Jim Ross reveals what he told late star before firing him from WWE - "It’s going to cost you your job"
Jim Ross revealed what he told a late WWE star before firing him from the company. This star was part of a legendary wrestling family.
Umaga first started his career as Jamal in the three-minute warning. This is far from the gimmick he would portray a couple of years later. During his time as Jamal, he was considered a mid-carder and a tag team wrestler. However, he had a bit of a violent streak.
During one instance, he got into a bar fight in 2003. As a result of this incident, Jim Ross, who was in charge of talent relations at that time informed him that he was fired:
“It was just that we have to make a change. Unfortunately, it’s going to cost you your job. Now, you’re going to get plenty of offers to work, and I’m certainly not going to infer that we don’t want you to come back. But you’ve got to see change. You’ve got to get under control. This is not Outlaw territory; this is not a bunch of indie dates. This is the real deal here, its the big time.”
He also gave Umaga hope that he could one day return to the Stamford-based promotion if he mended his ways:
“So, it’s going to be the guy you see in the mirror. If you make some changes, get your life under control, and take care of your family— which the people really have always had that mantra: family, family, family. It’s really pleasant, quite frankly. So, you know, I give him hope," said Jim Ross [H/T Wrestlezone]
Jim Ross gave Umaga hope that he could be a big star in the WWE
Despite his massive size, Umaga was very good in the ring. He was quite athletic for his size and showed a lot of potential in his early which is what made his initial firing disappointing.
During the same podcast interview, Jim Ross mentioned that he told Umaga that he could be a big star in the WWE when he returns as he possesses skills no one in his family has:
“I gave him hope that he could be a big star here, ‘you might be the biggest star in the entire Samoan family because you got skills that nobody has.’ Of course, The Rock came along and took that spot, but we had a good conversation.” [H/T Wrestlezone]
Umaga finally returned back to the Stamford-based promotion a couple of years later with a new look. He displayed a lot of aggression in the ring as he destroyed his opponents. He remained with the company until he was released in 2009 for a wellness policy violation.