x
Breaking News
More () »

WWE Legend Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka Dies At Age 73, Days After Charges Dropped

(CBS SPORTS) — James Snuka, better known as wrestling legend Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, has died at age 73, according to his daughter Tamina Snuk...
snuka2

(CBS SPORTS) — James Snuka, better known as wrestling legend Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, has died at age 73, according to his daughter Tamina Snuka (real name Sarona), who made the announcement through Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and then posted about it on her Instagram account.

Jimmy Snuka had been battling stomach cancer and was given six months to live in December. He was also supposedly suffering from dementia.

 

Snuka, a native of Fiji, was famous for his tremendous passion and high-flying style of wrestling.

He became well-known across the world by wrestling in what was then the WWF from 1982-85.

WWE Legend Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka Dies At Age 73, Days After Charges Dropped

Snuka later returned to the company in 1989-92 before being inducted into what is now the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996.

Snuka was best known for his signature “Superfly Splash” finishing maneuver, which gained mainstream attention during his most famous match in Madison Square Garden. Snuka took on Don Muraco on Oct. 17, 1983, inside a steel cage in a match he would go on to lose. After the match ended, however, Snuka rolled Muraco back into the ring, climbed to the top of the 15-foot-high steel cage and hit his signature splash to the crowd’s delight.

Though many will remember him as a gifted wrestler, Snuka has been in the news recently for after being arrested 16 months ago in the 1983 death of his then-girlfriend.

Snuka, the only person of interest in the case over the 32 years it had been open, was arrested on charges of third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

Snuka was found incompetent to stand trial in June.

The next month in July, he and other former WWE superstars sued the organization over head injuries sustained from wrestling. On Jan. 3, murder charges were dropped against Snuka.

Before You Leave, Check This Out