Paul Orndorff passed away today at 71 years old. Travis Orndorff, the son of WWE Hall of Famer, announced the news in a post on Instagram. He wrote the following in the caption:
“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.
A donation page is available in my bio for funeral expenses. Any close friends whom would like to speak at his funeral, please message me on Instagram Travis_Orndorff.
-Travis Orndorff”
Orndorff’s health had declined in recent years. Back in June, it was revealed he had dementia and had been placed in a medical facility.
Orndorff overcame cancer several years ago after being diagnosed in 2011. He was part of a class action lawsuit against WWE in 2016 that alleged that wrestlers suffered “long term neurological injuries” and that WWE “fraudulently misrepresented and concealed” the nature of the injuries, but the lawsuit was dismissed in 2018.
Throughout his pro wrestling career, he worked for the likes of WWE, WCW, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, NWA and more. He was a top heel in WWE back in the 1980s and feuded with Hulk Hogan where they worked the first main event of WrestleMania in a tag team match. After all of the titles won and the success he earned, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
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