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Jimmy Snuka exemplifies the classic WWE (formerly WWF) villain who unexpectedly became a fan favorite. Initially a heel managed by Capt. Lou Albano, Snuka earned multiple WWE Championship title shots but never won. His final bout against then-champion Bob Backlund took place in Madison Square Garden during the iconic "Steel Cage Match," where Snuka performed his signature "Superfly Splash" from atop the cage.
Snuka's acrobatic wrestling style quickly won over fans, leading him to break away from Albano and turn face. However, Albano later returned with Snuka's former Mid-Atlantic tag partner Ray Stevens as a rival. With Albano managing Stevens, Snuka enlisted former WWE Champion "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers as his manager.
At his peak, Snuka faced a personal tragedy in 1983. After his last match, his girlfriend Nancy Argentino was found semi-conscious beside him; she later died at the hospital. The court ruled her death accidental.
Following this, Snuka's major rise came during his feud with former WWE Champion Don Muraco. In another memorable "Steel Cage Match," Snuka lost but famously dragged Muraco back inside the cage before climbing the 20-foot structure to deliver his iconic "Superfly Splash." This moment is one of WWE's most unforgettable, witnessed by future stars Mick Foley and Tommy Dreamer, who later rose to fame in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)—the promotion Snuka helped launch and where he became the first ECW Champion.
Another notable chapter was Snuka's feud with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who insulted him as a "big shot" and a "monkey." When Snuka confronted Piper, Piper struck him with a coconut. This storyline extended through the first WrestleMania, where Snuka managed Hulk Hogan and Mr. T in the main event against Piper and Paul Orndorff, who were backed by Bob Orton.
After overcoming struggles with substance abuse, Snuka returned to wrestling in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), partnering with veteran Verne Gagne in tag team competition.
Snuka rejoined WWE in 1989 to mentor rising stars like "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig and "Ravishing" Rick Rude. In 1991, he began a feud with a younger Mark Calaway, known as "The Undertaker," losing to him at WrestleMania VII—becoming the first victim in Undertaker's legendary 14-0 streak. Leaving WWE that year, Snuka toured smaller promotions and worked with ECW alongside Don Muraco and Terry Funk.
In 1996, Snuka's career highlight came with his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, alongside legends like Lou Albano, Killer Kowalski, and Pat Patterson. Don Muraco inducted him.
More recently, Snuka appeared at WWE Homecoming and was voted by fans to team with newcomer Eugene (Nick Dinsmore) on Taboo Tuesday in a non-title tag match against Rob Conway and Chris Masters. Snuka and Eugene won when Snuka executed his trademark "Superfly Splash."
At his Hall of Fame induction in 1996, Snuka stated that the honor didn’t mean retirement. Even in his 60s, he continues to wrestle on the independent circuit and makes occasional WWE appearances.
