Wrestler King Kong Bundy, also known as the “walking condominium,” has died, World Wrestling Entertainment and his promoter said Tuesday. He was 61. "Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family. Rest in Peace Chris. We love you. Thank you for believing in me," wrote Bundy's promoter and friend David Herro on Facebook. Bundy, an Atlantic City, New Jersey, native whose real name was Christopher Pallies, started wrestling with the WWE in the 1980s. Bundy, at 6-foot-4 and 458 pounds, "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," according to the WWE. He was known for "destroying opponents with his Avalanche Splash" and took out his opponent, Special Delivery Jones, in nine seconds in the first WrestleMania in 1985, the WWE said. He took on Hulk Hogan in a steel cage match during WrestleMania 2. He lost that match, "but Bundy's mammoth girth and devastating splashes came close to putting The Hulkster away for good," the WWE said. Bundy stopped wrestling with the WWE in the late 1980s but returned for a brief period in the 90s as a member of The Million Dollar Corporation, according to the WWE. Bundy's cause of death was not immediately known. He was due to appear next month at WrestleCon New York City.<doc-sep>Associated Press GLASSBORO, N.J. (AP) — Professional wrestler King Kong Bundy has died at age 61. Promoter and longtime friend David Herro says Bundy died on Monday. Herro posted on Facebook: "Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family." The cause of death and other details were not disclosed. Bundy, whose real name was Christopher Pallies, was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 6-foot-4 (1.93 meters), 458-pound (208-kilogram) wrestler made his World Wrestling Federation debut in 1981. He was best known for facing Hulk Hogan in 1986 in a steel cage match at WrestleMania 2, which Hogan won. Bundy had guest appearances on the sitcom "Married...with Children." He was planning to appear next month at WrestleCon in New York City.<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email Professional wrestler King Kong Bundy has died at age 61. Promoter and longtime friend David Herro says Bundy died on Monday. Herro posted on Facebook: “Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family.” The cause of death and other details were not disclosed. READ MORE: ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ actor Luke Perry dead at 52 The World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) released a statement following the news of Bundy’s passing. “WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Legend King Kong Bundy has passed away,” the statement read. It continued: “Bundy was appropriately called the ‘walking condominium,’ standing at an impressive six foot four inches and weighing 458 pounds. The sight of Bundy stepping between the ropes was intimidating enough, but his crushing offence 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.” Story continues below advertisement They said that Bundy “broke into WWE in the 1980s, dominating at the first WrestleMania and memorably challenging Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship inside a Steel Cage at WrestleMania 2.” “WWE extends its condolences to Bundy’s family, friends and fans,” the statement concluded. WWE is saddened to learn that King Kong Bundy has passed away.https://t.co/SNrSunQYeQ — WWE (@WWE) March 5, 2019 READ MORE: On the Radar: Our March entertainment picks Bundy, whose real name was Christopher Pallies, was born in Atlantic City, N.J. The wrestler made his World Wrestling Federation debut in 1981. He was best known for facing Hulk Hogan in 1986 in WrestleMania 2. Hogan won. Story continues below advertisement Bundy had guest appearances on the sitcom Married…with Children. He was planning to appear next month at WrestleCon in New York City. Many fans of the wrestler and people in the WWE community took to Twitter to share their condolences. OMG can’t hardly believe my friend Chris Pallies aka King Kong Bundy has passed away. Very sad news he was a kind soul. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again. — Brutus Beefcake (@brutusbeefcake_) March 5, 2019 Hate to hear about the passing of King Kong Bundy. He was so cool to me when I walked in that @WWE dressing room as an absolute nobody in 1986. — Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) March 5, 2019 Story continues below advertisement Damn RIP King Kong Bundy pic.twitter.com/HI1Rgsxzsw — Biff Lawson (@Bifflawson) March 5, 2019 One of my fondest memories of watching WWF as a kid was Hulk Hogan vs. #KingKongBundy in the blue cage at Wrestle Mania 2. RIP pic.twitter.com/WLLLp7pasU — Michael Stets (@Michael_Stets) March 5, 2019 I never met King Kong Bundy but if it wasn’t for King Kong Bundy, I might never have been a Hulkamaniac. RIP. — Joey Ryan (@JoeyRyanOnline) March 5, 2019 I never met King Kong Bundy but if it wasn’t for King Kong Bundy, I might never have been a Hulkamaniac. RIP. — Joey Ryan (@JoeyRyanOnline) March 5, 2019 I met King Kong Bundy in 1999. I had just started training and was helping out backstage at the show he was on. I’ll always remember him being really funny and just such a great guy. I wish I had been lucky enough to cross paths with him again. My thoughts go out to his family. — Kejwhdbmwkiajdbsn (@FightOwensFight) March 5, 2019 Oh, no! King Kong Bundy. The five count was so much fun. What a great villain, and great in his Sportscenter commercial. My goodness, the look on Gary Miller's face is priceless. R.I.P. — Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) March 5, 2019 Devastated to hear of the passing of one of the first big stars to work with me and help me when I first started in pro wrestling. I had the honor of working with King Kong Bundy many times and he was a consummate professional and gentleman. RIP KKB, God Bless. pic.twitter.com/cjJkZNA6qh — Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) March 5, 2019 RIP King Kong Bundy. One of the best villains of 1980’s wrestling. A man who did his job with such incredible authenticity. A rare find. Thank you for your contributions sir. Godspeed. #five — Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) March 5, 2019 RIP my friend. Thanks for your humor and kindness. #KingKongBundy pic.twitter.com/MdzLtvyy6S — Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) March 5, 2019 So sad to learn of King Kong Bundy passing away. A true legendary big man who paved the way for a lot of us. A true gentleman and so kind to be around. God bless you. pic.twitter.com/iDyZR865mD — Abyss (@TherealAbyss) March 5, 2019 A monster in the ring, hilariously entertaining every single time he crossed over into pop culture, and one of my favorite LJN Figures as a kid. RIP King Kong Bundy. A five count salute to you. pic.twitter.com/YSpPHQX79w — Jonny Loquasto (@JQuasto) March 5, 2019 sucks to hear the passing of King Kong Bundy, only met you once and you actually said hello to me first by name, couldn’t believe you knew me.. you paved the way for big men today RIP #FIVE — RIGGS (@realscottyriggs) March 5, 2019 Rest In Peace, Mr. King Kong Bundy. It was fun to watch you wrestle and even more fun to watch you beat up Bud Bundy on Married With Children. pic.twitter.com/8LbEeGykbu — Shawn Garrett (@ShawnGarrett) March 5, 2019 King Kong Bundy had some amateur wrestling success as well. Here he is as 1973 All South Jersey Wrestling 2nd Team Selection. Heavyweight. #Five #RIP pic.twitter.com/04oxykQBLc — Denny Burkholder (@DennyBurkholder) March 5, 2019 I'm hoping @WWEBigE hits someone with a five count on Smackdown Live in honor of King Kong Bundy — Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 5, 2019 — With files from the Associated Press<doc-sep>
On April 7, 1986, the wrestler known as King Kong Bundy entered a steel cage in Los Angeles for the title match during the second-ever Wrestlemania. His opponent was Hulk Hogan. A month earlier, Bundy, who clocked in at 6-foot-4 and 458-pounds, had attacked Hogan, damaging his ribs, and in the steel cage Hogan was now wearing tape that Bundy immediately ripped off. It was an epic fight—the biggest of Bundy’s career—that ended with Hogan, who was defending his WWF title, as the victor. King Kong Bundy died Monday night, according to his promoter and longtime friend David Herro. "Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family,” Herro said in a Facebook post Monday night. Bundy was just 61. The cause of death was not disclosed. Bundy attends day 1 of Wintercon 2015 NY Comic and Sci-Fi expo at Resorts World Casino New York City on December 5, 2015 in New York City. Getty Images Bundy, whose given name is Christopher Pallies, was born in Atlantic City, according to the Associated Press. He made his WWF debut in 1981, wrestled Andre the Giant before taking on Hulk Hogan, and was still wrestling up until his death. Hours before his death was announced, Bundy had tweeted that he was scheduled to appear at WrestleCon in New York City this weekend. Beyond wrestling, Bundy was an actor, having appeared in the Fox show, Married ... With Children. His death sparked an outpouring of condolences on Twitter, with Hulk Hogan saying: "Overwhelmed by King Kong Bundy’s passing, only great memories, R.I.P. big man until we meet again." Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, another wrestler of that era, tweeted: “Can’t hardly believe my friend Chris Pallies aka King Kong Bundy has passed away. Very sad news he was a kind soul. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again.” Michael Sebastian Michael Sebastian was named editor-in-chief of Esquire in June 2019 where he oversees print and digital content, strategy and operations.