Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
RIP, King Kong Bundy, 61, a Giant in Pro Wrestling
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
March 5, 2019

Share

King Kong Bundy, the 400-pound behemoth who once headlined WrestleMania 2 against Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 61.

Bundy died Monday, said promoter and longtime friend David Herro. He posted on Facebook : “Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family.” The cause of death and other details were not disclosed.

Described by the legendary wrestling figure Gorilla Monsoon as “The Condominium with Legs,” Bundy used his hefty frame to bully opponents, finishing them off by leaping onto them in the ring corner, a move known as the “Avalanche.”

Bundy a Frequent Headliner

Bundy received his first major break in Dallas, headlining a 1982 show at Texas Stadium — then home of the NFL’s Cowboys — against Fritz Von Erich, wrestling in his retirement match.

Described by the legendary wrestling figure Gorilla Monsoon as “The Condominium with Legs,” Bundy used his hefty frame to bully opponents, finishing them off by leaping onto them in the ring corner, a move known as the “Avalanche.”

Known for his shaved head, Bundy wrestled around the country as a bad guy, utilizing his giant frame. He developed his trademark by pinning his opponent for a five-count instead of the requisite three.

After stops in Mid-South Wrestling (based in Louisiana/Oklahoma), Georgia — where he appeared nationally on TBS cable — and Memphis, Bundy returned to the WWF in 1985. Four years earlier, he debuted there as a preliminary wrestler known as Chris Canyon.

This time, Bundy headlined against the likes of Andre the Giant and Hogan. The latter two squared off in a big blue cage at WrestleMania 2 in Los Angeles in 1986. Hogan prevailed that night.

Bundy left the WWF in early 1988 for an acting career, with guest appearances on the TV show “Married… with Children” and the Richard Pryor movie “Moving.”

Bundy returned for one final run with the WWF in 1994, but could not replicate his top status. He fell to The Undertaker at the 1995 version of WrestleMania, and left the WWF for good months later.

He spent the rest of his career wrestling occasionally on the independent circuit and appearing at wrestling conventions.

A New Jersey Native

Bundy grew up in New Jersey, real name Christopher Pallies, and was billed for most of his career from Atlantic City. Trained by one-time wrestler Larry Sharpe, Bundy debuted under the Canyon name, losing on TV more than winning.

Arriving in the Dallas territory by 1982, Bundy appeared as a babyface — wrestling parlance for good guy — under the name of Big Daddy Bundy, a Nome, Alaska native and friend of popular Von Erich family.

Bundy later turned on the Von Erichs, and saw himself on the top of the card for the better part of 1980s wrestling.

DON'T MISS

What to Know About Pam Bondi, Trump’s New Pick for Attorney General

DON'T MISS

North Korean Leader Says Past Diplomacy Only Confirmed US Hostility

DON'T MISS

Democrats Strike Deal to Get More Biden Judges Confirmed Before Congress Adjourns

DON'T MISS

Newsom Gaslights on Potential Gas Price Hikes in Fresno Visit

DON'T MISS

Automakers to Trump: Please Require Us to Sell Electric Vehicles

DON'T MISS

President Biden Welcomes 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics to White House

DON'T MISS

Ohtani Makes History With 3rd MVP, Judge Claims 2nd AL Honor

DON'T MISS

Trump Chooses Pam Bondi for Attorney General Pick After Gaetz Withdraws

DON'T MISS

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

DON'T MISS

Cutting in Line? American Airlines’ New Boarding Tech Might Stop You at Now Over 100 Airports

UP NEXT

MLB Will Test Robot Umpires at 13 Spring Training Ballparks Hosting 19 Teams

UP NEXT

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Breaks NCAA Wins Record With 1,217th Victory

UP NEXT

Warriors Guard De’Anthony Melton to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

UP NEXT

Wiggins, Curry Power Warriors to Dominant Win Over Hawks

UP NEXT

Sale and Skubal Claim Cy Young Awards After Historic Pitching Triple Crown Seasons

UP NEXT

Bulldogs Stack Double-Doubles Like Burgers on a Plate to Beat Prairie View

UP NEXT

Love Seeks Redemption as Packers Prepare for 49ers Rematch

UP NEXT

With or Without Lockridge, Can Bulldogs Get Out of Their Own Way to Become Bowl Eligible?

UP NEXT

Hate Your Instagram Feed? New Reset Feature Enhances User Control

UP NEXT

Visalia’s Stephen Vogt Voted AL Manager of the Year

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Newsom Gaslights on Potential Gas Price Hikes in Fresno Visit

6 hours ago

Automakers to Trump: Please Require Us to Sell Electric Vehicles

7 hours ago

President Biden Welcomes 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics to White House

7 hours ago

Ohtani Makes History With 3rd MVP, Judge Claims 2nd AL Honor

7 hours ago

Trump Chooses Pam Bondi for Attorney General Pick After Gaetz Withdraws

7 hours ago

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

8 hours ago

Cutting in Line? American Airlines’ New Boarding Tech Might Stop You at Now Over 100 Airports

8 hours ago

MLB Will Test Robot Umpires at 13 Spring Training Ballparks Hosting 19 Teams

8 hours ago

Death Toll in Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say

9 hours ago

Jussie Smollett’s Conviction in 2019 Attack on Himself Is Overturned

9 hours ago

What to Know About Pam Bondi, Trump’s New Pick for Attorney General

NEW YORK — Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, was chosen Thursday by Donald Trump to serve as U.S. attorney general hours after...

4 hours ago

4 hours ago

What to Know About Pam Bondi, Trump’s New Pick for Attorney General

5 hours ago

North Korean Leader Says Past Diplomacy Only Confirmed US Hostility

5 hours ago

Democrats Strike Deal to Get More Biden Judges Confirmed Before Congress Adjourns

6 hours ago

Newsom Gaslights on Potential Gas Price Hikes in Fresno Visit

President Joe Biden with Mary Barra, the chief executive of General Motors, at the Detroit Auto Show, Sept. 14, 2022. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to erase the Biden administration’s tailpipe rules designed to get carmakers to produce electric vehicles, but most U.S. automakers want to keep them. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
7 hours ago

Automakers to Trump: Please Require Us to Sell Electric Vehicles

7 hours ago

President Biden Welcomes 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics to White House

7 hours ago

Ohtani Makes History With 3rd MVP, Judge Claims 2nd AL Honor

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at First Horizon Coliseum, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Greensboro, NC. (AP/Alex Brandon)
7 hours ago

Trump Chooses Pam Bondi for Attorney General Pick After Gaetz Withdraws

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend