Reno Anoaʻi (born September 3, 1968) is an American retired professional wrestler, best known for his international run under the ring name Black Pearl. A member of the legendary Anoaʻi family, he found success in the mid-2000s wrestling boom in Europe, particularly with Nu-Wrestling Evolution (NWE) in Italy, where he reigned as the promotion’s first World Heavyweight Champion for over a year.
Early Life and Family Ties
Born into wrestling royalty, Reno Anoaʻi is the son of Tumua Anoaʻi, making him a nephew of the Wild Samoans, Afa and Sika Anoaʻi, and cousin to stars such as Rikishi, The Usos, Umaga, Roman Reigns, and The Rock through extended family ties. Wrestling was a natural path for him, though he came into the profession later in life compared to some of his relatives.
He trained under his uncles Afa and Sika, sharpening his skills in the family’s World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) school and promotion in Pennsylvania.
Early Career (2003–2004)
Anoaʻi debuted on April 6, 2003, at a WXW event under the ring name Black Pearl, scoring a victory over Josh Daniels. Early on, he adopted a larger-than-life presence in the ring, setting the stage for the aristocratic gimmick that would define his most famous run.
Rise in Nu-Wrestling Evolution (2005–2006)
In 2005, Anoaʻi took his career overseas to Italy, joining his cousin Rikishi in the growing promotion Nu-Wrestling Evolution (NWE). The company was modeled after sports-entertainment promotions like WWE but catered to the European market with heavy television presence and international stars.
It was in NWE that Reno Anoaʻi fully embraced the persona of “The Count of California”, blending his Samoan wrestling heritage with a flamboyant aristocratic character.
On November 26, 2005, Black Pearl defeated Scott Steiner in the finals of a tournament to become the first-ever NWE World Heavyweight Champion.
His reign lasted 376 days, making it one of the longest in the company’s history. During this stretch, he defended the title against an eclectic mix of international names, including:
-
Charlie Haas
-
Christian Cage
-
Orlando Jordan
-
Vampire Warrior (Gangrel)
-
Heidenreich
-
The UK Pitbulls (Big Dave and Bulk)
He finally lost the championship to Vampiro on December 6, 2006, ending his year-long reign.
Later Career and International Appearances (2007–2010)
After his run in Italy, Black Pearl returned to the U.S. independent circuit and also wrestled in Australia in 2007.
In November 2009, he participated in the Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin tour, a Hulk Hogan-led project that brought big-name wrestling events to Australia. On the tour, he wrestled against the Nasty Boys, Rikishi, and Brian Christopher, performing in front of large international crowds.
KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy (2009–2018)
In 2009, Reno Anoaʻi co-founded KnokX Pro Entertainment and Wrestling Academy in Los Angeles alongside Rikishi and Gangrel. The school became a respected training ground, producing talent and running local events.
Through KnokX Pro, Anoaʻi also developed the Territory League concept, designed as a faction-based wrestling league where teams represented different regions. He partnered with Née Leau in F3 Production Company, which produced wrestling content and reality shows based on these ideas.
Black Pearl continued to wrestle periodically for his own promotion until 2017.
His final match took place on July 27, 2018, at a Big Time Wrestling event in Newark, California, where he teamed with Rikishi and Vincenza Iosefa Parisi to defeat Devin Danger, El Guerrero, and Kaka Meng.
Personal Life
-
Son of Tumua Anoaʻi, elder brother of Afa and Sika.
-
Part of the extensive Anoaʻi wrestling dynasty.
-
Post-wrestling, he focused on production and creative wrestling projects such as the Territory League.
Championships and Accomplishments
-
Nu-Wrestling Evolution
-
NWE World Heavyweight Championship (1 time, inaugural, longest reign – 376 days)
-
Legacy
While not as globally recognized as some of his cousins, Reno Anoaʻi’s career reflects the breadth of the Anoaʻi family’s impact on professional wrestling. His success in Europe gave him a unique international platform, and his post-ring work in Los Angeles with KnokX Pro ensured that he contributed to shaping the next generation of talent.