The name Anoaʻi is a cornerstone in professional wrestling. From the Wild Samoans to The Headshrinkers to The Bloodline, the family’s legacy is almost biblical in scope — a dynasty of warriors bound by blood and canvas. Born into this lineage, Lance Sterling Anoaʻi (b. February 15, 1992) seemed destined to step between the ropes. Now signed to WWE’s NXT brand, Lance is still waiting for his true breakout moment, but his journey through the independents, Major League Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling NOAH shows the resilience of a wrestler who has grown up not just with a famous last name, but with the burden of expectations that come with it.
Early Life and Wrestling Roots
Lance was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the son of Samula Anoaʻi — better known as Samu, who made his mark in WWE as one-half of both The Wild Samoans and The Headshrinkers. His uncles include Afa Jr. (Manu) and Lloyd Anoaʻi (L.A. Smooth).
The Anoaʻi household wasn’t just a family home, but a wrestling classroom. Lance’s earliest memories are of being ringside with his father and uncles at MLW shows. Before long, he wasn’t just a fan — he was in the ring with them, sharing the same squared circle that had defined generations of his bloodline.
Independent Circuit (2010–2024)
Lance debuted at just 18 years old on April 3, 2010, defeating Chrono Chris in Martinsburg, West Virginia. From there, he immersed himself in the independent scene, sharpening his craft in World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW), the promotion owned by his grandfather, Afa the Wild Samoan.
He worked frequently with his kin — Samu, Afa Jr., and Sean Maluta — and soon found himself breaking into other territories:
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Maryland Championship Wrestling (2012): debuting against tough regional talent.
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Pro Wrestling Syndicate (2012–2013): competing in multi-man matches for the Tri-State Championship and facing stars like Sonjay Dutt.
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House of Hardcore (2013 onward): appearances in Tommy Dreamer’s promotion further raised his profile.
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ECWA Super 8 Tournament (2019): winning the prestigious tournament, a major independent accolade previously won by names like Christopher Daniels and Austin Aries.
The indies were Lance’s proving ground — the place where he showed he could be more than just a famous last name.
Major League Wrestling (2018–2023)
Lance’s biggest exposure came through MLW, where he debuted in 2018 at Spring Break, facing MJF. Though he lost, his presence and pedigree earned him a longer run.
He participated in MLW’s chaotic Battle Riot matches, teamed with his father as part of The Samoan Island Tribe, and eventually aligned with Juicy Finau to revive the Samoan SWAT Team name — a tribute to his family’s 1980s dominance.
The highlight of his MLW run came on January 7, 2023, when he and Finau defeated EJ Nduka and Calvin Tankmanto win the MLW World Tag Team Championship. Their reign lasted 182 days, establishing Lance as a legitimate champion on a national stage.
By late 2023, however, Lance requested and was granted his release from MLW, signaling that bigger opportunities were on the horizon.
Pro Wrestling NOAH (2023)
International experience is often a litmus test for rising stars, and Lance stepped up in NOAH’s N-1 Victory tournamentin mid-2023. While he didn’t win, his participation alone showed the respect he had earned beyond U.S. borders. Wrestling in Japan not only toughened him, but it also connected him to the Anoaʻi tradition of excelling globally — from Yokozuna to Rikishi to Roman Reigns, the family’s influence stretches across oceans.
WWE Appearances (2015–2019)
Before officially signing with WWE, Lance had several cameos:
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2015 (SmackDown): teaming with Rhett Titus as enhancement talent against The Ascension.
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2017 (NXT): teaming again with Titus against The Authors of Pain.
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2019 (Raw): facing Shane McMahon, only to be ambushed by Drew McIntyre until his cousin Roman Reignsmade the save — a moment that visually connected Lance to the Bloodline legacy.
Each appearance reinforced that WWE had their eyes on him, but it would take years before an official deal materialized.
NXT Signing (2025–Present)
In Summer 2024, it was confirmed that Lance had signed with WWE and was assigned to NXT. Unfortunately, an injury delayed his debut. As of early 2025, he is listed among WWE’s “ID talent” pool, set to perform for the WWE Evolve roster, the company’s developmental extension.
It’s a slower start than some expected, but for a man raised in the Anoaʻi system, patience and persistence are second nature.
Legacy and Expectations
Being an Anoaʻi means living in the shadow of giants — from The Rock to Roman Reigns to the countless champions who carry that name in their blood. But Lance’s journey is unique: he’s the son of Samu, the grandson of Afa, and now the bridge to the next wave.
He’s not yet a superstar, but his path through the independents, MLW gold, and international testing grounds shows he’s carving his own identity. With WWE’s machine now behind him, his next chapter could finally be the one where Lance Anoaʻi steps fully into the spotlight — not just as a member of wrestling royalty, but as a star in his own right.