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 Cage of Agony. He also wrestles for AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former two-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion.[2]
Toa Liona | |
---|---|
Birth name | Bruce Orlando Leaupepe[1] |
Born | (1991-01-30) January 30, 1991 (age 33) San Jose, California, U.S. |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Toa Liona |
Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Billed weight | 301 lb (137 kg) |
Billed from | Samoa |
Trained by | Rikishi |
Debut | 2020 |
Liona began wrestling on the independent circuitinLos Angeles and Las Vegas in 2020. On October 23, he made his All Elite Wrestling debut on AEW Dark: Elevation, teaming with Mike Reed in a loss to FTR. On October 24, he appeared on AEW Dark teaming with Bison XL, losing to 2point0.[3][4]
On April 1, 2022, Liona was named as one of Tully Blanchard's new clients, teaming with Kaun to form The Gates of Agony.[5] The team defeated Shinobi Shadow Squad (Cheeseburger and Eli Isom) at the event.[6] On May 25, Liona teamed with Juicy Finau in a GCW Tag Team Championship match, losing to BUSSY.[7]
On July 6 Gates of Agony made their AEW Television debut on Rampage, defeating Jonathan Gresham and Lee Moriarty.[8] 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.[9] They would go on to defeat the team of Alex Zayne, Blake Christian and Tony Deppen during the preshow.[10]AtFinal Battle, The Embassy defeated Dalton Castle and The Boys, to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships.[11]
Gates of Agony suffered a loss to FTRatBattle of the Belts IV when they challenged for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.[12]AtRampage:Grand Slam, The Embassy lost the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team ChampionshipstoThe Elite members "Hangman" Adam Page and The Young Bucks.[13] On November 1, 2023, on AEW Dynamite, The Embassy regained the titles.[14]
On the May 8, 2024 episode of Dynamite, Cage and the Gates of Agony turned on Swerve Strickland, disbanding the Mogul Embassy in the process.[15] On the May 25 episode of Rampage, Gates of Agony and Cage revealed their new team name to be "Cage of Agony".[16]
On November 13, 2023, it was announced that Gates of Agony (Liona and Kaun), would make their New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) debut, by competing in the 2023 World Tag League. The duo were announced to be competing in the A-Block.[17] On November 29, Gates of Agony would seemingly join House of Torture, but would reveal it to be a trick on the following December 1 show. The duo finished with 4 points and were unable to qualify for the semi-finals.
Liona is of Samoan and Puerto Rican descent.[18] Liona joined the San Diego State Aztecs football team in 2011 but was forced to quit football following a back injury.[19]