The wrestling community is reeling after news that ex-WWE superstar Edward “Umaga” Fatu has died.
Formerly known to World Wrestling Entertainment fans as Umaga, Fatu died Friday after suffering a heart attack, CNN reports. The 36-year-old’s wife reportedly found him unconscious with blood coming out of his nose. He was rushed to a hospital in Houston, TX, but was pronounced dead at around 6:00 pm EST. In 2007, The News reported that Fatu was one of many superstars who bought prescription drugs from an online pharmacy, which violated the WWE “Talent Wellness” program. The wrestler had purchased a growth hormone called somatropin in the months following a WWE rule was instituted stating its fighters could not buy drugs from online sources.
Fatu was the cousin of Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, and a member of the Anoa’I wrestling family. He was nicknamed the Samoan Bulldozer for his powerful technique and won the WWE Intercontinental title two times. But despite his stellar performances, Umaga was ultimately fired by the WWE after violating the Wellness Program again by not entering rehab.
On its official website, the WWE expressed “its deepest condolences to Mr. Fatu’s family, friends and fans on his tragic passing.”
Fatu had just taken part in Hulk Hogan’s Hulkmania tour in Australia when he passed away.
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