In a storyline in 1982, Buddy Rogers told Snuka that Albano was cheating him financially, and as a result, Snuka fired Albano. Įven though Snuka portrayed a violent villain, he won fans because of his athletic style. The contest was declared Match of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Snuka lost several title shots at WWF Champion Bob Backlund, including a steel cage match at Madison Square Garden on Jin which Snuka leapt from the top of the cage, and onto Backlund who managed to escape the cage for the win just seconds prior. In January 1982, Snuka entered the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as a villainous character under the guidance of Captain Lou Albano. His career eventually led him to Georgia, where he teamed with Terry Gordy to win the NWA National Tag Team Championship by defeating Ted DiBiase and Steve Olsonoski." World Wrestling Federation (1982–1985) Snuka also formed a tag team with Ray Stevens while with this promotion. On September 1, 1979, Snuka defeated Ricky Steamboat to hold the United States title. Orndorff and Snuka defeated Baron von Raschke and Greg Valentine to become the tag team title holders in 1979. In their first television match they defeated the NWA World Tag Team Champions Jack and Jerry Brisco in a non-title bout. Snuka then left for the Mid-Atlantic where he formed a tag team with Paul Orndorff. In 1977, he won both the Texas Heavyweight and Tag Team titles. Snuka also wrestled in several other National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) regions, including Texas. ![]() Snuka also had a two-year feud with another rookie, Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Snuka also held the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship six times with partner Dutch Savage. It was in this territory that Reiher transformed himself into Jimmy Snuka. He first won the title by pinning Bull Ramos on November 16, 1973. He later moved to the mainland and wrestled for Don Owen’s NWA Pacific Northwest territory where he held the belt as Heavyweight Champion six times. Snuka made his debut as Jimmy Kealoha fighting Maxwell "Bunny" Butler in Hawaii in 1970. While working at Dean Ho's gym in Hawaii, Snuka met many of the wrestlers who worked in the South Pacific region and decided to try the business. Snuka opted to go into the more lucrative career of professional wrestling due to his uncertainty of making a living in bodybuilding. Professional wrestling career Early career He also enjoyed some success as a professional bodybuilder, earning the titles of Mr. Snuka was active in amateur bodybuilding in Hawaii in the 1960s. ![]() As a child, Snuka moved with his family to the Marshall Islands and then to Hawaii. Before Snuka was born, his mother married Reiher. Thomas was married to another woman, and Smith was engaged to Bernard Reiher. Snuka was born to Louisa Smith and Charles Thomas.
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