What a sad day for professional wrestling.
Umaga, whose real name is Edward Fatu, died at 36 in Houston, Texas, on Friday.
Umaga's wife reportedly found him. Umaga reportedly was unable to breathe, was bleeding from his nose and had fallen asleep watching television, according to a family member.
Umaga suffered one, and reportedly two, heart attacks within a short time frame. At a hospital later, he was reportedly taken off life support after being declared brain-dead.
I will remember Umaga best for his reemergence as a superstar in his WrestleMania 23 match in 2007 against Bobby Lashley. This match generated huge publicity outside wrestling for the Vince McMahon-Donald Trump hair angle, where McMahon had his head shaved bald.
I will also fondly remember Umaga in his first WWE run from 2002-2003 for his role as a member of Eric Bischoff's Three Minute Warning, a group I thought should have had a stronger run as it was something unique.
Umaga, who has tons of wrestling in his family history, impressed me with his agility. For a man who was 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, he was quick. Very quick. And he pulled off impressive moves. His Samoan Spike was an awesome finisher.
Umaga also had a unique look a wrestler needs to be successful -- enough to give him a lengthy winning streak at one point.
I was sad when Umaga was fired earlier this year by WWE for a second Wellness Policy violation and for refusing to enter rehabilitation. It was apparent Umaga had a problem, and it was a shame he didn't deal with it then.
However, I have read Umaga was well-liked and no one had a bad word to say about him.
Wrestlers are reacting here: PWTweets.com
I will always remember the good times with Umaga, whose wrestling character never rubbed me the wrong way.
Rest in peace, big man.
