O.o
FORMER WWE STAR EDDIE 'UMAGA' FATU HOSPITALIZED, SERIOUSLY ILL
By Mike Johnson & Buck Woodward on 2009-12-04 14:40:33
Former WWE Intercontinental champion and one-time Wrestlemania headliner Eddie "Umaga" Fatu is hospitalized in a ICU unit in Houston, Texas. There have been reports making their way among wrestlers that Fatu has died and/or is brain dead but sources close to Anoia family will only confirm that he is hospitalized at this time. A WWE source, when contacted, noted that the company was aware and that it was a "grave situation."
Eddie Fatu, best known to wrestling fans as Umaga, was born on March 28, 1973. A part of the famous Anoai Samoan wrestling family, his early career was spent mostly in tag team action with his cousin Matt Anoai as The Island Boys in WWF developmental HWA.
After working various territories here and overseas, Fatu and Anoai were christened "3-Minute Warning" (Jamal and Rosey) by WWE in 2002, where they were essentially henchmen for then Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff. He was released from WWE in the summer of 2003, reportedly after being involved in a fight in a restaurant. Matt stayed on as Rosey, best known as Hurricane Helms' Super Hero In Training.
Fatu then wrestled as Ekmo for TNA, and also began working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. During his time in All Japan, his work improved greatly, and in 2005 he resigned with WWE and the Umaga character debuted in 2006. Before signing with WWE again, he also made regular appearances for the now-defunct Major League Wrestling promoted by Court Bauer in Florida.
Initially managed by Armando Alejandro Estrada, Umaga wrestled main event level stars such as Ric Flair, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and had what was considered one of John Cena's best matches ever at the Royal Rumble in January 2007. This was followed by the highest profile match of his career, as he was Vince McMahon's "hand-picked" wrestler against Bobby Lashley (who was representing Donald Trump) at Wrestlemania 23, which was the centerpiece of that year's promotion for the event in Detroit. Umaga lost and as a result, Lashley, Trump and special referee Steve Austin shaved Vince McMahon bald.
Umaga remained a mid to upper card performer for the company, until a torn PCL sidelined him in 2008. During that time off, he was suspended by WWE when his name came up among a list of performers who had received prescriptions from an online pharmacy, a violation of the company's Wellness Policy. He returned to the ring in January 2009, and appeared to be geared up for another big push with rumors of a big program with The Undertaker on the Smackdown brand. He was released suddenly in June of 2009 after his second Wellness Policy violation. WWE later disclosed that Fatu refused to enter rehabilitation, as outlined in their policy (a second violation meant automatic rehab), and he was promptly was let go.
Fatu then wrestled on international and independent shows using variations on the Umaga name (like "Rumaga"). He claimed several months back that he might be returning to the company while booking out of a scheduled DVD interview, but nothing came of it. He ended up booked on Hulk Hogan's Australia tour as his brother, the former Rikishi
, booked the undercard talent, working with Ken Anderson.
Our best wishes to the Anoai family and Fatu's friends, family and fans during this sad time.
Fonte:PWI
[Modificato da Albert Wesker 27 04/12/2009 21:09]