Thanks to Matthew Johnson for sending this in:
Today I write to you as a saddened wrestling fan over the death of Eddie "Umaga" Fatu. I’ve been a fan of wrestling long since I can remember and it is not very often you find the talent like Eddie had. Through his various incarnations to his most memorable, as Umaga, from purely a fan standpoint Eddie came across as having the ability to adapt to whatever was asked of him. When I heard the news that he had been hospitalized and was not doing well I went on YouTube on watched old clips of him, including some old "3 Minute Warning" clips. His agility of a man that size was second to none!
I live in Boise, Idaho, and several WWE events have come town and I remember Eddie being on one of the cards. To watch him perform live was even more enjoyable then on TV. The legendary Anoa’i Wrestling Family has gifted the wrestling world with many talents, and Eddie was definetely one of them!
I had the privalage to meet Eddie after one show along with several other memebers of the WWE roster. They came down to a nightclub I work at to hang out and have a good time. All of them, especially Eddie, were polite, friendly, and very approachable. To say hanging out with them that night was one of the most memorable nights of my life would be an understatement! There is one memory of Eddie from that night that I will never forget. We have a mechanical bull in the downstairs portion of our club and several of the Diva’s thought it would be fun to go down and ride. So myself, the Diva’s, and the rest of the Superstars in attendance that night headed downstairs. As a couple of the Diva’s were the riding the bull, I turned around and saw Eddie sitting on a stool all by himself, as the rest of the Superstars were around the bull area cheering on the Diva’s. I walked up to Eddie and asked him if there was anything I could get him. He politely said no, smiled, and thanked me for taking care of him and the rest of the Superstars and Diva’s. Eddie, from the one time I was lucky enough to meet him, was a very polite, mild mannered human being and definetely one of the most memorable points of that night.
Through various news reports, including this website, his personal battles have been documented. I don’t believe it is fair for any wrestling fan to specualte what lead to his untimely death but wait for official results. As wrestling fans this time should be for reflecting upon Eddie’s wonderful talents and everything he gave to the wrestling business and the wonderful memories he created for countless wrestling fans including myself.
I don’t claim to know Eddie personally, as stated I only met him once, but I’m saddened by this tragic news. My thoughts and prayers go out to Eddie’s family, his friends, and all of the wrestlers that ever had the chance to work with him and call him a friend. The wrestling world has definetley lost a star and Eddie will long be rememberd by wrestling fans for years to come!
Reast In Peace Eddie!
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
