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Post by RuthlessFigs on Dec 4, 2019 7:18:15 GMT -5
10 years ago today we lost The Samoan Bulldozer - Umaga.
I always liked Umaga, even when i was younger and still had the 'Cheer the good guy, boo the bad guy' mindset. He was one of the best big men to ever grace the ring and he was one of the iconic faces of the late Ruthless Aggression Era.
I still think there was a huge missed opportunity to have him as the Dominate World Champion, especially with Armando Estrada. Though his character didn't need any titles, the idea of his manager wanting the World Title would have worked.
It only occurred to me recently, but Umaga would have been a great choice to win the World Heavyweight Title in 2007 when Edge got injured. Wrestlers around 06-08 were seemingly changing brands with minimal explanation, so a 'trade' for Umaga would have been a good idea. Then replace Khali with Umaga.
- Umaga vs Batista would have been a great feud for the Title, and we would've got the match earlier than WM24 and given them more time to shine rather than a throwaway filler match at Mania.
- Umaga vs Rey Mysterio (vs Batista) would have been great too, both trying to topple Umaga.
- Umaga vs The Undertaker would have worked for Umaga eventually losing the Title, especially after pushing Taker to the limit.
Either way, Umaga had some fun feuds with guys like Kane, Triple H & Jeff Hardy.
My favourite Umaga match would definitely be One Night Stand 2008 vs Jeff Hardy!
What were your thoughts of Umaga? and what was your favourite match?
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 7:24:37 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by PJ on Dec 4, 2019 7:24:37 GMT -5
It’s always sad when someone passes. Hard to believe it’s been 10 years now. But that said I didn’t care for the Umaga gimmick so I don’t have a favorite match. But if I had to pick one it would probably be one with Triple H. Also this probably should be on the Classic board.
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 7:28:56 GMT -5
PJ likes this
Post by RuthlessFigs on Dec 4, 2019 7:28:56 GMT -5
It’s always sad when someone passes. Hard to believe it’s been 10 years now. But that said I didn’t care for the Umaga gimmick so I don’t have a favorite match. But if I had to pick one it would probably be one with Triple H. Also this probably should be on the Classic board. Was going to do it in the Classic Board, but figured it'd get a bit more attention here and some more people would see and remember him. |
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 11:08:57 GMT -5
Post by JokerFC on Dec 4, 2019 11:08:57 GMT -5
I enjoyed Umaga….his match with Cena at the RR is one of BOTH men's finest hours. Wow that flew in since he passed. I also agree He could have been a dominant champ. I enjoyed 3 minute warning as a team too....would LOVE to see Mattel having a crack at them.
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 11:56:19 GMT -5
Post by drifter on Dec 4, 2019 11:56:19 GMT -5
A sad thing to think about Umaga, was that his WWE career ended, after he refused to enter rehab following a 2nd wellness violation. His drug use played a part in his young death, so it really makes you wonder, if he had accepted could it have saved his life, or at the least, extended it a bit.
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 12:16:00 GMT -5
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JokerFC likes this
Post by LA Times on Dec 4, 2019 12:16:00 GMT -5
I don't think he was world championship material, but would've made a better choice than the great khali back in 2007.
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Deleted
Joined on: Nov 28, 2024 9:33:09 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 12:26:38 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2019 12:26:38 GMT -5
i liked him, but wish he was around about 10 yrs earlier
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 12:41:27 GMT -5
Post by Kill Em' All on Dec 4, 2019 12:41:27 GMT -5
I think he could have good 3-4 month run with the Gold. For sure was iconic face of the time, I really liked his work with Jeff Hardy.
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 12:52:04 GMT -5
via mobile
JokerFC likes this
Post by rkmo: Autonomous Meat Shield on Dec 4, 2019 12:52:04 GMT -5
I enjoyed Umaga….his match with Cena at the RR is one of BOTH men's finest hours. Wow that flew in since he passed. I also agree He could have been a dominant champ. I enjoyed 3 minute warning as a team too....would LOVE to see Mattel having a crack at them. Did somebody say THREE MINUTES!  |
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jking1979
Superstar
Joined on: Oct 3, 2019 20:00:02 GMT -5
Posts: 754
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 14:38:44 GMT -5
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Post by jking1979 on Dec 4, 2019 14:38:44 GMT -5
He was a talented guy for a man his size.
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 15:41:40 GMT -5
Post by The Brain on Dec 4, 2019 15:41:40 GMT -5
I liked Umaga.Estrada as his manager was great. The feud with HHH was my fav from his run.
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Umaga
Dec 4, 2019 17:59:56 GMT -5
Post by hbkbigdaddycool on Dec 4, 2019 17:59:56 GMT -5
It's too bad he died, but I wasn't a huge fan of Umaga. I liked 3 Minute Warning better.
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Post by JokerFC on Dec 5, 2019 13:16:24 GMT -5
I don't think he was world championship material, but would've made a better choice than the great khali back in 2007. Man I would have made a better choice than Khali....good GOD he was atrocious his entire run LOL |
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Post by theoutlaw1999 on Dec 6, 2019 17:24:18 GMT -5
Mid/Late 00's was my least favourite period of WWE, but Umaga was a highlight. He had a unique gimmick, cool look and was great in the ring for a man his size.
It's a shame he never got a run with the belt, he would've been a great monster champion.
I remember I always wanted a Umaga and Taker feud, it would've been pretty cool.
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Umaga
Dec 6, 2019 17:51:29 GMT -5
Post by The Brain on Dec 6, 2019 17:51:29 GMT -5
He never got that run as World Champ but I was glad they gave em a little run with the IC Title 
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Deleted
Joined on: Nov 28, 2024 9:33:09 GMT -5
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Umaga
Jan 27, 2020 9:43:08 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2020 9:43:08 GMT -5
He really should've gone over Triple H in that feud, but of course HHH has to beat everyone. Loved Umaga/Jamal. PS anyone know what make of clothes he and Rosey wore?
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Umaga
Jan 27, 2020 10:03:33 GMT -5
Post by greenjack1992 on Jan 27, 2020 10:03:33 GMT -5
Man, that was a quick ten years. Feels like five minutes ago.
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TheXtremisT
Main Eventer
10 Year Member
This is the way
Joined on: May 3, 2008 8:03:15 GMT -5
Posts: 3,953
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Post by TheXtremisT on Mar 10, 2020 13:58:11 GMT -5
I still remember him teaming with Sonny Siaki in TNA as Ekmo. So random.
Also - he started talking briefly before he left WWE in 2009 after feuding with CM Punk. Anyone remember that?
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Post by HandsomeHollywood on Mar 10, 2020 22:13:49 GMT -5
Umaga, by all accounts, is something that should have never worked. The gimmick was very outdated for 2007 and I never took Jamal seriously as a good wrestler.
Against all odds though, it somehow worked. He got it over and had some entertaining moments in his career. Taking Estrada from him was a big mistake imo.
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Umaga
Mar 10, 2020 22:33:10 GMT -5
Post by Emerald Enthusiast on Mar 10, 2020 22:33:10 GMT -5
10 years ago today we lost The Samoan Bulldozer - Umaga. I always liked Umaga, even when i was younger and still had the 'Cheer the good guy, boo the bad guy' mindset. He was one of the best big men to ever grace the ring and he was one of the iconic faces of the late Ruthless Aggression Era. I still think there was a huge missed opportunity to have him as the Dominate World Champion, especially with Armando Estrada. Though his character didn't need any titles, the idea of his manager wanting the World Title would have worked. I agree that WWE missed an opportunity with him. He could have had a memorable run with the WWE title, especially after his initial build. Unfortunately, he got fed to Cena, which was the fate of every credible heel in the mid-to-late 2000s. He never quite recaptured the same magic after that. It still saddens me that he died so young. He was powerful and graceful, which is a rare combination. His version of the Samoan Drop is still my favorite. |
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