29 Wrestlers Who Died In 2019

19. King Kong Bundy (4 March)

Ashley Massaro
WWE

Legendary monster heel King Kong Bundy passed away at his home in Glassboro, NJ, on 4 March following complications from diabetes. He was 63.

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 on to Hogan.

The 450-pounder was one of only a handful of performers fans thought 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 and 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.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.