Information AboutJimmy Snuka |
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James Reiher (born May 18 , 1943 in Fiji ) is an American Professional Wrestler , especially popular in the 1980s as '''Superfly Jimmy Snuka'''. CAREER His nickname "Superfly" apparently came from his acrobatic skills and moves, including his signature wrestling move, where Snuka would leave his stunned opponent laying on the mat, and then Snuka would climb on to a corner of the ring's ropes, stand up, and dive face down, landing on the opponent in pin position (unless the opponent revived and moved out of the way). Jimmy Snuka (the character), like Reiher, was from Fiji . He would wrestle barefoot. He popularized the "I Love You" gesture, which he displayed as he jumped from the ropes in his signature move. Equal parts athlete and showman, he was a favorite in professional wrestling. He was also successful, winning the Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW) Heavyweight title five times and the PNW Tag Team Championship six times. Snuka went on to wrestle in several other NWA regions. In March 1982 Snuka entered the then WWF as a Heel under the guidance of Captain Lou Albano . Snuka received several title shots at WWF champion Bob Backlund , the final being a famous Steel Cage Match in which Snuka leaped from the top of the cage barely missing Backlund who managed to escape for the win. Even though Snuka was a heel, the Northeast fans started to cheer on Snuka and his athletic style. Eventually, Snuka and Albano split ways and Snuka became a Face . Albano would bring in Snuka's former Mid Atlantic tag team partner Ray Stevens , to feud with him. Former Champion "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers became Snuka's manager. Roger's had also managed Snuka in the Mid Atlantic. Snuka was the top draw at the beginning of Vince McMahon 's expansion and was a candidate for what would become Hulk Hogan 's role in the company, but out of the ring issues and lack of Mic Skills relagated him to the Midcard . In 1983, Snuka encountered a personal crisis that would haunt him for many years to come. On May 10 , 1983 , after finishing his last match at the WWF TV taping at the Lehigh County Agricultural Hall in Pennsylvania ], Snuka became the focal point of an investigation regarding the suspicious death of his girlfriend Nancy Argentino. In the early hours the morning after the Allentown event, Argentino was discovered semi-conscious in a hotel room next to a sleeping Snuka. Various accounts of the cause came to light from alleged abuse to a slip and fall caused by intoxication. Argentino was taken to nearby hospital and later died of a skull fracture. The death was ruled accidental. After a few months of recovery from the loss of his girlfriend, Snuka's most famous career moment occurred in October 1983 when he fought longtime rival "Magnificent" Don Muraco in a steel cage match in Madison Square Garden in New York City. The match ended in a loss for the Superfly but he managed to drag Muraco back into the ring and this time did connect with his most famous Superfly Splash ever off the top of the steel cage at MSG. This single act cemented Jimmy Snuka as the top WWF wrestler of 1983 as well as lead the way for today's generation of high fliers in the squared circle. WWE superstar Mick Foley was in attendance at the event and attributes this match as the reason he decided to aggressively pursue professional wrestling. The following year began another highlight in his career with his fan favorite year long feud with "Rowdy Roddy Piper ". After a segment on Piper's Pit where Piper was berating Jimmy by calling him a "big shot" and "monkey", Piper proceeded to smash a real coconut on Jimmy's head when he turned his back momentarily. This was followed by a beating with a belt and further humiliation before the WWF cut to a commercial. It was truly the birth of an excellent storyline and feud between Piper and Snuka. Their matches were played out over venues across the US and concluded with Snuka managing Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against Piper and Paul Orndorff (with Bob Orton in their corner) at the first ever WrestleMania in 1985. After a stint in alcohol/drug rehab, Snuka resurfaced in the AWA replacing the injured Jerry Blackwell as Greg Gagne 's partner in a tag team match against Bruiser Brody and Nord The Barbarian at WrestleRock '86 . Snuka would split his time between the AWA and Japan throughout 1986 and 1987. His most notable feud in the AWA during that time was with Col. DeBeers ( Ed Wiskoski ). Like many aging veterans before him, Snuka re-emerged to the WWF in 1989 to help put over younger stars, like Curt Hennig and Rick Rude . In 1991, he was the also first PPV singles opponent for The Undertaker ( Mark Calaway ) who would be a top contender in the WWE for many years to come. After leaving the WWF in 1991, Jimmy toured with various smaller organizations in the early 90's and played a role in the formation of Paul Heyman 's ECW (Eastern Championship Wrestling) organization along with Don Muraco and Terry Funk . Snuka was ECW's first heavyweight champion and toured with the company in arguably the best shape of his life. He was inducted into the WWF Hall Of Fame in 1996. He also continued to spend much of his time with East Coast wrestling organizations through the late 1990's and into the 2000's. Snuka received a lifetime achievement award from the WWE in 2002 at Madison Square Garden and began to be thrust into skits by the WWE in 2004/2005. In 2005, he appeared at the WWE Homecoming , in which he delivered a Superfly Splash to Rob Conway . He also took part in a backstage skit, chasing after a partially disrobed Mae Young with a wad of Ted DiBiase 's money. He was a part of the 2005 Taboo Tuesday pay-per-view, where fans voted for him (ahead of Kamala and Jim Duggan ) to team with Eugene against Rob Conway and Tyson Tomko . Snuka won the match, pinning Conway after a Snuka splash. Snuka continues to work in nostalgia bits for WWE as well as work for U.S. independent shows well into his 60's and seems to have no plans to retire. PROFILE
CHAMPIONSHIPS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS National Wrestling Alliance
American Wrestling Association
World Class Championship Wrestling
Eastern Championship Wrestling
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Other titles
EXTERNAL LINKS
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