WWE Gives Details On Umaga’s Release
With the sudden release of both Mr Kennedy and Umaga the UK Sun implied earlier this week that WWE maybe going back on there word to make public all Wellness Policy violators. WWE bushed of these allegations saying via their spokes person "WWE continues to publicly announce performers who have been suspended due to contravention of the Talent Wellness Program." And now true to there word the WWE, in compliance with their Wellness Policy, has released this statement to make the reason for Umaga's release clear:
As reported on WWE.com on Monday, June 8, 2009, WWE Superstar Umaga (Edward Fatu) has been released from his World Wrestling Entertainment contract. However, consistent with the practice of announcing wellness policy violations, it should be noted that Umaga's termination was due to his second violation of the WWE Wellness Program and his subsequent refusal to attend a rehabilitation facility.
The timing of this statement is a bit questionable. Why didn't the WWE make Umaga's Wellness Policy violations clear in there initial release statement? Which also begs the question if no one questioned Umaga's release would the WWE ever have given details on Umaga's release. Regardless, WWE is still showing that they are taking Wellness Policy seriously even when there's not a bunch of government attention on them. As for Umaga I can't imagine why he would refuse to go to a rehabilitation facility. He's making more money and getting more attention in the WWE then he would in any other wrestling organization in the world you'd think even if he didn't see himself as an addict he'd go through the program just to keep his job. Rumor has it that Umaga isn't the only WWE superstar to fail a drug test recently so there maybe more suspensions and firings on the way.
-sideshowRaheem on twitter
Great post Sideshow. I found both the Kennedy and Umaga firings to be very suspicious and I’m gland that this new news has come out. It does seem crazy that Umaga wouldn’t prefer to go through the rehab program rather than lose his job.
There is also word that Batista isn’t actually injured too, but I’m waiting for a credible source before I post about it.
I’ve heard the claim that guys on the bottom tier working for WWE make about what they’d make touring on the independent scene and working in Mexico and Japan. I think that the only logical reason for Umaga to turn down rehab would be if the WWE wasn’t willing to pay for the treatment.
Whatever the reason, I’m disappointed that the reason for Umaga’s release wasn’t that someone in management remember 3 Minute Warning.
Umaga is not a lower tier guy, he’s held the IC championship multiple times and has main evented PPV’s he was proabably making well over 100,000 a year. Also WWE always pays for rehab there Wellness Policy even allows for any wrestler that has ever worked for them to receive free care at some of the best rehab facilities in the country. Scott Hall, Ron Simmons and Jake Roberts have all gone to rehab courtesy of the WWE.
i dont get why, other than to recover faster…..why??
its sad that he has died
umaga really died ?