In June, a judge declared Jimmy Snuka incompetent to stand trial in the 1983 death of his girlfriend, Nancy Argentino. Banach then set aside opportunity to audit Snuka’s therapeutic records before decision.
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Prosecutors countered that Snuka’s brain shows normal signs of aging and suggested he might be feigning symptoms.
Snuka, a native of Fiji, leaves behind four children and was a stepfather to three children from his third marriage.
One of the biggest names Snuka had an influence on was Mick Foley, who was mentioned in the tweets above. On Instagram, she posted what appears to be her hand holding her father’s hand in hospital.
Members of the pro wrestling community took to Twitter to share their condolences.
He was the inaugural ECW Heavyweight Champion in Eastern Championship Wrestling. Snuka would spend the decade wrestling in other NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) territories, squaring off against future greats and WWE Hall of Famers Jesse “The Body” Ventura, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, and Jack and Jerry Brisco. “What a sweet man. Love you brother!” WWE has yet to comment on the story as of this writing. Curtis Axel admitted that he was affected by the loss, stating that he could not help but to shed a tear while thinking of him.
Known for his high-flying moves and eccentric personality, Snuka was a key part of WWE’s expansion into becoming a worldwide phenomenon during the early 1980s, although he never won a championship with the company. Perhaps best known for his infamous leap from the top of a steel cage at Madison Square Garden, where he splashed his way into history.
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We’ve also included a highlight clip from his match with Don Muraco, in which he performed an incredible splash from the top of a steel cage. “I feel like I have lost a good client and a good friend”.
