Source: Wrestling author Irvin Muschick’s blog

The toxicology results are in for former WWE superstar Eddie “Umaga” Fatu, who died of a heart attack at the age of 36 December 4, 2009.

Nearly three months after Umaga’s death, Dan Morgan, supervisory forensic investigator for Houston, Texas’ Harris County, has determined that Fatu’s cause of death was “acute toxicity due to combined effects of hydrocodone, carisoprodol, and diazepam.”

More specifically, it was a lethal combination of painkillers (hydrocodone), muscle relaxers (carisoprodol), and anti-anxiety medication (diazepam).

While Umaga is believed to had a history of drug abuse, the “acute toxicity” finding indicates that his death was the direct result of a deadly mix of drugs in a short period of time (opposed to his body finally giving out due to chronic abuse).

As WWE was very clear to point out on December 4th, Umaga was not an active member of the WWE roster at the time of his death. He had been released six months prior after failing a Wellness policy drug tests and refusing to go to rehab. He wrestled for Hulk Hogan’s “Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin” tour just weeks before his death and appeared to be happy and in good spirits.

Related:  14 PICTURES Of Umaga Days Before His Death

– Sources say that of the five WWE releases confirmed over the weekend, only referee Scott Armstrong’s “future endeavors” message caught the locker room by true surprise. Details have not emerged, but the feeling is that there is likely a greater story involved.

– Shelton Benjamin has been added to the SmackDown roster so it appears he is now a member of the brand with Ezekiel Jackson from ECW. Former ECW stars coming to RAW so far include William Regal, Christian and Yoshi Tatsu. WWE still hasn’t removed Maria from the roster.

– Recently released WWE talent Paul Burchill will be appearing on May 8th in White Plains, NY at the New York Wrestling Fan Fest.

– WWE released their full pay-per-view calendar for the rest of 2010 to media partners this past week and the most notable change from what we’ve seen is the May pay-per-view titled Wild Card has been changed to WWE Over The Limit. Survivor Series is still being advertised for November but it’s expected that name will be changed but not confirmed.

– Spike TV has announced the next installment of the TNA Epics show on will air on Monday, March 15 right before iMPACT! The show will focus on TNA’s X-Division and airs 6 days before Destination X on PPV. The show will be a lead-in for iMPACT!, which will be going up against WWE RAW hosted by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

– Thursday’s TNA iMPACT drew a 1.14 cable rating and averaged 1,563,000 viewers – down about 6% from last week.

– TNA is sending Ken Anderson and Lacey Von Erich to Mexico for the AAA show on March 12th in Mexico. Anderson will compete in a 4-way for the AAA World Title and Lacey will team with Rain (the former Payton Banks) in a six-woman tag match.

(Partial source: f4wonline.com)

— In an interview with The Wichita Eagle, Mickie James apparently defends the “Piggie James” storyline poking fun at her weight.

“Everyone was probably picked on at some point in their lives,” James told Kansas.com. “So it really touches people’s heartstrings. Everyone knows how that feels or can relate to that in some way. People can become involved in that because they can feel it.”

The former WWE Women’s Champion also commented on her passion for pro wrestling despite her foray into the country music world.

“I love wrestling,” she said. “That’s what I do, that’s who I am. I’m an athlete. I think (music) is just a different part of me. It’s not just Mickie James the wrestler who you see every Friday night, it’s a little piece of the other side, the part you wouldn’t know about me.”

You can read the interview in its entirety at the following link.

— WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has launched his first official online store at www.brethart.com/store. The online store features new T-shirts as well as autographed limited edition framed photos.

— The WWE Raw house show on May 1st, 2010 will be held at the Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama. Tickets go on sale March 13th, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

— A fourth release has been confirmed today in referee Scott Armstrong, 50. A number of wrestlers are said to be upset over his departure as he is well liked.

Armstrong was hired in the summer of 2006, shortly after the company launched ECW. The oldest son of “Bullet” Bob Armstrong competed for a number of years in World Championship Wrestling before hanging up his boots in 2000 to referee.

Others released today include Maria Kanellis, Gregory Helms (a/k/a The Hurricane) and Paul Burchill.

— With help from Special Guest Referee Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool recaptured the WWE Women’s Championship from Mickie James on tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown. This marks her third title win.

— Last night’s episode of WWE Superstars scored a 0.83 cable rating, with 969,000 viewers. The replay did a 0.16 rating with 161,000 viewers.

source: PWInsider.com

– As announced on last night’s TNA iMPACT!, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair will come out of retirement on March 8th in a tag match that will see the two legends on opposite sides of the ring. Hulk Hogan will team with Abyss against Ric Flair and TNA champion AJ Styles.

– Despite the fact that he’s one of the biggest names that TNA has access to, one big name that’s been conspicuously absent in recent weeks is Sting.  The company knows that he’s not interested in being too involved in the product these days and his name isn’t mentioned too often by TNA officials.

– With the dust starting to settle from Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff’s arrival in TNA, the backstage atmosphere at the most recent iMPACT tapings was said to be very relaxed at the most recent TNA iMAPCT! tapigns in Orlando. Hogan and Bischoff seemed more down to earth and comfortable when working with the TNA talent. Some credit the improvement in backstage morale to Dixie Carter constantly telling people she wants to keep TNA a positive, fun work environment.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter