( CNN ) -- Wrestler Edward Fatu , better known as the hulking , tattooed WWE superstar `` Umaga , '' died Friday of a heart attack in a Houston , Texas , hospital , a family friend said . Born in American Samoa , Fatu , 36 , was a member of the famous Anoa ' i wrestling family , which includes cousin Dwayne `` The Rock '' Johnson , his two uncles , who wrestled as The Wild Samoans in the 1980s , and brothers , Sam `` Tonga Kid '' and Solofa Jr. `` Rikishi , '' according to Wrestlers Rescue , a support group for retired professional wrestlers . The two-time WWE Intercontinental champion , also known as `` The Samoan Bulldozer , '' squared off with the likes of Triple H , John Cena and Ric Flair before the WWE terminated his contract in June for having violated the WWE 's Wellness Program and refusing to enter rehab , the WWE said on its site . The organization offered its condolences to his family in a brief statement on its site . To friends and family , Fatu was a devoted father who was looking forward to spending more time with his children after leaving the WWE . `` He had his demons , but he found a lot of strength in his family , '' said Dawn Marie Psaltis , family friend and founder of Wrestlers Rescue . `` He was always a jokester , he was always playing a practical joke on someone . He comes from a long line of professional wrestlers and did his family proud . ''
Relatives include cousin Dwayne `` The Rock '' Johnson and uncles The Wild Samoans . WWE says it terminated his contract for violating Wellness Program , refusing to enter rehab . Fatu was looking forward to spending time with children after leaving WWE , friend says .