Oklafan.com v5 Beta > News > Jimmy Snuka Discusses Passing The ?Phenom? Name To Undertaker

Home
News

Jimmy Snuka Discusses Passing The ?Phenom? Name To Undertaker

Posted: Jan 26th 2013 By: CMBurnham

He?s an icon of wrestling and now Jimmy ?Superfly? Snuka comes to ClubWWI.com for a 34 minute uncut interview with James Guttman that covers a ton of topics that you won?t hear anywhere else. Jimmy and James discuss his new book ?Superfly: The Jimmy Snuka Story?, whether he was approached to join the New World Order, why he didn?t turn heel and wrestle Hulk Hogan, seeing both of his children in WWE, competing against his son on a WWE Pay Per View, differences between Roddy Piper and Don Muraco, the infamous Piper?s Pit episode, how he felt about being at ringside for WrestleMania 1's main event rather than in the ring, his facial expressions in the ring, and tons more. For a full list of topics, head to http://www.wewantinsanity.com/am2/publish/FeaturedArticles/ClubWWI_Jimmy_Snuka.shtml

James Guttman points out how Jimmy Snuka is an inspiration to many fans, but also to wrestlers. Not only does Mick Foley credit Snuka for inspiring him, but scores of stars who have come to ClubWWI.com for interviews have as well. JG asks Jimmy about this and whether he realized at the time that he was influencing an entire generation.

? You know, brother, not really. It?s just like when I?d travel somewhere and meet all these great guys who are coming up and getting into the wrestling business, I have a chance to sit down with them and talk to them. They pick my brain about the wrestling business. (They ask), ?Why did you want to become a wrestler.? I tell them, ?Brother, you got to love it. You?ve got to enjoy it. You?ve got to work at it. You?ve got to train. You?ve got to take care of number one. You?ve got to be healthy and you?ve got to be strong about what you?re doing. Don?t be negative about nothing. Just go out there and have fun with the fans, bro.?"

JG compliments Jimmy?s positive attitude and asks about all the accolades that followed his career. Having got into the business during the 70s, it must have been surprising to see how the Rock-n-Wrestling era changed it all. He asks about Snuka?s response to seeing himself in the 1980s WWF Rock-n-Wrestling cartoon and Jimmy beams with pride.

?I thought back to being a little kid again, enjoying myself. When I saw myself in the cartoon, I just went coocoo, man. I loved it. It was a beautiful blessing for me.

One footnote to Snuka?s career that many people forget is that he was the original ?Phenom.? Gorilla Monsoon would refer to the Superfly by that name and it wasn?t until The Undertaker came along ? defeating Jimmy in his first of many WrestleMania wins ? that he was christened ?Phenom.? JG asks him about the nickname and Snuka tells ClubWWI.com member that he still may have a Superfly Splash with the Dead Man?s name on it.
?You know what, brother? I love it. Because I?m there like a teacher for these kids. The Undertaker? I looked forward to that, brother, when Vince (McMahon) Jr. told me to wrestle The Undertaker (at WrestleMania). Brother, I loved it. I loved it. I said, ?Why not?? Here?s a kid that?s blowing up. He looks the part. He looked good. It was a pleasure for me to go in there and work with him. Look at him today. He hasn?t lost yet. But someday ? I hope someday that I can come back and beat him for the record, you know? (laughs) So I gotta say that I?m the real phenom! But he can carry it. That?s alright with me. As long as they know I?m the real phenom.?

Not only is Jimmy the original Phenom. He?s also the original ECW Original. Many fans may not remember that before ECW went from Eastern Championship Wrestling to Extreme, the main selling point for new viewers tuning in was to see Snuka as the heel champion. He went from years as a hero to his heel roots and even JG ordered bootleg videos at the time to see Snuka?s ECW work. He asks The Superfly if people bring that up to him and how he felt about working the villain role after all those years.

?Yes. A lot of (fans bring it up to him). I love it, brother. That?s why I enjoy doing things that I do. Being places and wrestling different guys. It?s a beautiful trademark for me. I?m sure it is for them too?Being a bad guy, brother. It?s totally different than being a good guy, a babyface, against a heel. Brother, if I?m going to be a heel, I?m going to turn who I am, what I am, and what I?m gonna do. I love it. I love both sides of the fence. When I became a babyface again, I just had to turn the light on, brother.?

Remember you can find out tons more about Jimmy ?Superfly? Snuka?s amazing career in his new book ?Superfly? The Jimmy Snuka story available at Amazon ? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600787584/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1600787584&linkCode=as2&tag=worldwrestl01-20

Remember Jimmy is one of over 300 stars you get instant access to when you join us at ClubWWI.com. Including superstar hosted shows and thousands of hours of audio archives dating back to 2005.

Supplemental Information

Polling Booth

Why didn't you vote in the Oklafan Year End Polls?

Spotlight in History

1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles

Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12

09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
09-08 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
09-08 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title
09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

09-11

Summer Thunder Sep 11th Today!
Vic Nichols Sep 11th Today!
Bash Sep 12th
Adrian Dell Sep 12th
N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th
Danni Bee Sep 12th
Bob Kenaston Sep 12th
Montego Seeka Sep 12th
Bounty Hunter Sep 12th
Animal Sep 12th
American Anarchy Sep 12th
K. P. Moore Sep 13th
Poder Oriental Sep 13th
Bobby Starr Sep 13th
Danny Little Bear Sep 13th
Angelina Love Sep 13th
Bernie D Sep 14th
Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
Waddy Young Sep 14th
L. C. Green Sep 15th
Korvin Sage Sep 15th
Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
Daniel King Sep 15th
Haru Sonada Sep 16th
Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
Jake Swayze Sep 17th
Dick Brower Sep 17th
Rex Mori Sep 17th
Jim Cornette Sep 17th
Bill Irwin Sep 17th
Titan Yin Sep 18th
Angel Reed Sep 18th
Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
Billy Robinson Sep 18th
Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
Adam Asher Sep 19th
Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
Joey Stixx Sep 20th
Chuck Singer Sep 20th
Greg Valentine Sep 20th
Bishop Simon Sep 20th
Pepper Martin Sep 20th
Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
Ethan Page Sep 20th
Boz Sep 20th
Justin Lee Sep 20th
Connor Jones Sep 21st
Ricky Morton Sep 21st
Jack Brisco Sep 21st
Satine Sep 22nd
Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
Doug Somers Sep 22nd
Harley D Sep 22nd
Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
O'Malley Sep 23rd
Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
John J. Bishop Sep 24th
Connor Crunk Sep 24th
Jason Bruce Sep 24th
Kai Fayden Sep 24th
Len Rossi Sep 24th
Joe Jones Sep 24th

1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles

More Look Back In History

Card Results

Current Champions

Native American Wrestling

Tag Team Champions
Briggs Mafia

Heavyweight Champion: Miles Bane
Indigenous Land Champion: Cherokee Kid
Openweight Champion: Stephen Nitro