WWE Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff who fought in Wrestlemania has died at the age of 71 and one of his sons confirmed the sad news to fans.
His son Travis revealed that Mr Wonderful passed away in an Instagram post on Monday.
"It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr," Travis Orndorff wrote.
He explained that his father had been battling with dementia, which he believes was caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Hulk Hogan led tributes online to the legendary wrestler and said that he was "slammed" by the news of Orndoff's death on Monday.
Read our Paul Orndorff live blog for all the latest news and updates…
- Jocelyn Cook
HOW DID ORNDORFF'S SON ANNOUNCE THE SAD NEWS?
His son announced the sad news in an Instagram post.
Travis wrote: "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. He is better known as ‘Mr. #1derful’ Paul Orndorff."
"Most of you will remember him for his physique. Many will remember his intensity. But if I could only get you to understand and see his heart. He will always be Pop, Paw Paw, and Daddy at home."
"And as much as many of you hated him as a wrestler, he absolutely loved you for it. He was an amazing father that showed me more love than I ever deserved. I love you Daddy."
- Jocelyn Cook
DID PAUL ORNDORFF HAVE KIDS?
Ronda Maxwell and Paul Orndorff shared two kids together.
They had two grown sons, Paul III and Travis.
His son Travis announced the news of his father's death with a heartbreaking Instagram post.
He wrote: "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr."
"He is better known as 'Mr. #1derful' Paul Orndorff. Most of you will remember him for his physique. Many will remember his intensity. But if I could only get you to understand and see his heart."
- Jocelyn Cook
WAS PAUL ORNDORFF MARRIED?
The wrestling legend married his high school sweetheart.
He and Ronda Maxwell Orndorff got married back in 1971 and have been together ever since, according to Distractify.
- Jocelyn Cook
WWE PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON ORNDORFF’S DEATH
Shortly after news broke that the wrestling great had died, WWE published an article commemorating Orndorff.
“WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff, known to fans as 'Mr. Wonderful,' passed away at the age of 71,” they wrote.
At the end of the article, which included photographs of Orndorff during his career, they extended condolences to his family and friends.
- Jocelyn Cook
WHO WAS PAUL ORNDORFF?
The former WWE superstar also wrestled for World Championship Wrestling as Mr Wonderful.
Orndorff exploded on the WWE scene in the 1980s, paired with manager Bobby Heenan.
Throughout the 80s, Orndorff became a star, often going head-to-head with the Immortal Hulk Hogan in the main event of the first Wrestlemania and Survivors Series
- Danielle Cinone
PAUL ORNDORFF JOINED WWE IN 1983
The wrestler joined WWE back in 1983.
While he was here, he gained his nickname Mr Wonderful by his then-manager Rowdy Roddy Piper.
During his career he competed alongside Hulk Hogan and Mr T.
- Danielle Cinone
HOW OLD WAS PAUL ORNDORFF WHEN HE DIED?
Paul Orndorff was 71 years old when he died.
- Danielle Cinone
ORNDORFF REMEMBERED AS 'AN INCREDIBLE PERFORMER'
- Danielle Cinone
‘HE LOVED YOU FOR IT’
Paul Orndorff’s son said that his dad loved the WWE audience’s reaction to his villainous persona.
Travis wrote said that “as much as many of you hated him as a wrestler, he absolutely loved you for it.”
- Danielle Cinone
WHEN DID ORNDORFF LEAVE WWE?
In 1988, he left WWE for WCW, where he captured the WCW World Television Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championships with Paul Roma.
Despite his successful WWE career, Orndorff never won the WWE Championship.
Injuries caused Mr Wonderful to step away from the square ring in 2000.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and the National Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame in 2009.
- Danielle Cinone
ORNDORFF ALWAYS 'TREATED YOU WELL'
- Danielle Cinone
WHEN DID PAUL ORNDORFF MAKE HIS DEBUT?
Paul Orndorff made his WWF debut in 1984 against Salvatore Bellomo in Madison Square Garden, reported Deadline.
He then battled it out with Hulk Hogan for the title and went on to fight Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana.
Orndorff and Piper faced Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka and “The Tonga Kid.”
- Danielle Cinone
FAMILY RAISING CASH FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES
Orndorff’s family created a GoFundMe page in order to raise money for the icon’s funeral.
On the page, Travis’s wife, Amayou Smith, wrote: “Hi my name is Amayou, my husband is Travis Orndorff.
“As some of you may know we are preparing for Paul ‘Mr Wonderful’ Orndorff’s final farewell.
“Travis wants to give everyone, including fans, the opportunity to Donate to Paul’s final expenses. All donations and love gifts are appreciated.”
The page has raised a total of $860 out of its $25,000 goal so far.
- Danielle Cinone
RETIRED WRESTLER ABYSS' TRIBUTE POST TO MR. WONDERFUL
- Danielle Cinone
CANADIAN WRESTLER PAYS TRIBUTE TO ORNDORFF
Adam "Edge" Copeland, a Canadian professional wrestler, tweeted following the news of Orndorff's death.
His tweet read: "Paul Orndorff was the first wrestler I hated & feared as a child. I was at the Big Event in Toronto.
"Changed my life. Years later the morning before WrestleMania 21, I trained with him and Hulk.
"I was a little kid again. One of my fondest memories. Thank you for all of them Paul."
- Danielle Cinone
ORNDORFF JOINED WWE IN 1983
The wrestler joined WWE back in 1983.
While he was here, he gained his nickname Mr Wonderful by his then-manager Rowdy Roddy Piper.
During his career he competed alongside Hulk Hogan and Mr T.
- Danielle Cinone
ORNDORFF HAD BEEN BATTLING DEMENTIA
He explained that his father had been battling with dementia, which he believes was caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
The condition happens when someone suffers repeated head trauma, however, it can only be diagnosed once someone has passed away.
It is not clear if an autopsy has been done yet.
- Danielle Cinone
'ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREATS'
Kane, a 54-year-old professional wrestler, also took to social media to remember the "great" Paul Orndorff.
He tweeted: "Paul Orndorff, one of the all-time greats, has passed away. RIP, Mr. Wonderful."
- Danielle Cinone
OWNER OF HOUSE OF HARDCORE RECOUNTS WATCHING ORNDORFF HIS ENTIRE LIFE
- Danielle Cinone
ORNDORFF REMEMBERED AS A 'GREAT GUY, LEGIT TOUGH!'
Ric Flair, a retired professional wrestler, also took to Twitter after learning of Paul Orndorff's passing.
He tweeted: "So Sorry To Hear Of The Passing Of Paul Orndorff aka Mr. Wonderful aka The Brandon Bull. Great Guy, Legit Tough!
"He Was Another Amazing Athlete That I Had The Pleasure Of Wrestling An Hour For The NWA Championship On Many Occasions! Rest In Peace!"
- Danielle Cinone
ORNDORFF REMEMBERED BY HULK HOGAN
Hulk Hogan took to Twitter after learning about Paul Orndorff's death.
He wrote: "Just got slammed with the Paul Orndorff news,RIP my brother,love you and thank you for always making me fight for everything in our matches,heaven just got even more Wonderful,love U4LifeHH."
- Danielle Cinone
HOW DID ORNDORFF'S SON ANNOUNCE THE SAD NEWS?
His son announced the sad news in an Instagram post.
Travis wrote: "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. He is better known as ‘Mr. #1derful’ Paul Orndorff.
"Most of you will remember him for his physique. Many will remember his intensity. But if I could only get you to understand and see his heart. He will always be Pop, Paw Paw, and Daddy at home.
"And as much as many of you hated him as a wrestler, he absolutely loved you for it. He was an amazing father that showed me more love than I ever deserved. I love you Daddy."
- Danielle Cinone
LOSS OF A 'TRUE SUPERSTAR'
- Danielle Cinone
REMEMBERING 'MR. WONDERFUL'
- Danielle Cinone
'SO MUCH MORE THAN A WRESTLER'
"He was so much more than a wrestler," Paul Orndorff’s son, Travis, captioned an Instagram post. "Thank you Tommy and Ashley for the memories."
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