Madhu Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 The death of World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Edward Fatu, who wrestled under the name "Umaga," has sparked discussion in wrestling circles over the rigors of the sport. Fatu, 36, died Friday of a heart attack in a hospital in Houston, Texas, a family friend confirmed. Also known as "The Samoan Bulldozer," the 6-foot-4-inch, 350-pound wrestler earned a reputation for executing moves with more ease than one might expect from someone his size, facing off in high-profile bouts with WWE celebrities such as Triple H and Ric Flair. "He was basically known for being an athletic, big man who carried some extra weight around, but moved very well for a guy his size," said Kevin Eck, an assistant sports editor of the Baltimore Sun who also runs its professional-wrestling blog, Ring Posts. Comments on Eck's blog range from messages of condolences to speculation over whether drugs were involved and the struggles wrestlers grapple with outside of the ring. "[H]ardly do we realize what do these wrestlers go through.....not that long ago he looked as if he could go on for 20 years in the ring looking as vicious as he was," one post says. Fatu worked on and off for the WWE for several years before the organization terminated his contract in June for violating the WWE's Wellness Program and refusing to enter rehab, the WWE said on its Web site, without providing specifics. The organization offered its condolences to Fatu's family in a brief statement on its site. Details of Fatu's death have not been released, but Eck said the death highlights a larger problem of professional wrestlers dying in their 30s and 40s. Fatu's death comes less than nine months after Canadian pro wrestler Andrew Test Martin reportedly died of a drug overdose, and follows a string of high-profile deaths in the past decade, including those of Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero. "It's happening a lot more frequently in the sport than it ever did, and it's a huge problem," Eck said. "If this was Major League Baseball and you had guys dropping dead under 40, it would be a much bigger deal -- but because it's wrestling, it flies under the radar." Though wrestlers today have more support systems available through the WWE and other groups, the rigors of the sport have increased dramatically compared to the days of Capt. Lou Albano, who died this year at 76, Eck said. "The expectations for what wrestlers are supposed to look like have evolved. In Albano's day, some were in good shape, some were not, but you didn't see the superhuman physiques like you started seeing in the 80s," he said. As the industry has gone global, wrestlers also are traveling more and going farther than they did pre-WWE, when wrestlers and promoters worked within limited territories, he said. And the demands in the ring are higher than ever. "You could get by with doing less back in the day, you didn't see a lot of high-risk maneuvers. And as it has evolved, so has the need to do more risky-looking stunts, and that's why guys get a lot of bumps and bruises, and you can sort of make the correlation that that leads to more painkillers." In an interview with CNN after Albano's death, WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman said the organization provides medical assistance and financial guidance through the WWE's Wellness Program to all its wrestlers, even though they are considered independent contractors. "If they're injured on the job in the ring, we take care of their medical expenses and get them to the best doctors possible," Zimmerman said. "In addition to their physical well-being, we also take them through financial counseling and financial workshops so they know what to do with their money as far as income, earnings and sponsorships. And those are just a few aspects of the program." To friends and family, Fatu was a devoted family man who was looking forward to spending more time with his children after leaving the WWE. "He had his demons, but he found a lot of strength in his family," said family friend and former WWE personality Dawn Marie Psaltis. "He comes from a long line of professional wrestlers and did his family proud." Psaltis, the founder of Wrestlers Rescue, a support group for aging and retired wrestlers, says Fatu's death highlights the unique struggles that wrestlers face as independent contractors who don't receive the benefits of athletes or professional actors. Like many wrestlers, Fatu did not have health insurance when he died, leaving friends and family scrambling to cover his medical expenses, Psaltis said. "We make above average income, but most of what we make goes toward the expense of being in the business, and health care is a huge expense for a wrestler," Psaltis said. Psaltis said she started Wrestlers Rescue with the goal of working with insurance companies to create an affordable health care plan for wrestlers. "To find health care that covers wrestlers costs quadruple the price of regular coverage, so a lot of the guys end up going without. They continue to wrestle way past their prime because there's no pension, and because there's no health care, they never prepared for their future health concerns. It's an endless cycle." But Psaltis and former WWE diva Terri Runnels say camaraderie and the thrill of being in the ring are worth the risks. "Yes, we make good money, but for what we do it's paltry. We are like paupers compared to most other professions, but our pride in entertaining and making sure that when you pay money and come to a show you are absolutely entertained, that's why we do what we do," Runnels said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhu Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 every year oka WWE star chanipothunnadu,last 3 years lo chris benoit,Eddie guerreo chanipoyaru (bawling) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaytheking Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 umaga is good wrestler rip.......his one the great match bobby lashley VS umaga in the wrestle mania Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satya Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 every year oka WWE star chanipothunnadu,last 3 years lo chris benoit,Eddie guerreo chanipoyaru (bawling) papam chris benoit gadu ayithe sucide chesukunadu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhu Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 chris dhi ayithe very sad story,adhedho sametha laga,anni undi kuda koduku mentally disabled avvatam valana manasikanga chala badha paddatu,match ki thisukochadu okasari valla babu ni,chivariki family motham suicide chesukovatam chala darunam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaytheking Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 papam chris benoit gadu ayithe sucide chesukunadu benoit sucide chesukunadaa.......? enduku??? hav any reason??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhu Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 ee link chudu mama http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Benoit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satya Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 benoit sucide chesukunadaa.......? enduku??? hav any reason??? familiy ni kill chesi sucide chesukunadu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatuGadu Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 (ready2fight) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abhiram Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 papam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raaz-NTR Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 mari maa owen heart 1999 lo appatninchi wwe ni choodadam tagginchaaa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion Of Masses Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rajasimham Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King of the Kings Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Chala manchi wrestler Umaga. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VJA_KURRODU Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Chala manchi wrestler Umaga. RIP chinna pillala laaga inka wwe emi chustavu le annay.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King of the Kings Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 chinna pillala laaga inka wwe emi chustavu le annay.... WWE is the best entertainment and the most popular TV show in the US, irrespective of all age groups. Adi telusukooni vallu pillakayalu (lol2) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sree Ram Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 RIP Umaga.. Manchi wrestlers andaru dooram ayipothunnaru..kontha mandi ila chanipothe kontha mandi..injuries..konth amandi unna..just craze kosame..Sarina match chusi enni yrs ayyindoo.. (bawling) Taker aged ayipoyaadu..ee madhya HBK match chudalantene badosthundi..asalu ela undevadu.. (bawling) ..Edge injured..Batista and Big Show unna waste.. ;) Unna vallani ela use chesukovaloo thelisi chavatledu..Kane ante..okappudu terror..ippudu.. (uhoh) Eppudu malli patha rojulu vasthayoo.. (wall) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King of the Kings Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Ee madya nenu chusina one of the best matches DX vs Legacy Hell in a Cell. Manchi concept undi match lo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VJA_KURRODU Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 WWE is the best entertainment and the most popular TV show in the US, irrespective of all age groups. Adi telusukooni vallu pillakayalu (lol2) popular le but most popular ante voppukonu ....wwe kante popular chows chaala vunnayi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King of the Kings Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 popular le but most popular ante voppukonu ....wwe kante popular chows chaala vunnayi Weekly episodic shows lo okati cheppu cheppu chuddam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VJA_KURRODU Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Weekly episodic shows lo okati cheppu cheppu chuddam top 25 shows Rank Shows NET DAY(S) Column1 Live+SD HH Rating Viewers Live+SD (000) 1 NFL REGULAR SEASON L (RAVENS/BROWNS) ESPN MONDAY 8:30 PM 6.5 10,196 2 MONK USA FRIDAY 9:00 PM 3.3 5,296 3 WWE ENTERTAINMENT (WWE RAW) USA MONDAY 10:00 PM 3.1 5,183 4 WWE ENTERTAINMENT (WWE RAW) USA MONDAY 9:00 PM 2.9 4,917 5 WHITE COLLAR USA FRIDAY 10:00 PM 2.9 4,559 6 SPORTSCENTER: L ESPN MONDAY 11:39 PM 3.2 4,537 7 NCIS USA WEDNESDAY 8:00 PM 2.9 4,494 8 SUITE LIFE ON DECK DSNY FRIDAY 8:30 PM 2.7 4,414 9 PROJECT RUNWAY LIF THURSDAY 10:00 PM 2.9 4,276 10 PHINEAS AND FERB DSNY FRIDAY 9:00 PM 2.5 4,274 11 HANNITY FOXNC WEDNESDAY 9:00 PM 2.7 4,200 12 SPONGEBOB NICK SUNDAY 9:30 AM 2.8 4,182 13 SPONGEBOB NICK SATURDAY 9:30 AM 2.7 4,175 14 SPONGEBOB NICK SUNDAY 9:00 AM 2.7 4,169 15 WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE DSNY FRIDAY 8:00 PM 2.5 4,123 16 THE OREILLY FACTOR FOXNC THURSDAY 8:00 PM 2.7 4,120 17 THE OREILLY FACTOR FOXNC WEDNESDAY 8:00 PM 2.6 3,868 18 NCIS USA WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM 2.7 3,853 19 PHINEAS AND FERB DSNY FRIDAY 9:35 PM 2.3 3,834 20 SPONGEBOB NICK SATURDAY 5:30 PM 2.2 3,761 21 THE OREILLY FACTOR FOXNC TUESDAY 8:00 PM 2.5 3,741 22 SONNY WITH A CHANCE DSNY SUNDAY 8:00 PM 2.5 3,735 23 SPONGEBOB NICK SATURDAY 9:00 AM 2.6 3,720 24 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR NICK SATURDAY 10:00 AM 2.4 3,656 25 SPONGEBOB NICK SATURDAY 6:00 PM 2.2 3,633 - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subash.c Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 WWF TELUSU KANI WWE TELIYADUUU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satya Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 WWF TELUSU KANI WWE TELIYADUUU wwf ni wwe ga name change chesaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subash.c Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 wwf ni wwe ga name change chesaru cheyaka mundu chuse vadini chesinaka chudatam kudaatam ledu (bitenails) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simha Marni Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Griffin Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sree Ram Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Ee madya nenu chusina one of the best matches DX vs Legacy Hell in a Cell. Manchi concept undi match lo aaa match just OK annai..recent ga vachian vatiloo konchem best..antene ardam avuthundi..entha Avg ga thayarayyindoo...WWE aa match..concept super..antah super..kaani asalu HBK ni pedda VP ni chesthunnaru..antha manchi star ni pettukoni aa fights compose cheyyatam entoo ardam kaadu..90% match antha debbalu thintune untaadu..asalu RAW chusede DX kosam..dani kooda chettha chesthunnaru ee madya.. (comp1) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King of the Kings Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 aaa match just OK annai..recent ga vachian vatiloo konchem best..antene ardam avuthundi..entha Avg ga thayarayyindoo...WWE aa match..concept super..antah super..kaani asalu HBK ni pedda VP ni chesthunnaru..antha manchi star ni pettukoni aa fights compose cheyyatam entoo ardam kaadu..90% match antha debbalu thintune untaadu..asalu RAW chusede DX kosam..dani kooda chettha chesthunnaru ee madya.. (comp1) Yea HBK age vachesindi. Injuries oo ento mari, manchi high fly stunts tagginchesaru. Creative team sarigga leeru anukunta DX ni sarigga utilize seskovadam leedu. Edaina monotonous gaa avutundi. Adrenaline pumping stunts taggipoyiniyyi. Jeff Hardy undetappudu appudappudu racha racha stunts padeyi PPV lo. Edaina HBK kuda 100% leedu physical gaa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raMANa K. Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 (bawling) (bawling) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHARAN Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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