Umaga (wrestler)

Umaga
Fatu in 2009
Birth name Edward Smith Fatu
Born (1973-03-28)March 28, 1973[1][2]
American Samoa[3]
Died December 4, 2009(2009-12-04) (aged 36)
Houston, Texas,
United States[4]
Cause of death Heart attack
Spouse(s)
L.T. Fatu
(m. 2001; his death 2009)
[3]
Children 4[3]
Family Anoaʻi
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Uso Fatu[5]
Ekmo[6]
Ekmo Fatu[1]
Jamal[1]
Umaga[6]
Billed height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[7]
Billed weight 350 lb (160 kg)[7]
Billed from The Isle of Samoa[7]
Trained by Afa Anoaʻi[1]
Debut 1995

Edward Smith Fatu[3] (March 28, 1973 – December 4, 2009) was an American Samoan professional wrestler. He was best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment in the 2000s under the ring names Umaga and Jamal.

He was a member of the Anoaʻi wrestling family and frequently worked as a part of a tag team – variously named The Island Boyz, the Samoan Gangstas, and 3-Minute Warning – with his cousin Matt Anoaʻi. During Fatu's first stint with WWE, he was known as Jamal and Matt was billed as Rosey. In early 2006, Fatu returned to the promotion under his new ring name Umaga. Fatu went undefeated for many months on WWE's Raw brand throughout much of 2006, before suffering his first defeat under the Umaga name in January 2007. The following month, he won the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the first time, and won it for the second time in July 2007.

Early life

Fatu was born on March 28, 1973 to Vera and Solofa Fatu, Sr. Fatu was a member of the famous Anoaʻi family. His mother, Vera, was the sister of Afa and Sika of The Wild Samoans.[3][8] His two older brothers, Sam and Solofa, are also professional wrestlers, he was the uncle of The Usos and he was a cousin of The Rock, Roman Reigns, Yokozuna and Rosey.[3] On April 27, 2008, Fatu's mother died after a seven-year battle with cancer.[9]

Professional wrestling career

Early career and early appearances for the World Wrestling Federation (1995–2000)

Fatu trained to become a professional wrestler at the "Wild Samoan Pro Wrestling Training Center" operated by his Uncles, Afa and Sika. In 1995, with his training complete, he started wrestling for Afa's World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW). The next year, both Fatu and his cousin Matt were brought into the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) to take part in an angle with Solafa Fatu, Jr., Fatu's brother and Matt's cousin, that ended up being quickly dropped.[1]

Return to World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2001 - 2003)

Developmental Territories (2001–2002)

Instead they were sent to the WWF's "farm territory" Heartland Wrestling Association, where they formed a tag team which stayed together through various promotions, including Memphis Championship Wrestling and Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, holding championships in both[10][11] under the names Samoan Gangstas and Island Boyz. Fatu and Matt competed in dark matches for the WWF throughout 2001, defeating the likes of Charlie Haas.

3-Minute Warning (2002–2003)

Anoaʻi (renamed to Rosey) and Ekmo (renamed to Jamal) made their WWE debut on the July 22, 2002 episode of Raw as 3-Minute Warning, a pair of villainous thugs.[1][12] They were "hired" as Eric Bischoff's enforcers, attacking random wrestlers each week, after Bischoff either gave people three minutes to entertain him before they were attacked or decided that three minutes of a segment was enough before the team appeared to end it.[12] They attacked numerous wrestlers at the orders of Bischoff, including D'Lo Brown and Shawn Stasiak. They also attacked non-wrestlers, including ring announcer Lilian Garcia and retired wrestlers Jimmy Snuka, Mae Young and The Fabulous Moolah.[1] Their most notable event came when they attacked two lesbians, which Anoaʻi later cited as his favorite 3-Minute Warning run-in.[13][14]

In September, 3-Minute Warning began a feud with Billy and Chuck, interfering in their storyline commitment ceremony, and defeating them at the Unforgiven pay-per-view event.[12] Rico, Billy and Chuck's former manager, also began to manage 3-Minute Warning during this time.[1] During this time Jamal gained a reputation for being reckless in the ring, injuring several performers, leading WWE to "punish" him by being on the receiving end of a Stink Face by his real-life brother Rikishi during the Royal Rumble.[15] 3-Minute Warning competed regularly in Raw's tag team division until June 2003. The team lasted just shy of a year, with Jamal being released from his WWE contract in June 2003, reportedly after his involvement in a bar fight.[1][16]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2003–2004)

Fatu debuted in TNA under the ring name of "Ekmo Fatu" on September 24, 2003 helping Sonny Siaki defeat D'Lo Brown in a Casket match. He then formed a tag team with Siaki. on the October 1 NWATNA PPV, Fatu and Siaki defeated Shark Boy and Mad Mikey. on the October 15 NWATNA PPV, Fatu and Siaki teamed with Joe E. Legend and lost to America's Most Wanted and Dusty Rhodes. on the October 29 NWATNA PPV, Fatu and Siaki defeated Danny Doring and Roadkill. on the November 5 NWATNA PPV, Fatu and Siaki defeated America's Most Wanted with help from David Young. on the November 19 NWATNA PPV, Fatu and Siaki lost to Julio DiNero and CM Punk when Trinity refused to give Siaki a steel chair. Fatu made his final appearance in TNA on the August 11, 2004 NWATNA PPV where Fatu lost to Alex Shelley and as a result Goldy Locks got control of Ekmo’s contract.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2003–2005)

Fatu left WWE for All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he used the name Jamal, the same name he'd used as a member of 3-Minute Warning. He was again used as a part of tag teams, first forming a short lived team with Justin Credible before forming a more permanent team with Taiyō Kea. With Kea he held the World Tag Team Championship and won the World's Strongest Tag Determination League tournament in 2004.[17] The team also wrestled a stint in Hawai'i Championship Wrestling, holding the HCW Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team Championship once.

Second Return to WWE (2005–2009)

Return as Umaga, feud with Ric Flair (2005–2006)

In December 2005, Fatu re-signed with World Wrestling Entertainment.[18] Initial signs pointed to a reunion of 3-Minute Warning, with the former team of Matt Anoaʻi (Rosey) and Fatu (Jamal) wrestling in dark matches together before episodes of Raw.[19] However, Rosey was released from WWE before the team could be brought to the main show.[20]

Fatu at a WWE Raw house show

Fatu returned on the April 3, 2006 episode of Raw with a new gimmick similar to that of Kamala and The Headshrinkers.[21] Now called Umaga, the same name of the final and most painful part of the Samoan tattooing process, meaning "the end",[22] he was depicted as a destructive savage who could be controlled only by his manager, Armando Alejandro Estrada. Umaga attacked Ric Flair in his debut at the orders of Estrada.[23][24] until he defeated Flair at Backlash at the end of the month.[25]

Various feuds and pursuit of the WWE Championship (2006–2007)

Mid-2006 saw Umaga winning matches against the majority of the Raw roster, including the likes of Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and John Cena. His next actual feud started at August's SummerSlam, where he was supposed to be an enforcer on behalf of the McMahons (the heel gimmicks of Vince and Shane) during their match against D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H), only to be attacked by Kane as he made his entrance.[26] Kane and Umaga feuded for the next two months until Umaga won a Loser Leaves Raw match sending Kane off of the brand.[27] After being separated by different brands, Umaga and Kane had one final match at Cyber Sunday where Umaga again defeated Kane after fans selected him over Chris Benoit and The Sandman to be Umaga's opponent.[28]

Umaga, having still not been pinned, was then deemed the number one contender for the WWE Championship and placed into a feud with then-champion John Cena over the title. Cena retained his belt at the New Year's Revolution pay-per-view by pinning Umaga with a roll-up, officially ending his undefeated streak, which had lasted 34 televised matches and spanned from his re-debut in April 2006 to January 2007.[29] In that time Umaga was never pinned or made to submit on television, but he suffered two losses by disqualification and another in a double countout.[30] For the rest of the month, Estrada played down Cena's victory, claiming it was a fluke, until a Last Man Standing rematch was signed for the next pay-per-view, the Royal Rumble.[31] On an episode of Raw between the two pay-per-views, Umaga attacked Cena causing a worked injury to his spleen and putting the match in jeopardy.[32] Cena kayfabe refused a medical exam, the results of which could cause him to forfeit his title, and then defeated Umaga after wrapping a loosened ring rope around his neck during an STFU.[33]

Intercontinental Champion (2007–2008)

Fatu (as Umaga) at One Night Stand in June 2007 with Vince and Shane McMahon

Though he was out of the world title picture, Umaga was named Vince McMahon's "representative" for the WrestleMania 23 "Battle of the Billionaires" with Donald Trump. Immediately after choosing Umaga, McMahon "granted" him a match against the Intercontinental Champion, Jeff Hardy, which he won to take the title.[34] After Bobby Lashley was named Trump's representative, the two began a feud which lasted even beyond WrestleMania.[35] Despite Umaga losing in the "Battle of the Billionaires" hair versus hair match and causing Vince McMahon to get his head shaved,[36] the McMahons (Vince and Shane) continued to second him to the ring. Two weeks after WrestleMania, Lashley interfered in a match and helped a planted fan, Santino Marella, defeat Umaga for the Intercontinental title.[37] At the April 29 Backlash event, the team of Umaga, Vince, and Shane McMahon wrestled Bobby Lashley for his ECW World Championship in a Handicap match, winning the title for Vince.[38] Umaga would continue to be involved with the Lashley/McMahon feud, competing at Judgment Day in the return match for the ECW Championship, which was once again a Handicap Match with the McMahons along with Umaga taking on Bobby Lashley. The feud culminated at One Night Stand, with Umaga aiding The McMahons in defending the ECW Championship against Bobby Lashley in a Street Fight Match, which Umaga and The McMahons lost.

Fatu and Jeff Hardy signing autographs to U.S. soldiers

In June, Umaga was re-entered into a feud with Marella, the man who won his Intercontinental Championship earlier in April. When they met at the Vengeance pay-per-view, Umaga was solidly in control of the match, but lost by disqualification when he disregarded the referees instructions and continued to punch Marella.[39] In a rematch on July 2, Umaga defeated Marella to win his second and final WWE Intercontinental Championship.[40] Not long after, he seemingly started a face turn, joining forces with John Cena against Carlito and Randy Orton.[41][42] After defeating both Mr. Kennedy and Carlito in a triple threat match at SummerSlam to retain his Intercontinental Title,[43] Umaga interrupted a Raw match between Kennedy and a returning Jeff Hardy, assaulting Hardy and leaving him lying in the ring[44] thus turning heel again. One week later, on the September 3 Raw, Umaga lost the Intercontinental title to Hardy in a singles match. Later that night, he teamed with Carlito in a handicap match against Triple H, after which Triple H struck him several times with his signature sledgehammer, injuring him.[45] He was given a match against Triple H at No Mercy, which was changed to a title match for the WWE Championship during the event when Triple H won the title earlier that night. Fatu was defeated by Triple H in their match.[46] At Survivor Series his team of Montel Vontavious Porter, Mr. Kennedy, Finlay and Big Daddy V lost to Triple H's team.[47] Coming up to WrestleMania XXIV, Fatu started feuding with Batista, but he lost to him at WrestleMania. Upon Jeff Hardy's return, William Regal sent Umaga into the ring to "punish" Jeff, thus reigniting the feud between them. Umaga would go on to face Jeff Hardy at One Night Stand in a Falls Count Anywhere Match, which Umaga lost.

Final storylines and departure (2008–2009)

On June 23, 2008, Umaga was drafted from the Raw brand to the SmackDown brand, as a part of the 2008 WWE draft.[48] After having a short lived rivalry with Mr. Kennedy and Big Show, Fatu suffered a torn PCL at a SmackDown live event in Johnson City, Tennessee on August 2 during a match with Jeff Hardy. On the January 30, 2009 episode of SmackDown, Umaga returned to action with his unstoppable persona and won his return match against Jimmy Wang Yang. Umaga then suffered his first defeat since his return by losing to Triple H by disqualification, after Triple H was attacked by The Legacy (Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes). After a short hiatus, he returned on the May 1, 2009 episode of SmackDown, attacking CM Punk on multiple occasions, repeatedly interrupting Punk's attempts to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase.[49] At Judgment Day, Umaga defeated Punk, and on the May 22 episode of SmackDown, he spoke in English for the first time under the Umaga gimmick, when he challenged Punk to a Samoan strap match. At Extreme Rules, Umaga lost to Punk to end the feud, this was Umaga's last appearance in WWE.[50] On June 8, 2009, WWE announced that Fatu was released from his WWE contract.[51] It was later revealed that his termination was due to violation of the Wellness Policy; even though this was only his second failure, his refusal to enter rehabilitation led to his dismissal.[4][52]

Independent circuit (2009)

Fatu on the Hulkamania Tour

On July 11, 2009, Umaga appeared for the first time since his WWE departure at the World Wrestling Council (WWC) in Puerto Rico defeating Mr. Anderson in a singles match. Four months later, Umaga appeared on Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania Tour of Australia. On November 21, 2009, Umaga and Orlando Jordan were defeated by Brian Christopher and Umaga's brother Rikishi. On November 24, 2009, Umaga defeated Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake. On November 26, 2009, Umaga and Orlando Jordan were defeated by Mr. Anderson and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake. On November 28, 2009, Umaga wrestled in his final match, losing to Mr. Anderson. Later that night, Umaga interfered in the main event match of Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair on several nights of the tour.

Personal life

Umaga was married, and had 4 children.[3]

During the weekend of August 30, 2007, articles posted by Sports Illustrated, the New York Daily News, and The Washington Post named Umaga as one of a number of superstars to have purchased pharmaceuticals from an online pharmacy, a violation of the WWE "Talent Wellness" program.Umaga specifically was said to have received somatropin, a growth hormone, between July and December 2006, after the "No drugs from online sources" rule was instituted.[53][54] In June 2009, Umaga violated the Wellness Policy, and due to his unwillingness to seek rehabilitation, he was released from his WWE contract.[4]

Umaga's nephews The Usos wore face paint similar to what he wore in WWE under the ringname Umaga, as well as ringtape around the thumb, as a tribute.Umaga's surviving brother, Rikishi, used the Samoan Spike against Heath Slater in his return match on Raw in July 2012 as a tribute.

Death

On December 4 ,2009, Umaga was found unresponsive with blood coming from his nose, and was rushed to a hospital. He had suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead at around 5:00 pm Central Time.[2][55][56] Umaga was 36 years old.

Championships and accomplishments

Umaga as the Intercontinental Champion

Luchas de Apuestas

Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Bobby Lashley (Trump's hair) Umaga (McMahon's hair) Detroit, Michigan WrestleMania 23 April 1, 2007

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Umaga Bio". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved July 30, 2007.
  2. 1 2 Waldman, Jon (December 4, 2009). "Umaga dead at age 36". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Grinberg, Emanuella (December 5, 2009). "Wrestler 'Umaga' Edward Fatu dies of brain heamorrhage, friend says". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Emanuella Grinberg (December 6, 2009). "Wrestlers grapple with problems in, out of the ring". CNN. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
  5. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Umaga « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Umaga profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  7. 1 2 3 "Umaga". WWE. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Umaga biography". Samoan Dynasty. Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Elevera Anoaʻi Fatu passes away". WWE. April 27, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2008.
  10. 1 2 "MCW Southern Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
    listed as The Island Boys
  11. 1 2 "WEW Hardcore Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
    name misspelled as "Eddy"
  12. 1 2 3 Shields, Brian and Kevin Sullivan (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK/BradyGAMES. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  13. ↑ "Interview Highlights: Former WWE wrestler Rosey talks about life after WWE". Pro Wrestling Torch. March 1, 2007. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
  14. ↑ "WWE Raw Results – September 9, 2002". Online World of Wrestling. September 9, 2002. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  15. ↑ http://whatculture.com/wwe/10-things-wwe-wants-you-to-forget-about-rikishi?page=4
  16. ↑ "Rosey bio". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved August 18, 2007. And then, in June, Jamal was released by WWE stemming from an incident at a night club, leaving Rosey on his own.
  17. 1 2 "World Tag Team Title (All Japan Pro-Wrestling)". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  18. ↑ Scaia, Rick. "Flair's Troubles, WWE Financials, WWE Returning to NBC, and Lots More..." Online Onslaught. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2007. WWE has re-signed Jamal (real name, Something Fatu, but you remember his as Jamal from 3 Minute Warning).
  19. ↑ "RAW results – January 9, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  20. ↑ "Rosey Released". WWE. Archived from the original on April 12, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2007. WWE has come to terms on the release of Matt Anoai [sic] (Rosey) as of March 21, 2006. We wish Rosey the best in all future endeavors.
  21. ↑ "RAW Results – April 3, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  22. ↑ "Samoan Sensation". Retrieved February 15, 2007.
  23. ↑ Umaga debuts: Raw, April 3, 2006, retrieved 2018-06-10
  24. ↑ "RAW Results – April 24, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  25. ↑ "Backlash 2007 results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved August 5, 2007.
  26. ↑ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 121.
  27. ↑ "RAW results – October 9, 2006 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  28. ↑ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 122.
  29. ↑ "New Year's Revolution 2007 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  30. ↑ "Umaga profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 15, 2007.
  31. ↑ "RAW results – January 8, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  32. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2007". Arena Reports. Kappa Publishing. May 2007. p. 132.
  33. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2007". Arena reports. Kappa Publishing. June 2007. p. 130.
  34. ↑ "RAW results – February 19, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  35. ↑ "RAW results – February 26, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  36. ↑ "WrestleMania 23 results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  37. ↑ "RAW results – April 16, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  38. ↑ "Backlash 2007 results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  39. ↑ "Vengeance 2007 Results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  40. ↑ "RAW results – July 2, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  41. ↑ "RAW results – August 6, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
  42. ↑ "RAW results – August 13, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
  43. ↑ "SummerSlam 2007 results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
  44. ↑ "RAW results – August 27, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
  45. ↑ "RAW results – September 3, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  46. ↑ "No Mercy 2007 Results". PWWEW.net. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
  47. ↑ "Hardy and The Game survive team turmoil". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  48. ↑ Sitterson, Aubrey (June 23, 2008). "A Draft Disaster". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
  49. ↑ McNamara, Andy (May 1, 2009). "Punk wins, but Hardy stands tall". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
  50. ↑ Elliot, Brian (May 17, 2009). "Hardy feud reignites at Judgment Day". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  51. ↑ "Umaga Released". World Wrestling Entertainment. June 8, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
  52. ↑ Rothstein, Simon (June 11, 2009). "WWE fired Umaga for drug test failure". The Sun. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  53. ↑ "Fourteen wrestlers tied to pipeline". Sports Illustrated. August 30, 2007. Retrieved August 31, 2007.
  54. ↑ Farhi, Paul (September 1, 2007). "Pro Wrestling Suspends 10 Linked to Steroid Ring". Washington Post. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
  55. ↑ "Umaga passes". World Wrestling Entertainment. December 4, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  56. ↑ "Former WWE star Umaga dead at 36". Los Angeles Times. December 4, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  57. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-01-03. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  58. ↑ "Heartland Wrestling Association Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  59. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2007". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  60. ↑ "WWF/WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
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