Former Umaga Co-Worker Shares Thoughts On His Death

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Being a wrestler certainly isn’t an easy life and I’ve had the opportunity to see that first-hand.  I worked for the Anoa’i family as an on-air commentator for their WXW promotion and I spent countless hours with the family, working behind-the-scenes on the production of their weekly tv program, ‘Rage’.  I also designed the Wild Samoan website and the website for the family’s non-profit organization, Usos, which helps underpriveleged kids turn their lives around.  I’ve had the opportunity to work with much of the family, including Eddie Fatu, who was just an overall great guy, friendly and respectful.  He was, like the rest of the family, a decent person who never thought twice about dedicating his life to the business he loved so much.

 

The Anoai family is a close-knit, loving group that have seen their share of heartache over the years in the unexpected losses of beloved members like Rodney Anoa’I (Yokozuna) and Gary Albright, among others.  They’ve left an indelible mark on professional wrestling from the original Wild Samoans themselves, to the superstars of today that they’ve helped train like Batista and The Rock.  The patriarch of the family, Afa, is akin to a Godfather in wrestling, affectionately known as ‘Pops’ to those that have been lucky enough to work with him.  It’s quite telling that even Vince McMahon refers to him as Pops and yet, through all the fame and respect he receives, Afa is as down-to-Earth as a person can be.  I have many memories of sitting with him in his den, watching wrestling and hearing his take on things as he worked late into the night.

 

Before you fall into the trap of believing the negative comments and conspiracy theories the internet wrestling ‘experts’ post about Eddie Fatu or the family as a whole, please take it from someone who actually knows them personally, please consider the words of someone who actually knows the family.  They’re good people who don’t deserve the pain and heartache they’ve hade to endure in the unexpected losses of close family members.  They certainly don’t deserve any negative comments or unfounded speculation in this sad time of mourning.  If you’re a wrestling fan than you can’t ignore the contributions their family has made to professional wrestling as we know it.  Please show your gratitude by respecting their privacy and keep them in your prayers as they mourn Eddie’s loss.