"MUCH MORE THEN THE TONGAN DEATH GRIP"
Tonga Fifita - WTF Vice-President
By Lindsey Rosen

So, who is the vice president of the WTF? And, who is considered and respected as the toughest man in the world of professional wrestling? And, who is the greatest uncle a girl such as myself can have? Well, it is all the same person - Tonga Fifita, married to my Aunt Dorothy and father of four successful children (my cousins) - Veka, Tevita, Pate, and Taula.

What kind of name is Tonga? It is the name of the island (Island of Tonga is in the South Pacific near New Zealand) my uncle was born and raised until he was fourteen. At the age of fourteen, he was sent by the government to Japan to train in Sumo. Sumo is a most respected sport and custom in Japan. While training, he was discovered by Giant Baba, the most respected professional wrestler in Japan. This was the beginning of his professional wrestling career. At the age of seventeen, Baba sent Tonga to America to showcase his skills. For the last 25 years, he has toured the world for the WWE (formerly WWF) and the WCW under the names of Haku and Meng.

As my uncle, he is the kindest, most caring, family oriented person in the world. So, when I watch him on television I realize a lot of his demeanor is for sports entertainment purposes. But then I hear stories and comments from wrestlers who have known him for 25 years. On a morning radio talk show, Hulk Hogan was asked who is the most dangerous, toughest man in the business and his answer was Haku. (Tonga). When former world champion Ric Flair was asked the same question, his answer was the same: Tonga. Former WWF star Hercules Hernandez was asked the same question and repeated: " Haku, no one even close. In a street fight - no doubt about it - I don't even have to think about an answer."

Tonga, Ata Johnson (creator of The Rock) and Al celebrate an occasion.

So, I asked my uncle about this and he just laughs and says he has a coconut head from the Island. After speaking with him at length, I realized it all came down to respect. He respects all and looks for the same. He has the ultra respect for his business "wrestling" and his family. It isn't about toughness he states; it is about protecting what you own and have acquired. At 6'2", 300 lbs, my Uncle Tonga has the physical presence to protect his own. A background in sumo, judo, karate, and shoot wrestling along with being a powerful weight lifter have developed him physically and emotionally. He has traveled around the world wrestling in over 50 different countries. He is fluent in Japanese as well as English and has passed along athletic genes to all his children. Tevita, is presently a defensive end at the University of Texas El Paso. Pate, presently in the Air Force, was the leading receiver in Osceola County his senior year and scored 8 touchdowns. Daughter, Veka, was an all county volleyball player and is presently a junior at Florida State.

Sons, Tevita (standing) and Pate (kneeling) were high school stars in Osceola County, Florida. Tevita is a defensive end at the University of Texas El Paso while Pate is in the Air Force.

So Uncle how do you see the WTF and it's future? He states: "I love your dad and I believe in everything he does. He respects all the athletes in the organization and they demonstrate the same in return. It is one of the most difficult sports I have ever witnessed and I have respect for all the women athletes who challenge themselves in this sport. We will continue to market it as it becomes known throughout the world. Lindsey, you know yourself anything is possible. Look how far you have come. You have seen Dwayne ("The Rock" - Tonga's nephew) become the biggest star in the world. Yes, we will take this sport to the next level because it is honest, challenging and entertaining. Your dad, your Uncle Rocky (Rocky Johnson), and I were wrestling in hot sweaty high school gyms and fairgrounds 25 years ago. Look how far it has come."

Yes, I believe my uncle not because he is the most feared man physically in the world of professional wrestling but because of his compassion and work ethics. He was one of the people who made it possible for me to see the best doctors in the world when I had a trachestomy and he told me for 7 years that it will come out and I will get better - which I did. But, the one thing I always know - My "Uncle Tongie" loves me and the WTF is in good hands with him around.

Rocky Johnson, Milton McBride, Al, and Tonga are family.

Lindsey and Uncle Tonga celebrate after Lindsey's surgery in 1995.