In October 2006, Anoa'i received a try-out with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), held at the Deep South Wrestling development territory. Later that month, Anoa'i officially signed with WWE, going under his father's ring name, "Afa". He went on to wrestle for Deep South Wrestling.
In October 2006, Anoa'i underwent a test run with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which took place at the Deep South Wrestling developmental facility. Shortly thereafter, Anoa'i officially joined WWE and adopted his father's wrestling moniker, "Afa". He then went on to compete for Deep South Wrestling.