10 Things We Learned From VICE’s Dark Side Of The Ring: Jimmy Snuka

10. He Grew Up Homeless In Fiji

Jimmy Snuka
WWE.com

Don Muraco was one of Snuka's greatest ever opponents, and he thinks he knows why 'Superfly' loved performing for pro wrestling fans.

Early in the doc, Muraco says that Jimmy slept rough several times when he was growing up as a youngster in Fiji. When he moved to the United States to kickstart his wrestling career, Snuka quickly adapted to life on the road - that's no mystery to Don (which is rare for this episode). He believes Jimmy finally felt like he had a home.

Fan support made Snuka feel like he belonged for the first time in his life. This becomes even clearer when The Tonga Kid reveals that Jimmy's trademark pose was a tribute to those who believed in him from the very beginning. It, and the fact Snuka would drop to his knees, was a show of deference to fans.

'Superfly' suited the hardy lifestyle of a pro wrestler, because he'd experienced an even harder one growing up. This compliment, coming from Muraco, is the only time in the doc Jimmy's formative years are even touched on.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.