Umaga

Biography

Umaga, whose real name was Edward Smith Fatu, was born on March 28, 1973, in American Samoa. He was best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he portrayed the character of a menacing Samoan warrior.

Career History and Evolution

Edward Fatu began his wrestling career in 1995, wrestling for various promotions under the name Ekmo Fatu or Jamal. He first gained notoriety as a member of the tag team 3-Minute Warning in WWE. However, his career took a significant turn when he was repackaged as Umaga in 2006.
As Umaga, Fatu was depicted as an uncontrollable force, with his character rarely speaking and often causing chaos. He became a two-time Intercontinental Champion during this time and was involved in several high-profile storylines, including wrestling against Bobby Lashley in the “Battle of the Billionaires” at WrestleMania 23.

Major Matches and Rivalries

Umaga had several notable feuds during his WWE tenure. His rivalry with Jeff Hardy over the Intercontinental Championship was particularly memorable, as were his battles with John Cena over the WWE Championship. His aforementioned match at WrestleMania 23, where he represented Vince McMahon against Donald Trump’s representative Bobby Lashley, was another major highlight of his career.

Tag Team Partners

Before his singles run as Umaga, Fatu was a part of the tag team 3-Minute Warning with his cousin Matt Anoa’i (under the ring name Rosey). Together, they wreaked havoc in the WWE’s tag team division.

Family Life

Fatu comes from the legendary Anoa’i family, a dynasty in professional wrestling that includes stars like The Rock, Roman Reigns, Rikishi, and The Usos. He was married and had four children. Fatu passed away in 2009 due to a heart attack.

Finishing Move

Umaga’s finishing move was the Samoan Spike, a move where he struck his opponent’s throat with a very forceful thrust of his thumb, often leading to a pinfall.

Clothing and Entrance Music

In line with his character’s savage image, Umaga wore traditional Samoan attire to the ring, including a sarong, Samoan tattoos, and he typically wrestled barefoot. His entrance theme, “Virtual Voodoo” by Jim Johnston, added an ominous feel to his character.

Influence and Impact

Despite his untimely death, Umaga left a lasting impact on the WWE. His unique character, intense style, and memorable feuds made him one of the most distinctive wrestlers of his era. His legacy lives on through his family and the memorable moments he left in the ring.