The world of professional wrestling lost one of the all-time greats as “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff has passed away at the age of 71. It was announced on his son Travis’ Instagram page.
Orndorff had been suffering from dementia in recent years, which likely led to his death.
A Running Back at the University of Tampa, Orndorff played one season for the Jacksonville Sharks in the World Football League. He began his wrestling career in 1976, and would win titles across the United States for varying promotions, often competing at the top of the card. Notably, he won the NWA National Championship in Georgia twice.
His fame skyrocketed when he joined the World Wrestling Federation in late 1983, and he was part of the inaugural Wrestlemania, teaming with Roddy Piper against Hulk Hogan and Mr.T. Orndorff took the fall, and would become a babyface following Piper blaming Orndorff for the loss. Orndorff was one of the most popular wrestlers behind Hogan, but he would turn on Hogan in the summer of 1986, leading to him challenging for the WWF World Title in matches across North America. Orndorff never won, but it was one of the most lucrative programs in wrestling history.
Because of the money he was making in matches against Hogan, Orndorff did not take time off to rehab his right arm, which he injured during a weightlifting accident. It would affect him later, as his right arm atrophied, and became significantly smaller than his left. Orndorff would turn back babyface in 1987, but would leave the WWF before the year’s end.
Orndorff would go into semi-retirement, though came back for a few months in WCW. He again went into semi-retirement, but after a run in Jim Cornette’s Smoky Mountain Wrestling, he returned to national television with WCW in early 1993.
Orndorff would win the Television Title and World Tag Team Title, and was a regular for three years on WCW television. He was forced to retire in late 1995, as his past injuries caught up to him, and Orndorff would only appear sparingly.
The WWE Hall of Fame inducted him in 2005, with Bobby Heenan doing the honors. He is also a member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
A gofundme has been set up by the family to cover funeral expenses.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Paul Orndorff.
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