Legendary wrestler Christopher Alan Pallies, known worldwide by his ring name King Kong Bundy, has reportedly passed away at the age of 61. Details on Bundy’s passing aren’t yet known, but the wrestler’s longtime personal friend David Herro posted the news on social media to let his fans know the sad news. “Today we lost a Legend of a performer and someone that I considered family,” Herro writes on Twitter. “Rest In Peace my friend. Thank you for believing in me.”
Because he was perhaps born to be a pro wrestler, Bundy’s rise to fame in the World Wrestling Federation happened at a faster pace than most others. Starting his in-ring career in 1982, Bundy had signed on to wrestle for the WWF by early 1985. With Jimmy Hart and later Bobby “The Brain” Heenan serving as his managers, Bundy became one of the most fearsome bad guys on the company’s roster. After a feud with Andre the Giant, Bundy had set his sights on Hulk Hogan and the WWF World Heavyweight Championship by the end of the year.
RIP my friend. Thanks for your humor and kindness. #KingKongBundy pic.twitter.com/MdzLtvyy6S
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) March 5, 2019
Bundy’s most memorable match was when he fought Hogan for the title in the main event of WrestleMania 2 in 1986. The two brawled in a steel cage match, with the ring completely surrounded by steel blue bars. Ultimately, Hogan was victorious by escaping the cage first, but the match cemented Bundy as one of the WWF’s most memorable villains. When you’re talking about the rise of Hulkamania in the ’80s, you have to mention the Hulkster’s battle against the one and only King Kong Bundy.
Apart from his career as a wrestler, Bundy had done some movie and TV acting as well. Because his character shared a last name with the Bundy family on Married with Children, the wrestler had done guest appearances on the show multiple times, even portraying Peggy’s brother Irwin. He also appeared in the Richard Pryor film Moving and the Weird Science TV series.
King Kong Bundy will always be remembered as one greatest bad guys from the golden era of pro wrestling. May the fallen giant rest in peace.
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