The WWE reported today that Umaga was fired for refusal to attend rehab after the failing of a drug test. The news came just one day after The Sun in the U.K. had reported that WWE had maintained its policy of announcing all drug test failures.
The WWE sent a message to The Sun earlier today explaining that the delay in announcing the drug test failure was due to the unusual nature of Umaga's termination.
That would also explain why Umaga had told wrestlers that he quit, because it was his decision not to go to rehab.
The company policy does not include listing the drug its performers would have failed for. Umaga had a 30-day suspension in late 2007 for being part of the Signature Pharmacy list of athletes who had received steroids and other drugs. In the case of Umaga, real name Edward Fatu, he had received packages of Somatropin, a Growth Hormone, during the year 2006.
They claimed they needed to review the policy in the case of someone being fired under these circumstances.
That seems to make no sense given they would have known of the test failure, which is supposed to be announced, a week ago, and he was already terminated on Monday.
Send us a news tip: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news from this site or from our newsletters, please include a link to www.wrestlingobserver.com
For the most in-depth and detailed news and analysis on pro-wrestling and MMA, always turn to Wrestlingobserver.com/Figure Four Weekly Online, the #1 website of its kind on the Internet. Members receive online access to both the Wrestling Observer and Figure Four Weekly newsletters and growing archives, Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer three times per week, the popular Bryan and Vinny Show twice per week, additional radio shows including Figure Four Daily with Alvarez, Mike Coughlin's Five Star Radio, the Dr. Keith Lipinski Show, The Adam and Mike Big Audio Nightmare, Tough Talk and the Karl Stern Wrestling History Show, the infamous BOARD, and more! Members also have full access to the thousands of hours of audio in our radio show archives which date back to 2005. For your convenience, we offer secure online payments using your VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card or PayPal account. Don't miss out on the fun, sign up now! Don\'t miss out on the fun, sign up now!
Want full access? QUICK AND EASY $10.99 SIGNUP!
