Statement from the Anoa'i Family after the death of Eddie "Umaga" Fatu

The Anoa'i family issued the following statement on Friday night: "Statement from World Xtreme Wrestling C4 & the Anoa'i Family: WXW C4's Statement On The Passing Of Eki "Umaga" Fatu 12/04/09 - On behalf of the Anoa'i Family and front office of WXW C4 it is our sad duty to announce that earlier today, December 4th, we lost another member of not only our wrestling family, but immediate family. Eki "Umaga" Fatu passed away today in Houston at the age of 36. While we mourn the passing of Eki, we also remember all the good times that we were able to share with him and the smiles on the millions of fans faces around the world when he walked to the ring to do what he loved most: wrestle. During this difficult time, we please ask for the fans and the press to respect the privacy of his family during this tough time. When there is more information to be made public, his family will do so. The worst thing that could happen would be to have false information about this horrible situation out there, only to make the situation even worse. We'd like to thank everyone for their sympathy and prayers and ask that everyone celebrate the life of Eki Fatu."

Eddie "Umaga" Fatu Passes Away at the age of 36

It has been confirmed from WWE that former WWE wrestler Eddie Fatu/Umaga has passed away at the age of 36, this was posted on WWE.com:

"WWE would like to express its deepest condolences to Mr. Fatu’s family, friends and fans on his tragic passing. Mr. Fatu was under contract with WWE at various time periods and most recently performed under the name "Umaga." Mr. Fatu's contract was terminated on June 11, 2009."

This from Bill Apter of 1wrestling.com:
"I just received confirmation of the death of Eddie “Umaga” Fatu from his uncle Afa Anoa’i. In his very short email he wrote “We just lost my nephew to a heart attack.”
Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of Eddie Fatu."

Jim Ross said this on his Blog before the news of Fatu's death was confirmed:

"Details are very sketchy regarding the condition of Umaga (Eddie Fatu) who, as I write this is in ICU of a Houston hospital. Some say that Umaga may have had a massive heart attack but that has not been confirmed. He fell asleep and his wife apparently was unable to wake him. From all I read about sleep apnea, I have been diagnosed with it myself, it may be possible that Umaga had an undiagnosed case of sleep apnea which puts huge stress on one's heart because one stops breathing many times for several seconds every hour one sleeps. I stopped breathing over 40 times in one hour when I under went my sleep study. Please keep Umaga in your prayers. He was a very skilled, big man but more importantly he is a father and a husband."

This from James Caldwell of PWTorch:
"Former WWE star Umaga (Eddie Fatu) was removed from life support earlier this afternoon, reports WWE announcer Jim Ross, who says he spoke with a friend of Fatu's family.
Fatu's official death is expected to be announced this evening. He was on life support at a North Houston hospital after his wife found him unresponsive this morning at his home in Spring, Texas.
Fatu reportedly suffered a massive heart attack. We reported originally that Fatu was found bleeding from his mouth and nose when he was found in his home."

At this time are thoughts and prayers are with all the friends and family of Eddie Fatu, this is a shocking turn of events for everyone, Fatu had just returned from the Hulkamania Tour in Australia only days earlier. Here is a Picture of him on that very tour:

This will obviously be a very saddening time for everyone in the Wrestling Community and tributes have been coming in from everyone. Please take a moment to read all of these tributes.

WWE Diva Maryse: "prayers for UMAGA and all his family! he would always make me laugh ! so sad! i cant beleive it, omg!"

WWE Superstar Matt Hardy:"I'm gonna miss "Uce"-Eddie "Umaga" Fatu very, very much. He was one of my true friends & an amazing person. May God be with ya-love ya man. http://twitpic.com/s7wrq - In memory of Uce.. A great night out we had in New Orleans with myself, Adam, Eki, & Shane"

Former WWE Diva Torrie Wilson: "http://twitpic.com/s5vns - Much love my friend. Much love"

Jeff Hardys Girlfriend Beth Britt:"Absolutely devastated & heartbroken. We have lost one of the most loving, caring & amazing people. But most of all, we have lost one of our best friends."

TNA Wrestler & Former WWE Superstar Matt Morgan:"Me and my family's condolences to Eckie(Umaga)'s family. This just plain out SUCKS! Yet another great guy taken from us too early."

Former WWE Announcer Lillian Garcia:"Just heard news about Eddie aka Umaga. So sad. Loved him. Prayers 4 him & family. http://twitpic.com/s7bd8"

TNA Announcer Jeremy Borash:"RIP Eddie Fatu"

WWE Superstar Kofi Kingston:"RIP Umaga"

WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel: "I am saddened by the passing today of Eddie Fatu, a.k.a. Umaga. My sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Former ECW Owner & WWE Announcer and Manger Paul Heyman: "The world is minus one very cool Samoan tonight. We offer our most profound condolences to the Fatu Family."

Former ECW Wrestler, WWE Superstar and Announcer & Current TNA Announcer Taz(z):"Very sad to hear of the passing of a great performer & super person. R.I.P Eddie, see u down the road brother."

WWE Diva Eve Torres:"Sending my thoughts and prayers out to Umaga's friends, family, & all fans & followers of his career. He will be missed."

WWE Superstar Gregory Shane Helms:"Heartbroken. No words.http://twitpic.com/s5mm7 - Adam, Big Uce, Matt & Shane. What a long, sorrowful and emotionally exhausting day. You never know what's around the next corner. Life is...that's it...it just IS."

WWE Dive Michelle McCool:"My heart & prayers go out to Umaga's family & friends....he was obviously loved by many!"

WWE Superstar Chavo Guerrero:"Hey guys need some prayers for Umaga and his family. Thank u"

Former WWE Superstar Shannon Moore:"R.I.P Ecki....Mad love and respect. We will miss you and I will cherish the times we had togeather."

Former WWE Diva Ashley Massaro:"I just heard about Umaga cuz my friend IM'd me, wow...I'm so sad for his family, I remember them so well, so many lil ones...so fucking sad. Theres just nothing you can say about how much it sux when something like this happens, he was so funny and i have a lot of great mems-so sad. life is way too short, enjoy it while its here :o( I'm gonna go spend a lil time thinkin... FInally the fams home! Just pulled up so happy, were gonna have dinner with the kids and everything, I'm going to make it a gd nite in honor of UCE- aka Eddie And I suggest you do the same! :o)"

Indy & Former TNA/NWA Wrestler Phil Shatter:"PRAYERS! go out to Umaga's family. I didnt know Umaga but had the opp. to meet him and hang once! when one is lost we all show respect....this is a family not a job!"

Indy Wrestler Sean McCulley:"http://twitpic.com/s5q3c - Me with one of the greatest human beings I've ever met, Umaga. R.I.P Eddie Umaga Fatu your gonna be so missed brother i cherish the time i got to hang out and joke with you. i really wish all of you could have met big uce he was so fucking funny and so humble and caring and loved performing for everyone its so. terrible we lost him i think the wrestling world is now a little darker without such a shining star like Uce we love you brother."

WWE Divas The Bella Twins:"RIP Ecki, you will be greatly missed, so many good memories, the family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers, peace and love B&N"

Former WWE Diva Victoria/TNA Knockout Tara:"Rest in Peace Umaga We will love you always and we will all miss you."

Former WWE Superstar Gangrel: "Have a good journey ecki see you soon you where a ray of light in dark time one love uce"

Indy Wrestler "Kimo" David Clutter:"http://twitpic.com/s63pp - Me and Uce even thou I knew him less than the core Im glad to call him friend."

WWE Superstar Chris Jericho:"Eddie Fatu was an awesome guy and one of the brothers. I trusted him and that's a rare thing for me. I am devastated. Safe Travels Oos..."

TNA Wrestler Christopher Daniels:"RIP Eddie Fatu. I'm glad I got to know you in the short time you were here"

Former WWE Superstar & Announcer John "Bradshaw" Layfield:"Had a ball teaming with Eddie Fatu (known as Umaga in WWE) in some of my last house show (non TV) matches, I will miss my friend"

WWE Diva Maria Kanellis:"So sad. Eddie was a friend. He loved wrestling and was a great entertainer. My prayers go out to Eddie's beautiful family. A great loss."

WWE Superstar JTG:"RIP MY FRIEND"

Former WWE Superstar Ken Anderson/Mr Kennedy:"I'm very thankful to have had a private closed-door conversation with Ecki prior to our match a few days ago in Sydney. He insisted that we go out and tear the house down. We both had something to prove that night and in my opinion: Mission Accomplished! Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Fatu family. Ecki absolutely adored his wife and was extremely proud of his children. I have so many amazing, funny, and heartwarming (sometimes gut wrenching belly-laughing) memories."

TNA Wrestler Samoa Joe:"See you when I get there big Uso. "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed," Cor. 15:51"

I just recieved this message from Ben Kerin, the Director of WrestlingRadio.com on the passing of Eddie Fatu:"I am shocked and sadden to learn of the death of Eddie Fatu, a.k.a. Umaga. I had the opportunity to see him at a live WWE event in London, England and he was one of the most agile wrestlers for his size out there. He had an amazing tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment and carved out a memorable gimmick that will not soon be forgotten. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P.

Ben Kerin (Director of Wrestling-Radio.com)"

Here is Fatu with Uncle Afa Anoa’i. RIP Eddie Fatu, another one gone too young.

RIP Eddie 'Umaga' Fatu

The Dirt Sheet HD has the misfortune of reporting that Eddie Fatu more commonly known among wrestling fans as Umaga has passed away due to a heart attack today. We would like to wish his friends and family our condolences at this time.

Umaga Released due to Wellness Policy Violation

World Wrestling Entertainment has confirmed that Umaga was fired because of a Wellness Policy violation. The company released the following statement on their corporate website: As reported on WWE.com on Monday June 8th, 2009, WWE Superstar Umaga (Edward Fatu) has been released from his World Wrestling Entertainment contract. However, consistent with the practice of announcing wellness policy violations, it should be noted that Umaga’s termination was due to his second violation of the WWE Wellness Program and his subsequent refusal to attend a rehabilitation facility.

WWE Release Umaga

The following is from WWE.com: World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of SmackDown Superstar Umaga as of today, June 8, 2009. WWE wishes Umaga the best in all future endeavors.

Déjà PPVu - Latest Extreme Rules Card

Lets be honest, right now the WWE PPV summer schedule is in full swing, but this is a bit off-colour having the 1st five PPV matches that have been confirmed being a rerun of Judgement Day, just with stipulations. I understand that this is the way the WWE run their summer feuds, and maybe even with Cena-Show, the stipulation has a bit of sorry behind it, but it just seems too "same-ish" (and not in a good way). And then you add in that people like Cena and Mysterio apparently (story-line wise) want to move on from their Judgement Day opponents, but still get put back into those matches, it's too obvious because is there anyone else for Cena to go after whilst Randy Orton is locked in a Steel Cage. And what is a Samoan Strap Match, on Smackdown Friday night is just looked like a long and fat belt, it that it (and it was strange to here Umaga speak in his normal "American" voice, well he hardly going to have a strong Samoan accent, considering Dwanye "Not the Rock" Johnson is his cousin). FOLLOW-UP NOTE: I've been doing to research and I've found out that CM Punk hasn't been on a PPV card only 6 times since WrestleMania 23 (the point at which all WWE PPVs became Tri-branded) in 2007 (and on one of them, at Cyber Sunday 2008, he could have had a match and was also on the poster for the PPV). And between WrestleMania 23 and 24 he only missed Backlash 2007. At the worst PPV in WWE History, December to Dismember, CM Punk was in the Extreme Elimination Chamber after only being on WWE Programming for 5 Months, that after being in DX's Survivor Series team in 2006. WWE seem to have trust in him ever since he came to the company and now believe that he can become one of the biggest faces on Smackdown.

Judgement Day 2009: CM Punk vs Umaga

If it wasn’t for Umaga, CM Punk may very well be the current World Heavyweight Champion. Twice The Straightedge Superstar defeated World Heavyweight Champion Edge in non-title matches, twice he had the golden opportunity to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and twice he was blindsided and brutalized by The Samoan Bulldozer before he had the chance to take the championship from The Ultimate Opportunist. These savage, unprovoked attacks have left CM Punk with no choice but to issue a challenge to Umaga for a one-on-one match at Judgment Day. Anyone else would be insane to willingly invite a wrecking machine like Umaga into the ring, but Punk has clearly been pushed too far. He can either meet this destructive force head-on or continue looking over his shoulder, wondering when the 350-pound monster will strike again. While the raw, unbridled power of Umaga is not to be taken lightly, Punk’s recent victories over the likes of Kane have proven he has the wits and agility to overcome some of WWE’s largest competitors. Will Mr. Money in the Bank’s educated feet lead him to victory in his hometown of Chicago or will he regret ever challenging the massive Samoan? Find out at Judgment Day, only on pay-per-view.