Toa Liona

Bruce Orlando Leaupepe (born January 30, 1991) is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Toa Liona and is a member of the Mogul Embassy stable.[2] He also wrestles for AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH). [3]

Toa Liona
Birth nameBruce Orlando Leaupepe[1]
Born (1991-01-30) January 30, 1991
San Jose, California, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Toa Liona
Billed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Billed weight301 lb (137 kg)
Billed fromSamoa
Trained byRikishi
Debut2020

Professional wrestling career

Liona began wrestling on the independent circuit in Los Angeles and Las Vegas in 2020. On 23 October, he made his All Elite Wrestling debut on AEW Dark: Elevation, teaming with Mike Reed in a loss to FTR. On 24 October, he appeared on AEW Dark teaming with Bison XL, losing to 2point0.[4][5]

On 1 April 2022, Liona was named as one of Tully Blanchard's new clients, teaming with Kaun to form The Gates of Agony.[6] The team defeated Shinobi Shadow Squad (Cheeseburger and Eli Isom) at the event.[7] On 25 May, Liona teamed with Juicy Finau in a GCW Tag Team Championship match, losing to BUSSY.[8]

On 6 July Gates of Agony made their AEW Television debut on Rampage, defeating Jonathan Gresham and Lee Moriarty.[9] On July 23, 2022, at Death Before Dishonor, Prince Nana announced he had purchased Tully Blanchard Enterprises and reformed The Embassy, with Cage, Kaun and Liona.[10] They would go on to defeat the team of Alex Zayne, Blake Christian and Tony Deppen during the preshow.[11] At Final Battle, The Embassy defeated Dalton Castle and The Boys, to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships.[12]

Gates of Agony suffered a loss to FTR at Battle of the Belts IV when they challeneged for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.[13] At Rampage:Grand Slam, The Embassy lost the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships to The Elite members "Hangman" Adam Page and The Young Bucks.[14]

Personal life

Liona is of Samoan and Puerto Rican descent.[15] Liona joined the San Diego State Aztecs football team in 2011 but was forced to quit football following a back injury.[16]

Championships and accomplishments
  • Future Stars of Wrestling
    • FSW Tag Team Championship (1 time)[17] – with Juicy Finau
  • KnokX Pro Entertainment
    • Urban Empire Championship (1 time)[18]

References
  1. "Bruce Orlando Leaupepe, Born 1/30/1991 in California". CaliforniaBirthIndex.org. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  2. Middleton, Marc (11 April 2022). "Backstage Notes On A New Tag Team Signing To AEW/ROH". WrestlingInc.com. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  3. Shijas, Muhammed. "WATCH: AEW Dark star Toa Liona shows off incredible power after bench pressing 500 pounds". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  4. "Toa Liona: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  5. Taylor, Sanchez (24 October 2021). "Spoilers For AEW Dark October 24 Tapings At Universal Studios". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  6. Mueller, The Doctor Chris. "ROH Supercard of Honor 2022 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  7. Quarrinton, Norman (2 April 2022). "ROH Supercard Of Honor Full Results And Recap: Several Titles Change Hands As The Tony Khan Era Kicks Off". TheSportster. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  8. "Toa Liona – Online World of Wrestling". www.onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  9. Rose, Bryan. "Jonathan Gresham & Lee Moriarty vs. The Gates of Agony set for AEW Rampage". WON/F4W – WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  10. Lambert, Jeremy (23 July 2022). "Prince Nana Announces He's Purchased Tully Blanchard Enterprises At ROH Death Before Dishonor". Fightful. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  11. "ROH Wrestling.com Death Before Dishonor 2022 Results".
  12. "The Embassy Win ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles At ROH Final Battle 2022".
  13. Rose, Bryan. "Two title matches added to AEW Battle of the Belts IV". WON/F4W – WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  14. Murphy, Don (22 September 2023). "AEW Rampage results (9/22): Murphy's review of Sting and Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage and Luchasaurus, AEW Trios and ROH Six-Man Tag Titles matches, four-way tag for a shot at the ROH Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  15. Cloete, Faden (1 February 2022). "AEW Dark Preview: 12 matches announced, featuring Lance Archer, Anthony Ogogo, and former WWE stars". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  16. Monteagudo Jr., Luis. "'Full Circle' Moment for Former Aztec, Now Wrestler, Toa Liona at AEW Show". TimesOfSanDiego.com. Times of San Diego. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  17. "FSW Tag Team Championship History".
  18. "KnokX Pro Entertainment". Facebook. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  19. Kreikenbohm, Philip (10 December 2022). "ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
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