Solo Sikoa recently paid tribute to former WWE star Umaga on an episode of Raw.
The show took place one day removed from the 13th anniversary of his death as the former WWE Intercontinental Champion passed away from a heart attack on December 4, 2009.
Sikoa honored his late uncle by performing his finishing move, the Samoan Spike, and hit the hip attack in the corner on Matt Riddle following Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos’ victory over Riddle and Kevin Owens.
This attack angle was done to write off Riddle from TV after he failed his second drug test this year.
While speaking with the New York Post, Sikoa revealed that WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H, pitched the tribute spot.
“The idea came from Hunter (Levesque),” Sikoa said. “I think it was Paul Heyman’s idea, too, so Hunter wanted to run it by me. He goes, ‘I know your uncle was a big part of your guys’ family. I know what he meant to you guys. I wanted to ask you if you would be OK using the spike?'”
Solo continued, “He was like, ‘I know he passed away and yesterday was his anniversary,’ which was a Sunday and the next day was Raw. He goes, ‘I think it will be cool if you pay a tribute to him on TV by using the spike.’ I was like, ‘You know what man? Yeah, let’s do it.'”
Sikoa admitted he “got emotional” over it as he knew he would refresh anyone’s memory about who Umaga was, and it was a cool moment for him.
