Samoan professional wrestler Nicholas Hayner, who went by the name of Nick Primo in the ring, comes from the Filoiali’i family of Ta’u Manu’a, and is now putting his professional wrestling moves to work on the big screen and in television.

Currently, he can be found doing stunt work and working with some big names in Hollywood such as Jason Momoa (The Red Road) and Jim Caviezel (When the Game Stands Tall). He is using the experience he received from the world of professional wrestling in the professional world of stunts— and even taking a shot at acting, which is not so different than when he was body slamming and suplexing his opponents in the ring in Japan, throughout the United States and the world.

He is at this time working in Atlanta, Georgia where he is on the set of the upcoming movie "Insurgent" due out next year. Hayner’s resume includes TV’s Under the Dome, The Originals, The Hunger Games and Graceland. On the big screen, Hayner appeared in The Red Road, When the Game Stands Tall and will appear in Insurgent.

Coming from an athletic background where his father was a professional wrestler throughout the 1990’s under the name of Prince Iaukea of World Championship Wrestling, and his uncles who spent their time in the ring as well, it is no surprise that he took up the business that is leading him to rub elbows with some of Hollywood’s big names.

Born and raised in the state of Florida, but with the same kind of discipline that any Samoan child receives in the homeland, he first came to the territory in 2008 to learn about his roots. “I loved my first visit to the land of ancestors. I loved it so much and am looking forward to returning” he said in an email interview with Samoa News.

“I am living a dream come true. I am doing something a lot of people only dream about, but never accomplish. I want to give a shout-out to my family in Ta’u and all over Tutuila. For anyone who wants to be a success in anything, you have to stay focused on what you are doing. If you want it bad enough, you will find a way to get it. You have to surround yourself with people that really want to help you.”

“I want to thank everyone that helped me along the way. Someday I wish to return to American Samoa to visit my family and spend some time in paradise,” he said.

Editor's note:  Reporter Jeff Hayner is Nicholas' uncle.