Indie wrestling star Zilla Fatu recently gave a heartfelt interview on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast, where he shared intimate memories of his late father, the legendary WWE and TNA star Umaga. Despite Umaga’s fierce in-ring persona, Zilla painted a touching portrait of a caring, family-oriented man who was very different from his onscreen character[1][2].
Zilla reminisced about his dad’s larger-than-life personality outside the ring, recalling how much he loved food and family moments. “Oh, man, just eating everything [laughs] and telling me, son, can you go grab that food right there?” Zilla reminisced. “But yeah, I just remember him eating everything, and just him being a big teddy bear.” Contrary to Umaga’s intimidating character, Zilla described him as “very loving, caring, obviously he was very family-oriented. And, man, he was the glue.” This heartfelt truth offers fans a fresh perspective on a man many remember solely for his devastating Samoan submission moves and dominant ring presence[1][2].
Beyond sharing fond memories, Zilla revealed a bittersweet reality: Umaga had been protective and cautious about his sons pursuing wrestling. “My dad used to tell us every Thursday, we had a family meeting, he always used to tell us, ‘I don’t want you guys doing this. I need you guys to be better than me. I don’t want you guys going through what I went through.’” He wanted a safer path for his children, understanding the physical and emotional toll wrestling imposes. Zilla confessed that while he didn’t fully grasp his father’s concerns at the time, he now understands them deeply thanks to his own experience in the business[3].
Ironically, Zilla credits wrestling with bringing him closer to his father’s legacy than ever before. “I’m happy that I chose to wrestle, because it brought me closer to him, and now I’m learning who my dad was through wrestling. So I’m so happy that I started wrestling.” Following in the footsteps of a wrestling icon has shaped Zilla’s identity inside and outside the ring, as he continues to honor Umaga’s memory by competing with passion in promotions like TNA (Impact Wrestling) and Reality of Wrestling[3][1].
Zilla also touched on the considerable pressure of carrying the Fatu surname, a name synonymous with the rich Samoan wrestling dynasty that includes legends like Umaga, Roman Reigns, Rikishi, and The Usos. “In my mind, man, I want to be able to excel—that you know I want to be able to take whatever my dad did to the next level. And I think that’s a challenge for me now.” He acknowledged the challenge of defining himself both as Zilla Fatu and as part of the famed Samoan lineage, ultimately leaning towards embracing the legacy rather than distancing himself from it[5].
When asked about how he handles being compared to his father in the ring, Zilla remained humble: “It’s hard not to look at you and see your dad. Yeah, right. Like, and then well, I hope I look better.” Despite the inevitable comparisons, he strives to make his own mark while respecting the path that Umaga paved.
This candid conversation adds a rich layer to Umaga’s legacy by revealing the man behind the myth and the impact he continues to have through his son’s journey. Fans of WWE.com, Fightful, and wrestling podcasts alike will find Zilla’s story a profound reminder of the family stories woven deep into wrestling’s history.
As Zilla Fatu’s career advances, all eyes remain on him as he balances honoring his father’s memory with forging his unique identity, proving that the spirit of Umaga lives on in the ring and beyond.
Sources: Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast[1][2][3], WrestlingNews.co[3], YouTube interview[5]