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Profile: Umaga
Prior to his return on Monday Night Raw the day after WrestleMania 22, Umaga was known to WWE fans as Jamal, one half of the tag team 3 Minute Warning in 2002. Jamal and partner Rosey served as hired guns for General Manager Eric Bischoff, regularly attacking his enemies after Bischoff foreshadowed their arrival with references to "three minutes."
After being released later in the year, he worked for several other promotions including TNA (as Ekmo), All Japan Pro Wrestling and his brother Kishi's (formerly Rikishi) company in Italy, Nu-Wrestling Evolution.
He re-debuted for WWE in April 2006 as Umaga, with a radically different look reflecting his new Samoan savage gimmick. Accompanied by handler Armando Alejandro Estrada, Umaga embarked on an undefeated streak, tearing through babyfaces with his no-nonsense offense and Samoan Spike finisher. He lost first match at New Year's Revolution 2007 to WWE Champion John Cena, but went on to beat Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental Championship.
Later that Spring, he would participate in one of WrestleMania 23's most high profile matches. Representing Mr McMahon in the Battle of the Billionaires, Umaga lost to Donald Trump's representative, ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley, resulting in McMahon's head being shaved bald. The feud continued however, with Lashley costing Umaga the Intercontinental Title in a match against a "fan," Santino Marella, in Milan, Italy.
Nonetheless, Umaga remains one of the top heels on the Raw brand, having received one of WWE's most successful pushes in recent years.
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