10 Most Underrated WWE Ruthless Agression Era Stars
5. Umaga
Eddie Fatu made his TV debut in WWE as part of Eric Bischoff's bruising tag team, 3 Minute Warning. Teaming up with relative Matt Anoa’i, the Samoan duo were renamed Rosey and Jamal and made an immediate impact on Raw.
Eddie (Jamal) was released in 2003, bringing an abrupt end to the pairing; however, he would return in 2006 as the savage Umaga. With the guidance of Armando Alejandro Estrada, 'The Samoan Bulldozer' would go on to score wins over the likes of Ric Flair, DX, and Kane, leading to an undefeated streak that lasted until he was defeated by John Cena at New Year’ Revolution.
In the wake of the Cena feud, Umaga would win the Intercontinental Championship before getting the biggest push of his career. Placed in the middle of the “Battle of the Billionaires” between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump, Umaga was chosen as McMahon’s representative and set to face Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania 23.
Despite losing the match, the bout helped make the event the largest grossing WrestleMania in history at the time. Aside from challenging Triple H for the WWE Title at No Mercy, Umaga would never achieve this level of profile again, and would remain an upper mid-card attraction until his dismissal in mid-2009. He died just months later.