WRESTLING LEGEND JIMMY ‘Superfly’ Snuka passed away at the age of 73 last night.
Snuka’s daughter Sarona, who wrestles in WWE as Tamina, confirmed the news on Instagram.
TMZ reported last December that the Hall of Famer had been suffering from terminal stomach cancer.
Snuka wrestled with the WWF (now WWE) in the early to mid-1980s and stood out for his unique, high-flying style of wrestling. He was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1996, while his famous 1982 Cage bout with Bob Backlund was named Match of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
The Fiji-born star also wrestled with several other promotions from the 1970s to the 2010s.
Snuka had been due to stand trial in connection with the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino but the judge ruled him unfit to do so as his health deteriorated.
CNN report that Snuka had been charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in 2015, after the Lehigh County district attorney’s office re-examined the case, as charges were not pressed at the time of Argentino’s death.
Last July, it was confirmed that Snuka was part of a group of former wrestlers suing the WWE over neurological damages they have suffered since leaving the industry.
A number of wrestling stars, including The Rock and Jim Ross, have paid tribute to Snuka following last night’s news.
Dwayne Johnson / Twitter
Dwayne Johnson / Twitter / Twitter
Jim Ross / Twitter
Jim Ross / Twitter / Twitter
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Aldo’s loves talkin nonsense. Im 100% the next fight will be vs Halloway. Aldo prob holds the record in most pull outs and is p4p the biggest moaner in the UFC
Ariel Helwani tweeted that he fact checked everything Aldo said about UFC208 and the LW title shot in March after the interview and its 100% accurate.
At this stage the way everything is going in the UFC, why not. Probably Ferguson (if Khabib ducked Jose) and then McGregor II. Aldo to be the only man to get knocked out by the same man in 2 different weight class title fights? The interim title, if used properly, could be even better than the unfortunate “Number 1 contender” spot for the fighters, at least you have some guarantee you’ll get a title shot if you’re parading around with a belt.
What is it Conor says? “Losers focus on winners”
I’m fairly sure hundreds of people said that before Conor.
Yes. People have said words before.
Yea Brian, and people said “I’ll be back” before The Terminator did. Just because others have said a term doesn’t mean someone else can’t utter the phrase.
@Brian: Unfortunately Brian, Conor just tells it better. Because everyone can see it happening.
Well David the point wasn’t that nobody else can utter the phrase, the point was it wasn’t Conor who coined it. It was also recently made famous by LeBron James so if anything it’s his before Conors. I know the first comment went over your heard do I expect this one too.
*head
Aldo is now chasing Conor to save face. I never respected him when he was champ as he backed out of too many fights when the opponent was willing & ready. Many got beaten by a replacement never to be heard of again it’s how Pettis got to where is now… http://m.fightland.vice.com/blog/jose-aldo-a-history-of-pulling-out-of-title-fights. Conor should let him waste away after how he has gone on. Spoilt little runt
Think Holloway beat Aldo, and McGregor for that matter. Most improved fighter in the UFC, savage he is.
@Colin Foley: I disagree, I reckon Aldo would have his number. Holloway has looked great against the lower tier but Edgar, Mendes, Aldo and McGregor are at a different level to the fellas he’s beaten. Pettis is a decent enough win but the tough weight cut could’ve had a big impact on Pettis’ performance.
@DL: The lower tier??? Delusional!!! Holloway has basically cleared out that division bar Conor. Holloway would light Aldo up. His striking is on another level to Aldo
Mendes still the best on the ground for me and a match for anyone, would love to see a rematch between a properly prepped Mendes and McGregor
@Breandán Ó hEidhin: Yes, the lower tier. Edgar, Mendes, McGregor and Aldo are the elite of the division and he hasn’t beaten any of them. You’re the delusional one if you think Holloway’s striking is on another level to Aldo’s. Aldo has brilliant jiu jitsu and yet we never see it because of how good his striking is.
Simon basically they’re gunning for a huge Aldo v McGregor fight next year for both belts. Simples.
Such a farcical organisation. How did it make sense to give Also the belt without him having to fight somebody for it? Making it up as they go along