How Did Wwe Umaga Died?
Umaga, whose real name was Edward Smith Fatu, was an American professional wrestler known for his time in the WWE. Born on March 28, 1973, in American Samoa, Umaga was part of the famous Anoa’i wrestling family, which includes his cousin Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He made his WWE debut in 2002 as Jamal, teaming up with his cousin Rosey as 3-Minute Warning.
After a brief stint in All Japan Pro Wrestling, Umaga returned to WWE in 2006 under his new character and undefeated streak. However, his career took a downturn due to violating WWE’s Wellness Policy and refusing to enter rehab. On December 4, 2009, Umaga passed away at the age of 36 from a heart attack in a Houston hospital.
Umaga’s WWE Career Ended In An Unsavory Manner
Umaga’s time in the WWE came to an abrupt and unfortunate end in 2009. The wrestler found himself in hot water after violating the company’s Wellness Program for a second time. Despite the opportunity to seek help and enter rehab, Umaga refused, leading to the termination of his contract in June of that year.
Prior to his release, Umaga had a successful and impactful career in the WWE. He engaged in memorable feuds with some of the industry’s top stars, including John Cena, Triple H, and Ric Flair. Umaga’s formidable presence and unique character made him a force to be reckoned with in the ring.
During his time with the WWE, Umaga held the Intercontinental Championship on two occasions, solidifying his status as a top-tier competitor. He also boasted an impressive undefeated streak until his highly-publicized loss to John Cena in January 2007.
Following his departure from the WWE, Umaga continued to ply his trade on the independent circuit. However, his wrestling journey was prematurely cut short by his untimely death in December 2009.
Substance Abuse and Heart Disease Led to Umaga’s Death
Umaga’s cause of death was a heart attack, which occurred on December 4, 2009. According to the toxicology report, he had several medications, including a painkiller, muscle relaxer, and anxiety medication, in his system.
Unfortunately, Umaga also had a pre-existing heart disease known as hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which likely contributed to his heart attack. Additionally, he had a failed liver, further exacerbating his health issues.
The combination of these health conditions, along with Umaga’s history of substance abuse, proved to be a fatal combination. It serves as a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by professional wrestlers and the toll that substance abuse can take on their lives.
