The pro wrestling world lost one of the most popular giants in the history of the business. According to friend David Herro, King Kong Bundy has passed away at age 61. The cause of death is unknown.
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Bundy, whose real name was Christopher Pallies, first was known on a national scale in the early 1980s while competing for Fritz Von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling promotion. The New Jersey native became one of the top heels of the promotion, but after losing a "Loser Leaves Town" match against Tola Yatsu — he would compete on two more occasions against David Von Erich and Salvador Alivares — Bundy defected to Mid-South Wrestling, followed by Georgia Championship Wrestling American Wrestling Association, and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
WWE is saddened to learn that King Kong Bundy has passed away.https://t.co/SNrSunQYeQ
— WWE (@WWE) March 5, 2019
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Herro, who also is a wrestling promoter in the Wisconsin area and officiated the wedding between Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, commented on the passing of his dear friend Bundy.
Today we lost a Legend of a performer and someone that I considered family. @RealKKBundy Rest In Peace my friend. Thank you for believing in me. #KingKongBundy pic.twitter.com/b53l4xjhGi
— David Herro (@DavidHerro) March 5, 2019
"Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family. Rest in peace Chris. We love you. Thank you for believing in me."
Professional Wrestler King Kong Bundy made his recognized WWE debut on March 16, 1985, defeating Mario Mancinni. It only took Bundy about two minutes to beat Mancinni, and he controlled the entire match while pummeling his opponent. Just two weeks later, he defeated SD Jones in less than one minute at the inaugural WrestleMania event.
The next year at WrestleMania 2, Bundy had ascended to being one of the top heels in the company, competing against Hulk Hogan in the main event of the Los Angeles, California part of the three-city event. In 1988, Bundy stepped away from pro wrestling, but returned in 1993 to compete in the main event of the ECW November to Remember pay-per-view. He returned to WWE in 1994 and joined the heel Million Dollar Corporation faction, as well as competed in a major match at WrestleMania XI against The Undertaker in 1995.
Following his departure from WWE in 1995, Bundy competed for various independent promotions before retiring in 2007. Just hours before the report of his passing, Bundy tweeted that he was scheduled to be with Al Snow at WrestleCon during WrestleMania 35 weekend. He had also been vocal on social media of his desire to be in the WWE Hall of Fame.
