In a rather shocking bit of news, Umaga has been released by WWE.
Umaga Released
On Sunday night, Umaga was involved in a leather strap match against CM Punk at the Extreme Rules pay per view.
Generally, WWE only gives a coveted pay per view spot to wrestlers that they deem are vital to the immediate success of their company.
That's why you rarely see guys like Jesse, Festus, Dolph Ziggler, Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder, etc. doing matches at pay per view.
Despite being defeated by CM Punk at the pay per view, Umaga was still viewed as being important to get a spot at Extreme Rules.
That was his position with the company on Sunday night.
On Monday, Umaga was without a job. WWE had released the Samoan star from his contract.
Reason For Departure
When developmental wrestlers and lower card wrestlers get released, there aren't a lot of questions that are asked. Most wrestling fans generally assume that the release was simply because the company felt that the wrestlers aren't good enough.
Umaga is not a developmental wrestler. Nor is he a lower card wrestler. Umaga is classified as an upper midcard wrestler that can be elevated into the main event scene for a period of time.
So, now that he is released, he leaves behind a trail of questions as to why WWE decided to get rid of a guy that could have been used in the main event scene.
Umaga has violated the WWE drug policy before, so that can't be ruled out as a possible reason for his dismissal. He was one of the many wrestlers that received illegal drugs from an online pharmacy.
Like a lot of other WWE stars, injuries have become a factor for Umaga. The former WWE Intercontinental Champion has suffered from a variety of injuries (including a torn PCL) over the last few years.
There's also rumblings that Umaga has been dissatisfied with the way that the company has been using him. Word has it that he feels that he's stuck entirely in the midcard division.
What's Next?
In a couple of months, Umaga will be free to work for another wrestling company if he chooses to go that route. The 14 year veteran does have outside business ventures, but there's no word on if the money that he makes from that is enough to sustain his livelihood.
Umaga is a good in-ring performer that also has name value because he's worked in some high profile programs (including a main event program with John Cena) in WWE.
That means that TNA is an option for him. Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett are constantly on the lookout for wrestlers that can help their company continue to grow.
Umaga can be immediately thrown into the mix with the likes of Samoa Joe, Scott Steiner, Kurt Angle, Sting, AJ Styles, Abyss, and Matt Morgan. Those would all be interesting matchups to see.
Closing Thoughts
I'm extremely puzzled by this release. Umaga still had some intriguing matchups (including a main event program with the Undertaker) that I wanted to see. |
