10/12/2023
Remembering Umaga
Edward Smith Fatu was an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Umaga.
Fatu was also known for his time with All Japan Pro Wrestling in the mid-2000s, where he was a main eventer under the ring name Jamal.
He was a member of the Anoaʻi family, a renowned Samoan wrestling family.
During his first stint with WWE billed as Jamal, he was part of tag team 3-Minute Warning, with his cousin Matt Anoaʻi, billed as Rosey.
He was released from the company in June 2003, later going to All Japan Pro Wrestling and becoming a mainstay for the company from late 2003 to 2005.
In April 2006, Fatu returned to WWE under the ring name Umaga.
Fatu went undefeated on the Raw brand throughout the year before finally suffering his first defeat in January 2007 at the hands of then WWE Champion John Cena.
The following month, he won the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the first time, and won it for the second time in July 2007.
He also appeared in the "Battle of the Billionaires" WrestleMania 23 match as Mr. McMahon's representative.
He was released by WWE in June 2009 and wrestled on the independent circuit until his death in December of that year.
On December 4, 2009, Fatu was found by his wife on the couch in their Houston, Texas home, unresponsive and with blood coming from his nose.
A 911 call was made and Fatu was rushed to a hospital by ambulance.
Paramedics determined Fatu was suffering a heart attack and they were able to restart his heart, although he showed no signs of brain activity.
He was kept on life support for much of that Friday, and later suffered a second heart attack; he was ultimately pronounced dead at around 5:00 PM CST.
He was 36 years old. Toxicology reports revealed that Fatu had the drugs hydrocodone (a painkiller), carisoprodol (Soma, a muscle relaxant), and diazepam (Va**um) in his system.
Houston medical examiners also found that Fatu had both heart and liver disease.
It was determined that the combination of Fatu's repeated drug use, along with his bad heart, ultimately led to his death, and his death was officially ruled a heart attack brought on by an acute toxicity of multiple substances.
