Jimmy Snuka - Pro Wrestlers Database
WWE Hall of Fame: IndividualProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF): Modern Era

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Jimmy Snuka, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

James Reiher Snuka (born James Wiley Smith) was born in Suva, Fiji on May 18, 1943.

He died on January 15, 2017 at the age of 73.

Jimmy Snuka is a 2-time World Champion, and has won a total of 6 championships in major promotions during his career.

Jimmy Snuka was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 as an individual and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2012 as part of the Modern Era wing.

Profile Info

  • GenderMale
  • Real NameJames Reiher Snuka (born James Wiley Smith)
  • Ring Names
    • Jimmy Snuka (January 1, 1970 - January 15, 2017)
    • Lani Kealoha (September 22, 1972 - December 14, 1972)
  • Born May 18, 1943
  • Died January 15, 2017 (aged 73)
  • NationalityNationality: FijiFiji
  • Birth PlaceSuva, Fiji
  • Billed From
    • The Fiji Islands
  • Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
  • Weight
    • 235 lbs (107 kg)
  • NicknamesSuperfly

Career History

  • Roles

    • Ambassador (October 3, 2005 - September 1, 2015)
    • Wrestler (January 1, 1970 - August 8, 2014)
  • Promotions History

    Promotionfromto
    PromotionWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWWEOctober 3, 2005September 1, 2015
    PromotionIndependent CircuitINDYJune 17, 1992August 8, 2014
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAMay 15, 1992October 28, 1995
    PromotionUniversal Wrestling FederationUWF HASeptember 23, 1994September 23, 1994
    PromotionEastern Championship WrestlingECWApril 25, 1992August 13, 1994
    PromotionChampionship Wrestling USACWUSAFebruary 27, 1993June 5, 1993
    PromotionCatch Wrestling AssociationCWA AUSTRIAOctober 11, 1992December 13, 1992
    PromotionWorld Wrestling FederationWWFApril 2, 1989February 8, 1992
    PromotionSuper World SportsSWSFebruary 5, 1991March 30, 1991
    PromotionAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWBrand Heavyweight November 21, 1987December 16, 1988
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAApril 20, 1986May 9, 1987
    PromotionContinental Wrestling AssociationCWAFebruary 16, 1987March 2, 1987
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight May 10, 1985December 11, 1986
    PromotionPacific Northwest WrestlingPNWMarch 20, 1986May 21, 1986
    PromotionPolynesian Pacific Championship WrestlingPPWDecember 19, 1984December 18, 1985
    PromotionWorld Wrestling FederationWWFJanuary 26, 1982July 1, 1985
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAJanuary 1, 1970April 10, 1983
    PromotionAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWBrand Heavyweight May 23, 1981November 4, 1982
    PromotionGeorgia Championship WrestlingGCWJune 17, 1981September 28, 1981
    PromotionJim Crockett PromotionsJCPOctober 29, 1978May 12, 1981
    PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance Big Time WrestlingBTW SFJune 3, 1978December 30, 1978
    PromotionPacific Northwest WrestlingPNWJuly 17, 1973December 23, 1978
    PromotionNWA Big Time WrestlingBTW DALLAS, Gulf Athletic ClubGACMay 16, 1977November 18, 1977
    Promotion50th State Big Time WrestlingBTW HAWAIINovember 13, 1971June 20, 1973
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWASeptember 22, 1972December 14, 1972
    PromotionPacific Northwest WrestlingPNWApril 20, 1971August 24, 1971
    Promotion50th State Big Time WrestlingBTW HAWAIIJanuary 1, 1970December 31, 1970
  • Images History

    Oct 2005
    Oct 2005
    Apr 1989
    Apr 1989
    Jan 1982
    Jan 1982
  • Face / Heel Turns

    AlignmentDetailsfromto
    FaceAugust 1, 1982August 8, 2014
    HeelJanuary 26, 1982July 31, 1982
    FaceSeptember 22, 1972January 25, 1982
  • Finishers

    • Superfly Splash - Diving Splash (September 22, 1972 - August 8, 2014)
  • Theme Songs

    • Theme Song"The Superfly Theme" by Jimmy Hart & J.J. Maguire - Single (January 26, 1982 - September 1, 2015)

Titles & Accomplishments

  • Career Awards

  • Extreme Championship Wrestling & National Wrestling Alliance

    National Wrestling Alliance

    National Wrestling Alliance & Jim Crockett Promotions

  • American Wrestling Association

    • 1 AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship

    Eastern Championship Wrestling

    • 2 NWA ECW Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA ECW Television Championship

    All-Star Wrestling Alliance / American States Wrestling Alliance

    • 1 ASWA Heavyweight Championship

    Catch Wrestling Association

    • 1 CWA British Commonwealth Championship

    Continental Wrestling Association

    • 1 CWA International Tag Team Championship (with JT Southern)

    East Coast Pro Wrestling

    • 1 ECPW Heavyweight Championship

    Georgia Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NWA National Tag Team Championship (with Terry Gordy)

    International Wrestling Superstars

    • 1 IWS United States Championship

    Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)
    • 2 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (1 with Paul Orndorff, 1 with Ray Stevens)

    National Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NCW Tag Team Championship (with Johnny Gunn)

    National Wrestling Federation

    • 1 NWF Heavyweight Championship

    National Wrestling League

    • 1 NWL Heavyweight Championship

    Northeast Wrestling

    • 1 NEW Heavyweight Championship

    NWA All-Star Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (with Don Leo Jonathan)

    NWA Big Time Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (with Gino Hernandez)

    NWA Tri-State

    • 1 Tri-State Heavyweight Championship

    NWA West Virginia / Ohio

    • 1 NWA West Virginia/Ohio Heavyweight Championship

    Pacific Northwest Wrestling

    • 6 NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship
    • 7 NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (6 with Dutch Savage, 1 with Frankie Laine)

    Universal Superstars of America

    • 2 USA Heavyweight Championship

    USA Pro Wrestling

    • 1 USA Pro New York Heavyweight Championship

    World Wide Wrestling Alliance

    • 1 WWWA Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 WWWA Intercontinental Championship
  • Other Accomplishments

    • NEPW Hall of Fame induction (class of 2010)
    • AJPW World's Strongest Tag Team League Winner (1981 - with Bruiser Brody)
    • AJPW World's Strongest Tag Determination League Technique Award Winner (1988 – with Tiger Mask II)
    • ECW Television Championship Tournament Winner (1993)
    • Cauliflower Alley Club's Other honoree Winner (1996)
    • PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (1983)
    • PWI Tag Team of the Year (1980 - with Ray Stevens)
    • PWI Match of the Year (1982 - vs. Bob Backlund, cage match 28/06)
    • 29° in PWI Years Top 500 (2003)
    • WON Tag Team of the Year (1981 - with Terry Gordy)
    • WON Best Flying Wrestler (1981)
    • WON Best Wrestling Maneuver (1981, 1983 - Superfly Splash)

Teams & Relations

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