WWE has announced the passing away of one of their own, and legend of the Sport, Christopher Alan Pallies popularly known as King Kong Bundy, one of the most prominent WWE wrestling stars of the 1980s and 90s, died at the age of 61, on Tuesday.
The wrestling legend, whose real name was Christopher Alan Pallies, took on Hulk Hogan in the iconic steel cage match at WrestleMania 2 in 1986.
World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement that it was “saddened” by the news of his passing.
According to CNN, Pallies’ death was also confirmed by long-time friend and wrestling promoter, David Herro. “Today we lost a legend and a man I consider family,” he wrote on Facebook. “Rest in peace Chris. We love you. Thank you for believing in me.”
Pallies, who was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, started his wrestling career for the World Wrestling Federation in 1981 under the name Chris Canyon, before changing his name to King Kong Buddy.
Christopher Alan Pallies was known as the “walking condominium” as he was 6-foot-4-inches tall and weighed 458 pounds during his professional career.
WWE put out this tweet announcing his passing a few hours ago:
“WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Legend King Kong Bundy has passed away at age 61.
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 powerful 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”