Orndorff semi-retired in 1988 due to arm and neck injuries but would wrestle occasionally on the independent circuit. After beating lymph node cancer in 2011, Orndorff returned in good spirits, and in 2015 returned to WWE television on an episode of Table for 3 with fellow Hall of Famers Rowdy Roddy Piper and "Mean" Gene Okerlund. In the video, the WWE Hall of Famer was unrecognizable and appeared to be confused while eating the contents of condiment packets.Travis Orndorff intended to make fans aware of his father's condition, but he received a lot of backlash from those in the . he wrote. Smith worked his way up the card and eventually main-evented many events in Florida, including a Nov. 1958 show that featured him in a title match against NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Dick Hutton. Instead of taking the move appropriately and landing flat on his belly, Austin decided to imitate a lawn dart and jump as high as he could and land on the very top of his head. Press Esc to cancel. R.I.P. Jarrett (wearing a Tennessee Titans jersey) harasses the Buffalo Bills players at ringside [what, it wasnt enough that the Bills lost to the Jets Sunday?]. ", Orndorff attended the Chicago Bears training camp in Rensselaer, Ind., but he ended up walking out of there as well and returning home to Brandon. Changed my life. I love pro wrestling and hate BS. Orndorff was wrestling draws in the opening or second matches with Jim Dalton, Leon Ogle, and King Cobra. And as much as many of you hated him as a wrestler, he absolutely loved you for it. Heading into camp, Orndorff was listed as the third running back on the depth chart and believed hed be given every chance to make the roster. The pair became thick as thieves, which isnt surprising when you consider Smiths athletic background, which, with the benefit of hindsight, mirrors much of how Orndorffs athletic and professional career played out. Ron hides the bat under the ring. "The construction business went sort of flat, and I was out of a job all of a sudden," Orndorff remembered. 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. The daring position change garnered newspaper headlines like "Bruce Hopes Orndorff Experiment Pans Out.". Sting retrieves his baseball bat and clobbers them. Check out his Binge News site for all of your streaming, binge-watching news. Sting's win-loss record in All Elite Wrestling is 13-0 as of this writing. He was 71. "Paul was a bad ass. Paul was a phenomenal wrestler and athlete," he wrote. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. "I said he was thinking of playing Canadian football. In Jan. 1973, just a few weeks after the impressive Tangerine Bowl performance, Orndorff participated in the American Bowl in Tampa, which featured numerous graduating college football players. I was a little kid again. Good call. #RIPMrWonderful, ORNDORFF WAS ALL-STAR FOOTBALL PLAYER IN HIGH SCHOOL. Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. (October 29, 1949 - July 12, 2021), nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful", was an American professional wrestler and college football player, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). With an untreated neck injury, he left the WWF for WCW in early 1990, where he won the WCW World Television Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championship with Paul Roma (as a team called Pretty Wonderful). "Just heard about the passing of Paul Mr 1derfulOrndorff. A stud," he wrote on Twitter. I AM SO SAD I LOVE YOU FOREVER REST IN PEACE", PAUL ORNDORFF. If we didnt think he did, we wouldnt be here.". Famous commentator Jim Ross paid tribute to the late wrestler Paul Orndorff on Monday. > The Artist Canvas . The opportunity came about when a mutual friend, Ted Dorfman, ran into Walston at the Tampa Airport as Walston was en route to the NFL meetings in Miami. "Paul Orndorff was a true, mans man. Paul Orndorff was suffering from dementia, believed to have been caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He believes the condition was caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy. ICP and Vampiro take it to Muta. "I recruited Paul, and I can tell you, even as a freshman, he looked like a man among boys," said Fran Curci (Orndorffs first football coach at the University of Tampa) in a February 1986 Philadelphia Daily News article. However, the father and son didnt have a close relationship. Now, WWE uses only contracted wrestlers who have more than six weeks of training. ", Besides, he later said, "I had accomplished everything I wanted to do in football.". "Paul Orndorff was a true, mans man. Orndorff's family created aGoFundMepage in order to raise money for the icon's funeral. Orndorff experienced a difficult childhood, growing up in the tough Clair-Mel City neighborhood, and his parents divorced when he was young. Orndorff had dealt with health issues in recent . The community experienced rapid growth during Orndorffs childhood in the mid-1960s, with a population that topped 30,000 around the time he reached high school. I could be a main event and draw money.". His son Travis revealed that Mr Wonderful passed away in an Instagram post on Monday. After being put through a table, A-Wall rules the roost. Boxing legend Ali helped promote the event, featuring as a guest referee. "He was an amazing father that showed me more love than I ever deserved. Goldberg was always regarded as a passionate worker, who sometimes let his intensity get in the way of the safety of his opponents. All donations and love gifts are appreciated.". While playing at Brandon High, Orndorff developed a close relationship with his football coach Charlie Livingstone, who became a father figure to him. Douglas hurls Kidman off the scaffold. Mysterio had set up his 619 finisher in similar fashion to plenty of wrestlers without anyone ever being injured before. In 1969, he earned Brandon High Schools first state championship in the discus with a throw of 165 -7". ", Orndorff would come clean in a Sept. 2, 1976 story in The Tampa Tribune where he admitted he withdrew from football because he "just got homesick, to tell you the truth. As a youngster, Orndorff was a star high school football player. Paige is still hopeful for an in-ring return, but WWE is taking no chances and keeping Paige out of action indefinitely. While teaming with Big Vito, Rey Mysterio, Disco Inferno & Juventud Guerrera against The Natural Born Thrillers, Orndorff suffered a neck injury while trying to execute a piledriver and the match was stopped. In any case, his match at the pay per view, Sin, was the end of his full time career in both WCW and WWE. Sid argued that that he was pressured to do the move, and while Sid isnt always the most reliable source, for him to decide to do such a stupid move on his own seems a bit farfetched also. Paul Orndorff, the WWE Hall of Famer who fought in the first-ever WrestleMania, died on Monday. "He did nothing to help my football career. Whether it was amateur wrestling, bodybuilding, football, track and field, or even arm wrestling, Paul Orndorff displayed a wide-ranging athletic aptitude that exceeded most mens capabilities. During the 1990s, he had numerous runs in WCW, winning the tag titles three times in addition to one reign as World Television Champion, before retiring in 2000 after suffering another neck injury. Read our Paul Orndorff live blog for all the latest news and updates "He was so much more than a wrestler," Paul Orndorffs son, Travis, captioned an Instagram post. Eager to learn from the best, he regularly made the 140-mile ride from the Naval Base in San Diego to Santa Monicas famed Muscle Beach. In this article well detail 15 of these moves that ended the careers of 15 wrestlers. WE TRAIN TOGETHER. The pair got marriedback in 1971 and remained together until the end. #1derful Paul Orndorff. Orndorff was recruited three years prior when Ladd set up a meeting for him in New York, where there was talk of a program with WWF Champion Bob Backlund. The unbelievable finally happened. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and two appearances, first at . On July 12, 2021, Paul Orndorff died in Fayetteville, GA. . He credits his time in Mid-South and the firm teachings of Watts for his growth as a wrestler to where he could master his craft by always putting on different matches and become a draw. His son Travis revealed that Mr Wonderful passed away in an Instagram post on Monday. The wear and tear of professional wrestling has broken down the bodies of many wrestlers resulting in some minor lingering injuries to other injuries are far more serious. . At age 38, he was the oldest contestant ever to earn that distinction. It wasnt unusual for the scrappy youngster to get into a fight with an older kid to prove his toughness. Five days a week. They agree. While he was here, he was given the name of Mr Wonderful by his then-manager, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Fellow WWE wrestler known by his wrestling name "The Natural" tweeted in response to Orndorff's death. ", Paul Orndorff was the first wrestler I hated & feared as a child. Former WWE superstar CM Punk wrote: "Damn. Professional wrestler the Iron Sheik, real name Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, tweeted a heartfelt message in his classic all caps style following Paul Orndorff's death. Once the Filthy Animals were behind in numbers, a fired-up Orndorff tagged in. Needless to say Chuck Austins career was over, and he sued the WWE and Jannetty for failing to protect him. "It was Eddie Graham," Orndorff said. On the page, Travis's wife, Amayou Smith, wrote: "Hi my name is Amayou, my husband is Travis Orndorff. A piledriver is a professional wrestling driver move in which the wrestler grabs their opponent, turns them upside-down, and drops into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the opponent head-first into the mat. 13th July 2021, 12:58 pm. Its such a shame that the legendary career of Bret Hart would end on a simple kick, with Goldberg calling the incident one of the worst moments of his life. Your email address will not be published. In 2011, he also. "He is better known as Mr. However, Rollins has hit the move before on many other superstars without any incident. WWE Mr. In 1943, Smith was the quarterback at Atlanta Tech High School and led the team to one of its greatest seasons. After taking several months off to heal, Martel would return and face Booker Ts brother, Stevie Ray. #PaulOrndorff, PAUL ORNDORFF'S SON CONFIRMS HIS DEATH IN STATEMENT. Whether its a compilation of nagging injuries or a severe injury in the ring, many wrestlers find their careers shortened or at a shocking end from the abuse they put their bodies through. Follow Jesse on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JessePRodriguez to get his latest articles. Orndorff initially retired due to a neck injury at the 'Fall Brawl' event in 2000, but he managed to wrestle one last match in 2017 at the age of 67. . I was extremely lucky to have had him on so many Southeastern cards. > Sporting Connection Paul Orndorff, friend and foe to Hulk Hogan in the 1980s WWF, died at 71 WWE By Ian Casselberry on July 13, 2021 Before Andre the Giant turned heel and betrayed Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorff did it. On July 12,Travis Orndorff, Mr Wonderful's son, confirmed his father's deathafter battling dementia and head trauma. B Brian Blair on Paul Orndorff, Shoot Fights, Ribs, and More! Graham was one of the top wrestling stars of his era and eventually the owner of the Championship Wrestling from Florida territory. Fellow WWE wrestler known by his wrestling name "The Natural" tweeted in response to Orndorff's death. MY BROTHER. I thought it,but I didnt know it. I AM SO SAD I LOVE YOU FOREVER REST IN PEACE pic.twitter.com/RXovORjxVp, WWE WRESTLER BOBBY ROODE TWEETS THAT ORNDORFF WAS AN 'INSPIRATION'. Orndorff left in great shape after working as an ironworker during the summer. As the population grew, sports became more of an integral part of this community that later produced many professional athletes and Olympians, including former MLB pitcher Sterling Hitchcock, former NBA center Dwayne Schintzius and fellow professional wrestler Daffney, who is best known for her 1999-2001 run in WCW and TNA from 2008-2011. Paul Orndorff Jr., better known as WWE Hall of Famer "Mr. Wonderful," has died. One of the saddest injuries came from a simple dropkick which not only ended a career, it ended a life as well. His career ended when he suffered a neck injury at Fall Brawl 2000 and went on to help run the WCW Power Plant. Wonderful, Paul Orndorff. Bah. Smith also trained other football players, including Ordnorffs college football teammate and future NFL star, John Matuszak, WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund, and 3x Mr. Olympia & Mr. Universe Frank Zane. ", My heart is saddened again. "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr," Travis Orndorff wrote. The schools football history dated back to 1933, and once Paul arrived, the Spartans were two seasons into playing their home games at Tampa Stadium, which had a capacity of more than 40,000. Ha. He suffered a neck injury, and Orndorff was immediately pinned, marking the rare occasion in which a wrestler eliminated himself after performing his own move. He was inducted into theWWE Hall of Fame in 2005and theNational Wrestling AllianceHall of Famein 2009. I love you Daddy. 3/15 3. At the same time, Tampa considered a de-emphasis of football, which it followed through on a few years later. Orndorff shows Johnny The Bull to the showers at 12:52. Angelo Mosca and Joe Kapp Old Rivalries Die Hard, Dick Murdoch Always Controversial, Always Himself, Eddie and Mike Graham Triumph and Dark Tragedy, Tully Blanchard | His Memorable Football Career Before Wrestling, WWE Greatest Royal Rumble Fluke Finish A Throwback to a Classic, Bob Backlund Humble Beginnings to Championship Gold, Gino Hernandez His Tragic Death and The Mystery That Remains, Battle for Atlanta | How The NWA Crushed Ann Gunkels Outlaw Promotion. Because of that, people were always trying to infiltrate the business and then sell the truth of what we were doing and how we were doing it to the outside world. As a junior, Orndorff rushed for 503 yards and four touchdowns. The page has raised a total of $860 out of its $25,000 goal so far. Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. was an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation who has an estimated Net Worth of $100 thousand in 2021. That lawsuit has later dismissed in 2018. Davids place is a mess. His career was ended abruptly after a neck injury that . Fall Brawl was a big surprise for WCW. and Los Boricuas?) In a moment that matches up with Bundy splashing Little Beaver at WrestleMania 3, Jarrett breaks a guitar over Colemans head. Just heard about the passing of Paul Mr 1derfulOrndorff. Corporal Cajun hits the Whiplash in the confusion. The move sounds ridiculous enough, but it was made even worse coming from a large guy who normallydidn't perform moves off the turnbuckle. That evening, a linebacker on the team was shot to death. May 27, 1995 - Saturday Night: Paul Orndorff defeated Jim Duggan in the semi-finals of the Slim Jim tournament. Mike Awesome arrives with Gary Coleman from Different Strokes fame. Later, this game would be known as the Citrus Bowl and frequently hosted high-profile SEC, Big Ten, or ACC programs. Strangely enough, Kidman and Madusa dont win. Because the match suddenly concluded without any real winners, Orndorff appears to have legitimately hurt himself. He is in a medical facility and doesnt seem to know who his son was in the video. Man, I had so many matches and learned a ton with #PaulOrndorff Hate to see this, but know he's not in pain anymore. Chicago excites me. The respectful crowd in Buffalo, New York, gave Orndorff a standing ovation and cheered his name to show their concern and support. Despite Earles explanation, Orndorff thought the position change was punishment for his two fumbles in the prior game against Louisville. Hacksaw Jim Duggan is the special ringside enforcer. His career highlights included competing alongside the likes of Hulk Hogan and Mr T. Paul Orndorff's son Travis confirmed in a statement that his father suffered from dementia. It was reported that Orndorff was talking to medical personel and that he was able to move his legs which is always a good sign that the paralysis could be a transient state. We've spent a lot of time talking about the impact Hulk Hogan had on Paul Orndorff's . Wonderful aka The Brandon Bull. Orndorff nearly earned the Most Valuable Player Award, but he played both tight end and fullback in the game and received votes at each position, which likely hurt him as the media awarded an MVP to both the top lineman (the tight end is part of the offensive line) and top back. The technique is said to have been innovated by Wild Bill Longson.. Orndorff was also one of five Floridians, and the first from Brandon, to be named to the All-Southern football team. #RIPMrWonderful, ORNDORFF WAS ALL-STAR FOOTBALL PLAYER IN HIGH SCHOOL. I was a little kid again. Kwee-wee (challenger) Vs Elix Skipper (champion) (WCW Cruiserweight Title Match), Kronik Vs The Harris Brothers (chain match), Lance Storm (champion) Vs General Rection (challenger) (WCW U.S. Canadian Heavyweight Title Match), The Natural Born Killers Vs The Filthy Animals (Tag Team Elimination Match), Billy Kidman, Madusa Vs Shane Douglas, Torrie (Scaffold Match), Jeff Jarrett Vs Mike Awesome (Bunkhouse Brawl Match), Booker T. (challenger) Vs Kevin Nash (champion) (WCW World Heavyweight Title Steel Cage Match). Fellow WWE wrestler Bobby Roode took to Twitter to express the inspiration that Paul Orndorff was to him following Orndorff's death. Paul Orndorff had more class, talent, athletic ability than almost anyone I ever knew. Quote Tweet. Maybe 95ish. His career highlights included competing alongside the likes of other wrestling legends like Hulk Hogan and Mr T. Paul Orndorff will have a public funeral, according to Wrestling Inc. > Books Legendary WWE Hall of Famer "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff has passed away aged 71. Estrada failed to answer the ten-count, and Edge won his debut match albeit not in the way he wanted to. Mysterio would attempt his 619 finisher where the opponent would drape himself over the middle rope. We lost another great one," one fan wrote. "We are impressed with his strength, running, and blocking. Orndorff has Sawyer down and is beating him but the bell rings for the draw. In what should have been a great debut for a future WWE Hall of Famer like Edge instead came to be rather bittersweet. Kronik level Silverman with High Time. "He was an amazing father that showed me more love than I ever deserved. Paul Orndorff, better known by his in-ring name Mr Wonderful, passed away on Monday, July 12. Orndorff had been living in a medical facility while battling dementia. Paul Orndorff joined WWE in 1983 and was given his "Mr. Wonderful". Orndorff incurred a serious arm injury during a weightlifting accident that forced him . His son, Travis, took to Instagram this afternoon and announced the passing. "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr," Travis Orndorff wrote. > Collectibles Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. (October 29, 1949 - July 12, 2021), nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful", was an American professional wrestler and NFL football player, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Mr. Apr 1: WWE WrestleMania His son, Travis, announced his father's death on social media earlier today. Paul Orndorff and Vader | The Messy Fight That Led to WCW Departure, Paul Orndorff How a Social Media Movement Saved His Home, Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time. I love you, Daddy," he concluded the tribute. Paul Orndorff, 71, suffered an arm and neck injury during a wrestling match with Hulk Hogan. They tested my will. Orndorff was 71-years-old at the time of his death. he hurt his arm and rather than take time off to heal, he continued wrestling. Great Guy, Legit Tough!" "From his robes and ring gear to his muscular physique and legitimate toughness, he was to me what a pro wrestler should be. Scott Hudson saysI thought the Canadian national anthem was Freewill by Rush. Hart at first was critical of Goldbergs careless kick but has eventually forgiven him. Steiner clocks Goldberg with a steel pipe to the head and slaps on the Recliner. Unfortunately, it was in the heat of his marquee issue with Hulk Hogan that he suffered a catastrophic injury. On July 12,Travis Orndorff, Mr Wonderful's son, confirmed his father's deathafter battling dementia and head trauma. The last man Orndorff had to wrestle was Hiro Matsuda, a known shooter who was trained by Karl Gotch, one of the greatest shooters who ever lived. Like Orndorff, Smith was a star high school football player. "And, believe me, being an ironworker is hard work.". Paul Orndorff, known to wrestling fans around the world as "Mr. Wonderful," died this week at age 71. He was 71. Slow, boring and a waste of time. The Aug. 14, 1974 edition of The Tampa Tribune quoted his wife Rhonda as saying, "Paul has no intention of talking to the press at this time. However, Orndorffs stay there was almost a short one when early in his run, Watts pulled Orndorff aside and told him things werent working out, but hed give him one more day. I was a little kid again. Elixs Overdrive demolishes Kwee-wee. Orndorff's death was announced by his son . He lands like Madusa did. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and two appearances, first at . Ron Matejko is a contributing writer for Pro Wrestling Stories. YOU WERE THE TOUGHEST. The WWE fame Paul Orndorff passed away on 12 July 2021. This was the case involving Stone Cold Steve Austin and one of the safer wrestlers to work with, Owen Hart. I remember, too, that he played an excellent game, slowing us down a lot after the early scoring as Kent State nearly caught up with us.". Orndorff beat cancer a few years ago after being diagnosed in 2011. During his sophomore season, Orndorff missed two weeks with a broken cheekbone and a cut that required 24 stitches to repair. Wonderful" was born. In the same meet, he won a trophy with a discus throw of 154 -9". Rest In Peace!". Orndorff worked at the WCW Power Plant and was brought back for a ten-man elimination tag at the Fall Brawl event in September 2000. WWE's officialTwitteraccount posted a tribute to the fallen star, tweeting: "WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff has passed away at the age of 71. Instead, Orndorff chose to play college football at his hometown University of Tampa and remain close to his wife and young son. 0 comments. WWE Hall of Fame member Eric Bischoff tweeted out his condolences after announcements of Paul Orndorff's death. Thank you for all of them Paul. Orndorff was reportedly worth $100,000, according toCelebrity Net Worth. I AM SO SAD I LOVE YOU FOREVER REST IN PEACE", PAUL ORNDORFF. Storm makes Rection submit to the Maple Leaf. "Paul Orndorff was the first wrestler I hated & feared as a child. He will always be Pop, Paw Paw, and Daddy at home. Orndorff never watched wrestling before because it looked fake to him. In 2003, at the age of 38, Austin decided to hang it up, lest he risk permanent damage. A Scorpion Death Drop on Muta ends the match. 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