Up and coming WWE Superstar Solo Sikoa paid tribute to the late former Intercontinental Champion Umaga on the latest episode of NXT 2.0.
On the latest edition of NXT 2.0, 28-year-old Solo Sikoa continued his rivalry with Boa as the two men met in a Falls Count Anywhere match. In the end, Sikoa proved too much of a problem for his Chinese adversary to handle as he picked up the win.
Sikoa is of course the latest generation of the hallowed Anoa’i wrestling dynasty to begin making his name in WWE. The son of WWE Hall Of Famer, The Street Champion is also the younger brother of current SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos. His wider family includes stars such as Roman Reigns, Rosey, The Rock, and Umaga.
Umaga is the brother of Rikishi, which makes the late star Solo Sikoa’s uncle. The Samoan Bulldozer competed in WWE for several years when he debuted as Jamal as part of the fondly remembered 3 Minute Warning. After a brief hiatus, Jamal was back as Umaga, a savage warrior accompanied to the ring by his manager Armando Alejandro Estrada.
As Umaga, the real-life Eddie Fatu captured the WWE Intercontinental Championship on two occasions and embarked on memorable feuds with the likes of John Cena and Bobby Lashley as part of the Battle Of The Billionaires at WrestleMania 23.
Now WWE on BT Sport has shared an image of Sikoa and Umaga side by side, showing the tribute the young WWE star paid to his uncle as he donned his trademark face paint.
Homage 🖤 @WWESoloSikoapic.twitter.com/BjagbgO6c5
— WWE on BT Sport (@btsportwwe) January 26, 2022
Umaga was released from his WWE contract in June 2009, and just six months later tragically lost his life due to a heart attack at the age of just 36.