On the June 6 episode of NXT Redemption, Snuka competed in singles competition against Natalya in a winning effort.[32] At the Money In The Bank pay-per-view, Snuka teamed up with Layla and Kaitlyn who later on defeated the team of Beth Phoenix, Natalya and Eve Torres. Snuka appeared on the rebranded NXT just three days later and defeated the evil Kaitlyn in a singles match. On the August 20 episode of Raw, Snuka would compete in a diva battle royal to become the #1 contender for the Divas Championship to face Layla at the Night of Champions pay-per-view, but was unsuccessful in winning the match; also during the match, Snuka would suffer a back injury.[33]

After three months of inactivity, Snuka returned from injury on November 18 at the Survivor Series pay-per-view as a heel, interrupting a segment between AJ Lee and Vickie Guerrero by attacking AJ from behind.[34] Snuka made her in-ring return on the November 26 episode of Raw, defeating Alicia Fox.[35] Snuka suffered her first loss since her return on the December 3 episode of Raw, when she was pinned by AJ Lee.[36] On the January 28, 2013 episode of Raw, Snuka faced Divas Champion Kaitlyn in a non-title lumberjill match, however, the match ended in a no-contest after the Lumberjills interfered.[37] On February 17 at Elimination Chamber, Snuka unsuccessfully challenged Kaitlyn for the Divas Championship.[38] On the June 5 episode of NXT, Snuka was defeated by Paige in the first round of the NXT Women's Championship tournament to crown the inaugural champion.[39]

AJ Lee's bodyguard (2013–2014)

Snuka accompanying AJ Lee to the ring in April 2014

Snuka returned to WWE programming in late September 2013, taking on a role as Divas Champion AJ Lee's bodyguard.[40] Snuka helped AJ retain her Divas Championship at Battleground by attacking Nikki Bella, setting up a distraction.[41] On the November 13 episode of Main Event, AJ retained her title against Natalya after Snuka interfered and attacked Natalya.[42] This led to a match between Snuka and Natalya on the November 15 episode of SmackDown, which Snuka lost.[43] AJ went on to captain a team at Survivor Series in a seven-on-seven traditional elimination tag team match against the cast of Total Divas, where Snuka eliminated The Funkadactyls (Cameron and Naomi) and was the penultimate eliminated, courtesy of Natalya.[44]

On February 23, 2014, at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, Snuka accidentally superkicked AJ during the latter's title match against Cameron, eventually causing a disqualification when Cameron almost won.[45] This signaled tension between the two, which was followed by their back-to-back losses in tag team competition, leading to Snuka shoving AJ to the ground.[46] At WrestleMania XXX on April 6, Snuka was one of 13 Divas to challenge AJ for her title in the "Vickie Guerrero Divas Championship Invitational", which resulted in AJ retaining.[47] After AJ lost her Divas Championship to Paige and was subsequently granted time off from WWE, Snuka won a battle royal to become the number one contender to Paige's Divas Championship.[48] Snuka faced Paige for the title at Extreme Rules on May 4, where she lost.[49] On June 4, Snuka underwent knee surgery following a torn ACL.[50]

Other media

Reiher made her acting debut in the 2014 film Hercules.[51][52] She made her video game debut in WWE 2K15.[53]

Personal life

Reiher is a member of the famous Anoa'i family by marriage. Her relatives include Roman Reigns, Dwayne Johnson, Rikishi, The Usos, The Wild Samoans, and Yokozuna, among others. She divorced her husband, with whom she has two daughters, in 2003.[54]

In wrestling

Tamina performing the Superfly Splash on Kaitlyn

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 "Tamina Snuka". Online World of Wrestling.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Tamina bio". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Clevett, Jason (2010-05-25). "Family legacy important to Rikishi Fatu". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "1st Annual Usos Foundation Banquet A Big Success". WXW Wrestling. 2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Plummer, Dale; Tylwalk, Nick (February 20, 2012). "Good matches but not enough of them at Elimination Chamber". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  6. ↑ http://www.diva-dirt.com/2009/12/26/wwe-signs-sarona-snuka/
  7. ↑ http://www.diva-dirt.com/2010/04/09/in-video-footage-of-new-fcw-diva-tamina-sarona-snuka-in-the-ring/
  8. ↑ Plummer, Dale (2010-05-24). "RAW: New GM has Hart; Batista quits". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  9. ↑ Plummer, Dale (May 31, 2010). "RAW: Ashton Kutcher hosts Killer show". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved December 24, 2010.
  10. ↑ Wortman, James (2010-06-20). "Dynastic dominance". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Nemer, Roy. "Raw Results - 6/28/10". Wrestleview. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  12. ↑ Martin, Adam. "Raw Results 7/12/10". Wrestleview. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  13. ↑ Martin, Adam. "Raw Results 7/26/10". Wrestleview. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  14. ↑ Martin, Adam. "Raw Results 8/22/10". Wrestleview. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  15. ↑ Martin, Adam. "Raw Results 9/27/10". Wrestleview. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  16. ↑ Martin, Adam. "Raw Results 10/11/10". Wrestleview. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  17. ↑ Martin, Adam. "Raw Results 11/15/10". Wrestleview. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Martin, Adam. "Raw Results 12/6/10". Wrestleview. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  19. ↑ Martin, Adam. "Raw Results 9/14/10". Wrestleview. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  20. ↑ "WWE News: Full list of 2011 WWE Draft Picks (televised Raw Draft & Supplemental Draft)". Pro Wrestling Torch. 2011-04-26. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  21. ↑ "Smackdown Results: From Dreamer to Something Meaner". WWE. 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Smackdown Results: Deliberating the dilemma". World Wrestling Entertainment. June 3, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  23. ↑ Martin, Adam. "Superstars Results – 6/13/11". Wrestleview. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  24. ↑ Martin, Adam. "NXT Results 10/26/11". Wrestleview. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  25. ↑ "NXT Results 11/2/11". Pro Wrestling. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Martin, Adam. "NXT Results 11/8/11". Wrestleview. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
  27. ↑ "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 12/30: Complete coverage of the Friday night show, including Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett, Falls Count Anywhere".
  28. ↑ "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1/6: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show for the World Title".
  29. ↑ "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show, no count-out, no-DQ, for the World Title".
  30. ↑ "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 2/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan".
  31. ↑ Gerweck, Steve. "Video: 5/9 edition of WWE NXT". Wrestleview. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  32. ↑ Martin, Adam. "NXT Results – 6/6/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  33. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 8/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Punk-Cena, Lesnar opens show, Triple H "speculation," Jericho farewell".
  34. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 11/18: Complete "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Punk-Cena-Ryback". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  35. ↑ "WWE Raw Coverage – 11/26/2012". WWE. UltraFox. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  36. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 12/3: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – McMahon returns, Punk takes a Test".
  37. ↑ Stephens, David. "WWE RAW Results – 1/28/13 (Brock Lesnar returns)". Wrestleview. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  38. ↑ Caldwell, James. "WWE NEWS: Chamber PPV results & notes – WM29 main event set, World Title match set, Shield big win, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  39. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT RESULTS 5/29 & 6/5: Wyatts defend Tag Titles, NXT Women's Title introduced, #1 contender battle royal, Parade of released NXT wrestlers in matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  40. ↑ Parks, Greg (September 27, 2013). "Parks' WWE SmackDown Report 9/27". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  41. ↑ Caldwell, James (October 6, 2013). "Battleground PPV Results 10/6 (Hour 1)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  42. ↑ Cupach, Michael (November 13, 2013). "Cupach's WWE Main Event Results 11/13". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  43. ↑ Parks, Greg (November 15, 2013). "Parks' WWE SmackDown Report 11/15". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  44. ↑ Caldwell, James (November 24, 2013). "WWE S. Series PPV Results 11/24 (Hour 2): Divas Survivor Series match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  45. ↑ Martin, Adam (February 23, 2014). "WWE Elimination Chamber PPV Results - 2/23/14". Wrestleview. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  46. ↑ Caldwell, James (March 17, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 3/17". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  47. ↑ Melok, Bobby (April 6, 2014). "AJ Lee won Vickie Guerrero Divas Championship Invitational". WWE. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  48. ↑ Caldwell, James (April 15, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE Main Event Results 4/15". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  49. ↑ Caldwell, James (May 4, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE Extreme Rules PPV Results 5/4". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  50. ↑ https://twitter.com/TaminaSnuka/status/474668198428934144
  51. ↑ https://twitter.com/TaminaSnuka/statuses/355863716497063938
  52. ↑ http://instagram.com/p/b6Tpitohzw
  53. ↑ Davis, Oliver. "WWE 2K15 Roster". Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  54. ↑ http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2013/0917/565681/tamina-snuka-responds-to-rock-recent-comments/
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Pummer, Dale (2010-12-21). "RAW: No Nexus, no problem". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Howell, Nolan (January 3, 2013). "WWE NXT: Langston stands up to The Shield". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  57. ↑ Tedesco, Mike. "WWE Smackdown Results - 1/4/13". Wrestleview. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Namako, Jason. "Superstars Results - 1/19/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  59. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT: DEL RIO AND CENA FACE MONSTERS; ROWAN AND HARPER WILL HAVE TO GET THEIR WRESTLING SHOES READY; TOTAL DIVAS IS BACK; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  60. ↑ http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=81518&p=1
  61. ↑ "Just for Kicks: WWE’s top 10 kicks". WWE. 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  62. ↑ http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/282179
  63. ↑ http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2013/1011/566326/wwe-superstars-recap-langston-vs-gabriel/
  64. ↑ "Tamina Bio". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  65. ↑ "The Usos' new theme channels Samoan heritage". WWE. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  66. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2012". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  67. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (January 27, 2014). "Jan 27 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2013 Annual awards issue, best in the world in numerous categories, plus all the news in pro-wrestling and MMA over the past week and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, California): 32. ISSN 1083-9593.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sarona Reiher.