Aside from putting fear in opponents, there's nothing Haku enjoys more than family. The former WWE and WCW star is one of the most respected names in wrestling history and he came from a long line of Samoan superstars in wrestling.
Speaking to Scott Fishman of TV Insider, Haku reflected on Rocky Johnson's family taking him in when he was first starting in wrestling.
“He reached out from the other side of the dressing room. He called me Chief. He felt I looked like one of the wrestlers from the South Pacific,” he said. “I was very young then. I believe I was 17 or 18. He came over and shook my hand and told me who he was. At the time, I came from All Japan Pro Wrestling. He came in also to the territory to work with Eddie Graham. That was it from then on. He was my big brother and his wife Ata was my big sister. They were kind enough to take me in.”
Rocky Johnson, unfortunately, passed away on Jan. 15. But his legacy lives on through his son, The Rock.
On the subject of The Rock, Haku reflected on The Rock remaining humble despite being one of the biggest stars in the entire world.
“When his grandparents ran Hawaii, I was called to come over. He was young at the time, maybe three,” Haku said. “But for him to remember all the sacrifice, working together, trying to get the family together with the grandparents and his parents. I love it. We were all there. I’m grateful that he still remembers those times and is able to go big-time and still remember where he comes from. I wonder if he still has those tights. I still have his grandfather’s stuff that he wore. He gave it to me. The things he wore to the ring. It’s in a box. Maybe my grandchildren will use it [laughs].”
Much like The Rock followed in his father's footsteps, his daughter Simone will follow in her father's footsteps as it was announced in February that Simone had joined the WWE Performance Center.
“Samoans can do anything in the world. She could have done anything, but she wanted to be a wrestler,” said Haku. “Her father and mother both agreed for her to do it. We’re all supporting her, and hopefully she will be just as great as her father.”
In an interview with WWE, Simone revealed that her dad spent time with her at the WWE Performance Center. You can find her full comments by clicking here.
As for Haku, he will be in action at BLP Threat Level Midnight on Apr. 3.
