TRAGIC wrestling star Umaga could have returned to the WWE despite being fired in June, the company has confirmed.
Umaga — real name Edward Fatu — died at the weekend after suffering a heart attack, aged just 36.
He was let go by the WWE earlier this year for refusing to attend rehab following a second drugs test failure.
But WWE officials told SunSport the grappler would have been free to return subject to passing a full drugs test because his termination was not due to a third 'strike' under the WWE's Wellness Policy.
His previous two offences would also have remained on his record.
In October, Umaga told colleagues he was speaking to WWE about a comeback and gave that reason for pulling out of a 'shoot' interview DVD.
Figure Four's Bryan Alvarez also reports: "On the Hulkamania tour of Australia, Fatu told people he was heading back to WWE as soon as the tour was over.
"One WWE source said they expected him back by Royal Rumble, but he would have had to have passed all of his tests."
The WWE do not comment on individual talent, but did say that their Wellness Policy allows for someone in Umaga's situation to return.
The Policy — introduced to try and stem the large number of wrestlers dying young — states: "Any WWE talent who leaves the WWE for any reason with a first or second violation on his/her record will maintain those strikes if he/she returns to the WWE."
Any grappler with two 'strikes' coming back — a category which also includes Jeff Hardy — would be immediately fired and banned for at least a year for a further offence.
The Policy continues: "A WWE Talent who is terminated by the WWE for a third violation will be prohibited from returning to the WWE for at least one year.
"Before a possible return, the WWE Talent must test negative for all prohibited substances under the Policy during a pre-contract screening.
"If they pass the pre-contract screening and are approved to return, the WWE Talent must undergo mandatory unannounced testing for at least one year after the execution of the new contract.
"The WWE Talent will return with two strikes on his/her record."
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Quite interesting, especially the bit clearing up their rehiring after Wellness violations policy...