WWE Legend King Kong Bundy reportedly passed away at the age of 61 on Monday.
The news was first reported by wrestling promoter David Herro on Twitter. Herro has confirmed the passing with Bundy’s family.
WWE producer Shane Helms also commented on Bundy’s passing.
There’s no word yet on what led to Bundy’s passing or when exactly it happened.
Bundy is most remembered for his WWF run in the 1980s. He defeated SD Jones in just 9 seconds at the very first WrestleMania, which was the shortest match in the event’s history until 2008. He was also in the first singles WrestleMania main event match at WrestleMania 2, when he faced Hulk Hogan in a steel cage. That match was the first steel cage match in WrestleMania history.
PWInsider reports that Bundy had been dealing with some health issues as of late.
WWE issued the following statement on Bundy:
King Kong Bundy passes awayWWE is saddened to learn that WWE Legend King Kong Bundy has passed away.
Bundy was appropriately called the “walking condominium,” standing at an impressive 6-foot-4 and weighing 458 pounds. The sight of Bundy stepping between the ropes was intimidating enough, but his crushing offense 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.
The Atlantic City, N.J., native 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.
Although Bundy left WWE in the late ’80s, he returned in 1994 as part of The Million Dollar Corporation, once again destroying rivals with the Avalanche Splash and proving that he was one of the greatest and most eye-catching big men to lace up a set of boots.
WWE extends its condolences to Bundy’s family, friends and fans.
Wrestling News Blog 