# Cocoa Samoa
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{{Short description|American-Samoan professional wrestler (1945–2007)}}
{{About|the wrestler|the drink|Koko Samoa|the industry|Cocoa production in Samoa}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name = Cocoa Samoa
| image = Cocoa Samoa.jpg
| names = Cocoa Samoa
Sabu the Wildman
High Chief Onasahi[{{cite web|url=http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/memory-lane/cocoa-samoa-remembered/|title=Cocoa Samoa Remembered|author=Pratt, Jason|year=2007|accessdate=2009-06-16|publisher=Cauliflower Alley Club|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527041044/http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/memory-lane/cocoa-samoa-remembered/|archive-date=2009-05-27|url-status=dead}}]
Tami Samoa
The Black Ninja
Jack Snuka
| height = 5 ft 11 in
| birth_name = Ulualoaiga Onosai Tuaolo Emelio
| weight = 238 lbs
| birth_date = {{birth date|1945|3|9}}
| birth_place = [Pago Pago](/source/Pago_Pago), American Samoa[
| death_date = {{death date and age|2007|1|9|1945|3|9}}
| death_place = [Killeen, Texas](/source/Killeen%2C_Texas), United States][{{cite web|url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/01/19/news/obits.html|publisher=Star Bulletin|title=Obituaries|accessdate=2009-06-16}}]
| resides =
| billed =
| trainer =
| debut = 1976
| retired = 1997
|}}
'''Ulualoaiga Onosai Tuaolo Emelio'''[ (March 9, 1945 – January 9, 2007) was an American Samoan [professional wrestler](/source/Professional_wrestling), better known by his [ring name](/source/ring_name) '''Cocoa Samoa'''.
== Professional wrestling career ==
He began his training by studying [martial arts](/source/martial_arts) in Japan.][ His had his first matches in Japanese promotions.][
On November 15, 1982, as Sabu the Wildman, Cocoa partnered with [Jimmy Hart](/source/Jimmy_Hart) to defeat [Jerry Lawler](/source/Jerry_Lawler) in a [handicap match](/source/Professional_wrestling_match_types) for the [AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship](/source/Memphis_Wrestling_Southern_Heavyweight_Championship). Hart got the pin, but Sabu the Wildman was recognized as champion. He, however, was defeated by [Terry Taylor](/source/Terry_Taylor) for the title two weeks later.
By the mid-1980s he wrestled in the [World Wrestling Council](/source/World_Wrestling_Council) and [Championship Wrestling from Florida](/source/Championship_Wrestling_from_Florida). By the late 1980s he worked for the [NWA Pacific Northwest Wrestling](/source/Pacific_Northwest_Wrestling) promotion under the name Cocoa Samoa. In the summer of 1986, Samoa traded the [NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship](/source/NWA_Pacific_Northwest_Heavyweight_Championship) with [Rip Oliver](/source/Rip_Oliver), holding it one time. He also held the [NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship](/source/NWA_Pacific_Northwest_Tag_Team_Championship) three times between March 1986 and May 1987, with partners [Brady Boone](/source/Brady_Boone), [Ricky Santana](/source/Aldo_Ortiz), and [Mike Miller](/source/Mike_Miller_(wrestler)). Also in Northwest, Samoa had a feud with [Jimmy Snuka](/source/Jimmy_Snuka).][ After 1988, he look a hiatus from wrestling.
In 1994, Samoa returned to wrestling working in Puerto Rico. Later in his career he worked in the independent circuit and [All Pro Wrestling](/source/All_Pro_Wrestling) in California until retiring in 1997.
== Personal life ==
Samoa established a janitorial company to provide jobs to homeless people.][ He also worked for motorcycle companies, offering publicity by making cross-country rides.][ He spent time in prison after working as a money collector for a drug dealer.][ After being released from prison, Samoa became a preacher and visited other inmates to preach about Christianity.][
He estimated that he had fathered 11 children by nine different women.][ At the time of his death, however, he was married to a woman named Esperanza and had five known sons and three daughters.][ He had 31 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.][ During his career, he befriended other wrestlers such as [Harley Race](/source/Harley_Race) and [Antonio Inoki](/source/Antonio_Inoki).][ He was also close friends with [Jimmy Snuka](/source/Jimmy_Snuka), whom he referred to as his brother.][
Samoa died on January 9, 2007.]