Details remain ambiguous about the circumstances behind Umaga’s release, although a new report gives credibility to the idea that Umaga did quit.
It is, nonetheless, inaccurate to treat Umaga’s departure as a one-sided decision on the wrestler’s part.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Umaga was the subject of major heat with management–this is likely in reference to the reason PWInsider sources said he “had to go.” It is unclear why Umaga was in such trouble or how aggressive WWE officials planned to be in firing Umaga, but the Observer report does say that the issues “led to [Umaga’s] quitting.”
Creative was informed of Umaga’s impending departure late last week and thus made the decision to give CM Punk the victory in their Extreme Rules match. Given that CM Punk was slated to win the World Title at the end of the show, common sense booking would have called for Umaga to get the victory in the undercard match.
Prior to learning of his departure, creative was still positioning Umaga for a program with Undertaker upon the latter wrestler’s return. Undertaker, scheduled to come off crutches in mid-July, will now reportedly be a “photo finish” for August’s Summerslam event.
