WWE announced on Tuesday that King Kong Bundy, whose real name is Christopher Pallies, died at the age of 61.
Billed as a 6-foot-4, 458-pound monster from Atlantic City, New Jersey, King Kong Bundy made his first appearances wrestling as “Chris Canyon” in 1981. After spending time in different territories and developing his King Kong Bundy character, he returned to WWE and was paired with legendary manager Jimmy Hart.
Bundy played the role of a heel, and he would regularly destroy overmatched opponents in squash matches. Bundy was so dominant that he had referees count to five instead of three, making it more difficult to secure a pinfall.
After feuding with Andre the Giant, Bundy began a program with Hulk Hogan that culminated with a WrestleMania II main event for the World Heavyweight Championship. He also played a part in The Undertaker’s epic WrestleMania streak near the end of his WWE career, losing to The Undertaker at WrestleMania XI in 1995.
