Nickname(s): Superfly, The Phenom
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 250 lbs.
From: The Fiji Islands
Birthday: May 18
Pro Debut: 1969
Aliases: Jimmy Kealoha, Lani Kealoha, Tami Snuka, Great Snuka, Big Snuka, Superfly Snuka
Feds worked for: TSW,
OPW,
NWA,
AWA,
WWF,
WCW,
WWE, Classic Championship Wrestling (Canada), Heroes and Legends Wrestling (IN), International Wrestling Superstars (NJ), National Wrestling League, NWA Eastern, NWA Upstate (NY), Pacific Northwest Wrestling (OR), Top Rope Promotions (MA), Traditional Championship Wrestling (NY), Xtreme Wrestling Federation, WWWA
Finisher: Superfly Splash
Signature Moves: Flying Cross Body, Jumping Headbutt, Flying Headbutt, Knee drop, Chop
Career Highlights: -CWA International Tag Team Champion (w/ J. T. Southern)
-IWS United States Champion
-NWA (Vancouver) Canadian Tag Team Champion (w/ Don Leo Johnathon)
-NWA Eastern Champion (2x)
-NWA Eastern Television Champion
-NWA National Tag Team Champion (w/
Terry Gordy)
-NWA Tri-State Champion
-NWA United States Champion
-NWA World Tag Team Champion (2x; 1 each w/
Paul Orndorff and Ray Stevens)
-NWL Champion
-Pacific Northwest Champion (6x)
-Pacific Northwest Tag Team Champion (7x; 6x w/
Dutch Savage, 1 w/
Frankie Laine)
-TSW Champion
-USA New York Champion
-USA Pro Wrestling Express Champion
-SXA United States of America Champion
-WCCW
Texas Champion
-WCCW Texas Tag Team Champion (w/
Gino Hernandez)
-WWWA Champion
Affiliates: Dutch Savage, Lou Albano, Dangerous Alliance, Buddy Rogers, Terry Gordy
Notable Feuds: Jesse Ventura, Buddy Rogers, Bob Backlund, Lou Albano, Ray Stevens, Fred Blassie, Don Muraco,
Bob Orton,
Roddy Piper, Col DeBeers,
Honky Tonk Man, The Warlord, Irwin R. Shyster, The Metal Maniac
Official Website: www.jimmysnuka.com
Other Facts: -Father of pro wrestlers Tamina Snuka and Sim Snuka
-Competed as a professional bodybuilder before starting as a wrestler. Held the titles of Mr. Hawaii, Mr. Waikiki and Mr. North Shore.
-Wrestled his first match against
Maxwell Butler
-Many promotions became more lenient about top-rope moves (which were mostly banned) due to the popularity of Snuka's "Superfly" splash.
-On May 10, 1983, Snuka's girlfriend Nancy Argentino was transported to a hospital in Allentown, PA where she later died due to "undetermined craniocerebral injuries". Many people theorize that Snuka had something to do with her death. He gave conflicting accounts of how Argentino came to be in the condition she was. There were other marks on her body. Snuka was known to do abuse cocaine and be "uncontrollable" afterwards. Snuka also had a history of abuse towards both Argentino and other girlfriends, including charges of felony assault against Argentino. One of his former girlfriends had contacted Argentino's sister and related an account that she'd had her ribs broken by Snuka during their time together. Charges were never filed against Snuka, but the case was officially left open.
-Competed against Don Muraco in a match on October 17, 1983. Even though he lost to Muraco, he dragged him back to the middle of the ring, then ascended to the top rope and hit the Superfly Splash. Many future pro wrestlers, including
Tommy Dreamer, Bubba Ray Dudley,
Mick Foley and The Sandman were present as fans at that show and cite it as the reason why they became pro wrestlers.
-Was the Undertaker's first WrestleMania opponent, beginning his "Streak" of wins.
-He and his wife have created a reality show called The Superfly Challenge. It was recently shot in New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. Filming took place at the New Berlin Diner and
Nikolai Volkoff's farm.
-is also an avid poker player. He was at the Poker4Life tournament in New York City and raised $100,000 for the charity. When the Superfly was done, all five tables still in play halted and applauded him with a standing ovation
-Part owner of Bodyslam University in South Florida. He teaches there once a month
-Appeared in two films: "Buffalo Bushido" (playing himself) in 2007 and "Shoot Out Of Luck" in 2008
-Former member of the Dangerous Alliance
-Voted PWI Tag Team of the Year (w/ Ray Stevens) in 1980
-Voted PWI Match of the Year (vs. Bob Backlund) in 1982.
-Voted PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year in 1983
-Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996
-Ranked #106 in the 1991 PWI 500
-Ranked #97 in the 1992 PWI 500
-Ranked #75 in the 1993 PWI 500
-Ranked #120 in the 1994 PWI 500
-Ranked #149 in the 1995 PWI 500
-Ranked #185 in the 1996 PWI 500
-Ranked #266 in the 1997 PWI 500
-Ranked #297 in the 1998 PWI 500
-Ranked #310 in the 1999 PWI 500
-Ranked #396 in the 2000 PWI 500
