Fijian professional wrestler (1943-2017) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Reiher Snuka[lower-alpha 2] (born James Wiley Smith; May 18, 1943 – January 15, 2017) was a Fijian-American professional wrestler. He is better known by his ring name, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. His first match was in 1967. Snuka is one of the most remembered wrestlers, along with Hulk Hogan, Ted DiBiase, and more. His daughter Tamina Snuka currently works for the WWE. His son Jimmy Snuka, Jr. also worked for the company.
Jimmy Snuka | |
---|---|
Birth name | James Wiley Smith |
Born | Suva, Fiji[lower-alpha 1] | May 18, 1943
Died | January 15, 2017 73) Coral Springs, Florida, U.S. | (aged
Spouse(s) |
|
Children | Deuce, Liana Snuka and Tamina |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Jimmy Snuka Jimmy Kealoha[1] Lani Kealoha[2] Tami Snuka[1] The Superfly Big Snuka[1] Great Snuka[2] |
Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[3] |
Billed weight | 235 lb (107 kg)[3] |
Billed from | The Fiji Islands |
Trained by | Danny Hodge |
Debut | 1968[4] |
Retired | 2015[5] |
He retired from wrestling in 2015. In August 2015, his wife announced that Snuka was diagnosed with stomach cancer.[7]
On September 1, 2015, Snuka was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the 1983 death of his girlfriend Nancy Argentino at an Allentown, Pennsylvania hotel.[8] The charges were dismissed in 2017, because of Snuka's terminal illness and dementia.
Snuka died of stomach cancer on January 15, 2017 in Pompano Beach, Florida, aged 74.[9] After his death, an autopsy revealed that Snuka had been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).[10]
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