The Viper strikes back

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SAN ANTONIO — Randy Orton came to WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs with retribution on his mind. For weeks, Kofi Kingston had gotten the better of The Viper at every turn, from destroying Orton's new car on Raw to pinning him at Survivor Series.

Orton was not going to leave San Antonio without a victory and, thanks to a vicious RKO, the third-generation Superstar made sure that didn't happen.

From the opening bell, these two Superstars went at it with everything they had, until a well-timed dropkick put Orton in the driver's seat. With Kingston writhing in pain, The Viper began to methodically pick his opponent apart.

And then the explosive Superstar suddenly came alive, attacking Orton with a controlled frenzy of kicks and punches. When Kingston connected with Trouble in Paradise, it looked like Orton's fate was sealed, but The Viper managed to grab the rope at the last second.

The third-generation Superstar then took control of the action, nailing Kingston with a DDT and a punt, which missed Kofi's head but connected with his forearm. With his opponent seriously damaged from the brutal kick, Orton seized the opportunity and connected with an RKO for the win.

Despite the loss, Kingston displayed a fighting spirit that can't be denied. Few Superstars have brought the fight to Orton the way Kofi has and the victories he chalked up over The Viper will remain in the record books.

The question now is, will this second pinfall victory over Kofi be enough for Orton? Or will The Viper have more in store for Kingston on Raw? Tune in Monday night to find out.

Christian's championship climb

SAN ANTONIO – It’s impossible to fully prepare one’s self for a match type as punishing as a Ladder Match – much less when the ECW Championship hangs in the balance. But at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, Christian proved that experience can count for quite a lot when duking it out high above the ring, perched precariously on a steel ladder. The Land of the Extreme’s favorite son successfully grasped the ECW Title, defeating Shelton Benjamin and defending his reputation as a Ladder Match luminary in the process.

Though Christian is rightfully honored for competing and making history in the very first TLC match, his opponent Shelton Benjamin is no slouch when it comes to scaling a perilously-high ladder, having taken part in a record four Money in the Bank Ladder Matches. The WWE Universe was delighted as these risk-taking Superstars made use of all the ladder-wielding attacks, sky-high brawling and daredevil dives that Ladder Match enthusiasts would expect from such a dream match-up.

However, if fans expected the match to be nothing more than a reheating of prior contests, they were in for quite a surprise, as evidenced by a series of death-defying dives that left Captain Charisma busted open and in need of medical attention. Though both ring warriors put life and limb on the line in pursuit of the ECW Title, it was Christian who ultimately reached the championship after putting his opponent through a ladder outside the ring. Barely able to stand after the punishing match, Christian unhooked the Land of the Extreme’s top prize to retain his championship.

Since returning to WWE and capturing the ECW Championship, Christian has been no stranger to challengers intent on relieving him of his coveted title. But in a move that was unusual, yet still befitting this fighting champion, Captain Charisma confronted the No. 1 contender, Shelton Benjamin, challenging the Superstar to a match that both were more than familiar with: A Ladder Match. Though The Gold Standard was at first taken aback by the proposal, after hearing of Christian’s intention to “steal the show” at the first-ever WWE TLC Benjamin eagerly accepted.

Though Christian will return to Tuesday nights still the proud ECW Champion, he will no doubt be feeling the effects of this match-up for some time to come. And just as Captain Charisma will remember the duress Shelton Benjamin and he subjected their bodies to, the WWE Universe will fondly recall the night these two Superstars stole the show at the first-ever WWE TLC.

McCruel" retains

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SAN ANTONIO - It seems as though the mind games Women’s Champion Michelle McCool has been playing as of late, including that of Layla coming to ringside wearing a “Piggie James” T-shirt , paid off with her outmatching Mickie James to retain the Women’s Title at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs.

Several weeks ago during a match between Mickie and Natalya, Michelle played a disgustingly cruel video which referred to Mickie as “Piggie James” with the distraction not only costing Mickie the match, but also causing a great deal of emotional pain as well.

After winning a Triple Threat Match to become the No. 1 contender to McCool’s Women's Title, it looked like karma was coming into play with Mickie now having the opportunity to put an end to McCool’s torment, while taking her championship in the process.

That was not to be at WWE TLC, as the cruelty continued and Michelle retained the Women’s Championship. Mickie’s tormentors came to ringside with Layla wearing their special-made “Piggie James” T-shirt, and though it seemed to infuriate the No. 1 contender, it also took her head out of the match.

Thanks to that, Michelle had the upper hand. And even though it was a tightly contested match, she came away with the win, becoming the longest reigning current champion in WWE. One thing is for sure though, if the Women’s Champion continues the cruelty, things are far from over between these two smart, sexy and powerful Divas.

The party's just begun

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SAN ANTONIO - At WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Drew McIntyre stunned the WWE Universe, overcoming Intercontinental Champion John Morrison to capture his coveted title and cementing his reputation as a dominant force to be reckoned with throughout WWE.

In a high-octane battle of sheer emotion that pitted the merciless against the magnificent, the unrelenting ruthlessness of McIntyre ultimately prevailed.

The Shaman of Sexy used his acrobatic moves on the Scottish Superstar on numerous near-pinfall attempts, including taking the action outside the confines of the ring. The two Friday night Superstars battled back and forth in a display of unrelenting young prowess and athletic ability. However, McIntyre woud not let up, with timely maneuvers of his own and intestinal fortitude against Morrison, a proven champion. Ultimately, the Scottish Superstar used the devastating Double Underhook DDT to put away Morrison and earn his first sweet taste of one of the most storied championships in WWE.

From the moment he set foot on SmackDown, McIntyre’s brutal drive and untamed ability seemed to serve as an intense prophecy to his imminent championship success. “The Chosen One,” personally signed by WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon, has run rickshaw over numerous top Friday night Superstars such as Finlay and R-Truth and fought his way to victory in an explosive Elimination Match at Survivor Series. However, it was his monumental non-title win over The Guru of Greatness on SmackDown that helped bring him into the title picture.

Walking into WWE TLC, John Morrison stood as the prime example of everything the Intercontinental Title represents. A dynamic, ultra-athletic Superstar as outspoken as he was talented, The Friday Night Delight upheld his growing reputation as the “A-Lister” when he triumphed over Rey Mysterio in an explosive match to win the title. The Friday Night Delight picked up the prominent championship and ran with it, meeting every challenge head-on; rising to the top time and time again as he defied his challengers who tried to knock him off the mountain. But, at WWE TLC, it would be McIntyre who climbed to new heights, hurling the high-flying Superstar on a tremendous descent from glory.

Drew McIntyre will return to SmackDown with the spoils of his squared circle success. But, with John Morrison and several other Superstars undoubtedly ready to take the much-desired title away from him, will The Scottish Superstar’s unrelenting brutality be enough to keep it around his waist in the weeks to come?

Deadman lays Batista to rest

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SAN ANTONIO – With a bone-jarring Tombstone, World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker stopped the raging Batista inside the packed AT&T Center. (PHOTOS)

But the victory was not without controversy.

With chairs scattered about the outside of the ring from the start – and entirely legal to use against the opponent – the match could only end in pinfall or submission.

After exchanging chair shots throughout the brutal encounter, The Animal appeared to have captured the World Title after capitalizing on an ugly low blow he delivered to the champion. With The Phenom dazed from the dastardly deed, Batista struck with a chair shot to the head, followed up with the apparent pinfall.

However, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long ordered the match to be restarted, after explaining that although chairs were legal, low blows were not.

An angry Deadman seized the opportunity, stopping The Animal cold with the Tombstone.

Ever since regaining the World Heavyweight Title earlier this year at Hell in a Cell, The Undertaker has shown no signs of accepting anything but victory. The Phenom chalked up subsequent wins at WWE Bragging Rights, Survivor Series, and tonight at WWE TLC.

As 2009 comes to a close and Royal Rumble looms, The Phenom appears to be on course to successfully defend his inhuman 17-0 record at WrestleMania XXVI.

To find out if The Animal – or any Superstar – will try to derail the champion as 2010 approaches, don’t miss the next edition of SmackDown this Friday at 8/7 CT on MyNetworkTV.

Climb is of the essence for DX

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SAN ANTONIO — Just when it appeared as if the iconic pairing of Shawn Michaels and Triple H couldn’t ascend any higher in WWE, D-Generation X climbed to a new pinnacle in a Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match against Unified Tag Champions Jeri-Show. Capturing their first and only taste of tag titles together, DX thus established themselves as the holders of the glistening gold prizes.

Appropriately enough at the inaugural WWE TLC pay-per-view, The Game & HBK competed in their first TLC Match together – united – and prevailed despite the 7-foot leviathan, Big Show, swinging weapons of aluminum, steel and wood in their general direction. Thwarting Chris Jericho’s equally unrelenting defense as well in a match where virtually anything goes, Michaels scaled the rungs of fortune to not only clinch Jeri-Show’s titles, but also to vanquish Jericho from Monday Night Raw. (PHOTOS)

After chair jousting, ladder suplexes, tabletop combat, DX’s two-man, Texas-sized Pedigree on The World’s Largest Athlete, and a Jeri-Show headstand, the more cohesive team rose to the occasion. Utilizing a halved ladder previously dismantled by Big Show, The Cerebral Assassin bolstered the hardware upright for HBK to climb and reach the championships dangling overhead in his hometown of San Antonio.

The keepers of the tag titles are empowered (and also more susceptible to challenge) in their ability to compete on any WWE brand, despite their assigned roster. Defeated and devoid of the championships, Jericho & Big Show’s association comes to a most probable conclusion. More importantly, SmackDown’s Jericho is now without his golden inter-brand passport, thus liberating Raw from his insults, vainglory and smug grimace beside his towering tag partner.

Just eight months after the birth of the prestigious Unified WWE Tag Team Championship crown at The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, The King of Kings & The Showstopper have initiated a new legacy in WWE’s tag team lineage at the close of the year.

With two top-tier foes in Jeri-Show now fallen, the DX army marches onward into 2010 for perhaps even bigger wars for the lustrous Unified WWE Tag Team Titles.

Tables turn on Cena

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SAN ANTONIO - Every second seemed like the most important tick in squared circle history during Sunday’s epic Tables Match for the WWE Championship at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs. In the end in San Antonio, however, it was Sheamus who utilized the timber to defeat John Cena to capture the WWE Title for the first time in his career and stun the WWE Universe.

From bone-crushing blows to each competitor’s extreme passion, John Cena and Sheamus delivered a battle for the ages as each gladiator in this blockbuster bout aimed to slam their adversary through a table. In the closing moments of the collision, it appeared Cena was ready to suplex Sheamus onto a table from the top rope. But Sheamus used his raw power to shove the former champion off the top and through the table to claim shocking victory.

Similar to his violent outbursts on Raw recently when he smashed Cena and guest host Mark Cuban through lumber, The Celtic Warrior capitalized on the opportunity to become one of the fastest rising Superstars to earn the WWE Title in WWE history.

Just less than two months after debuting on Monday Night Raw, the vicious Irishman proved he is as dominant as he has alleged to be. The ferocious warrior never backed down from the renowned Cena, and showed that even an inexperienced Superstar can pull off the unexpected.

In the Tables Match fallout, a rare look of disappointment in the eyes of the former WWE Champion told a tale of a defeated warrior, but don’t expect this to last long. This year alone, Cena has been involved in some of the memorable matches including ones against Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Randy Orton, Big Show and now Sheamus – the new WWE Champion.

The WWE Universe may clamor for Sheamus and Cena’s paths to once again intersect. But now that even John Cena has been unseated by The Celtic Warrior for the title, can he (or anyone) possibly stop the uncontrollable Irish champion?

ECW Champion Christian vs. Shelton Benjamin (Ladder Match)

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ECW Champion Christian will return to the match that made him famous when he defends his title against Shelton Benjamin in a Ladder Match at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs.

These two Superstars are no strangers to this dangerous bout. Christian built his reputation competing in high-risk Ladder Matches, including the first-ever Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match at SummerSlam 2000, a grueling contest many fans considered to be one of the greatest WWE matches of all time.

Benjamin, perhaps the finest athlete in all of WWE, has competed in a record four Money in the Bank Ladder Matches. While The Gold Standard has never walked away with the coveted briefcase, his amazing feats of athleticism have wowed the WWE Universe year in and year out. At the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, Benjamin’s memorable dive off the top of a 20-foot ladder became an immediate fixture of WWE highlight reels.

Knowing full well what they are capable of in this environment, Christian challenged Benjamin to a Ladder Match. Not only was the ECW Champion looking to test himself, but he wanted to compete in a bout that would steal the show. Benjamin, riding a wave of confidence after defeating Zack Ryder to become the No. 1 Contender for the ECW Championship, was more than up for it.

With Christian’s ECW Championship hanging high above the ring at WWE TLC, these two fearless competitors will pull out all the stops for the opportunity to grasp it. Anyone in the WWE Universe with a fear of heights will want to close their eyes when Captain Charisma and The Gold Standard meet on Dec. 13, live on pay-per-view.

Unified Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho & Big Show vs. D-Generation X (Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match)

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At WWE: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Unified Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho & Big Show will face their greatest challenge since forming their golden alliance, putting their titles on the line against D-Generation X in a TLC Match.

Although the innovative, new WWE pay-per-view will feature matches utilizing ladders, tables and chairs, the Unified Tag Team Title Match will be the one battle that will incorporate all three.

The TLC is a notorious, career-threatening match like no other in which tables, ladders and chairs are all legal. The object – to ascend and grab the championship gold that is hanging above the ring before your opponents can – becomes even more daunting once the two additional elements of mass mayhem are thrown into the mix.

Ever since Chris Jericho literally handed Big Show tag team gold - using a special clause in his championship contract to replace an injured Edge with The World’s Largest Athlete - the dominant duo has successfully defended their championship against the likes of Batista & Rey Mysterio, The Legacy and Cryme Tyme. With every new challenge that has presented itself, the combined skills of this elite tour de force has continued to rise above, helping to establish them as one of the greatest tag team champions in the majestic annals of WWE.

But this time around, they will be facing more than just a tag team. They will be taking on a squared circle institution. Both together and as individuals, The Game and The Showstopper have proven themselves, time and time again, to be two of the most dangerous Superstars in WWE history. Rather than conform to WWE over the years, their uncanny abilities and charismatic attitude has forced WWE to shape itself around them. In addition to having their reputation of rebellion, anarchy, and sheer will on their side, they also seem to have the reigning champions’ number. In recent months, they have scored two non-title victories over Big Show & Jericho on Monday Night Raw. Could TLC bring them the third? Break it down!

When it comes to TLC, the hardware in the ring is almost as dangerous as the four Superstars who will be wielding it. All of them have seen just about everything there is to see over the years. All of them have proven themselves to be as tough as they are determined. And absolutely all of them have demonstrated exceptional ability in a wide variety of specialty matches. No matter what the outcome, one thing is for certain: The WWE Universe is in for one wild ride from start to finish.

Will Jeri-Show once again prove they are the crème de la crème of tag team excellence? Or will they “bow to the masters?” Find out at WWE: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, Sunday, Dec. 13 at 8/7 CT, only on pay-per-vie

Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton

The Kofi Kingston-Randy Orton rivalry has seen nearly everything.

Numerous blindsided attacks: Check
Vicious taunts and terrorization: Check
Defacing of a personalized NASCAR: Check (WATCH)
Execution of a Boom Drop in the stands: Check (WATCH)

Expect this list to grow, nonetheless, when two of the most ferocious combatants and impassioned rivals collide once again at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

In addition to it being extraordinarily intense, Kingston and The Viper’s confrontation has also been very competitive. At Survivor Series, Kingston was the sole survivor when he pinned Orton to finish off The Viper’s troop. A couple weeks later on Raw, the former WWE Champion got some much-desired revenge when his cohorts, The Legacy, deviously assaulted their animated enemy to help Orton secure a victory.

AT WWE TLC, however, the vivacious Superstar should be completely aware of the kind of conniving tactics The Viper is capable of achieving. From watching out for interference from Cody Rhodes or Ted DiBiase to safeguarding against other crafty maneuvers from his opponent, Kingston appears fully prepared for this highly anticipated bout.

The winner of this contest, moreover, will almost certainly raise their stock in their respective quests to become the No. 1 contender for the WWE Title. Orton, for one, has already made several demands to recent special guest hosts on Raw, including Gov. Jesse Ventura, that he deserves another opportunity at the gold. His WWE TLC adversary, meanwhile, has battled his way to the top of the rankings.

It remains to be seen what new drama will be added to this riveting rivalry, but one thing is for sure, the WWE Universe does not want to miss this match, or any of the highly coveted contests at WWE TLC.

Be sure to watch all the action at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 8/5 PT, exclusively on pay-per-view.

Intercontinental Champion John Morrison vs. Drew McIntyre - Intercontinental Championship Match

At WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Intercontinental Champion John Morrison will put his title on the line against the ruthless Drew McIntyre.

Since the moment he set foot on SmackDown, McIntyre’s brutal drive and untamed ability have given the WWE Universe no alternative but to stand up and take notice. The Scottish Superstar was personally signed by WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon, who called McIntyre a future World Champion. He battled his way to victory at Survivor Series, in an all-out explosive Elimination Match. But the biggest highlight of his career came when he pinned The Guru of Greatness on Friday night, just two weeks before the WWE TLC pay-per-view. Without a doubt, McIntyre has showed that he has what it takes to possess the gold and that he will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

But at WWE TLC, if McIntyre hopes to be triumphant, he will have to overcome his toughest opponent to date. The Shaman of Sexy is truly the essence of everything the Intercontinental Championship stands for; a dynamic, ultra-athletic Superstar who is as outspoken as he is talented. Since coming to SmackDown, he has cemented his “A-Lister” reputation as an elite singles competitor, which culminated in the capture of the Intercontinental Title in an explosive match with Rey Mysterio. The Friday Night Delight has met every challenge head-on and risen to the top time and time again. And with the gold on the line, the high-flying Morrison is sure to rise to new heights to keep the coveted symbol of excellence around his waist.

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Sheamus (Tables Match)

These Irish eyes aren’t exactly smiling, but rather, they are directly fixed on the WWE Championship.

In a hazardous Tables Match, Sheamus, the Raw roster’s most recent acquisition, competes for his first major title against WWE Champion John Cena at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs.

One-third of the weaponry described in the namesake of the first-ever pay-per-view event of this kind, a Tables Match is designed for the most aggressive Superstars, using their might to drive one another through the unforgiving pine. The first man to force his opponent through a table will be awarded the match and the WWE Championship.

Rare is it for a Superstar to attain a title match of such magnitude so early in his career, let alone within mere weeks after arriving on the scene of the Monday night juggernaut, Raw. Then again, Sheamus – whose WWE career will peak at roughly six months by the time he steps into the ring with Cena – is a rare warrior of a uniquely fierce breed.

In a match designed to afford opportunity to Superstars who’ve never held the WWE or World Heavyweight Title, The Celtic Warrior earned No. 1 contendership in a most impressive manner, prevailing against Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry and others in a revolutionary Breakthrough Battle Royal.

And while The Champ’s most recent conquests include victories over Randy Orton and even both members of D-Generation X in a single bout, perhaps even Cena is not prepared for the unstoppable wrath of this baleful Irishman.

The Celtic Warrior has recklessly torn through anyone in plain sight, from a WWE timekeeper to a Hall of Famer in Jerry Lawler. Now retired from ring action, veteran Jamie Noble also suffered an unforgettably grisly physical mauling by Sheamus in perhaps the most convincing display of the pale plunderer’s ruthlessness.

The fiery haired Irish Superstar has sworn to surpass the thrashing delivered to Noble when he battles The Champ. Will Sheamus make good on this vow or will Cena, a man known for persevering in the face of the most difficult challenges, find a way to serve defeat to Monday Night Raw’s greatest menace?

Find out who will prevail at the very first WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs event, live on pay-per-view on Sunday, Dec. 13.

Batista vs. World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker (Chair Match)

At WWE Tables Ladders & Chairs, familiar foes will once again clash, as World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker will take on longtime adversary Batista for the World Title in a Chair Match. And both the ominous World Champion and his furious No. 1 Contender will enter the squared circle with a new-found level of intensity.

Just five days after The Animal annihilated his former comrade-in-arms, Rey Mysterio, at Survivor Series, Batista overcame The Undertaker’s brother Kane in a brutal No. 1 Contender’s Match for the World Heavyweight Championship. The hard-fought victory propels The Animal into a sure-fire showdown of destiny with the ominous World Champion.

The Undertaker’s history of legendary battles with Batista has been nothing short of epic. But, with The Phenom’s most recent acquisition of the gold, he has arguably transcended other SmackDown Superstars to reach a plateau of competition all his own. His list of conquests is long and his reputation has become as intimidating as his deadly arsenal of weapons. And now that he holds the World Title as his “holy grail,” is it conceivable that any Superstar will ever be able to overcome his wrath?

SmackDown’s “blue chip acquisition” Batista has shown no sign that he is in any way intimidated by his WWE: TLC nemesis. Since moving from Monday Night Raw, The Animal has been more ferocious than ever, scoring monumental victories over the likes of Matt Hardy and Unified Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho & Big Show, respectively. He unleashed such a merciless attack on his former friend Mysterio that the official was forced to stop the match. His new-found ruthlessness has fused with outrageous momentum to drive this fierce competitor like never before. The rage-filled Superstar claims that nothing would come between himself and the World Championship and on any given day, he is capable of knocking anyone off the mountain so that he can have it all to himself.

Of all the memorable encounters that have taken place between the two mighty Superstars over the years, it was the earth-shattering circumstances of their recent WWE Bragging Rights Fatal Four Way Championship Match that truly demonstrated how close they are as competitors. Golden fate seemed to be in Batista’s corner as he came within a millisecond of pinning The Phenom. If not for The Master of the 619, The Demon of Death Valley may be challenging him for the gold in two weeks. Instead, The Undertaker finished that match with a devastating Tombstone. Could he call on his lethal finish twice in a row? Or is The Animal just a Batista Bomb away from immortality?

Ex-WWE star Umaga dead at 36

WRESTLING superstar Umaga has died, aged just 36

WRESTLING superstar Umaga has died, aged just 36.

The former WWE intercontinental champion was killed by a heart attack, his family have confirmed.

The Wrestling Observer reported that the Samoan-American star, real name Edward Fatu, fell asleep while watching television in his Houston home on Thursday night.

He was found several hours later by his wife, not breathing and with blood coming out of his nose. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital.

There he was put on life support and his family told to come to Texas as quickly as possible.

Tributes have poured in from around the wrestling world for the man who headlined WrestleMania 23 in 2007 - the biggest selling PPV event in the history of the sport.

On that night he lost to Bobby Lashley, a result that meant billionaire reality TV star Donald Trump got to shave WWE boss Vince McMahon's head.

Lashley has posted a message on his Facebook saying: "Very sad day today. A good friend is gone."

WWE released a statement reading: "WWE would like to express its deepest condolences to Mr Fatu's family, friends and fans on his tragic passing.

"Mr Fatu was under contract with WWE at various time periods and most recently performed under the name Umaga. Mr Fatu's contract was terminated on June 11, 2009."

Former ECW owner and SunSport columnist Paul Heyman said: "The world is minus one very cool Samoan tonight. We offer our most profound condolences to the Fatu Family."

Fatu - trained by his famous uncles, the Wild Samoans Afa and Sika - first wrestled for WWE between 2002 and 2003 under the name of Jamal as part of the 3-Minute Warning tag team with his cousin Matt Anoa'i, aka Rosey.

After being released from his contract, reportedly as a result of getting into a bar fight, he had stints in rival groups TNA and All Japan before returning to the WWE in 2005.

During that time he won the IC title twice and enjoyed memorable feuds with Lashley, Jeff Hardy and John Cena, who he challenged for the company's world championship.

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He was fired again by the WWE this June after violating their drug-testing policy for a second time and then refusing to go to rehab.

Umaga most recently competed on the Hulkamania tour of Australia, where he was said to be happy and healthy, amid rumours he was set to return to WWE.

Ken Anderson, better known as Mr Kennedy, was his opponent Down Under and Tweeted: "I'm very thankful to have had a private closed-door conversation with Ecki prior to our match a few days ago in Sydney.

"He insisted that we go out and tear the house down. We both had something to prove that night and in my opinion: Mission Accomplished!

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Fatu family. Ecki absolutely adored his wife and was extremely proud of his children.

"I have so many amazing, funny, and heartwarming (sometimes gut wrenching belly-laughing) memories."

Fatu is the latest in a long line of wrestlers to pass away at a young age.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/2759556/Umaga-has-died-aged-36-Friends-and-family-pay-tribute-to-former-WWE-WrestleMania-headliner.html#ixzz0YqeIIwIp