WWE stars and fans mourn the loss of 1980s wrestling icon ‘Mr. Wonderful ‘Paul Orndorff

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Former pro wrestling superstar Paul Orndorff, better known to fans as “Mr. Wonderful”, died on Monday at the age of 71, his family announced.

The cause of his death was not immediately known, but he had recently been diagnosed with dementia.

Orndorff was largely a “heel” or villain, and part of his act revolved around his own effusive praise of himself. He often played with “Mr. # 1derful” written on the back of his trunks like WWE and then called WWF – became popular in the 1980s.

He performed in the main event of the first WrestleMania in 1985, where he and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper fought Mr. T and Hulk Hogan in a tag team match, with Muhammad Ali acting as one of the referees.

He and Hogan fought against each other often, including a steel cage grudge match in 1986:

His son, Travis Orndorff, announced the death in an Instagram post, writing in part:

“Most of you will remember him for his looks. Many will remember its intensity. But if only I could make you understand and see her heart. He will always be Pop, Paw Paw and Daddy at home. And even though a lot of you hated him as a wrestler, he absolutely loved you for it.

WWE shared video of their 2005 Hall of Fame induction as a tribute:

Orndorff was diagnosed with dementia this year after years of battling memory loss, which his family blamed on brain damage suffered during his wrestling career.

“I hope the world starts to realize the brain damage and the consequences of this lifestyle,” her son wrote on Instagram. “I don’t blame WWE or Vince McMahon like you might think. Nobody knew this was going to happen. But we can do something now.

Orndorff was one of a number of wrestlers who took part in a 2016 lawsuit against WWE for long-term neurological issues they said were the result of their work for the company.

Orndorff said in the lawsuit he suffered from headaches, dizziness and memory loss.

This lawsuit was dismissed and the Supreme Court this year refused to hear an appeal.

Her family raised money for her funeral expenses on GoFundMe.

Wrestling stars and fans paid tribute on social media:



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