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Showing posts with label Superfly Jimmy Snuka. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Superfly Jimmy Snuka. Show all posts

January 15, 2017

WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka passes away


From WWE.com:

WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka has passed away.

Snuka is regarded by many as the pioneer of high-flying offense because of his Superfly Splash from the top turnbuckle. His dive off the top of the steel cage onto Don Muraco at Madison Square Garden as hundreds of flash bulbs went off will forever live as one of the most memorable moments in WWE history.

WWE extends its condolences to Snuka’s family, friends and fans.

January 3, 2017

All Charges Against Jimmy Snuka Dropped


All charges were dropped against WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka today at an unscheduled hearing in Allentown, PA by Judge Kelly L. Banach, according to WFMZ-TV. The judge ruled that Snuka's mental health will not improve enough to stand trial.

Snuka was facing third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges in the 1983 death of his then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino at a motel in Whitehall Township, PA. Snuka's lawyers have argued that he has dementia and is not fit to stand trial. Both the prosecution and the defense asked the judge to drop the case back in August if she believed Snuka's health would not improve. The judge needed more time to evaluate Snuka's condition and made her ruling today.

December 2, 2016

Jimmy Snuka Reportedly Has Only Six Months Left to Live, The Latest on His Trial Status


According to The Morning Call, there was no ruling today in the Jimmy Snuka competency hearing which took place in Lehigh, PA. The hearing was to determine whether or not Snuka is mentally competent to stand trial in the 1983 death of his then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino.

The Morning Call added that Snuka was too sick to travel today and was not present at the hearing. Furthermore, it was noted that Snuka is now in hospice, and only has 6 months to live. Snuka did testify today via FaceTime and couldn’t remember the judge’s name. Snuka’s wife testified and said that he was suffering from psychosis and will often try to escape their home because he thinks he’s supposed to be at a WWE match.

August 3, 2016

Prosecutor Asks Judge To Dismiss Charges Against Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka, Judge Denies Request


In an unusual move on Tuesday, Lehigh County Chief Deputy District Attorney Charles Gallagher asked Lehigh County Judge Kelly L. Banach to dismiss the charges against professional wrestling legend Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka, 73, relating to the 1983 death of his girlfriend, Nancy Argentino. Gallagher made the unorthodox request after his motion to force Snuka to undergo outpatient treatment was denied, and following Banach's decision that Snuka was incompetent to stand trial.

Although Gallagher is convinced that Snuka is guilty, the prosecutor averred that Banach's decision not to force Snuka to undergo outpatient treatment could land the case into legal limbo. Under American law, a person cannot be forced to stand trial for a crime if he is substantially unable to understand the nature of the proceedings or participate and assist in his own defense.

"If you believe that he's not going to become competent, then what's the point?" Gallagher asked Banach.

July 18, 2016

Jimmy Snuka, Chavo Guerrero, Road Warrior Animal, Marty Jannetty, Paul Orndorff and 19 Other Wrestlers Suing WWE Over Brain Injuries


According to Bloomberg.com, Jimmy Snuka, Road Warrior Animal and numerous other former WWE stars are all plaintiffs in a lawsuit against WWE alleging the company failed to care for wrestlers’ repetitive head injuries “in any medically competent or meaningful manner.”

WWE is also accused in the lawsuit of misrepresenting and concealing the nature of long-term neurological injuries they suffered during their careers. The following is a list of plaintiffs who have joined the lawsuit, according to Pro Wrestling Sheet:

Paul Orndorff
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Bryan Clark aka Adam Bomb
Ahmed Johnson
Kamala
Dave Hebner
Earl Hebner
King Kong Bundy
Ken Patera
Sabu

June 25, 2016

Prosecutors Want Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka Compelled Into Treatment


This week, prosecutors in the Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka case filed a motion asking the court to force Snuka to participate in outpatient mental health treatment for 60 days to determine whether the professional wrestling legend can be fit to stand trial for the death of Nancy Argentino over 30 years ago.

This move comes after presiding judge, Kelly L. Banach found Snuka to be incompetent to stand trial following a four-day competency hearing to determine whether Snuka is in fact suffering from dementia and rejected the prosecution's motion to have Snuka involuntarily committed to a mental hospital.

During the above-mentioned competency hearing, experts for the defense and Snuka's wife, Carole, claimed that Snuka's mental and physical health are rapidly declining, while the prosecution's side argued that Snuka was putting on an act to feign dementia.

Banach described 'Superfly' as "vacant" and suggested that he is not smart enough to fake dementia.

After laying dormant for over three decades, the case was reopened. Snuka was charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, as a grand jury found that Snuka repeatedly assaulted Argentino at a Pennsylvania motor lodge and left her to die.

Under American law, a mentally incompetent person cannot be required to stand trial. Apparently, Snuka has plans to live with his son in Florida. At the time of this article's publication, a hearing on the motion has not been scheduled.

June 1, 2016

Jimmy Snuka Declared Not Competent To Stand Trial


A judge in Lehigh Valley, PA ruled today that WWE Legend Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka is not competent to stand trial in the 1983 death of then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino. A new hearing will be held in 6 months to re-evaluate competency but Snuka's lawyers argued that his condition won't be any better.

May 16, 2016

Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka Deemed Unfit To Stand Trial By Psychologist In Ongoing Murder Trial


The story of Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka getting away with murder has been one of those wrestling tall tales that has been around for ages now, moving more into the territory of fiction than fact. That all changed, though, when charges were finally filed against Snuka and proceedings began in 2015. All of a sudden this tale that highlighted the insanity and insider nature of the wrestling industry was a public spectacle and very real.

His defense has been looking for a way to present Snuka as incapable of standing trial for the murder ever since the charges were levied, finally trotting out a testimony from a psychologist on Friday who deemed Snuka mentally incompetent due to the many blows to the head that he suffered throughout his professional wrestling career. Snuka, who is perhaps best known for his finisher — the Superfly Splash — and one in particular where he dove from the top of a cage in Madison Square Garden against Don Muraco, has appeared in rough shape throughout his trial. There are questions as to if it’s all some elaborate professional wrestling show, though.

The case takes an interesting twist now considering the slew of recent lawsuits that the WWE has been facing thanks to increased awareness of the effects of concussions on their performers. Much like the NFL, the WWE has been met with increased criticism for what their performers put themselves through for the company, with the company taking serious measures to prevent future lawsuits, such as forcing Daniel Bryan to retire due to concussion concerns.

This new path for the trial should be interesting to watch unfold. The trial has been adjourned until Wednesday when an expert will take the stand for the prosecution in hopes of explaining why Snuka is fit enough to stand trial. Their argument currently includes footage from a performance in the ring dating back to 2015 as well as a seemingly-lucid interview around the same time.

source: yahoo.com

January 17, 2016

Jimmy Snuka Trial Delayed; Attorney Says Snuka Isn't Fit To Stand Trial


The trial for WWE Hall of Famer "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka has been postponed, as his defense attorney says that the former wrestling star isn't competent to stand trial.

Snuka's defense attorney Robert Kirwan II filed a motion for a competency hearing in Lehigh County Court in Pennsylvania. Snuka was set to go on trial for third-degree murder in March.

See Also: 'Superfly' Jimmy Snuka Charged With Murder In 1983 Death Of Girlfriend

Snuka was charged with involuntary manslaughter and third degree murder of former girlfriend Nancy Argentino in 1983. Police were called to their hotel room, where Argentino was found dead. Snuka has maintained his innocence throughout the process, saying it was an accident.

According to Kirwan, Snuka's mental and physical health has went downhill over the past several months, to the point where he doesn't even understand that he was arrested.

WWE removed Snuka from their official website last year after charges were filed. The company has yet to comment on removing him from their Hall of Fame, although no physical Hall of Fame actually exists. The company also suspended his Legends contract.

November 2, 2015

Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka pleads not guilty in '83 death of mistress


Former professional wrestling star Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka on Monday pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the death of his mistress more than three decades ago.

Snuka, who recently underwent surgery for stomach cancer, appeared to have trouble answering questions at his arraignment in Lehigh County Court, and Snuka's attorney said he has early onset dementia and post-concussion syndrome. Snuka also told the judge he can't read or write, saying he never went to school.

Authorities found the body of Snuka's girlfriend, 23-year-old Nancy Argentino, of New York, in May 1983 after they were called to a Whitehall Township hotel room she was sharing with the wrestling star. Defense attorney Robert Kirwan II has called her death an "unfortunate accident."

Snuka, now 72 and living in Waterford Township, New Jersey, was charged in September with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after a grand jury concluded he beat Argentino. He has long maintained his innocence.

At his court appearance Monday, Snuka did not appear to know the date or day of the week or the location of the courthouse.

"He has his good days and his bad days," Kirwan said in court. "This is a good day."

The defense said Snuka might not be competent to stand trial.

At prosecutors' request, Judge Kelly Banach issued a gag order in the case. Kirwan objected, saying his ability to comment on the case was "leveling the playing field for the defense."

Snuka was known for diving from the ropes and even the top of steel cages in a career that spanned four decades. He was admitted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 1996, according to the organization's website.

source: foxnews.com

October 1, 2015

Major Cable Network Working On Jimmy Snuka Piece


MLW Radio revealed on Twitter that a major cable network is currently working on an exposé piece on WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka. As noted, Snuka was arrested on September 1st for the 1983 death of then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino. He is currently facing third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges.

September 3, 2015

Article Looks at Vince McMahon’s Role in 1983 Snuka Murder Investigation


A 2013 article has resurfaced looking at Vince McMahon’s involvement in the 1983 investigation into the death of Jimmy Snuka’s girlfriend Nancy Argentino. As previously reported, Snuka has been charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death.

While McMahon’s participation in the investigation isn’t news, it’s also not as widely known as the allegations against Snuka. McMahon was part of the meeting that Snuka had with District Attorney William Platt (now a Pennsylvania Senior Superior Court judge), then-Assistant District Attorney Robert Steinberg and the medical examiner on June 1st, 1983. An excerpt of the article is below.

Whitehall Police Detectives Gerry Procanyn, Al Fritzinger and Vincent Geiger were also at the meeting, according to police records. There’s no official record of what was said and Snuka doesn’t remember much of what happened, according to his book. “All I remember is [McMahon] had a briefcase with him,” Snuka wrote in his autobiography. “I don’t know what happened. …The only thing I know for sure is I didn’t hurt Nancy.”

Steinberg, now a Lehigh County judge, said Snuka didn’t say much and McMahon “did all the talking.” “I remember Vince McMahon being what Vince McMahon has always been — very effusive. He was very protective, a showman,” Steinberg said, noting he couldn’t recall specifics of the conversation. “He was the mouthpiece, trying to direct the conversation.”

Procanyn said McMahon gave authorities the phone numbers of wrestlers and managers they wanted to speak with. Fritzinger could not be reached for comment and Geiger died in 1984. Platt wouldn’t comment when asked if Whitehall police pushed for charges to be filed.

WWE responded to the newly-resurfaced article with a statement, which reads as follows:

“The insinuation that a group of medical examiners, detectives and prosecutors – including two who became judges – could have their integrity compromised and participate in improper activity during the course of a meeting is absurd, categorically false and insulting to all parties.

We are hopeful that justice will prevail.”

WWE Suspends Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka's Legends Contract, Comments On Removing His Images


As we first reported earlier today, WWE removed "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka's profile from their official website after Snuka was charged on Monday with involuntary manslaughter and third-degree murder for the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino. His profile has also been removed from the site's Hall of Fame section.

We noted that Snuka-related content still appeared on the site, however since that writing, it has been removed. WWE sent us the statement below noting that they have suspended Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka's legends contract and noted that his images were being removed from their media platforms:

Jimmy Snuka's non-wrestling 'legends' contract has been suspended and we are currently removing his images from our media platforms pending the outcome of this case.

WWE Removes 'Superfly' Jimmy Snuka From Hall Of Fame Section On Website


WWE has removed WWE Hall of Famer "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka's profile from their official website after Snuka was charged on Monday with involuntary manslaughter and third-degree murder for the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino. His profile has also been removed from the site's Hall of Fame section.

Snuka is only the second WWE performer to have their profile removed from the company's Hall of Fame section on the site. Hulk Hogan was removed this past July after racist comments that he made years ago surfaced online. Unlike Hogan, as of this writing, Snuka hasn't been completely scrubbed from the site and you can still find Snuka related news items and videos.

While Snuka and Hogan have been removed from the Hall of Fame section on WWE.com, WWE has yet to to officially announce that either Superstar has officially been taken out of the actual Hall of Fame.

Jimmy Snuka Suffering From Dementia, May Not Be Able To Stand Trial According To Lawyer


In an interesting development, William E. Moore, the attorney representing Jimmy Snuka, told the Allentown Morning Call that he sees the likelihood of Snuka being able to stand trial as doubtful. According to Moore, Snuka:

* Was wheelchair-bound and hooked up to a feeding tube when he surrendered into custody yesterday. ("He is not in good shape physically or mentally," said Snuka's attorney. I'm not sure he realized what was going on. I'm not sure what his cognitive abilities are. […] "I don't see it ever getting better.")

* Is suffering from partial dementia stemming from numerous concussions. ("He's had head injuries, just like football players have had head injuries. He's suffered a number of concussions with all the antics he's done.")

* Has limited recall/long-term memory. ("His faculties are so compromised you wouldn't know what he's saying. "He doesn't understand a simple conversation. You put him up against a sharp prosecutor asking, 'Remember 30 years ago when you said this ...,' he has no recollection.")

* Would not have been able to write a book (it was ghostwritten), though it should be noted he was still relatively coherent when it was released two years ago. ("He said he wrote a book. That's kind of comical,") With how the production schedule can go on that type of book, it's likely the author interviewed him closer to four years ago.

* Was bailed out by his first wife, Sharon Georgi. She had testified to the grand jury about Snuka beating her during their marriage.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 21st, but that may be delayed because Moore is unable to represent Snuka at trial due to a prior commitment.

September 1, 2015

WWE Issues Statement On Jimmy Snuka Arrest


As noted, WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka was arrested today and charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. The charges stem from the death of Snuka's then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino back on May 11th, 1983.

WWE issued this statement on the news:

"WWE expresses its continued sympathy to the Argentino family for their loss. Ultimately this legal matter will be decided by our judicial system."

'Superfly' Jimmy Snuka Charged With Murder In 1983 Death Of Girlfriend


A news conference is being held in in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania officially announcing that WWE Hall of Famer "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka has been charged with third degree murder and a lesser included charge of involuntary manslaughter in the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino. While the Allentown Morning Call was the first to report that he's being charged, Sarah Cassi of LehighValleyLive was the first to name the specific charges on her Twitter account:

Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka charged w 3rd-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Sent to LCJ in lieu of 10 percent of $10K bail.

According to Cassi's ongoing account of the news conference, Snuka is believed to be posting $10,000 bond on $100,000 bail right about now, with the surrender of his passport as a condition of his release. With Snuka undergoing cancer treatment, it was felt that incarcerating him would be an undue financial burden on taxpayers. The grand jury's findings will be released soon, but the district attorney noted that they cited Snuka's inaction in getting Argentino medical attention for her head injury. Snuka appeared before the grand jury, but he didn't testify, while several new witnesses did.

July 28, 2015

WWE's sordid history of racism makes its swift justice vs. Hogan ring hollow


Everyone knows that the WWE and professional wrestling are fake—a group of finely chiseled athletes, orchestrated by a scripted theater of controversial plots, story arcs and over-the-top characters. Against that backdrop, cult icon Hulk Hogan became the most recognizable face of the WWE after winning the world championship against The Iron Sheik in January 1983, and last week its most stunning big-name dismissal.

Known previously as the WWF, the franchise branded Hogan as The Hulkster and capitalized off of his alluring, patriotic, good-guy persona. In the words of Hogan himself, “Hulkamania was running wild, brother!” Still, while Hulkamaniacs rejoiced, what wasn’t fake was the WWE’s sordid history of exploiting racial stereotypes. For decades the organization capitalized and profited off racist undertones, even while receiving countless criticism over its portrayal and treatment of minority characters. It also has been chided for the fact that in the company’s 63-year history there has never been a unified African-American World Champion. (The Rock, a seven-time WWE champion and noted Hogan nemesis, is bi-racial, having been born to an African-American father and a Samoan mother.)

Nevertheless, the criticism regarding professional wrestling’s premiere franchise never thwarted the company’s multi-million dollar cash machine. While Hogan—a blond, 6’7” Tampa native who first gained famed as Thunderlips in Rocky III in 1982—became an All-American folk hero (before he briefly went to the dark side with the nWo in the rival WCW in 1996), some of the WWE’s most popular characters have been its most controversial. Rowdy Roddy Piper, a Canadian wrestler who wore a kilt and was billed as being from Glasgow, Scotland, was a WWF superstar in the '80s alongside Hogan. Unlike Hogan, Piper was a textbook villain whose entire shtick was built upon spewing brash, lewd comments regarding race and gender. In his on-air segment Piper’s Pit, he once asked wrestler Tony Atlas, who is black, “To get them big arms, do you eat all of that soul food stuff? Do you eat pigs' feet?” After Atlas seemingly took offense to the line of questioning, Piper responded, “Let me tell you something in your own language, I don’t let the thieves stop me from enjoying my watermelon.”

In another interview segment, this time with Fijian wrestler Jimmy (Superfly) Snuka, Piper asked his rival if he grew up climbing trees like a monkey to get coconuts. Piper also once said that Mr. T’s lips looked like “a catcher’s mitt,” and later told him that he would “whip him like a slave.”

Then there was wrestler Ted (The Million Dollar Man) DiBiase, whose black sidekick/bodyguard Virgil was often subjugated and debased as a part of DiBiase’s emerging storyline. In a video from 1987, DiBiase can be seen boasting about how he could easily buy Virgil, to which Virgil responds “Yes-suh!” Throughout their pairing, DiBiase often referred to Virgil as a slave, even having him rub his feet.

And the list doesn’t stop there. Kamala, The Ugandan Headhunter, was billed as being from “Deepest, Darkest Africa,” and exhibited mannerisms and grunts that were almost inhuman. He wrestled with a spear and wore tribal paint on his face and belly. The Junkyard Dog’s gimmick was crafted in the frame of textbook Negro shuck and jive, with him prancing around wearing a dog collar and chains. Former WWE legend and color commentator Jesse (The Body) Ventura once referred to the Junk Yard Dog as having “a mouth full of grits.” Ventura also commonly called fan favorite Tito Santana, a Mexican-American, “Chico” and dubbed his finishing move the “flying burrito.”

Former WWE champ Triple H, who mocked African-American wrestler Booker T for his "nappy hair, once said that “people like Booker T couldn’t win championships," and that in the WWE “they were just there to dance and entertain.” Then there was Cryme Tyme, a tag-team made up of wrestlers JTG and Shad Gaspard and who brandished themselves as thugged out, gangsta rappers. Their catch phrase was, “Yo yo yo, pop a 40 and check ya rollies-it’s Cryme Time,” and they were often shown assaulting police officers and committing robberies.

November 16, 2012

This Day In Wrestling History


WWE inducts legends Capt. Lou Albano, Killer Kowalski, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Johnny Valiant, Jimmy Valiant, Johnny Rodz, Pat Patterson, Vincent J. McMahon and Jimmy Snuka into the WWE Hall of Fame.
November 16, 1996

Vince McMahon hired Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura as color man for the XFL broadcast team.
November 16, 2000

With Mae Young's win over LayCool on RAW, she becomes the only man or woman in history to wrestle in nine decades - the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's and the 2010's.
November 16, 2010

December 4, 2011

Superfly, JYD, Samoans, Cornette Among 2012 PWHF Inductees


The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2012, and it includes an Angel, a German meanie, Samoan wildmen, a Superfly, a Junkyard Dog, and more.

Headlining the induction ceremony will be living inductees Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Dominic Denucci, the Wild Samoans, Jim Cornette, and women's star Wendi Richter.

The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, based in Amsterdam, NY, is a non-profit organization that maintains a physical hall of fame building and runs an induction ceremony each year. This is the 11th induction class...More?

source: slam wrestling

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