Uso's Success Stories

It is an absolute honor to receive this scholarship from Afa and the Usos Foundation. They are helping me one step at a time to try to achieve my dream of being a pro wrestler and along they way I am learning a whole different meaning of the word "family". I remember the 1st time I saw Wrestling on TV, I watched The Rock deliver a Rock Bottom to Rikishi in the middle of the ring. I find it amazing how now I am training underneath Pops' guidance and teachings. It's hard to believe that it was not destiny that made this possible.

When I was younger, everyone would shoot down my dream of becoming a pro wrestler. If you were to ask my friends and family 10 years ago if they thought I would ever be this far along towards reaching my dream they would've thought you were delusional. I love that I can now stand here today and prove all of them wrong. I went through a very dark time before Afa and Mom awarded me this scholarship. I had lost 3 of my best friends within 3 weeks, popped 3 of the tires on my car with no money to pay for them, and my family got foreclosed on our house, and then one day I was stuck outside my house in the cold and rain for an hour straight. I had to punch a hole through a glass window in order to let myself back in. When I got inside I lay down and passed out as I thought to myself... can it get much worse than this?

The very next day I went to Wrestling Training at the Gym and Mom and Pops called me into their office and told me that they would love to give the Adam Carreras Scholarship to me. Just at the sound of what they had just told me, I burst into tears and thought that all the suffering I had been enduring the past few months had finally paid off. It was like a dream come true for me and my family. My mom was also very excited and struck with emotion. She was so distraught over the fact that she didn't have the money to help me pay for my dream and she loves and thanks Mom and Pops for providing me with the opportunity that she couldn't.

I have learned so much from my time with Pops and the rest of his blood family and the WXW family. I have learned that Family is most important 'cause they will always be there for you through anything. I've learned that there is only one man who has talent on loan from god in PC- Richard J Creiado. I've learned that O'Doyle Rules!. I've learned that a match with Dylan Night and Candi will always be High Profile. I've learned that there is no one more explosive than TNT Mottley. I've learned to believe in Nick Nero. I've learned that there is no better 3 time Cruiserweight champion more high flying than Sean Maluta. I've learned that no one can eat their own pants and a bag of potato chips better than The Puerto Rican Hound Dog. I've learned that there is only one Silverback from the outback, Mark Silva. I've learned there is no one more Frat-tastic than Chris Russo. I've learned that there is no one more funky than Jamaican Funk and more funny than Hatchet City. I've learned that there is no one more sweet and beautiful than Miss Kimberly. I've learned to always try to have a nice day with a side of BANG BANG!! I've learned that I have a great friend in Kekoa The Hawaiian Warrior. Last but not least I have learned that there is no one more vicious, more ruthless, more aggressive, more wild, and more kind, more loving, more caring... than Pops. I love Pops so much and I would take a bullet for him. That's saying a lot because Noah is one of my best friends and I wouldn't take a bullet for him. Might push him out of the way though.

I would like to thank all of the Wrestling Legends associated with Pops and the Usos Foundation as well as all over the world, because without the dreams of younger wrestlers, today wouldn't even become a reality if it wasn't for them. I would like to thank my girlfriend for always supporting me and keeping my spirits up through all my hardships and troubles. I would like to thank the parents of Adam for establishing such a wonderful scholarship in his name. I would also like to give a special thank you to one person who is not here tonight; Aleki. Before he left I told him that I loved him even though I've only known him for a short while. He told me something that I'll never forget and that is this: " You need to do more than being a Ref. Not only do you need to but you are capable of being and doing so much more." I will never forget that. People like him are what drive me to keep going, keep pushing until I cant push anymore. I know if he was here right now he would tell everyone... that we suck.. with love of course.

Once again a special thanks to the Usos Foundation and everyone else who made this possible for myself. - Aaron S. Landis

First of all I want to thank Uncle AFA Anoai and Aunty Lynn. It has been a true blessing being able to be the first one to receive the Lia Maivia Scholarship. I love the woman behind the scholarship, and I am honored to have the privilege to represent her in the wrestling industry. The scholarship helped me to get to where I am today. I was able to train at The Wild Samoan Training Center and learn so much from Afa and his trainers. It gave me the opportunity to grow and make my dreams come true as a WWE Diva Wrestler. I am now at the WWE training school known as FCW, and my Uncle Afa was a huge part of my training. He was very hard on me and its not just because I was his niece, but he treated everyone equal. He always does his best in trying to help students like myself reach their full potential and goals in this life, especially when it comes to wrestling. The Lia Maivia Scholarship will always and forever be in my heart and spirit; it was a stepping stone to where I needed to get, and it has blessed not only me but my family as well. So I just want to say, "Fafetai lava:" (Thank you) for privileging me and allowing me to pursue my dreams. I am moving forward now in my goals as a WWE Diva wrestler, and I will do my best to positively represent the Lia Maivia Scholarship and the Wild Samoan Training Center in everything I do. Thank you again Afa and for the Lia Maivia Scholarship!!!!

MUCH ALOFAS,

SARONA SNUKA-POLAMALU

A.K.A

TAMINA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WWE SIGNS WILD SAMOAN TRAINING CENTER GRADUATE & WXW SUPERSTAR SARONA SNUKA!

MINNEOLA, FL -- WWE Hall of Famer Afa “The Wild Samoan” is proud to announce that WXW superstar, and daughter of WWE Hall of Famer “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, SARONA SNUKA has been signed to a WWE Contract! Sarona was trained at the world famous Wild Samoan Training Center located in Minneola, FL. WXW and the Wild Samoan Training Center have once again made history with Sarona Snuka following in the footsteps of numerous other stars who started their careers in WXW and the WSTC! Sarona is also a recipient of the Lia Maivia scholarship and is a proud supporter of Usos Foundation.The WXW Family wishes Sarona well on her next steps to superstardom in the WWE!

Who will step up and be next to make their dreams come true in WXW in 2010? Don’t miss any of WXW’s Live Events in 2010 to find out! In WXW, tomorrow’s superstars can be seen today!

My name is Wes Peel and I was born in freehold, New Jersey. My parents are Lois (Shutzer) and Daniel Peel. I am an only child who graduated from Freehold Regional High School where I played 4 years varsity football and basketball.

My family and I moved to Daytona Beach, Florida in November of 2001 and it was there that I began to fulfill my dream of becoming a pro wrestler. In 2006 I read an article about a wrestling school called the School of Hard Knocks, which was a few minutes from my house. I trained there for about eight months.

In late 2007 I lost my Mother to lung cancer, and I promised her that I would keep my dream alive in pro wrestling. I moved to Orlando to further my training at a school that was ranked the best in the area at the time. However in 2008 the school closed down.

In the beginning of 2009 I was introduced to Afa (Pops), Ricky Santana, and Haku. Through the Wild Samoan Training Center - WXW Wrestling and Usos Foundation, they started to mentor me and teach me the things I was lacking to make it to the next level. They helped me get ready for the WWE camp, where I was looked at by WWE head of talent Relations John Laurinaitis, who invited me to come to WWE Raw for a tryout and the feeling I had after hearing that was surreal. Even though I didn't get a WWE contract this time around, I now know I have what it takes to make my dream come true just by the fact that John invited me there and with Pops, Ricky and Haku mentoring me I know I will make to the WWE one day.

My name is Jason Lesher and I am a referee for WXW wrestling, living my dream of being a part of the pro-wrestling business. In the summer of 2000, Pops and Mom took me into their family through the Usos Foundation. Before I was a part of the program I would suffer through prolonged periods of depression which led to other problems and I never really had a direction in my life. Since joining the program my self-confidence has grown tremendously and everyone involved with the program have helped me find direction and focus in my life, instead of just going through the motions and not accomplishing anything with my life. I pretty much barely graduated high school, but since I have been a part of the program I have learned just how important a good solid education is and I am currently looking into options of furthering my education. I grew up in a single parent home. I know my mom did the best she possibly could trying to raise two sons. The program has shown me not just the importance of a male role model but also the importance of taking it upon myself to be that male role model when the need arises. Last but not least, Mom and Pops (through the program) have shown me the importance of giving. Not only is it good for the soul, but it is the best way to show your gradtitude to those who gave and helped you. If it were not for Mom, Pops, and the Usos program, I feel that I would currently be nothing more than a directionless mess and a burden to my family and my community.

Jason Lesher, WXW Referee

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Dear Wild Samoan Training Center,

First of all, I would like to thank Afa and Lynn for giving me an opportunity to do something I love more than life, which is to wrestle. I want to personally thank Afa for taking me off the streets away from the gangs, drugs and the rest of the trouble that surrounds me. By letting me wrestle, Afa has given me goals to succeed in life as well as in wrestling. Wrestling has changed my life completely. I don't get into trouble in school anymore, but I'm still having a little trouble in school. Then again, I always had trouble in school. I know with Afa and Lynn's help, I can change that too. Basically what I'm trying to say is "thank you" Pops And Mom for giving me something positive and good in my life. I will never forget it and I will always love you for that, always.

Sincerely Your Son,

Junior (Havoc)

Allentown, P.A.

New WXW Champion, a member of Usos:

By Eric Shaffer, WXW Staff

World Xtreme Wrestling has a new Heavyweight Champion, and he is a proud graduate of the Wild Samoan Training Center and an exemplary member of the charitable organization known as Usos. The Usos foundation was created by Afa the Wild Samoan and is named for the Samoan words for "brotherhood" or "we are brothers". One of the goals of the program is to enhance the lives of young people by giving them positive outlets and keeping them away from negative influences.

One of these youths saw his dream come true, as "Hurricane" Havoc turned his life around and is now the WXW Heavyweight Champion. The former WXW Television Champion and Wrestler of the Month (July 2002) rose through the ranks and took home the top prize on November 12th 2005. But this success story was nearly five years in the making. As a teenager, Havoc came to the Wild Samoan Training Center in hopes of becoming a professional wrestler. Through his Usos foundation, Afa emphasizes the importance of hard work and goal setting rather than giving in to outside pressures that youths may find on the streets. This is precisely what Havoc was looking to do.

Before joining Usos and the Wild Samoan Training Center, Havoc admitted to having difficulty in school and trying to stay away from the temptations of drugs and gang violence. Through Afas motivation and tough love, Havoc strived to live his dream as a professional wrestler and it paid off through the next five years of training and wrestling. At a recent match in his hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Havoc defeated Bison Bravado to earn the WXW Heavyweight Title.

The family values that Afa instills in his trainees was immediately evident following Havoc's match. Before he could even thank anyone, Havoc was joined in a proud congratulatory embrace by his younger brother who has idolized him from the start of his career, even once dressing as him for a Halloween costume contest! In an emotional interview, Havoc then told the crowd that he never thought he would make it to the top of what he loved doing, and had overcome many obstacles to get there. He was extremely grateful of Afa the Wild Samoan for believing in him and giving him a chance to make a difference and prove himself.

On behalf of the Usos Foundation, World X-Treme Wrestling, the Wild Samoan Training Center and its extended families, we would like to proudly congratulate "Hurricane" Havoc on living his dream and overcoming the odds to make it to the top!

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Dear Lynn & Pops,

About 7yrs ago, in the month of February, I was working for a company that was doing nothing for me. I was always in trouble for something stupid. I had never liked what was going on until you came along and offered me a position with you. I'm really happy you both did. Look what they both did for me! You kept me off the streets, out of trouble, and kept me away from all chemicals that do harm to people. Plus you all allowed me to train with you to be what I always dreamed of. And that is: "a bodacious referee." Because of you both: Afa & Lynn, and the training center, I became successful in what I love, and that is being a referee. If it weren't for the two of you, I would not be living my dream in any promotion on the east coast. Thank you Mom & Pops. I'll will always love you both.

Love you both always,

Your Son & "Bodacious Referee"

Johnny Bellswinger

(Editor's Note: Shortly after writing his letter of thanks, Johnny Moyer passed away on August 20, 2003. He was hit by a car on his way home from work and died from the injuries. Johnny was nominated for referee of the year, 2003 and had a bright future with the sport that he loved so much. His untimely death has touched Afa and Lynn Anoa'i so deeply as they thought of him as a son. He will surely be missed by the Usos and Anoa'i family)

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Dear Sirs,

I'm writing this letter on behalf of my nephew, Rodney Evans. He lives with me and I want to commend your facility on your efforts to helping him stay involved and focused on an activity he truly enjoys. He is an independent eighteen year-old who has luckily chosen a good path in his life. I believe that his involvement in your school has helped him tremendously. Rodney goes to school everyday, works part-time and attends your school two nights a week. Again I want to thank you for your concern and caring that you have shown him.

Thank you,

Barbara Brabham

Allentown, P.A.