WWE has posted a statement concerning the passing of Leah Maivia, the grandmother of former WWE superstar The Rock. Leah was the wife of “High Chief” Peter Maivia, who was recently inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this past March, with both Leah and The Rock speaking on his behalf. When Peter died in 1982, Leah took control of NWA Polynesian Pro Wrestling, which was a Hawaiian based organization that folded in 1988. Leah is survived by her daughter Ata, the mother of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The following is WWE’s official statement:
Leah Maivia passes away
Written: October 21, 2008
Leah Maivia, whose late husband High Chief Peter Maivia was inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame this past March, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the age of 81.
A staunch supporter of her husbandâs wrestling career, Mrs. Maivia got involved in the promotional end of the business herself. In 1979, Peter Maivia began promoting a group in Hawaii called NWA Polynesian Pro Wrestling. After the High Chiefâs death in 1982, Mrs. Maivia assumed the reigns of the promotion and ran the group until 1988.
And in her later years, she beamed with pride as her grandson, Dwayne Johnson, known to WWE fans as “The Rock,” attained insurmountable success in the entertainment industry.
World Wrestling Entertainment offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Leah Maivia.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
