Toa Liona Bio
Bruce Orlando Leaupepe, known by the ring name Toa Liona, is an American professional wrestler born on January 30, 1991. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs as one-half of the tag team Gates of Agony (GOA) alongside Kaun. He also competes for AEW’s sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former two-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 300 pounds, Liona is recognized for his imposing presence in the ring.
Toa Liona Career
Early Life and Background
Leaupepe was born in San Jose, California, and raised in the surrounding area. He is of Samoan and Puerto Rican descent, a heritage that influenced his path into athletic competition. He attended Oak Grove High School, where he played football and basketball, developing the physical foundation that would later support his wrestling career.
After graduating in 2009, Leaupepe continued his education at the City College of San Francisco and De Anza College. In 2011, he enrolled at San Diego State University, where he majored in criminal justice. He played football for the San Diego State Aztecs during his college years. His athletic career took a turn when he suffered a popped disc in his lower back, forcing him to step away from the sport.
Following his recovery, Leaupepe worked as a personal trainer, a role that allowed him to maintain his physical conditioning while exploring new career options. His interest in professional wrestling grew during this period, eventually leading him to pursue training in the industry. His diverse athletic background gave him a strong base for the demands of professional wrestling.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Leaupepe’s transition into professional wrestling began with formal training under the guidance of Rikishi, a member of the famous Anoa’i wrestling family. This training provided him with technical skills and an understanding of the wrestling business. His connection to Samoan wrestling heritage also gave him a natural entry point into the industry.
In 2020, Leaupepe began wrestling on the independent circuit, primarily competing in promotions based in Los Angeles, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. During early 2021, he formed a tag team with Juicy Finau called “Toko Uso,” marking his first significant partnership in the sport. These early years allowed him to hone his craft and build a reputation in regional wrestling scenes.
His size and athleticism made him a standout in independent promotions, drawing attention from larger organizations. The experience gained during this period prepared him for the next major step in his career. By late 2021, he had caught the eye of All Elite Wrestling, one of the largest professional wrestling promotions in the United States.
Early Career (2020–2021)
Toa Liona’s professional wrestling career officially began in 2020 on the independent circuit. He wrestled primarily for promotions in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, gaining valuable in-ring experience. In early 2021, he teamed with Juicy Finau as “Toko Uso,” establishing himself as a capable tag team competitor.
These independent circuit years were crucial for his development as a wrestler. The regional promotions allowed him to work with various opponents and refine his style. His partnership with Finau laid the groundwork for his future success in major wrestling promotions.
All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor Breakthrough (2021–Present)
On October 23, 2021, Liona made his All Elite Wrestling debut on AEW Dark: Elevation, teaming with Mike Reed in a loss to FTR. The following day, he appeared on AEW Dark, partnering with Bison XL in another loss to 2point0. These early appearances introduced him to the AEW audience and set the stage for his future role in the company.
On April 1, 2022, Liona was named as one of Tully Blanchard’s new clients, teaming with Kaun to form the Gates of Agony. The team quickly made an impact, and on July 6, they made their AEW television debut on AEW Rampage, defeating Jonathan Gresham and Lee Moriarty. Later that month, at Death Before Dishonor, Prince Nana announced he had purchased Tully Blanchard Enterprises and reformed The Embassy, adding Cage to the group.
At Final Battle in December 2022, The Embassy defeated Dalton Castle and The Boys to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. The group continued to compete across AEW and ROH, eventually losing the titles to members of The Elite at Rampage: Grand Slam. On November 1, 2023, on AEW Dynamite, The Embassy regained the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, marking Liona’s second reign with the title.
In 2024, Liona and Kaun turned on Swerve Strickland, disbanding the Mogul Embassy and briefly reforming as “Cage of Agony.” In the summer of 2025, Gates of Agony aligned themselves with Ricochet and shortened their name to GOA. At Forbidden Door on August 24, GOA and Ricochet defeated JetSpeed and Michael Oku, and later attacked The Hurt Syndicate during their AEW World Tag Team Championship defense, causing them to lose their titles. The group, now known as “The Demand,” continued to compete throughout 2025, including matches at All Out and WrestleDream.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2023)
On November 13, 2023, it was announced that Gates of Agony would make their New Japan Pro-Wrestling debut in the 2023 World Tag League, competing in the A-Block. On November 29, the duo appeared to join House of Torture, but revealed it as a trick on the following December 1 show. They finished the tournament with 4 points and did not qualify for the semi-finals.
Style and Strengths
Toa Liona is known for his imposing physical presence, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 300 pounds. His athletic background in football gives him a strong base for power-based wrestling moves. He excels in tag team competition, where his size and strength create significant advantages for his team.
Notable Events and Milestones
Liona’s first major championship came at Final Battle in December 2022, when The Embassy won the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. He is a two-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion, with his second reign beginning in November 2023. His participation in the 2023 NJPW World Tag League represented his first major international tournament appearance.
Toa Liona Career Wins
Toa Liona’s championship success has primarily come in tag team and six-man tag team competition. As a two-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion, he has established himself as a reliable partner in multi-man matches. His wins have come as part of The Embassy and later Gates of Agony.
Ring of Honor Highlights
Liona is a two-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion. His first reign began in December 2022 as part of The Embassy, and his second reign started in November 2023. These championships represent his most significant title accomplishments in professional wrestling to date.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his ROH championship reigns, Liona has competed in various tag team matches across AEW and independent promotions. His appearance in the 2023 NJPW World Tag League marked a significant international milestone, even though he and Kaun did not advance to the semi-finals.
Toa Liona Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Toa Liona is of Samoan and Puerto Rican descent, a heritage that has been an important part of his identity. His Samoan roots connect him to the broader Anoa’i wrestling family, which has produced numerous prominent figures in professional wrestling. This cultural background has influenced his path into the wrestling industry.
Personal Life
Liona was born and raised in San Jose, California. His educational journey took him through several California institutions, including Oak Grove High School, City College of San Francisco, De Anza College, and San Diego State University. His background in criminal justice studies and personal training reflects a diverse set of interests outside of wrestling.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Toa Liona and Gates of Agony. In the summer, the team aligned with Ricochet and rebranded as GOA, signaling a new direction for the group. They achieved a notable victory at Forbidden Door on August 24, defeating JetSpeed and Michael Oku alongside Ricochet.
Later in 2025, GOA and Ricochet, now collectively known as “The Demand,” continued to pursue tag team championship opportunities. They challenged for the AEW World Trios Championship unsuccessfully after interference from MVP, but secured a win over The Hurt Syndicate at All Out on September 20. The group faced setbacks in subsequent rematches at Title Tuesday and WrestleDream, but remained active competitors in the tag team division.
As the year progressed, Gates of Agony and The Demand continued to position themselves as a prominent force in AEW’s tag team and trios divisions. Their alliance with Ricochet brought new opportunities and high-profile matches. Looking ahead, the group remains a compelling presence in the evolving landscape of All Elite Wrestling.
