Professional Wrestler King Kong Bundy Dies At 61

King Kong Bundy, a 6ft 4in professional wrestler best known for facing Hulk Hogan in WrestleMania 2, has died at the age of 61.

Bundy died on Monday, said promoter and longtime friend David Herro, who posted on Facebook: “Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family.

WWE is saddened to learn that King Kong Bundy has passed away.https://t.co/SNrSunQYeQ

— WWE (@WWE) March 5, 2019

The cause of death and other details were not disclosed.

Bundy, whose real name was Christopher Pallies, was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 458lb wrestler made his World Wrestling Federation debut in 1981.

He faced Hogan in 1986 in a steel cage match at WrestleMania 2, which Hogan won. WWE said he was one of the “greatest … big men to lace up a set of boots”.

Hogan tweeted he was “overwhelmed” by Bundy’s death.

Overwhelmed by King Kong Bundy’s passing, only great memories,R.I.P. big man until we meet again. HH

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) March 5, 2019

Bundy had guest appearances on the sitcom Married With Children, in which the family on the show shared the Bundy name.

He left the WWF, which later became World Wrestling Entertainment, in the late 1980s but returned in 1994 as part of the Million Dollar Corporation, a group managed by “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase.

Bundy had been planning to appear next month at WrestleCon in New York City.