Bay Area Tonga Twins are slamming their way into history

Before tag team wrestling, throwing girls across the ring, and backslide slams in the ring, the Tonga Twins —Kaoz, born Steffanie and Kona, born Ashley — were born Ashley and Steffanie Manukainiu in Vallejo.

The twins’ parents, Finau and Katiola Manukainiu, migrated from Tonga to the Bay Area, settling in Vallejo for better opportunities. The twins recall being raised “the island way” with a strict upbringing.

Growing up, the Manikainiu family was one of the first Tongan families in Vallejo.

“I just remember all those people who would ask, ‘What nationality are you?’ I would have to explain what a Tongan is,” said Kaoz.

At 4, the twins were significantly taller than most of their classmates. One day their older siblings (Aiona and Christopher) were playing basketball and in the middle of a break, the twins jumped on the court striving to make a basket. The coaches around assumed the twins were old enough to play. Shortly after, the twins’ parents enrolled them in Vallejo Little League.

The two played basketball at Hogan High School and in the Amateur Athletic Union. Kaoz played the power forward and center positions. Kona played center.

“Basketball kept us out of trouble. When we were in the gym and on the court, the world would stop. Once practice was done or a game was done, it was back to the crazy world,” said Kona.

In the twins’ high school sophomore year, their family moved to Texas to get away from the gang violence in Vallejo. Both sisters received future scholarships. Approaching college Kaoz committed to the New Mexico Bulldogs. Kona embarked on the journey of motherhood in the same year, giving birth to her son, Laiatea. A year later, Kaoz gave birth to another son, Finau.

For the first time, the twins were separated.

“I had to raise my son. I told my sister to go ahead. We can continue. We don’t have to do everything together,” said Kona.

Despite Kaoz’s basketball skills, she became homesick and wanted to be closer to family. Their family moved back to Vallejo, so Kaoz decided to enroll in Sonoma State University.

Both Kaoz and Kona’s love for basketball dwindled. Kaoz decided to withdraw from Sonoma State University.

The two were living in the Bay Area figuring out the next steps in life. At a Fifth Harmony concert, the twins met Ata Johnson — The Rock’s mother. After speaking with the twins, Johnson asked the two if they had ever considered professional wrestling. Johnson expressed that there was only Samoan representation at the time and they would be the first Tongans wrestling.

Both of the twins took heed to Johnson’s advice — it was, after all,  the mother of The Rock. Kaoz and Kona explained Johnson’s thinking to family and friends and received tremendous support.

“When we thought of wrestling, we felt there’s no one like us on TV. Laiatea, my son was like, “Let’s change that!” said Kona. “Let’s be role models, so that when another Polynesian little girl or woman sees us on TV, they think they can do this, too.”

The two began training heavily.

“Wrestling is different. It’s physical. It’s not like basketball. You could be the most athletic person but once you get in that ring, if you’re not physical, then it’s not for you,” said Kona.

The two were even trained by WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, who did not care that the twins were newcomers and trained them like professionals. Often the two would hear Rikishi scream “twins!” multiple times in a session of training.

“Rikishi treated me and my sister as the men. We got it the hardest. That’s where we get a lot of our strength and the way we perform in the ring comes from. We were trained to be just as hard as the men,” said Kona.

With continuous training and development, the twins were notified by Women of Wrestling (WOW), owned by the Los Angeles Lakers owner, Jeanie Buss.

“For people who don’t know about Women of Wrestling, it is the only all-women’s franchise with a Global TV footprint. We’re everywhere. That’s why we’re honored to even be a part of this platform. The roster is very diverse. There’s somebody that you could see yourself in on our roster,” said Kaoz.