As one of the pioneering women promoters in professional wrestling, The Rock’s grandmother Lia Maivia, played a pivotal role in the industry.
Following her husband Peter “High Chief” Maivia’ passing in 1982, she took over Polynesian Pro Wrestling, a territory of the National Wrestling Alliance in Hawaii.
Among her notable achievements was the successful promotion of “A Hot Summer Night,” a highly anticipated event featuring wrestling legends such as Andre the Giant, Ric Flair, and her son-in-law, Rocky Johnson, which drew over 20,000 attendees.
Maivia, who passed away in 2008, will be posthumously honored alongside her husband in the Hall of Fame. The Maivias are revered as the matriarch and patriarch of the esteemed Anoa’i wrestling family, which includes iconic figures like Rocky Johnson, Rikishi, Roman Reigns, and Jimmy and Jey Uso.
The significance of Lia Maivia’s legacy has been acknowledged by Dwayne Johnson “The Rock” himself, who portrayed her character in the NBC comedy series “Young Rock,” loosely based on his life. He has also shared insights into her complex story, including her pioneering role as a female wrestling promoter and the challenges she faced.
The Rock spoke to NBC news recently:
“She was one of the first ever female wrestling promoters and operated her business out of HAWAII with an iron first and some violence when she felt it was necessary,” he wrote. “Her tough business practices caught up with her as she was indicted by the FBI on extortion charges.”
While Maivia was eventually acquitted, Johnson wrote that the FBI later charged her with illegal immigration, froze her assets and deported her.
The Rock ensured her well-being, providing her with housing and support until her passing.
