Jimmy Snuka Murder Charges Create Uncertain Situation For WWE To Navigate
The Snuka murder charges leveled at former WWE wrestler (and high-flying legend) Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka and reported by The Wrap on Tuesday have certainly grabbed headlines with many fans wondering how the WWE is going to proceed.
The company has a history of having to navigate tricky situations when real world tragedies or superstar missteps force their hand. The most infamous situation would be with the Chris Benoit murder-suicide.
Benoit is often regarded as one of the best technical wrestlers ever, and his arrival in WWE resulted in some truly memorable matches, but you will have to know your stuff to find him on the WWE Network as the company no longer advertises him.
Hulk Hogan also got a taste of this treatment to a lesser degree earlier this month when a racist tirade from 2012 prompted the company to sever all ties, remove merchandise, and scrub him from its prestigious Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately with the Snuka murder charges, the company is back in the spotlight in a manner similar to the Benoit tragedy.
As the Inquisitr‘s Jon Fisher reported earlier on Tuesday, Snuka is being charged with third-degree murder in the 1983 death of his former girlfriend Nancy Argentino. While Snuka maintains his innocence, police felt like the evidence was there to finally bring charges.
This creates added pressure for Tamina Snuka, “Superfly’s” daughter and one-third member of Team B.A.D., which has been featured prominently on WWE programming as of late. Tamina inherited her dad’s in-ring abilities, but she’s also inherited his baggage.
Most fans agree she doesn’t deserve to be caught up in something that happened when she was just five years old, but some are now speculating that the increased spotlight around her family lineage could lead to the company dropping that connection in storylines, commentary, and advertising materials. That wouldn’t, and shouldn’t, however, affect her status with the company.
At this point, it’s a guessing game. The WWE has issued a statement, but it’s a brief one [via WrestleView] with a “wait-and-see” approach.
“WWE expresses its continued sympathy to the Argentino family for their loss. Ultimately this legal matter will be decided by our judicial system.”
Expect the company to monitor this new development closely and at the very least add disclaimers to “Superfly” programming should police obtain a conviction or plea.
How do you think WWE will handle programming and references in the wake of these new Snuka murder charges? Sound off in the comments section.
[Image via WWE]
