Former WWE legend Chris Pallies, aka King Kong Bundy, has died, announced the wrestling company on March 5, 2019.
Bundy had an enormous stature and well deserved his nickname. He was 6-foot-4 and weighed 458 pounds. Some people called him “The Walking Condominium.” The cause of his death and other details were not disclosed.
He was very fast and very popular. He made his wrestling debut in 1985 and was best known for facing Hulk Hogan for the title WrestleMania 2, which Hogan won in 1986. Despite his defeat, he became even more popular and was invited to big shows like “Married with Children,” “Weird Science,” and “Boy Meets World,” as well as national commercials.
WWE Legend King Kong Bundy Dead at 61 https://t.co/zSa3XiVYeQ
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 5, 2019
He left the ring in the late 80s but made a comeback in 1994. One of his peculiarities was making the referee count to 5 instead of 3, just to show his dominance over his opponents.
As people learned of his passing away, various tributes were posted on social media.
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
RIP my friend. Thanks for your humor and kindness. #KingKongBundy pic.twitter.com/MdzLtvyy6S
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) March 5, 2019
Dozens of Wrestlers Sue WWE Over Neurological Injuries
Retired wrestlers and referees sued World Wrestling Entertainment Inc for damages over neurological injuries they said they sustained through the sport.
The complaint was filed on July 18, 2016, at the federal court in New Haven, Connecticut, on behalf of more than 50 wrestlers and some former referees who performed with WWE or its predecessors since the 1970s.
Joseph Laurinaitis, 55, known as “Road Warrior Animal;” Jimmy Snuka, 72, known as “Superfly;” Paul Orndorff, 66, known as “Mr. Wonderful,” and many others claim to suffer from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease, and other neurological injuries. Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed after death as it requires brain tissue examination.
Laurinaitis, Snuka, and Orndorff suffer from cognitive difficulties including headaches, dizziness, and memory loss; Snuka and Orndorff also experience confusion, depression, and mood swings, the complaint states.
“WWE placed corporate gain over its wrestlers’ health, safety, and financial security, choosing to leave the plaintiffs severely injured and with no recourse to treat their damaged minds and bodies,” said the complaint.
The wrestlers said the moves that cause CTE and associated diseases from repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBI) were performed correctly.
“In other words, the head trauma that has resulted in injury is the accumulated effect of many impacts to the Plaintiffs’ heads that occurred on a regular, routine basis during their WWE career.”
The Epoch Times reporter Sherley Boursiquot contributed to this report.
