RIP Umaga

[KeepingTheFaith]

Sad to see another one go so young, aged 36.

Dave Meltzer updated his story on Umaga to state that Edward Fatu was just removed from life support.

The report states that his family was told to come into town as quickly as possible. Family members have been told they believe he suffered a heart attack.

 

[DB]

wtf... he was only in australia like a week ago.

 

[Big Pete]

Tragic story.

Despite his relatively short life he did manage to achieve something most others don't, he was noticed. Firstly, as one half of 3 Minute Warning, a tag team that should've achieved so much more than becoming eventual cannon fodder to the likes of Goldberg.

Then finally as the Samoan Bulldozer Umaga where he achieved a level of popularity not seen from a man his size since Rikishi's surge in 2000 (before the WWE dropped the ball...once again).

Under the persona of Umaga he participated in quite possibly one of the best last man standing matches of all time against John Cena at the 2007 Royal Rumble.

Continually he was able to impress a number of fans with his agility and if given the time, one day, he could've been world champion.

RIP Edward Fatu

 

[joel caine number 1 fan]

we are losing to many wrestlers to early in life,this is a very sad day

 

[PJ Marshal]

get off the drugs and maybe they wudnt die so early

 

[Bulldog Force]

So sudden and unexpected. Such a sad way to leave the Earth so young. RIP Eddie Fatu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Fatu

Death

A few days prior to December 4, 2009, returning home to Spring, Texas, Fatu had just completed a wrestling tour with Hulk Hogan in Australia.
On December 4, 2009, Fatu was hospitalized after his wife found him not breathing with blood coming out of his nose a few hours after he had fallen asleep the night before while watching television. He was rushed to a local hospital in Houston, Texas and was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit.[52] It was reported[by whom?] that Fatu had suffered a heart attack.
Fatu was pronounced deceased around 6:00 PM EST after suffering a second heart attack.[4][53][54]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Fatu#cite_note-53

 

[Broncodr01d]

Tragic news. Yet another Wrestler cut down well before their time.

 

[Special K]

I was never a fan until I saw him live. He is one of the best wrestlers i've seen live. He was just so physical and had a real presence about him.

Terrible news

 

[Eelectrica]

Tragic story.

Despite his relatively short life he did manage to achieve something most others don't, he was noticed. Firstly, as one half of 3 Minute Warning, a tag team that should've achieved so much more than becoming eventual cannon fodder to the likes of Goldberg.

Then finally as the Samoan Bulldozer Umaga where he achieved a level of popularity not seen from a man his size since Rikishi's surge in 2000 (before the WWE dropped the ball...once again).

Under the persona of Umaga he participated in quite possibly one of the best last man standing matches of all time against John Cena at the 2007 Royal Rumble.

Continually he was able to impress a number of fans with his agility and if given the time, one day, he could've been world champion.

RIP Edward Fatu

Yep, was going to say that myself. Unbelievable.
The wrestling life continues to chew people up and spit them out. Such a shame to see another one go during what should be the prime of their life. Sad that lessons never seem to be learne.

RIP

 

[Engine]

The toll is starting to build. Something drastic needs to be done to change this.

 

[shiznit]

The toll is starting to build. Something drastic needs to be done to change this.

i reckon TNA is the key...

i reckon as soon as theres meaningful competition in the business than we will start to see things like a Union for the actual wrestlers.

Vince holds all the cards at the moment.

 

[shiznit]

on a side note.... im not blaming the business for this death... sadly i think this death is more due to lifestyle.

we as polys die much too young because of our lifestyles... mainly around what we eat.... i bet he wouldnt be the first person in his family to die of a heart attack

 

[Broncodr01d]

Out of any recent death, I was going to say, I'd put this one down to life-style. We aren't talking about a "physical specimen" here.

Well said shiznit.

 

[Big Pete]

You'd be right shiznit.

His relative Yokozuna passed away a decade ago due to similar symptons.

 

[bartman]

sh*t, I didn't expect that.

He was a massive unit though, and that size usually comes with it's own health problems.

 

[Marshall_magic]

RIP Umaga, one of the best big men I've seen. He was an animal in the ring, looked like he genuinely wanted to tear the other guys head off, and also moved very well for a big fella. He just becomes another statistic now.

 

[Twigg]

RIP Umaga.


Edit: Anyone here know about the number 14 Royal Rumble curse? Just happens that Umaga was the No.14 entrant in 2008!

..and the next rumble is next month.


Link (Royal Rumble Curse): http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2008/articles/1200586487.php

 

[Big Pete]

What I forgot to mention in my initial post was how much his Umaga character caught me by surprise.

When he debuted as Umaga in mid-06 I along with many others concluded he was nothing more than Samoa Joe's clone, given the WWE had been after Joe's signature at that time. Honestly I had little hope for Umaga, he had a silly finisher, wore his pants like Urkle and his character appeared to be one dimensional and a little out-dated given the current professional wrestling creative climate.

Fortunately a few things came that reversed my opinion. Firstly, it was the work of Estrada that helped get me into the character. Estrada's work on the microphone was enjoyable and I can't believe the WWE haven't gone by his example and employed more managers into the WWE. To me, managers are one of the only reliable elements in professional wrestling and a number of talents could benefit with the aid of a manager.

Secondly, it was the in-ring performances. While he had very little chance to demonstrate what he was capable of in 06 (except for the odd match or two) by 2007 Umaga was one of the best wrestlers in the world, putting on fantastic matches with Cena and Hardy as well as featuring in the main attraction at Mania 23.

 

[Iafeta]

Utterly astonished. I mean, I only watched him wrestle one week ago in Sydney, and at that, put on a great match (match of the card IMO). The ring shook and I believe it moved half a foot at one stage when he hit the corner, he hit it with such velocity. I've seen a lot of big wrestlers who look intimidating but they're slow and soft, but he definitely was not. I had heard Orlando Jordan was the one before Sydney going well with people tipping he'd be back with the WWE or TNA soon due to his performances, but frankly he was a major disappointment. Mr Kennedy was extremely good, Shannon Moore was good, and Umaga was also extremely good. The match he had with Kennedy was the match of the card. I didn't really think of him as being unworldly unhealthy, due to how hard he was moving and how well he was moving. I must admit, leaving Acer Arena I had some sad thoughts for Rikishi, he looks sunken under the eyes and he looks like he has let himself go a lot, but I had no fears for Umaga and expected him to be picked up by TNA very quickly.

 

[pennywisealfie]

yeah, i saw Rikishi walking around the Valley last week, he was walking so godamn slow!