WWE Legend King Kong Bundy Passes Away At 61

Rest in peace to the WrestleMania 2 headliner.

King Kong Bundy
WWE.com

Legendary monster heel King Kong Bundy has passed away at 61 years old.

Bundy's friend, David Herro, broke the news on Twitter last night, with PW Insider corroborating the story soon after. Further details on his passing are currently unknown.

Best known for headlining WrestleMania 2 against WWE Champion Hulk Hogan, Bundy was a major figure for the promotion in the mid-to-late 1980s. He first joined the promotion in '85, having retired Fritz Von Erich three years prior, and was pushed to the moon upon arrival, feuding with Andre the Giant before moving onto Hogan.

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The 450-pounder was one of only a handful of performers fans thought was capable of beating Hogan at the height of Hulkamania, though he ultimately fell to the era-defining icon. Later, Bundy would forge an alliance with Big John Studd, before leaving WWE in 1988, taking several years off from wrestling before a one-off ECW appearance in 1993.

Bundy returned for a one-year WWE run in 1994 during which he became part of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation, though he couldn't reach his old heights. He finally put a bow on his 26-year wrestling career in 2007.

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RIP to the man Gorilla Monsoon famously dubbed a 'Walking Condominium.' WhatCulture.com wish to offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.