The world of professional wrestling mourned the loss of a true icon with the passing of “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff.
Known for his impressive career in the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) during the 1980s, Orndorff left an indelible mark on the wrestling world.
In this article, we will delve into the circumstances surrounding Paul Orndorff's death, paying tribute to the wrestling legend.
Who was Paul Orndorff?
Born on October 29, 1949, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. nicknamed “Mr. Wonderful”, was an American professional wrestler and college football player best remembered for his performances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
After seven years of laboring around the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Orndorff rose to prominence in the 1980s WWF wrestling boom, appearing extensively alongside manager Bobby Heenan and champion Hulk Hogan, including main events at the inaugural WrestleMania and Survivor Series.
He left the WWF in early 1990 to join WCW, where he won the WCW World Television Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championship with Paul Roma (Pretty Wonderful).
Arm atrophy caused by a lingering ailment forced him to retire in 2000, and he was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. He mentored prospective wrestlers after retirement. In 2005, Orndorff was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and in 2009, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame.
How did Paul Orndorff die?
Paul Orndorff, a WWE Hall of Famer who once competed in Wrestlemania, died on July 12, 2021. Orndorff died of dementia in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 71.
In an Instagram post on Monday, his son Travis informed me that Mr. Wonderful had died.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr,” Travis Orndorff stated in a statement.
He explained that his father developed dementia, which he believes was brought on by chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
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Hulk Hogan sent online condolences to the iconic wrestler and claimed he was “slammed” to learn about Orndoff's death on Monday.
In response to Orndorff's passing, another WWE wrestler known as “The Natural” tweeted.
“Man, I had so many matches and learned a ton with #PaulOrndorff,” he said in a tweet.
