Professional wrestling legend King Kong Bundy has died at age 61.
In a Facebook post, Bundy’s promoter and longtime friend David Herro says Bundy passed away on Monday.
“Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family. Rest in Peace Chris.”
The cause of death and other details were not provided.
Bundy, whose real name was Christopher Pallies, made his World Wrestling Federation debut in 1981.
Billed at 6-foot-4, and 458 pounds, Bundy was a dominant force in professional wrestling, often demanding a five count (as opposed to the usual three) as he pinned his opponents, to prove how badly he had beaten them.
Bundy’s biggest match came when he faced Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in a steel cage match at Wrestlemania 2.
Though Bundy lost the match, in doing so he helped solidify Hogan as the top babyface in wrestling.
Bundy retired from the WWF in 1988, but continued to make independent wrestling appearances until 2007.
Bundy also enjoyed some crossover success, making guests appearances on Married… with Children, whose creators had named the family “Bundy” in homage to him, as well as in Richard Pryor’s 1988 film “Moving.”
Just hours before his death, Bundy tweeted that he was planning to appear next month at WrestleCon in New York City.
The wrestling world was rocked by the announcement of Bundy’s death, with tributes pouring in online.
“Overwhelmed by King Kong Bundy’s passing, only great memories,” Hulk Hogan wrote on Twitter Tuesday morning. “R.I.P. big man until we meet again.”
“I’m saddened by the passing of King Kong Bundy. Great guy, who I’ve known most of my career. RIP my friend,” wrote “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase
“R.I.P. King Kong Bundy... another great wrestling talent gone too soon,” Jerry “The King” Lawler wrote. “He will be missed, but he's in good company now.”
