WWE legend King Kong Bundy, whose real name was Christopher Pallies, has died at the age of 61. The news was shared on Facebook by his long-time friend David Herro, who wrote: "Today we lost a legend and a man I consider family. Rest in peace Chris. We love you." Authorities have not yet revealed the cause of death.
Bundy rose to fame in the 1980s as one of wrestling's most imposing figures, weighing over 458lbs (208kg) and known as the "walking condominium". He made his WWE debut in 1981 and quickly developed his signature move, the 'five count', where he demanded the referee count to five rather than the customary three while pinning his opponent. He achieved international fame as a rival to Hulk Hogan in the mid-1980s.
WWE said it was "saddened to learn that WWE legend King Kong Bundy has passed away", calling him "one of the greatest and most eye-catching big men to lace up a set of boots". Hogan expressed his sadness, saying he was "overwhelmed" by the news. The Iron Sheik wrote "goodbye big man" alongside a photo, while Canadian wrestler Kevin Owens remembered Bundy as "really funny and just such a great guy". Carmine Sabia said Bundy was "one of the first big stars to work with me and help me when I first started in pro-wrestling".
Bundy had been planning to appear at a wrestling convention in New York next month and tweeted about it shortly before his death. Outside the ring, he made TV appearances including in the US sitcom 'Married... with Children'. He was also part of a class-action lawsuit filed against WWE in 2016 alleging the company failed to protect wrestlers from head injuries; the case was dismissed in 2018.
Fans shared their memories, with Basilio Frusciante telling the BBC that Bundy "left an impression on me as a wrestling fan going back to when I became one as a kid... at the age of five". He added that although Bundy performed as a "baddy", "from all accounts, he was a very nice guy".
