• Zilla Fatu Explains Why WWE Didn’t Acknowledge His Father Umaga’s Death
Umaga tragically passed away at the age of 36 after suffering a heart attack in 2009. Just a couple of months before his death, WWE had released him for refusing to enter rehab following a second violation of the company’s Wellness Policy.
WWE chose not to acknowledge the former two-time Intercontinental Champion’s demise.
Speaking on Maven’s YouTube channel, Umaga’s son, Zilla Fatu, discussed the company’s decision and said that it was likely due to the circumstances in which he passed away.
“I think in their minds, maybe it was because of the reasoning of him passing away. Maybe they didn’t want to shed the light on that. I don’t know, but I just wish he was acknowledged. But it’s okay ‘cause he’s getting acknowledged through my work.”
• Nick Khan Says Current WWE Star Was Nothing In WCW
Rey Mysterio began his career in WCW in 1996, but didn’t achieve mainstream recognition until joining WWE in 2002. Over the years, he became one of the company’s most iconic stars and was eventually inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Speaking on IMPAULSIVE with Logan Paul, WWE President Nick Khan didn’t hold back when reflecting on Rey Mysterio’s rise. Khan said that despite Mysterio’s undeniable talent, WCW never treated him like a major player, but WWE saw his potential and invested in him.
“Think about the work that guy has put into his career. And by the way – when he was in WCW, he was considered like a nothing. A nothing. He came to WWE, and he had a great luchador history prior to WCW. He came to WWE and the machine got behind him; he did everything he needed to do to be elevated by that machine.”
Rey Mysterio kicked off a feud with Logan Paul on the latest episode of WWE RAW.
• AEW Star Reveals Why He Didn’t Question Vince McMahon Booking Him To Get Squashed At WrestleMania
Bryan Danielson aka Daniel Bryan talked about his shocking 18-second loss to Sheamus at WrestleMania 28 in 2012, revealing that he never questioned Vince McMahon’s booking decision.
During an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Danielson explained that his compliance was based on a simple philosophy: always do the best job possible with the direction the boss gives you, even if it seems bad.
When asked why WWE booked him to lose the World Heavyweight Championship in a single move and 18 seconds, Danielson said the company told him the creative idea was simple: “it’s one move.” He explained that at that point in his career, he wouldn’t argue against a booking decision, unlike some other wrestlers who complain about being booked to lose. Danielson believes that wrestling isn’t real, so arguing over wins and losses is pointless. He joked that if a wrestler really wants to win every time, they should try fighting in the sport of MMA.
Danielson used former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland as an example of his philosophy. He pointed out that Strickland came into All Elite Wrestling and lost many matches but always had the attitude of, “Yeah Tony (Khan), whatever you need. I’ll go out there and do it.”
Danielson said that Strickland’s willingness to follow directions and do his best, even when losing, led directly to him becoming a main event star and a world champion in the company.
Bryan said that if the boss gives you a direction, your best chance to succeed is to do the best you can with that plan and try to get popular from there.
