More sad news from the pro wrestling world this morning as wrestling legend King Kong Bundy, former WrestleMania main-eventer and namesake of the family from Married … With Children, has died. The announcement was made by Bundy’s longtime friend Chris Herro in a post on Facebook. Bundy (real name Chris Pallies) was 61 years old.
WWE also shared the news of Bundy’s passing.
WWE is saddened to learn that King Kong Bundy has passed away.https://t.co/SNrSunQYeQ
— WWE (@WWE) March 5, 2019
WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Legend King Kong Bundy has passed away.
Bundy was appropriately called the “walking condominium,” standing at an impressive 6-foot-4 and weighing 458 pounds. The sight of Bundy stepping between the ropes was intimidating enough, but his crushing offense proved that he was every bit as destructive as advertised. In fact, Bundy was so dominant that he demanded referees count to five when he pinned his opponents to show that there was no way they were getting up.
The Atlantic City native began his career in 1981, but didn’t really turn into the man we knew until relocating to Texas in 1982 to compete in World Class Championship Wrestling. There he took the name “Big Daddy Bundy” — the “Bundy” part for serial killer Ted Bundy — donned a black singlet, lost his hair in a feud with the Von Erich family, and became the iconic character who’d end up facing Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship in the main event of WrestleMania 2.
Bundy also had a successful acting career, of course showing up in two episodes of Married … With Children, as well as appearing on the television version of Weird Sceince, and in the 1988 Richard Pryor film Moving.
If you’re aren’t familiar with King Kong’s work, make sure to watch the videos below. Our love and condolences go out to his family and friends.
