Paul Orndorff, aka “Mr. Wonderful,” one of the greats from the World Wrestling Federation’s 1980s heyday, has died. He was 71.
His son Travis made the announcement Monday on Instagram, where he has documented his father’s recent health struggles.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr,” wrote the younger Orndorff. “He is better known as “Mr. #1derful” Paul Orndorff.”
Orndorff was instantly recognizable in the ring for his impressive build and blond hair, but his son said friends and family loved him for something else.
“Most of you will remember him for his physique,” he wrote. “Many will remember his intensity. But if I could only get you to understand and see his heart.”
Orndorff came up in the Southern wrestling circuit, and signed with the WWE predecessor World Wrestling Federation in late 1983, where “Rowdy” Roddy Piper became his manager.
His son Travis made the announcement Monday on Instagram, where he has documented his father’s recent health struggles.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr,” wrote the younger Orndorff. “He is better known as “Mr. #1derful” Paul Orndorff.”
Orndorff was instantly recognizable in the ring for his impressive build and blond hair, but his son said friends and family loved him for something else.
“Most of you will remember him for his physique,” he wrote. “Many will remember his intensity. But if I could only get you to understand and see his heart.”
Orndorff came up in the Southern wrestling circuit, and signed with the WWE predecessor World Wrestling Federation in late 1983, where “Rowdy” Roddy Piper became his manager.
- 7/12/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
WWE.com
The name still rings out in promotions around the world today; ‘E-c-w, E-c-w, E-c-w’. By all accounts the third promotion in major North American professional wrestling during the heady days of the 1990s, Extreme Championship Wrestling was the rule-breaking rebellious youngest son of the pro graps family.
It would go on to become a humongous influence on both professional wrestling today and professional wrestling over the 15 years since the doors closed on the original incarnation. Well, original incarnation isn’t exactly true, as before it was taking things to the Extreme the promotion was merely Eastern Championship Wrestling.
The Ecw championship was introduced in April 1992, with Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka crowned the first champion by defeating Salvatore Bellomo to become the first champion. Numerous men had reigns under the Eastern banner, but it wasn’t until Shane Douglas picked up the title in 1994 that things really took off. This...
The name still rings out in promotions around the world today; ‘E-c-w, E-c-w, E-c-w’. By all accounts the third promotion in major North American professional wrestling during the heady days of the 1990s, Extreme Championship Wrestling was the rule-breaking rebellious youngest son of the pro graps family.
It would go on to become a humongous influence on both professional wrestling today and professional wrestling over the 15 years since the doors closed on the original incarnation. Well, original incarnation isn’t exactly true, as before it was taking things to the Extreme the promotion was merely Eastern Championship Wrestling.
The Ecw championship was introduced in April 1992, with Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka crowned the first champion by defeating Salvatore Bellomo to become the first champion. Numerous men had reigns under the Eastern banner, but it wasn’t until Shane Douglas picked up the title in 1994 that things really took off. This...
- 1/19/2016
- by John Bills
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
“(Wrestler X) has invoked his rematch clause.” You hear this all the time after a title changes hands. The former champ gets an automatic rematch, which these days will either take place at the next PPV or the next night on Raw (if the person lost the title at a Sunday PPV). The rematch clause is a great storytelling device that lends continuity to the product. It typically sets up another PPV match with a big question: Will the new champ solidify his reign, or can the former champ turn him into a one-hit wonder?
We just saw this this week with Big E getting a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship he lost to Bad News Barrett at Extreme Rules, and Barrett’s reign looks to be moving forward, probably with a new challenger stepping forward in the coming weeks.
But there have been numerous high-profile examples throughout...
“(Wrestler X) has invoked his rematch clause.” You hear this all the time after a title changes hands. The former champ gets an automatic rematch, which these days will either take place at the next PPV or the next night on Raw (if the person lost the title at a Sunday PPV). The rematch clause is a great storytelling device that lends continuity to the product. It typically sets up another PPV match with a big question: Will the new champ solidify his reign, or can the former champ turn him into a one-hit wonder?
We just saw this this week with Big E getting a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship he lost to Bad News Barrett at Extreme Rules, and Barrett’s reign looks to be moving forward, probably with a new challenger stepping forward in the coming weeks.
But there have been numerous high-profile examples throughout...
- 5/9/2014
- by Scott Carlson
- Obsessed with Film
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