In a nostalgic revisit to the WWE Universe, Afa Anoa’i Jr., formerly known as Manu, spoke candidly about his time as an original member of the faction Legacy, alongside Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. The MuscleManMalcolm podcast was treated to a walk down memory lane, as Afa shared his favorite WWE moments from that era.
The Samoan-American wrestler fondly recalled his debut at Unforgiven 2008, where the trio ambushed then-World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk backstage, forcing him to forfeit the Scramble match. Another highlight for Afa was his match against Batista, which felt like a full-circle moment, considering his father, Afa Anoa’i, had trained the former WWE Champion.
Manu’s stint in Legacy was short-lived, as he was eventually replaced by Ted DiBiase Jr. The faction went on to dominate WWE programming, taking down giants like John Cena, Batista, and D-Generation X. However, their reign came to an end at WrestleMania 26, where Randy Orton defeated his protégés in a Triple Threat match.
The rivalry between Orton and Rhodes continued to simmer, with the two locking horns multiple times, including during Rhodes’ Intercontinental Championship reign in 2011 and again in 2013, when Orton joined The Authority led by Triple H. Fast-forward to the present, and Cody Rhodes, now the Undisputed WWE Champion, has expressed interest in reigniting a feud with Triple H. However, he believes it’s unlikely due to reasons unrelated to The Game’s retirement.
A more plausible scenario, according to Rhodes, is a renewed rivalry with Orton, a prospect that has generated significant buzz among fans. The American Nightmare has made it clear that, should the two men clash again, it wouldn’t be a repeat of their past encounters, with Orton unable to dominate him as he might have a decade ago.
As the WWE Universe eagerly awaits potential showdowns between Cody Rhodes and his former allies, Afa Anoa’i Jr.’s nostalgic reflections serve as a poignant reminder of the rich history and complex relationships that have shaped the careers of these WWE Superstars.
