Lance Anoa’i Departs WWE After Injury-Plagued Run
Lance Anoa’i, a member of teh renowned Samoan Dynasty wrestling family, has announced his departure from WWE. The news broke Friday via Anoa’i’s X (formerly twitter) account, ending a contract that was hampered by injury since its signing.
Anoa’i never made a meaningful on-screen appearance for WWE, reportedly due to ongoing health issues. His exit marks the end of a period where he was sidelined for over a year, despite being signed with the company in the summer of 2024. The departure perhaps opens doors for Anoa’i to resume his career on the autonomous wrestling circuit, where he previously found success.
The wrestler alluded to his difficulties in his social media post, stating, “I didn’t have the best of luck” since joining WWE, but expressed determination to continue pursuing his wrestling goals. He also indicated a 30-day non-compete clause and provided contact facts for promoters.
Prior to WWE, Anoa’i competed extensively on the independent scene, notably winning the MLW world Tag Team Championships with Juicy Finau. He had brief appearances for WWE prior to his signing, including a January 2015 match against The Ascension and a May 2019 bout on WWE Raw against Shane McMahon, where he was the target of an attack by drew McIntyre and received a save from his cousin, Roman Reigns.
Reports surfaced in the summer of 2025 indicating Anoa’i was facing another injury, following an initial report from Fightful Select in 2024 that he would be unable to compete for an extended period. Details of either injury were never publicly disclosed.
