Upon his WWE (then-WWF) debut in 1982, he faced Bob Backlund for the WWE Championship in a series of matches, the most famous of which was a cage match where Snuka lept off the top of the cage, narrowly missing Backlund, who escaped as Snuka recovered.

Snuka repeated (and connected) the very same move off the cage on Don Muraco while feuding with him in 1983. Some fans in attendance that night, which included Mick Foley and Tommy Dreamer, considered it their inspiration to pursue wrestling years later.

Towards the end of his career peak, Snuka feuded with Roddy Piper, who, in an infamous "Piper's Pit" segment on WWE TV, smashed a real coconut over Snuka's head and whipped him with a belt. The two would engage in grudge matches throughout the year.

To the surprise and enjoyment of longtime fans, at the 2008 Royal Rumble, both Snuka and Piper revived their feud when both pummeled each other during the Rumble match before being eliminated.

Snuka was inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996.