Message #6419

[nightrain]

WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT were under fire today, as British fans slammed the company for refusing to acknowledge Umaga's passing on their flagship TV show.

WWE Raw — broadcast live in the UK at 2am on Tuesday morning and repeated last night — made no mention of the star's death last weekend.

This is despite Umaga, real name Edward Fatu, being under contract to Vince McMahon's company for most of his professional career.

He left six months ago after failing a drugs test but had told friends he was hoping to return at next month's Royal Rumble event.

Conversely, homage was recently paid to Captain Lou Albano, who died in October aged 76 and last worked for WWE in 1995.

The Sun has received a number of e-mails, phone calls and comments from upset fans criticising the decision, as have other publications and wrestling message boards.

MySun contributor Dave Stevenson, from Crickhowell, South Wales summed up the mood saying: "I'm furious that there wasn't even a hint of a tribute to Umaga on Raw this week.

"The man headlined several WWE PPVS and was in a WrestleMania main event and there was nothing.

"The very least they should have done was give a minute for Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler to announce the news and pass on the condolences of the WWE to Mr Fatu's family.

"And there should have been a video tribute about his two significant runs with the company, regardless of him not being under contract with them or any problems they may have had in the past.

"A completely disrespectful and classless act."

One major wrestling figure has also come out against the WWE over the situation, with others expected to follow.

Jim Cornette told the Who's Slamming Who Podcast: "They won't even recognise guys who made a contribution to their company, just because it's bad PR.

"But Ring Of Honor on Saturday night in Chicago opened the show with a 10-bell salute to a guy that had never worked there, just because he is a member of the wrestling fraternity."

Jim added: "It's sad every time we lose somebody, which happens way way too often in this business.

"Something's wrong and something ought to be done."

The Sun contacted WWE, but they declined to respond to their fans' concerns.

UK representative Laura Burch told us: "We are not be able to provide comment or clarification on this story."

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/2767681/WWE-fans-rage-at-Umaga-snub-Supporters-slam-WWE-for-refusing-to-acknowledge-Edward-Fatus-death-on-Raw.html#ixzz0ZPV8YJJo