This Former UTEP Miner is Making Waves in the WWE

El Paso, Texas & wrestling have gone hand in hand for many years. That tradition has continued into the present day too; fans of WWE Smackdown are certainly familiar with with the faction known as The Bloodline. They've know to have names like Roman Reigns, the Usos & even The Rock.

Today the faction is comprised of Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa. The latter has a nice connection to El Paso as he used to play for UTEP years ago.

When did Tonga Loa play for the UTEP Miners & when did Tonga start his wrestling career?

Tevita Tu'amoeloa Fetaiakimoeata Fifita, aka Tonga Loa, played football for the UTEP Miners from 2004-05 as an offensive end. Shortly afterwards he would start wrestling in Florida Championship Wrestling from March 2009 to November 2011 before joining the WWE in December 2011; he would be part of NXT.

He would actually be billed as being from "Juarez, Mexico" in his time in FCW, TNA & his first run with the WWE but he would rock a different name: Camacho.

Tevita would return to the WWE in May 2024 but now rocking his current name; Tonga Loa. Ever since he came back to the WWE, his return has been quite dramatic.

He even won the WWE Tag Team Titles during an episode of Smackdown in August of this year.

This certainly wasn't the first time we've seen a former UTEP Miners football player join the WWE but it's good to know that some of our local football talent make stars of themselves.

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