20 True Stories Behind Famous Wrestling Names
12. ‘Superfly’ Jimmy Snuka
It’d be lovely if the ‘Superfly’ got his nickname from his legendary leaps from the top turnbuckle, or from the corner of a massive cage in Madison Square Garden. However, the truth is actually a better story – it’s a name Jimmy Reiher acquired from when he was younger in the Fijian islands, throwing himself off cliffs into the sea with his friends.
Apparently, ‘Snuka’ is also a holdover from Reiher’s misspent youth. Snooker was a very popular pastime in the Republic of Fiji, and skilled players were often referred to as ‘snukas’. Good thing it wasn’t badminton, really. That’s not nearly as badass a name.