The Forgotten Replacement For "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka In The WWE, Explained
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In WWE, the departure of a popular superstar often leaves a void that is challenging to fill. Such was the case in 1985 when WWE faced the daunting task of finding a suitable replacement for the controversial Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Hoping to replicate Snuka's charismatic presence and high-flying moves, the company turned to Siva Afi, a promising talent hailing from Samoa. However, despite the initial excitement surrounding Afi's arrival, his tenure in WWE ultimately fizzled out, leaving him as an often forgotten figure in wrestling history.
Who Is Siva Afi?
Papali'itele Max Amata Taogaga, a retired Samoan professional wrestler, gained prominence during his time with WWE in the late 1980s under the ring name Siva Afi. Taogaga's journey into professional wrestling began when he sought training from Steve Rickard and Peter Maivia, dedicating two years to honing his skills. He made his debut in 1974 by defeating Del Adams, a prominent New Zealand light heavyweight wrestler. Over the next four years, Taogaga steadily climbed the ranks by facing various international wrestlers who visited New Zealand. His breakthrough came in 1978 when he won an elimination tournament, defeating Big John Da Silva to become the new, New Zealand Heavyweight Champion. He successfully defended the title for several months before embarking on a career that took him to the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.
Among these destinations, it was in Hawaii where Taogaga experienced significant success. In 1985, he had a notable match against Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, which ended in a one-hour time limit draw. This encounter took place in front of an impressive crowd of 12,000 spectators and solidified Taogaga's reputation as a skilled performer.
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Siva Afi's Failed Tenure In WWE As A Replacement For Jimmy Snuka
In January 1986, Taogaga inked a deal with Vince McMahon's WWE and made his first appearance on January 23 at a live event, defeating Tim Patterson. Shortly after, he made his debut on Prime Time Wrestling, where he adopted the moniker "'Superfly' Afi" and was portrayed as the cousin of Jimmy Snuka. Afi's introduction to WWF All Star Wrestling viewers took place on the March 8 episode of The Body Shop, where his relation to Snuka was highlighted as he was introduced as Snuka's cousin. During his initial matches, Afi maintained an undefeated record, although most of his opponents belonged to the lower-tier competition, including Rene Goulet, Barry O, Ron Shaw, and Matt Borne. On March 6, 1986, he achieved a significant victory by pinning Bret Hart at a live event in Buffalo, NY. However, Afi's undefeated streak came to an end just three days later when he was defeated by Hart's partner, Jim Neidhart, in Landover, MD. Nevertheless, Afi continued to receive notable opportunities and continued to be promoted within the company. But the fans never really bought the act or invested in him as a serious replacement for Jimmy Snuka.
In a rather interesting turn of events, when Siva Afi, billed as "Superfly" Afi, made his highly anticipated Madison Square Garden debut, as his name was announced, the crowd initially erupted with excitement, half-believing that the legendary Jimmy Snuka had returned to the ring. However, their hopes were quickly dashed as they witnessed a noticeably smaller figure engaging in a frenetic dance within the squared circle. The audience's sentiment swiftly turned, and they vehemently rejected Afi's presence. Despite WWE's attempt to present Afi as "Superfly" and emphasize his alleged familial connection to Snuka, the fans remained unconvinced. It was a challenging task for Afi to step into the shoes of Snuka, who had briefly become wrestling's biggest star and had an extraordinary rapport with the audience. The magic and genuine connection that Snuka possessed couldn't be replicated or manufactured. Nevertheless, Afi persisted in the WWE until around 1990. Unfortunately, his time in the promotion was largely forgettable, failing to make a lasting impact or create memorable moments that would secure his place in wrestling history.
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A Telling Tale Of WWE's Failed Attempts At Replacements
Throughout its storied history, WWE has often faced the daunting challenge of replacing top stars who have left the company. Siva and Snuka's tale is by no means the only one. Time and time again, the company has sought to introduce new talent with the hopes of replicating the success and popularity of their predecessors.
Examples include Lex Luger, who couldn't fill Hulk Hogan's shoes, and Roman Reigns, who faced backlash trying to become the next Rock. WWE's attempts to replicate the charisma and impact of iconic figures have fallen short, as the unique qualities that make each star special cannot be manufactured.
